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Chapter Seven

Her P.O.V

Warmth and comfort. That was the first things I registered.

It felt like I was lying on a sunny cloud, well at least what I imagine it would feel like. I could just imagine its white puffs soft beneath me, slightly warm from the rays of sun. I sighed with a satisfied smile. I was comfortably cosy without a care in the world, I could easily stay here forever.

In the distance a bird chirped loudly, its voice shrill and piercing, rousing me out of my fantasy. I frowned irritated and cracked my eyes open, only to shut them again as bright light temporarily blinded me. I opened them again and this time my eyes adjusted.

Outside a white framed window on a tree branch was a willy-wag tail twittering happily to itself, its feathered tail flickering from side to side. It must be looking for insects near the window I thought. I watched it lazily until it flew away. I closed my eyes when it had gone with a tired sigh, hoping to go back to sleep...

Hold up... WINDOW?

My eyes flew open and bulged as I sat bolt upright in shock, only to scream when the right side of my chest seared with pain. I slumped back down clutching it as I took restricted breathes, waiting for the pain to subside, my head throbbing.

Then I remembered.

My last conscious hours seemed to replay through my mind in fast forward. The hunger, the deer, the hunters, the bullets, the pain, the chase, the darkness, the pain, the beautiful man…

"You shouldn't move, you're still healing" I heard an anxious voice say. My head whipped to the source.

I froze, my heart stopping, the air in my lungs knocked out of me... the beautiful man.

Just like in my memories there he was, clear as day in all his angelic perfection, sitting in a chair next to me. Russet skin, inky hair, high cheekbones and warm chocolate eyes staring intently at me. I found myself captivated, all thoughts of pain gone.

My memories began to whirl again.

...The beautiful man, then the wanting to take me to help...

I blinked bringing me out of my daze and looked at my surroundings. Four creamy walls surrounded me in what appeared to be a bedroom. There was the white framed window on one side and a wooden wardrobe on the other. I was in a bed situated in a corner.

My heart began to drum and my breathing increased as I looked back towards the guy, fear and anxiety engulfing my body. Where was I? Did they know about me? I searched the guys face for any sort of sign. He had a slight frown but it wasn't because he was angry or scared, he looked concerned.

The more I looked at his face, the more I found my mind wondering. He really was very attractive, I hadn't been hallucinating it before. My eyes travelled down and if possible, they widened. He was shirtless. My eyes racked over his bare chest, taking in his hard pecks, rippling six pack and muscular arms. How had I missed this before?

"Um..."

His voice seemed so loud in the silence that I visibly flinched, my eyes flicking back to his face. I felt warmth creep up my neck onto my cheeks. Was I blushing?

Come on Alli get a hold of yourself, you cannot do this right now. I mentally slapped myself. I didn't know who this guy was, why he had brought me here, what he was planning to do with me. I had to have my wits about me around this stranger. I began to watch him carefully, taking in his ruffled hair, full lips...

"What's your name?" he finally said, snapping me out of my daze once again.

I hesitated, not knowing if I should tell him. He waited patiently, his eyes sparkling with, excitement? Is that a good or bad thing? I don't know... I don't know if I can trust him, I'm in what appears to be his bedroom after all! What is my name to him anyway?

Stupidly I looked back into his eyes.

"Allira." I said quietly in a dazed voice.

Damit.

"Allira..." he breathed in a husky voice looking thoughtfully at me.

A shiver ran down my spine as he said my name, the good kind that seems to make you melt on its way down.

Yep, I was staring again. This really has to stop it is getting ridiculous and so should he, he's just as bad. Staring at me with such intensity it feels like I'll combust.

"Where am I?" I tried to say in a strong voice, but it wavered at the end totally ruining it.

My voice seemed to surprise him and he shook his head slightly, blinking a few times.

"Oh, um, you're at Billy Blacks house, a family friend of mine," He paused to swallow. I had no idea who Billy Black was but I guess his house was better than a hospital, he continued, "It was the closest place from where we found you." He cast his eyes down when he finished and I noticed his hands clench into fists next to his legs. Something was troubling him and for some reason it stirred something in me. Ignoring those feelings I pushed on with the next question probing my mind.

"Who are you?" I tried to say indifferently, though I think my inquisitive eyes gave me away.

He looked up at me, the hard line of his lips forming into the tiniest of smiles.

"I'm Seth, Seth Clearwater." and he smiled fully at me, his fists relaxing. It stunned me at first and I found myself staring, again. His eyes crinkled slightly when he smiled and he had dimples in his cheeks, it made him look so much younger. He should always smile... ALLI NO! Shockingly I realised I was smiling back. I instantly dropped it and looked away.

