(Emily POV )
Elena had let me sleep in the next day before we headed out to the city. She had me do a tally of anything I might need before we left and we stopped at a few stores. We spent the day talking and laughing, just getting to know each other. I really like Elena, she was easy to talk to and it felt so good to have some girl time. I told her this and she agreed, she shared with me some of the more intimate details of being a female wolf. "Wait. So it's just us?" I asked incredulously, she nodded. "Yes, as far as we know you and I are the only ones to ever survive the bite. We don't know why." I thought about that Just the two of us, no wonder the males can't seem to get a grip. We kept the conversation light as we pulled up in front of a small grey building. My stomach did somersaults as we walked inside and Elena spoke with an elderly woman sitting at a reception desk. She made her way over to me and sat down in the chair beside mine. We both knew why we were here, thankfully nobody at the house had any clue, except maybe Jeremy. I have the feeling not much happens in the pack that he doesn't know about. I could smell my own fear coming from me in waves as my heart started to pound and my palms became sweaty. Finally a woman came out of a room and called me back into a bathroom. Instructing me on how to pee in a cup and where to leave it before she turned on her heel and shut the door behind her. My hands were shaking so hard I could hardly get the lid off of the cup. Once I was done I sat the cup on the shelf like I was instructed and walked back out to the waiting room. I found Elena on the phone, I could hear little voices coming from the other side. "Mommy when will you be home?" Asked a tiny voice that sounded like it came from a little girl. "She's working Kat, you know she'll be back soon" replied another young voice that belonged to a boy. He sounded older than the girl, even though I knew from talking and pictures Elena had shown me that they were twins. Elena reassured the kids that she would be home soon just as the woman from before walked out to call my name again. Elena quickly hung up and got up to follow me into a room with a table on it. I was instructed to undress from the waist down and get on the table. When the nurse left, Elena turned around to allow me some privacy. I couldn't breathe as my heart hammered down into my chest. We waited for what seemed like an eternity, though according to the clock it was only five minutes, before an elderly woman walked in with a chart in her hand.
"Well, it would appear that you are indeed pregnant." She said matter of factly before coming to sit beside me. I couldn't breathe, couldn't move, couldn't speak. My world came crashing down around me as I began to uncontrollably shake and cry. Elena was at my side in an instant, taking my hands and trying to reassure me the best way she could. The doctor explained my options for termination after Elena filled her in that this was an unexpected pregnancy, the result of being raped. I felt so much shame that I wasn't strong enough to do this. I wasn't even 21 yet, I don't even understand what's happening with my transitions right now. I don't want a reminder of him. I laid back on the table as Elena came to stand beside me and took my hand. Hot tears of shame rolled down my face as the doctor set to work ridding me of my last reminder of my captors, of my pain. When it was all over I was left alone to redress while Elena stepped out to speak with the doctor. We left shortly after, the car ride was silent aside from Elena explaining the symptoms the doctor said I could expect. She explained that thankfully since our bodies have advanced healing it wouldn't take my body as long to get back to normal. We stopped at another store to buy some feminine products before we started back toward Catskills.
By the time we made it back to the house the sun was starting to set. We walked inside as Jeremy called Elena over to talk with him, I'm assuming about the events of today. My entire body was achy as I trudged up the stairs. I finally found my room and walked inside, closing the door and locking it behind me. I could feel my stomach twisting and cramping in ways that sent shudders down my spine. I got up and walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the hot water cleanse me of my shame. I stood in the shower and cried, my body heaving with sobs. I slid against the cool tiled shower wall until I was sitting with my knees pulled up to my chest, letting the water mix with my tears. When no more tears would come I turned off the water and stepped out. I grabbed my favorite pair of sweats and a hoodie, pulling them over my body and welcoming the warmth they provided. I'd just finished drying my hair when I heard a light knock on my door. I expected to see Reese as I pulled it open, but instead Nick stood there with a huge plate of lasagna and garlic bread. His goofy grin made me forget for a moment the events of the day. He gestured toward my room asking if he could come in. I opened the door up and stepped aside. He walked in and sat the plate down at my desk and pulled the chair out, motioning for me to sit. I sat down as he went over to sit on the side of my bed, watching me as I picked up the fork and took a bite of the lasagna. It was heavenly. He grinned as my stomach growled for more. "So, I realized earlier that we don't know much about each other" he said. "You're my pack sister now so I was thinking maybe if you wanted to we could get to know each other a bit?" His easy going demeanor had me relaxed and in no time at all we were sharing embarrassing stories and laughing until our sides hurt. "-then she slapped me right on the ass, I wasn't expecting it and I fell face first into the fountain-" he was animatedly telling me another story that had me squealing with laughter. Once I'd finished my food I went over to sit on the side of the bed near him. "So let's play a game, I say a word and you tell me your favorite thing associated with it, okay?" I nodded my head as he began, he asked me about my favorite animals, places to visit, dream cars. We talked about our lives before I came here. By the time we were done talking my sides were in stitches from laughing so hard and Nick had tears streaming down his face. I needed this. I thought to myself, how long had it been since I'd laughed like that? Soon my eyelids began to droop and I watched Nick pick up the plate and turn to leave. He wished me goodnight and told me that Reese had gone out for a while but he would be back soon. He paused at the door and turned back to look at me. "You know, Reese was right, you really are a total sweetheart. I can see why he's crazy about you" he said with a smile before turning to close the door.
