I could feel someone moving around beside me and when I felt something ice cold pressed to my face I yelped flailing wildly at it. "Alex, it's only an ice pack," Ric muttered, picking up the ice pack I'd knocked to the floor. Once I cracked open my left eye I found Ric standing at my bedside, his teeth grinding together as he leaned over. "Now hold still it'll help with the swelling." He sighed once I sat and despite how cold the pack felt I managed to stay still, even holding it when Ric released the pack.
"That's better," I commented after a pause once Ric sat on the chair beside me Ric nodded, letting out a breath before he watched me fiddling with the blanket. "Sorry, I'm a little jumpy."
"Hey I should have waited until you were awake, Alex. I keep forgetting that after that wilderwolf…" He began only stopping when he saw my shoulders hunching. "Moving on….how do you feel?"
"My side and my right arm ache," I replied and he grimaced, looking at my right now which someone had wrapped from fingers to elbow in gauze. "If you had to bandage it that much I dread to think how my side looks."
"Well you have a few sutures but nothing too bad," Ric assured me, lightly patting my right hand when I sighed heavily. "You'll be up and walking around Milford before you know it."
"I doubt that, Ric. Probably safer for me to just stay inside Howlington from now on." I replied in a small voice and Ric blinked as I gripped the blanket in my left hand. "Too dangerous for me out there."
"Alex, we caught the wilderwolf." Ric told me, wrapping his fingers around mine when I didn't react. After a few more seconds I slowly turned my head to stare blankly at the former alpha who fixed me with a faint grin. "I'm not making it up. Thanks to you we have the alpha imprisoned."
"Who is he?" I demanded and when Ric shrugged I narrowed my eyes at him, pulling free from his grip before I rested my right hand on my lap. "You don't even know do you?" Getting silent as an answer I growled, turning my head in time to meet Ric's eyes. "He tried to kill me and you don't even know who he is?!"
"Whoa hold on, Alex!" Ric tried to soothe me, blinking as I pulled back the blanket. Once I tried to push myself to my feet he jumped to his, steadying me when my legs crumbled. "Easy, you're not well enough to be walking yet." He told me, one arm wrapped around my shoulders as I leaned against him. "What do you mean he tried to kill you?" He asked me the second my words finally clicked.
"When we were fighting he tried to….tear out my throat," I whispered, tears filling my eye as I sniffed. "If you and the Night Patrol hadn't shown up when you did…." I trailed off with a whimper, tears falling unchecked down my cheek my right eye started to sting. As gently as he could Ric helped me sit on the edge of the bed and when I started to sob he held me close, my face buried in his shirt.
"I never thought that they would go that far," Ric muttered, remembering his time as Alpha One, leader of the wilderwolves. "I mean I did attack Flasheart but…."He immediately stopped when I sniffed, gripping his back with my right hand only to yelp. When I lifted my head he offered me a faint smile. "Easy there. Deep breaths." He told me, rubbing circles over my back. "Try not to use your arm okay?"
"Hope he gets what's coming to him." I managed to cough, leaning on Ric shoulder before I yawned sitting close to the edge of the bed. "Feeling kind of woozy." Ric heard me mumble before I pitched forward, Ric's quick reflexes were the only reason I didn't hit the floor of the infirmary.
"Alex, speak to me," Ric said, carefully setting me back down on the bed. When he couldn't get a response he groaned looking toward the doorway. After a beat he turned back in time to hear me groaning and as he stared at my face my left eye slowly opened.
"Did something...dumb didn't I?" I mumbled, trying to push myself up but when the room tilted at an odd angle I groaned closing my eye. I could feel something touching my forehead and even though I wanted to know what it was I couldn't bear to open my eye in case the room started to move again.
"You need to stay still okay?" Ric told me, a hand pressed to my shoulder to prevent me from rising. At least that's what he reasoned but when I didn't even try to shift my head he relaxed his grip, still wary. "You fainted on me. Luckily I caught you before you slammed into the floor."