Okay I had defiantly received head trauma of some kind, that or I was on some serious meds here.

There was an awkward silence were I refused to look at him unable to trust myself, so instead I stared at the patterns on my blanket. I raised my left hand to trace one when I noticed the bandage wrapped tightly around it. Blood drained from my face as my heart sunk. Someone had looked at my wounds.

I now stared at my bandaged hand as if it had betrayed me. It was virtually impossible for whoever it was that treated me to not notice the rate of my regeneration, it probably healed right before their eyes, and if by some miracle they had failed to see this, my temperature would be enough to draw some serious attention. I began taking shallow breaths as I began to panic. I pushed the blankets back to check the other places I had been hit and sure enough, each wound was covered in gauze. I had to get out of here, they already knew too much.

Seth noticed my change in character. "Are you okay? Are you hurting? "

I froze and looked at him. He was on the edge of his seat completely tense leaning towards me with a look of concern, scanning my body and face for a problem. Stiffly I shook my head and looked back at my body. It was then that I noticed the clothes I was in, a massive green t-shirt and blue checked boxer shorts. I tugged at them as they were quite large on me.

"I hope you don't mind, we had to get rid of your singlet and they were the only clothes on hand." Seth stated watching me. My cheeks suddenly flushed red as I turned to look at Seth incredulously. Had he seen me naked?

He seemed to catch on to my reaction, turning beet red as well.

"I mean I didn't... I was outside...Anne, the doctor did, I swear... I wasn't allowed in the room... not that there's a reason I wasn't allowed... I just couldn't bear to look at you... not that your ugly or anything... it... blood." His voice mumbled into silence as he stared at his feet, his cheeks radiating red. It was actually quite cute, but before I could react or say anything he abruptly stood up. "I was meant to get Anne as soon as you woke up, I'll go get her now." he said not looking at me. Now I could see him properly I realised just how tall he was, he was massive, towering over me as lay in the bed, and I had thought I was tall.

As he opened the door, he paused on the handle to turn and look at me, his cheeks still tickled pink.

"Please try not to move around too much okay, I'll be right back." and he stepped out, closing the door with a click behind him. I sat there utterly confused, the way he had said it was almost pleading, begging. Why was he so concerned with me, he didn't even know me.

I looked around the room and suddenly realised I was alone. This was my chance.

Easing myself into a sitting position with clenched teeth, I looked towards the window. That would be my way out. Silent, quick and easy. I looked back towards the door straining my ears, I could hear low muttering from another room but I couldn't make out anything.

Seth crossed my mind and my heart sank, I felt bad. He seemed to care so much and he and others had done so much for me, it felt like I was letting them down, being ungrateful... no, I was doing them a favour by leaving. There life was better without me in it.

With that decided I took a deep breath, if I was going to do this I had to be quick because they would be coming back any second. I began to slowly roll myself off the bed, trying to be as quiet as possible. As my feet touched the ground I froze, straining my ears, but there was nothing so I continued. I began to straighten up, pushing myself up with my arms. All my limbs were stiff and shaking with weakness, I clenched my teeth pushing through the pain. As I finally stood supported by the bed, I swayed slightly as the blood rushed from my head.

Suddenly my legs shook and gave out, too weak to support my weight. My knees hit the hard wooden floor with a thud and I collapsed against the bed. I gasped as it sent a shock wave of pain throughout my aching body.

The door behind me flew open with a bang.

"I told you not to move…" Seth sighed pained. I didn't have to move my head to know it was him.

I sensed his quick footsteps coming towards me and I turned just in time to see him reaching out towards me. I shied away from him, causing him to stop.

"Let me help you up." He said gently. I looked into his eyes and they were pleading at me again. I sighed and raised my arm so he could pull me up. He totally ignored it though and scooped me up into his arms. I tensed in surprise and couldn't stop the pink flush that was becoming permanent on my cheeks, as he easily picked me up and placed me on the bed in one swift movement.

Now I'm not being dramatic when I say I'm heavy. I'm lean but I'm almost 6 foot, though I suppose just looking at his muscles and height, he could lift a lot more.

It wasn't till the shock wore off that I noticed the temperature of his skin. I'd become so use to everyone being colder than me that I just didn't notice it anymore, but this time I did because his skin was warm, just like mine.

As he stepped away I stared at his face incredulously. What was going on here?

"Hello there Allira, I'm Anne,"

I tore my gaze away from Seth to look at the mature women approaching me.

"How are you feeling?" she said as she stood next to my bed.

I stayed silent, searching her face looking for some trick or lie, but she just smiled genuinely at me. After a long pause I shrugged hesitantly, before looking back towards Seth. He was staring intensely at me again and gave a small smile when we made eye contact. He nodded encouragingly.

