After several rounds of the latest Mario game where Nate creamed me even with his arm silvered up in a sling, in-room dinner, and a Netflix marathon, I stiffened against Nate's side when I noticed that Doctor Wright had come in.

"Relax. I asked him to give you pills instead."

I looked up to Nate in confusion.

"Sweetheart, you've been coughing a lot and your fever is back. You need some medicine."

"As do you," Doctor Wright added to Nate.

I nodded. I had had a few more coughing attacks and was realizing the pain injection in the morning did more than I gave it credit for. The itching and pounding surrounded me. However, as the doctor was pulling out bottles and syringes from a cabinet, I knew I would never ask for one of his injections.

Nate's hand started rubbing at my back soothingly. "Don't worry. Those are for me."

I nodded, trying to regain breath.

Just like a bee sting, Elise. Like Adam said, you can handle those fine.

The doctor did a quick check over me, testing temperature, and rewrapping my arm. Then took his time on Nate. He checked Nate's vitals and put fresh bandaging on his shoulder wound. I looked away, the first image of Nate's wolf with the massive lash haunting me.

Doctor Wright filled a glass of water and brought it over to me. "These are for you, Miss Elise."

I took the outstretched drink and pills and looked them over. Two blue, one orange, one white and one halved yellow. They were all wolf sized, but still seemed like they'd be easier to down than injections.

He pointed to each, "these two for pain and fever, this is an antihistamine, your antibiotic" then he pointed to the cut one, "and this is a sleeping pill. I do recommend you take it, but you decide on that one."

"I'll take them." I considered just putting all the pills in my mouth at once and getting it over with but figured with wolf sized meds I was better off taking each individually.

The doctor then took the glass and then placed it in the sink, grabbing the syringes for Nate.

Nate's face showed no acknowledgement when the injections were shot into his arm.

"How is your arm feeling?" Doctor Wright unhooked Nate's sling and started examining his joints. Nate made a fist open and closed as the doctor tested movement at his elbow.

"Still a little stiff, but much better."

Doctor Wright gave a single nod. "I think you are fine without the sling now. But I do want you to stay here overnight. If all stays on its current course, I will be able to discharge you in the morning."

"Thank you."

"You're very welcome, Alpha Nate. Is there anything else either of you need?" His eyes darted between us.

I looked to Nate and shrugged. "I don't think so?"

Nate smiled warmly to the man. "Thank you. You're excused."

Doctor Wright bowed his head and departed.

Nate moved his arm around as if testing to see if it still worked. "Shoulder is still pretty sore," he said with a dangerous look to me, "but look what I can do now." He pulled me against his chest with both arms, filling me in a tight hug.

I giggled and leaned into him, my own arms trapped between us. The hold he had on me was rock solid and I knew I was at his mercy to let me go, but I didn't complain. It felt nice and secure.

"Did you want to go to the Luna room tonight then? Or would you like to stay here?"

"Uh," my eyes widened, looking out over his bare chest, not sure what to do. Time ticked away as I contemplated. I didn't really want to leave, but the red hot heat in my cheeks made me choose the first option. "I guess I better go to my room."

"Alright," he spoke softly and then kissed the top of my head. It made me smile, lips pulling against his chest. "You better get going before our sleeping meds start working. Goodnight beautiful." He stroked my hair down my braid, and I almost gave in to stay at his soft touch.

"Goodnight," I pulled away as he released me and kissed his cheek.

"I'll come by after Doc gives me clearance."

I nodded and sat off the bed, starting to put my shoes on.

"Elise?" I turned to the door to see Danielle patiently waiting. "I can show you to your room."

"Thanks," I twisted back to Nate. "Thanks for the date. It was good spending the day with you."

He reached and squeezed my hand. "Enjoy the Luna room."

"Night." I turned back to Danielle and started following her out the room and down the hallway. "You really were on call all day?"

"My shift ended already, but I volunteered to take you. Thought it would be helpful to see a familiar face." She turned another hall.

"Oh, thanks. That was really nice." I then laughed, "I'll try to meet some more people tomorrow, so you don't have to be the only person around."

She smiled a beautiful smile, "I don't mind. It's lovely to get to show the new Luna around."

My eyes widened. "Oh well, I'm not the Luna. I'm just staying in the room."

She shrugged and giggled, "well not yet anyway."

My stomach tensed. I couldn't be a Luna, the woman in charge of the wolf pack. I was just a human. "I don't think that's me. I'm just a place holder."

Her face saddened. "Don't say that. He really likes you." We then started up two flights of stairs. "He's cute, all protective and stuff. He already acts like you're a member of the pack."

"He does?" I looked around the ornately decorated floor and smiled bashfully.

"Of course, we all do."

"Thanks," a hint of warmth colored my shy cheeks.

"We want you to be happy here and feel comfortable with all of us."

I looked back to her honestly, "I do." I gazed around at the elaborate white woodworking of the walls, the dark red of the carpet. "I already feel like this is home."

"Good," she giggled, "because you are here." She stopped in front of a well paneled white door with a lovely painted Celtic style moon. "I hope you enjoy the Luna quarters Miss."

"Thank you, Danielle."

"Goodnight."

"Night," I said opening the door and stepping inside.

The room stopped me in my tracks in awe. It was as big as my whole house at home. Large king-sized bed standing against the wall with a lovely curtain swooping behind its dark wood headboard. Fluffy pillows lined the bed in an elegant feel. There was a large window at the back of the room shut with dark curtains and a rolled arm couch with big cushions in front. A large closet door towered next to a stunning ensuite bath.