When the room no longer felt like it was moving I cracked open my eye, breathing out when nothing started moving. "Sorry, Ric," I mumbled, staring up at him from my bed and when he nodded at me swallowing I could feel tears threatening again. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"All I care about right now is you getting better, Alex. Besides I understand why you're so angry." Ric explained, getting a one-eyed blank stare from me. "Imogen spoke to me in her office, trying to stop me from charging in and taking that wilderwolf apart."
"Imogen?" I said and he grinned at me, showing all of his teeth. "You...didn't go red-eyed again did you?" Ric slowly nodded at me and I grimaced, looking directly at his face. "Ric, in front of the principal?"
"Hey I was worried about you and that brought on my 'inner wilderwolf'." He joked and I snorted, pushing myself up as slowly as I could. "Just take it very slow okay? Even Flasheart and Hotspur saw my red eyes before I could stop myself." Running a hand through his hair he chuckled. "Guess I slipped again didn't I?"
"Ric, it's fine. Everyone knows how close we are anyway so it's not a big deal." I answered, grateful when he sat back beside me using the only chair. "Bet Hotspur didn't like your red eyes one bit."
"The mayor of Milford still doesn't fully trust me," Ric responded and I groaned, taking his hand before I lightly squeezed it. "Are you okay? Are you going to pass out?" Ric asked, wide-eyed until I gave him a brief shake of my head. "Don't scare me like that."
"Wasn't trying to, Ric. Hotspur doesn't trust anyone who isn't him. Of course, he still believes you're going to go fully wilderwolf again but I trust you and so does the pack. If you recall Hotspur wanted me out of Howlington too at one point." I replied, enjoying the way his eyes were staring into my one good eye. "You're still a part of the Night Patrol aren't you?"
"Only thanks to you. If it wasn't for you I would be de-fanged." Ric answered once he found his voice and I nodded, grimacing though the room didn't shift again and I breathed out. "Sorry that you got hurt." He apologized and I raised an eyebrow as he traced my fingers, his eyes on the floor beneath us. "When I left you at Howlington I didn't even think you were in any danger."
"Ric, I saw something outside and chased after it. If anyone's to blame for me getting beaten up it's me." I insisted but Ric wouldn't look up, even when I gave him hand a light squeeze. "If I'm dumb enough to go running around on my own in the dark toward an obvious trap to everyone but me…." I started and Ric finally raised his head, chuckling softly.
"Never thought you would be so reckless. You sure you're not a wilderwolf?" Ric asked and I grinned at him, ignoring the ache in my side as I shifted closer to him.
"I'm not that wild, Ric," I growled and he snorted, giving me a wide grin before he leaned in close. The kiss that followed left me forgetting all about my injuries, at least until my side started to throb and Ric caught me wincing.
"Which part hurts right now? Eye, arm, or side?" Ric asked and I lightly tapped my side gritting my teeth when he pulled back the blanket, lightly touching my side with his hands. "I'll get you something for the pain…" The second my stomach protested Ric fixed me with a tiny smile. "And something to eat. Be back soon." He finished, lightly kissing my forehead before he headed for the door.
Now alone with my thoughts, I looked over my bandaged arm, unable to believe I'd gone toe-to-toe with a wilderwolf and survived again. "Looks like I won't be running around Milford anytime soon. At least that wilderwolf won't be able to hurt anyone else. Wish we could have stopped him before he managed to do all of this to me." I muttered, looking at the jeans I had been wearing before I'd transformed into my werewolf form. "Hope my leg doesn't get infected. That's the last thing I need right there."
Whistling to himself, Ric headed back to the infirmary carrying a tray with food, sodas, and a small box. I glanced up when Ric entered the room a faint smile on his lips though when he saw me scratching at the bandages keeping my hip injury covered he hurried over to me.
