Chapter 3

After they'd escaped Eichen House, Peter had driven them straight to his downtown apartment. He knew no one in the pack would look for her there, if any of them could even find it.

Once inside, Peter had carried her up the stairs to his spacious bedroom and into the en-suite. Placing her gently on the closed toilet lid, he had gently pushed the hair back from her face to get a better look at some of her injuries.

"They'll heal," she assured him softly. "I just need rest and some herbs."

"I can get the herbs if you tell me what you need," he replied.

She nodded. "After I rest." She blinked, and had a hard time opening her eyes again.

"Let's clean you up a bit first," Peter said, standing to retrieve a soft cloth and a basic first-aid kit. With great care, he cleaned and treated the visible burns, scrapes, and bruises, wiping down her arms, legs, and even her feet in an effort to make her feel clean before she slept.

Once he was finished, Phoebe accepted one of Peter's shirts and gingerly changed out of the hospital gown. When she was finished, Peter came back into the bathroom and carried her to the guest bed and laid her down gently, helping her to crawl beneath the covers. She was asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow, completely exhausted by her ordeal. Peter could smell her magic returning to her, and looked forward to the strength he knew was in her.

Moving to the living room, he sat down on the couch, placing himself between the bedroom and the door, keeping watch over the witch who would help him exact revenge on Scott McCall. He just had to earn her trust first.

Little did he know that he'd already begun.

…

Phoebe woke the next morning with a start, disoriented, having slept for more than twelve hours. She took in the sights and smells of the unfamiliar room before everything started to come back to her. Theo. Scott. Eichen House. Peter.

She stretched her sore limbs, and took a moment to assess her body. She would be sore for a while and some of the damage was severe, but only the potions they'd injected into her veins could have lasting consequences. Thankfully she had herbs at her home which would purge the last of them from her system and rebuild what they'd damaged.

If she could get them from her house that is. Sighing, she sat up carefully. She'd only begun to turn to place her feet on the floor when Peter appeared from nowhere. She started at his sudden appearance, hand flying to her throat.

"My apologies," Peter said. "I didn't mean to scare you."

She waved away his apology. "I'm just a little jumpy still." Looking at him shyly, she said, "Thank you for saving me."

"It was my pleasure," he replied. "It's an awful place."

She nodded in agreement, eyes flashing as her magic tried to swirl around her with the anger she felt. Drained as she was, she barely created a soft breeze.

"Do you feel up for a bath," Peter queried, crouching beside the bed. "I can draw one for you."

Phoebe studied him a moment before nodding. "That would be nice," she replied.

Peter stood and offered her his hand. When she took it, he helped her off the bed. When her knees wobbled, he lifted her into his arms and once again carried her into the bathroom. He set her on her feet, steadying her as she swayed. When she was stable, he left her to turn on the faucets.

"If you look in the cabinets, I should have some witch hazel. It may not be exactly what you need, but I know it can help."

"Why do you have witch hazel," she asked, leaning against the counter as she rummaged through the cabinets.

Peter laughed at her incredulous tone. "Werewolves can't take man-made medicines like Tylenol. They don't do any good for even the smallest amount of time. But we can use natural herbal remedies when our healing isn't working like it should. For whatever reason. So yes, I have witch hazel."

"Cool," she said, stepping over to the water to add a small amount of the aforementioned herbal powder to the water.

"I'll need my herbs from my house if we can get them," she said after a moment.

Peter glanced at her before turning the water off and getting a soft towel down from the cabinet.

"You mentioned that yesterday. I thought I would make a stop by your house and grab some of your things while you have a bath. Would you prefer I wait until you can do a list?"

"Am I staying here," she asked, a challenge in her eyes as she studied him.

Peter shrugged. "I thought that might be wise. Whoever put you in Eichen House might not be so generous a second time."

"It was Theo," she said, frowning. "He could find me here too."

"Not likely." Peter scoffed. "Not even Scott's pack knows where my apartment is, and I'm not listed here as Peter Hale. I also own the building so there's no nosy landlord."

Phoebe was impressed. She certainly did feel safer with Peter here than she had on her own in Eichen House. It could be good to lay low here for a while, at least until she figured out what to do about Theo…and Scott.

"So," Peter said, leaning against the door frame. "Do you need me to wait for a list?"

Phoebe shook her head, sitting on the edge of the tub. "No. I have an herb kit. It should be in my room on my desk. I'd like my computer and some of my clothes and toiletries, and all the salves and medicines in the bathroom cabinet. Other than that, I don't think I need anything else."

"Okay. I won't be long, sweetheart."