I moved more into the room, leaning in to see the stark white bathroom. I turned back around and on the wall with the hallway door was a large dresser in a dark wood that matched the headboard, but my lips opened in an inaudible gasp as I noticed the picture above it. It was the one I saw earlier with all the wolves, the one from the hospital hall. I couldn't help but smiling as I stepped up to it. Maybe Nate heard how much I loved it and had someone use it as my décor. It was still just as majestic as before.

The thoughtfulness made me feel a bit choked up. The thai, movie, and now the picture? I felt like he really tried, and I loved it.

He was sweet.

And now I was one of those sappy romance novel weirdos?

But as I stared at it, my breath caught a few coughs and I figured I'd head to bed before the sleeping pill caught up with me.

I hurried through my routine, finding all my clothing and toiletries already placed in drawers and slipped into the bed.

Oh my gosh.

It was the softest most fluffy thing I'd ever felt.

I sunk down into the silvery sheets and snuggled the comforter up to me. The richness of the fresh scent could almost even make me forget I was covered in stings and cuts. I tried to focus on my breathing and not the pains surrounding me. It took longer than I had thought, but I did fall asleep counting the pounding on my thigh sting like sheep.

Fourty-one aches...

Another coughing attack.

Seventy-two aches...

The beat of a drum hurting all around.

One hundred twelve aches...

Finally, with another tuck into the soft pillow, sleep found me.

But it didn't find me for the whole night.

I woke a few hours later my body swimming in heat. My hands wiped at my face, bangs and fly away pieces of hair sticking to me. I kicked the blanket down exposing my pajamaed body to the cool air. I tried to breathe through the pains creeping into my bones where every sting had set on fire.

My head was the one to do the pounding now, pressing each beat into the back of my eyes.

After thirty minutes of pains, I sat up from bed and went to the restroom. I wet a washcloth and wiped the perspiration from my forehead and chest, and then walked around the room a minute. But even that didn't last long when my foot reminded me there was still a sting there too.

I slid back sideways onto the bed and tossed and turned for another hour. The pains turned to itches and I bit at my fists to keep my nails from roaming my body. I wanted to scream but knew the moment I let any noise escape I'd wake those at even the outskirts of the community. These pains would be mine. I would allow them because Nate was alive. I just would remember the reason I was enduring.

Another hour.

Enduring.

I told Adam I was in for a rough few nights. This was one of them.

Only a few more. I could outlast.

Another cough attack.

But as the itching turned back into pain I didn't know if I could endure.

I bit at my lip, knowing my chewing the last few hours had torn my lip and cheeks to pieces. It didn't matter. It was something to focus on instead of... I gasped as a sharp wave spread throughout my arm... instead of that. My eyes watered with the discomfort.

Within the next hour the fever turned to chills.

I got back up to put heavier clothes on and wrapped myself into the blankets. It didn't help. My chattering began to shake my whole body. I imagined myself in some desert somewhere. Light sands, steaming hot at my feet, the brilliant yellow of the sun masking me in heat so profound I would wish I was back here shivering. The sounds of discomfort that now whimpered out of me, came on more and more often as I heard the noises rattling through my teeth.

The cold was now overwhelming.

The ball I was curled into under the blankets did nothing. I wrapped the blanket around me as tight as I could pull, and I inched through the room checking for extra blankets. Surely Danielle would have some somewhere.

My knees shook.

Not in the dresser.

My hands tightened in the comforter, and I ducked under the bed.

Nothing.

I went to open the closet door and instead of racks or shelves, it was empty. A few steps in it only opened to another door. Confused, I went to open that door and it was locked.

I was too cold to worry about it, so I went back to the mattress, tucking myself into the blanket. I glanced at the bright red numbers of the bedside alarm clock. Four-thirty. Would anyone be awake at four-thirty to ask about more blankets? Would I be able to find my way back to the hospital at four-thirty for fever meds?

What was there?

Hallway. Stairs. Stairs. Hallway. Entrance. Oh, I don't know. I can't think with this freeze.

I shivered for fifteen more minutes before I decided I had to try. If I couldn't find someone at least, maybe I could wander around until I found the kitchen. Make some tea or hot chocolate or something. Someone was bound to be up in another hour or two if not.

I'd be able to be okay until then.

The blanket still firmly wrapped around me, the chills and aches flitting through every bone, I stepped off the bed and to the door.

I opened it to the hall and widened my mouth to scream at the tall body consuming the doorway. My comforter flew to the ground in shock and suddenly I was pressed against Adam, one of his hands holding the scream in my mouth.

"It's just me," he calmed to my startled eyes. "Are you okay?"

I nodded into his hand, and he let my lips free. I then realized how warm he was and sunk my chattering body into him.

"Jeez, Miss Winters you're freezing."

I nodded again, feeling my shiver against his chest.

He swooped the comforter with one hand, and somehow picked me up bridal style wrapping it over me. I draped my arms around his shoulders and pressed my face into his heat.

He felt so good.

Adam walked through my room and sat on the couch with me across his lap. Quivering, I pressed myself into his heat as he tucked the blanket around me. His hands roamed my back forcing the warmth back in.

As the heat flooded in, the pains started to melt away. It was so fast.

No more shaking.

No more itching.

No more pain.

It didn't take too long for me to realize that sleeping pill must just be starting to take effect. Stupid slow pill, and then my thoughts softened. With one last long exhale, I was already asleep.