"Whoa there, Alex. You don't want to do that. Trust me. Not after all the work we put into those sutures." He advised, setting down everything he'd carried back before he turned to see me with my arms resting in my lap. "Look I know you hate being cooped up but the more you rest the quicker you'll be out there again." He said, picking up the box before he took something out of it.
"I know but it's kind of hard being a caged werewolf, Ric." I agreed and he chuckled, placing a hand tablet into my hand. "What's this?"
"Just something that will help with the pain. I also brought back lunch." Ric explained and I raised both eyebrows when he chuckled. "You've been sleeping for a while now. But trust me when I say that you needed the rest."
Swallowing the tablet I winced, taking the offered soda can that Ric had cracked open before I took a sip washing the taste away. "Those things never taste any better," I complained and Ric laughed, lightly tapping his can against mine when I held it out. "Still if they help I guess I can put up with the taste."
"That's good to hear, Alex." Ric agreed, sipping at the can sitting in his hands before he grabbed a sandwich. Handing one to me I took it gratefully, munching away before Ric even started on his own. The sight of a smile on my lips made Ric smile back though he hid it between his soda, content.
Later I lay on my bed, staring up at the ceiling as Ric gently pressed the ice-pack against my swollen eye. "Just take it a little easy okay? It's cold but it'll help that eye of yours."
"Feels like I'm a punching bag for every wilderwolf in Milford right now," I grumbled and Ric chuckled softly, sitting back on his chair once I held the ice pack to my face. "Hey, it's not that funny."
"I've been thinking about how much of that wilderwolf's fur you yanked out. You should have seen the scratches on his face once he changed back." Ric answered and I managed a weak laugh at the thought of what I'd managed to do. "His fur's going to take weeks to grow back."
"That's less than he deserves. Do you think I put up a good fight?" I asked Ric and when he nodded at me I coughed. "At least for a while anyway but when my leg buckled I couldn't stand."
"Don't worry about it, Alex. I'll train you once you're healed up." Ric assured me and I lifted my head enough to nod, slightly curious. "I'm sure this alpha could teach you a thing or two."
"Healing is going to take weeks and I'm going to be so bored," I grumbled and Ric shrugged, leaning forward before he lightly tapped my shoulder. "Stop complaining so much right?"
"Well since you're going to be in Howlington anyway Pincus will probably want you to study," Ric answered and when I groaned he chuckled. "Hey, it's not all bad. I volunteered myself as your tutor. Besides everyone else has to study for their upcoming exams and since you're an official student you need to do the same."
"Exams?" I exclaimed and he fixed me with a raised eyebrow and a grin. "Well we are in a school so I guess it makes sense. Alright, so when do we begin?"
"Tomorrow so get as much rest as you can, Miss Wolff," Pincus told me, standing in the open doorway and when I rubbed at my eye she offered me a smile. "It won't be easy but I'm sure you'll have no problems with the upcoming exams if you study hard. I'll leave you to get some rest but I'm glad to see that you're feeling better."
Once she left the infirmary I breathed out, looking at Ric as he placed our empty soda cans on the tray. "Ric, do you think I'll be good enough to pass the midterms?" I asked and he turned back to me, looking on as I held the pack to my face.
"Alex, you can do it if you work hard. Besides they're not for two weeks. That should be enough time for you to learn everything you need." Ric assured me, noting the way I was chewing my lower lip. "Come on, cheer up. With me as your teacher, you'll pass no problem. Now get some sleep." Ric finished lightly kissing my cheek and as I closed my eyes I missed the slight frown he had on his lips before he gathered up the tray.
"Poor Alex. She's not taking this well is she?" Freddy asked as he and his friends sat in wolf lore class. Standing at the front of the class Ric sighed, looking at the empty desk before he shook his head.
"Alex wanted to be here but after that attack….well Principal Pincus made her promise to stay in the infirmary," Ric explained, trying to focus on his lesson. "Well, she'll be fine once I start her private lessons anyway. Now getting back to what you're upcoming exams will be…" He started, chuckling softly at several groans.
