I wiped at my wet eyes as I brought the hot cup of green tea to my lips, taking a quick sip, enjoying the feeling of the steaming hot liquid coating my sore throat.

"Is that better?" questioned my mate, sitting across from my hospital bed, his elbows leaning on his knees as he leaned forward, his fingers laced together.

I nodded, setting my beverage down on the side table next to me, leaning back against my plump pillow, shifting uncomfortably as an aching pain struck through my ribs.

Dylan grimaced at my pain, sighing. "You should be almost fully healed by now. I'm hoping the doctor will let me take you home soon."

"Home as in?" I questioned, raising my eyebrows.

"My house."

Nodding, I took a deep breath, swallowing harshly. "I hope you're not being too harsh on Dean."

"He hasn't stopped apologising to me," replied Dylan, running his hands through his hair, making his way over to my and perching on the end of my bed.

"He saved me though."

"I know," said Dylan, nodding, "I admit I maybe said some things to him that I regret, but that's only because you were unconscious and the doctor didn't have an answer to when you would wake up."

"Alpha Paul would have killed me if he wasn't there."

"I should have been there," growled my mate, his eyes darkening, causing me to grab his hand, caressing it slowly, my brows furrowed.

"You got to me as soon as you could."

"The driver drove through the back roads, where there was no signal, but after a little while Dean managed to get hold of me. I had to snap the driver's neck and smash the window because he was refusing to stop."

I sighed, my eyes watering yet again at the thought of what my own Alpha had done to me. "I'm scared he did something to me when I was unconscious. I'm scared he touched me."

Dylan growled lowly in his chest, his breathing becoming heavier. "The doctor examined you and couldn't find any sign of trauma. I also would have felt it if he had gone any further. I think Dean got to you just in time."

"I want to thank him."

"I have already, but I'm sure he would love to hear it from you."

I nodded, smiling as Dylan pressed a soft kiss to my lips, caressing the back of my neck gently.

"How many people died?" I asked, my face becoming pale.

Puffing out a large gust of air, Dylan got up, crossing his arms across his chest, looking nervous.

"Dylan?" I mumbled, my mouth suddenly becoming dry.

"Six of your fighters died in the fight. The rest of them surrendered once they saw what Alpha Paul had done to you."

I gulped, looking up at my mate with teary eyes, my hands shaking in my lap. "What about...?"

Dylan furrowed his brows, running his teeth along the front of his teeth, avoiding eye contact with me.

"What happened to Matthew, Dylan?" I pressed, my heart practically beating out of my chest.

"It doesn't look good, Clara."

I allowed the tears to fall as memories of my friendship with Matthew came flooding back, thinking about all of the good times we had spent together growing up, and how he had been there for me through everything.

We had grown apart a little bit since he had become a fighter a few years ago, the majority of his schedule being taken up with practise, but our bond had remained, and I knew I could rely on him for anything.

"Did he help? Did he help Alpha Paul?" I asked, not wanting to hear the answer, scared for anything to taint our friendship.

Dylan nodded, swallowing harshly. "Apparently Paul was telling most of the fighters lies about our relationship, and how I was abusive and was planning to attack them and take over the pack."

"And Matthew believed him?" I asked, shocked.

Dylan sighed, crouching down in front of me, looking up at me with pained eyes. "I don't know, sweetheart. We'll have to ask him when he wakes up. He's in a coma right now with brain damage."

"What?" I cried, causing my mate to wrap his arms around me, pulling me to his chest, cradling me, slowly rocking me back and forth.

"Everything is going to be fine. I'm sorting everything out. I promise you, your pack is going to be fine."

"How?" I mumbled, shaking my head.

Dylan pulled away, taking my head in his hands. "I was just in a meeting with your Beta and pack council about a pack sign off."

I raised my brows, confused. "I don't know what that is."

"You pack is being signed over to me."

I swallowed, shock taking over me. "You're going to be the Alpha of my pack?"

"Yes. Your Beta, Charles, knew nothing about the attack by the way. It was a plan Paul had devised on his own, but everyone has agreed that it's in the pack's best interest for me to take over."

"How is that going to work? Will you just go from territory to territory?"

"I was going to speak with you and ask for you advice, since, you're going to be the Luna. I want you to feel involved. We don't have to make a decision yet though. I need you to recover first," said Dylan, offering me a small smile.

"Thank you." I replied, pushing my dark hair away from my tear stained face.

"Oh my God!"

I turned at the loud voice to see Gia bursting through the door, her long blonde hair pulled up into a messy bun on the top of her head, her eyes sunken in and teary.

"Thank the lord and everyone above that you're okay!"

"Well, I wouldn't say she's okay," muttered Dylan under his breath, watching Gia engulf me in a hug, sending her a warning glare to be gentle.

Gia rolled her eyes, ignoring my mate, Dylan's jaw tensing, clearly not liking the disrespect, but letting it slide.

"I don't even know what to say, Clara. I can't believe Alpha Paul would-"

"Can we not mention his name please?" ordered my mate once he noticed me tense up as the words left Gia's mouth.

Gia quickly shut her mouth, looking guilty, her fair brows furrowing.

Shaking my head, I grabbed her hand, offering a forced smile. "No, it's fine. It's just all a bit fresh."

"I know. Your Dad is on his way over. He has literally been staying up until four in the morning most nights because he's scared he'll miss the call saying you're awake."

I smiled, anxiety running through my at the thought of seeing my father, not wanting to see him break down.

He already had so much on his plate with Jared, and now he would have an emotionally unstable daughter who has been abused and almost killed by someone they trusted.

It didn't seem fair on him.

"Where did Jared go?" Dylan asked, taking a look out of the hospital door.

"He went back to Amelia's. He wanted to give you both some time."

I raised my brows at the mention of my brother's mate, confused.

"Did you say he's at Amelia's?" I questioned, causing Gia to snicker.

"Yeah, she was there for him while you were recovering. I'm not sure what the situation with them is, but I know he's been staying at hers the past couple of days."

"In my opinion he deserves better," said Dylan, butting in, causing me to laugh.

"I just want him to be happy," I stated.

"That's such a Luna thing to say," teased my best friend, making me roll my eyes.

"Speaking of Luna's, you better say hello to yours," I said, pushing my chest out and pointing to myself, which caused Gia's mouth to drop.

"You're not?" she said, shocked.

"It's all been arranged. Our packs will be merging."

"No way! So you're going to be my Luna after all! You better not start bossing me about or I'm going to kick up a fuss!"

I laughed, raising my eyebrows at her. "Don't make me throw you in the cells, Gia."

"Oh, shut up. So, will be living here? Or will we move into Dylan's territory? I need some new eye candy. The guys here are gross."

Dylan leaned his head back against the wall, crossing his muscular arms over his chest. "We haven't decided yet. It'll take a bit of time to sort things out."

"Well, I can't wait to test your patience," my best friend taunted, laughing at me as I rolled my eyes.

.....................................................................

Hey, sorry for the little wait! I was celebrating my birthday and then we've also had a bad storm here so the power has been on and off!

I know this chapter wasn't very action filled, but it just to update everyone on what had happened while Clara was unconscious.

Please vote and comment if you enjoyed it as it helps me get my book out there!

I hope you all enjoy your evening!