As much of a distraction as Nick had been, the moment I was alone again I could feel the tears slowly prick at my eyes. Reese thought I was amazing, but would he if he knew what I'd done? He could never know. Elena had promised that what happened today was completely confidential, and even though I didn't know her very well I believed her. I laid there and cried myself to sleep, letting my guilt and shame wash over me until my sobs pulled me into a restless sleep.
I dreamed I was back inside the house in the woods. Flashes of sharp teeth and the smell of blood permeated my senses. I could see my body being torn to shreds by the wolf that bit me. Unable to look away I watched as he tore my body from limb to limb. I could hear the shredding of my skin as bits and pieces of it ripped from my body. I could hear myself screaming but it wouldn't stop the pain. Just as the wolf lunged at my face I felt myself being pulled awake-
I jerked my body as my eyes flew open. Tears were streaming down my face and my body was sticky with sweat. I felt strong hands grip my arms as I was pulled up into a warm chest, I could hear my name but it took me a moment to register that I was awake. My eyes darted frantically around the dark room until I realized it was Reese holding me. His eyes were wide with worry as he pulled me into a bone crushing hug. He held me there until my breathing returned back to normal and my tears slowed. I slowly pulled back to adjust myself into a sitting position, Reese's hands never leaving me. "Are you okay now?" His voice cracked at the last word and I could see tears threatening to fall. I nodded my head yes, unable to form words. He leaned back and pulled me on top of him so that I was laying straddling his lap with my head on his chest. My wolf purred with happiness at the contact, which instantly soothed me. "Emily, babe, we have to talk about it" he said quietly. I nodded my head again, I knew we did. We just hadn't had the chance since he found me. So I told him everything- almost everything. His hands clenched my waist as I told him about the day I was taken, how they'd known who he was. His breathing hitched when I told him the guy who attacked me was Australian. By the time I was done we both had silent tears streaming down our faces. "Em, did they- did they hurt you?" His voice was barely above a whisper. I didn't want to lie to him, but I couldn't tell him the truth. I couldn't break his heart anymore than all of this already had. A fat tear fell onto his chest as I pondered what to say. "Just shut up and hold me." I knew it wasn't an answer, but I just wasn't ready to say it to him. I didn't want him to think less of me. I glanced up at him and he had a murderous expression on his face. He already knows, he's known since the night he found you. My wolf reminded me, upset with me for not being honest with our mate. Wait. Mate? I didn't even know what that meant. My wolf was so confusing sometimes, sure Reese and I had spent lots of time together and I think he enjoyed my company as much as I did his, but it was never too serious.
His hands traced lines along my back and I shivered at the contact, breaking my thoughts about my confusing wolf. I lifted my head to see him laying with his head back on the pillows, breathing in my scent. Does my scent calm him down like his does for me? I wondered. Before I could stop myself I asked him "Reese? What do I smell like?" I bit my lip as he opened his eyes and stiffened under me. When he met my gaze his eyes were dark and filled with.. lust? I sat up onto my elbows and watched him formulate an answer. " Well, you smell like-" he paused and took a few deep breaths "you smell like jasmine, and sunshine, and-" he paused again before I interrupted him "Like a bitch in heat?" I blurted the words as heat crept up my cheeks. He turned his head to the side and looked at me curiously before he smiled. "No babe, not like a bitch in heat. I would be lying to you if I said that your scent didn't do something to me. It's.. tantalizing" he whispered as he trailed his fingers along my side. My breathing hitched in my throat and my heart went into overdrive. I swallowed hard as I leaned up to kiss him. He stiffened at first, but quickly relaxed and returned my kiss. He gently ran his hands along my legs, leaving a trail of fire in their path. After a few moments I pulled away from the kiss, blushing deeply when I shifted and felt him hard under me. "I'm sorry" I said as I pulled myself off of him and onto my side to lay on his chest. "What in the world do you have to be sorry for?" He questioned me curiously. I glanced down at the bulge in his pants before meeting his gaze. "I just- I'm not ready to- I'm not trying to tease y-" he cut me off with a finger to my lips. "No. Emily don't apologize for that. I don't care if it takes you a lifetime to be ready, I'll wait for you. I would never forgive myself if I pushed you into doing something you weren't ready for." He wrapped his arms around me and I sat my head on his chest. We both fell asleep tangled up in each other, this sleep coming much more peacefully than the last. No dreams haunted me when I closed my eyes as I snuggled myself even tighter against him. I can't be sure, but I'm almost positive I heard him whisper that he loved me before darkness pulled me under into a blissful sleep.