As I lay on my bed I looked up at the ceiling, fiddling with the gauze that covered my hand. "Stupid wilderwolf. If I could get my hands on him I'd….I'd…." I bit back a groan as my side throbbed the moment I made the mistake of shifting onto my side. "Oh, who am I kidding? He might be locked up right now but he's had the last laugh, beating me up so easily. He's probably laughing his tail off at my failure."
Despite how woozy I felt sleep wouldn't come easy to me and I groaned, keeping my eye shut in the hope that I would doze off soon. I heard footsteps approaching my bed and I peeked out, finding someone familiar standing beside me now.
"Sorry, I was trying to be quiet," Ric told me but I just gave him a one-armed shrug, pushing myself up to find him holding another pillow. "Here, thought this might make you more comfortable." He said, offering the pillow in his hands and once he slipped it behind my head I leaned on the two pillows.
"Thanks, Ric. How was class?" I replied and Ric smiled at me, pulling up his chair before he set it beside me. "That good huh?"
"Well everyone was asking about you. Kind of quiet without you falling asleep." Ric answered and I could feel my cheeks burning as he chuckled. "Kidding, kidding. But I do miss having you there."
"I only fell asleep once and that was because of those nightmares, Ric," I explained, using the pillows to keep myself propped up. "But you do miss having me there?"
"Of course I do, Alex. I always have your full and undivided attention." Ric pointed out and I found myself grinning even as I fiddled with my bandages. "Careful don't want to pull them free." He added, his hand covering mine.
"Just a little restless. I've been here for...what, two days? Other than using the bathroom I haven't been able to leave." I responded content to focus on Ric's fingers as he stroked mine.
"Well I can't help the fact you're under strict orders to rest but I can help with your boredom problem," Ric told me and I raised my head, looking at him with a tiny smile before he took a book from the bed beside him. Once I saw what he was holding I groaned and he rolled his eyes at me. "Try and look a little grateful." He grumbled and I snorted, fixing Ric with what I hoped was a smile but he just snorted at me.
"That's not fooling anyone," Ric added and I coughed, staring as he stared directly into my face for several long seconds with a faint glow in his eyes. When he finally laughed I blinked at him, blushing for the second time as he leaned back. "Had you going then didn't I?" He teased, enjoying the startled expression on my face and when I coughed he grinned at me.
"You know I'm still recovering from an attack that one of your former pack caused right, Ric?" I answered in a small voice, turning my head away but he could see my lower lip quivering. "He attacked me, his eyes glowing red. Beating me over and over again, his claws shredding my fur and skin." I growled then, surprising myself as well as Ric as my eyes glowed red before I could focus.
"Alex, hey I didn't mean it. I was just joking." Ric insisted, setting down the book before he pulled his chair enough to set a hand down on my shoulder. Feeling me trembling under his hand Ric swallowed, touching my bandaged hand with his other. "Sorry." He muttered, blinking when I rested my head under his chin tremors racking my body.
"I just keep thinking back to that fight and how badly I lost to him. He was so fast and strong and I tried everything I could think of but nothing worked." I stammered, feeling Ric's hand as he rubbed my back. "Being so helpless scared me."
"I promise once you're strong enough I'm going to teach you to defend yourself. That is a Ric Rawls solemn vow." Ric said and I sighed, briefly nodding with my eye closed. When I blinked Ric gave me a grin, helping me lie back with my head resting on my two pillows. "Before you ask you dozed off for a few minutes. How about you get some rest and we'll work on studying later?"
"Good idea...I'm so sleepy." I mumbled, not fighting the urge to sleep any longer.
It only took a few seconds to pull the blanket up but by then Alex had fallen asleep, her chest gently rising and falling and he smiled at her.
With the leader of the wilderwolves safely locked away the werewolves at Howlington slept soundly, the Night Patrol keeping watch over Milford. But the peace wouldn't last…..