"It's okay Allira. Your safe here, you can trust us." She went to take me injured hand but I yanked it back, pushing myself against the wall. I flinched at the pain my movement inflicted and Seth took one purposeful step towards me before stopping, his face pained.

I was officially freaking out! What the hell was going on? Who were these people?

"What do you want from me?" I yelled starting to hyperventilate.

Anne and Seth looked at each other.

"What do you mean? We want you to get better of course." Seth spoke up, his brow furrowed.

"Then why am I here? Why didn't you take me to hospital like a normal person would?"

They shared a look again but stayed silent. Seth then came and sat on the end of the bed, I stared at him accusingly.

"We know... Allira" I tensed but tried to keep my face unknowing.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I muttered not looking at him.

He slide his hand towards mine as I watched him from the corner of my eye. I pulled my hand away. He sighed before looking back up at my face.

"The high temperature, the quick healing – the big 'furry' secret."

My heart stopped and eyes widened, that was bang on the marker. How did he know?

I stayed silent just staring at his face. I didn't know what to say.

If I denied it, they'd know I was lying with one look or touch of me. If I confirmed it, well then they'd know for sure.

I began to shake, not with anger but with fear as thoughts zoomed through my mind, causing my lip to quiver and my eyes to well up with tears.

"Hey, it's okay..." Seth soothed, moving closer to me.

"How did you know?" I blubbered as tears began to fall. I looked from him to Anne, their faces shocked. "You know what I don't care! Just please let me go, please." I begged almost hysterically. I had to get out of here, I had to.

I glanced around the room looking for some kind of escape as tears ran down my face and short gasps left my throat. I was fidgeting around anxiously, my running instinct screaming in my head.

"Allira!"

Seth was suddenly right next to me, gripping the sides of my arms firmly in his big warm hands. I froze at his touch, staring at his face.

His chocolate eyes were piercing into mine with such force I couldn't look away. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move.

"Calm down," he said gently. The anxiety left and I slumped in his arms, feeling somewhat drained.

"It's okay, were not going to hurt you." he sighed, "We just, want you to get better." He said softly. His grip loosened and he began rubbing the sides of arm comfortingly, leaving fire where he touched. Somehow I managed to find my voice with my mind faraway elsewhere.

"But.. you know..." I croaked in a husky voice, not looking away.

The smallest smile formed on his lips. "You didn't think you were the only one did you?"

My jaw dropped as the meaning of his words sunk in. It made sense, but no way.

I stared disbelieving, before rising my unbandaged hand to his chest. I took a sharp intake of breath as I touched his smooth hard chest. Just like his hands, it was hot. I raised my eyes to look at him and found him staring at me in that way again.

"I'm not the only one." I said quietly and I actually smiled at him. Words could not express how I was feeling right now. I was no longer a mutant freak, well I was, but I wasn't alone. Oh the relief and happiness.

"Is it just you?" I whispered closely to him, looking over to Anne.

He glanced at Anne too and smiled, "No, there's a whole bunch of us, but Anne's human. She's our doctor, you know since we can't go to a regular one. Her sons in the pack though."

"Pack?" I said confused.

"Yeah, its fitting don't you think, I mean it's what we are." He said lightly, showing me that stunning smile again.

I laughed shyly, looking away, "I guess you're right, how many are in this 'pack'?'"

I was absolutely amazed, there were more. This wolf –thing is somewhat normal. I wanted to know everything and anything about it. For so long I had thought I was alone on this.

"There's about ten of us at the moment, don't worry you'll get to meet all of them." He said assuring me.

"Wow... I-I can't believe it... I always thought I was the only one." I said looking up to his face. He smiled down at me, grabbing my hand that I suddenly realised, was still on his chest. He squeezed it comfortingly as I blushed, biting my lip.

Anne cleared her throat in the background, startling me and I pulled away.

"I'm sure you have many questions Allira," Anne said looking between the two of us. "But I think they'll have to wait for now. You need your rest, you're still healing. They'll be plenty of time for all of this later." She clucked. "Seth you should go have a wash, get some food in you and get some fresh air. You haven't left this room in hours."

I looked at Seth questioningly. He went bright red and refused to look at me. "Yeah okay." He mumbled before turning to me, his head down. "I'll see you later then?" He said glancing up at me with a hopeful smile.

He said it as a question, like he was asking if I wanted him to come back.

"Yes… of course." I said with a smile.

He beamed fully at me and nodded his head. "Alright." and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him with one last smile.

"Now I just need to check on your wounds and vitals, love." Anne suddenly said walking over to me.

She began to shine a light in my left eye. "What a start to your day, hey?" She said as moved the light over my right.

"You have no idea." I replied.