The next morning, I felt groggy. My nerves kept me awake most of the night and the aching in my bones returned over the little sleep I had. I could not sleep since the ride here. A nagging in my mind kept me from drifting. I could not get comfy and the bags under my eyes were showing it.

I was on the field waiting for Sean on time. The crisp morning air and the dew on the grass made me smile. I always enjoyed my early morning starts. The peace and the singing of the birds always made me feel content.

I was dressed in leggings, trainers that fit, and a sports bra underneath a baggy tee. He came out in shorts and a tank not a moment later, giving me a small smile. The intimidation was still strong, but he seemed calmer.

He approached me and I had to crane my neck to greet him; he punched his own palm with a sly grin. "You ready?"

I shook my head, which caused him to chuckle. "Come on, let's stretch and go for a run first. One mile."

I sighed and stretched with him before we jog off into the tree line. We kept at a leisurely pace, jogging through the beauty of the trees. We passed by a clearing with a lake, deer drinking from its water. I was awestruck by the beauty. I was never allowed out much at my old pack, so to see all of this made me stagger to a stop.

Sean noticed I stopped straight away and jogged over to me. "What is it?"

"It's amazing." I breathed.

Purple and white flowers lined the floor, trees in full bloom as the morning sun cascaded through their branches. Rabbits, squirrels, birds, and deer all scurried along, hiding in the long grass.

"You're acting as if you've never seen a forest before." He chuckled.

I turned to look at him as he studied the meadow as much as I did. "I've not. N-n-Not like this."

His eyebrow quirked as he gazed down at me. "Why not?"

I chewed my lip, not feeling comfortable with the large man just yet.

He took my silence as an answer and brushed it off. "Come on, we still got half a mile left."

I grumbled in defeat and gave the meadow one last longing look as we ran away.

***

I had trained with Sean for another five days now. Five brutal days, three hours a day of exhaustion.

After we ran, we did some circuits. Planking, star jumps, squatting, lunges... It felt like extreme yoga if I'm being honest. Each set lasted forever, and he made me do three of them. Then after circuits, he was teaching me self defence. I was exhausted. I couldn't wait until breakfast so I could have a drink and a nap.

"Nova!" He snapped.

My eyes darted over to him, sweat dripping from my face in my eye, so I attempted to wipe it away but my hands were just as sweaty through the bandage.

"Focus!" He growled.

I wanted to growl back, but I knew my place and right now he was in charge. I dodged his punches, but I was tiring. I have never worked out before this, apart from walking. I have it up when I used to get scrutinised. I had no stamina and no strength. So when his fist connected with my jaw, I let myself flop to the floor.

I was on my butt, folded over as I tried to steady my breathing.

"Come on, Nova." He sighed. "You gotta concentrate."

I growled lowly. "I-I-"

"What?" He interrupted. "Get up, let's go again! We are not done."

I was growing frustrated. Could he not see I was done? I could barely lift my head. My anger was bubbling up inside of me. The taste of it had my wolf growling in my mind.

"I am done!" I snapped, my eyes darting up to him. "I have had enough!"

His eyes widened as he watched me stand up to glare at him. "I'm in charge here Nov-"

"No!" I snapped, my breath coming out in pants. "I have been busy all damn week! I always comply! I am tired! I can't do anymore today!"

He stood silent as he studied me, his alarmed expression mellowed out until he held no emotion. My breathing was ragged as I felt my anger dissipate. Once I was calmer, I sighed and ran my hands through my hair.

"You know you didn't stutter."

"What?" I grumbled, putting my hair up.

"You just had a whole rant and not once did you stutter." He smirked. "Here I was thinking you had no gut but damn you practically commanded me."

I frowned. I thought I always had a stutter. My tongue couldn't form words properly. Usually worse when I'm distraught. So it surprised me when the realisation of this situation kicked in.

"W-w-"

"Nice one." He chuckled.

I huffed and crossed my arms. Checking the watch on my wrist that Sean got me after I was late my first day; it was coming on at half nine.

"Breakfast then?" He smiled.

I nodded, and we walked side by side into the breakfast buffet that was laid out waiting. I went to sit at a table by myself and was shocked when Sean came to sit with me. He smirked at my reaction, his beefy hands grabbing a piece of toast and smothering it in strawberry jam.

I watched him a moment longer as he chewed the toast before cautiously eating my food. I allowed myself to eat this morning; a cup of juice and a butter croissant. It was flaky and amazing, and I could see why people liked to eat breakfast. Especially after all that working out.

"You know," Sean mumbled as he continued onto some bacon and pancakes. "You need more protein, you gotta build muscle and you can't train what's not there."

I had a mini flashback of my old pack but shivered it away. "I know."

"We can get a proper diet plan going just you and me? No doctors." He smiled softly.

He knew I hated doctors after I twisted my ankle last week. I had gone into panic mode and refused to be seen. Doctors at my old pack didn't care, and I had unpleasant experiences. I still remember the pain from when I was younger when they used to tend to my burns. It had scarred my mind and my body.

I nodded with a smile, feeling rather small since I finished, and he took up most of the space at this table. I had come round to Sean and learned he wasn't as scary as he seemed. Now I knew little about him but I hoped I could. I needed a friend. And someone to hide behind since my so-called mate disappeared.

"What now?" He asked, finally finishing his food. "Wanna try again?"

Determination courses through me. I felt better; I felt like I could go again. Whether it was me, my wolf or the croissant digesting in my stomach, I just did. So I nodded.

"Meet me there in an hour." He grinned before standing from the table and leaving, taking my plate with him.

I smiled to myself, probably looking like a loon. But I felt proud for even trying.

***

Before I knew it, I was back out running with Sean. It was coming close to midday now, and after having a few more boxing lessons and attempted sparring, we went on the last run. The sun was getting to its hottest that I so desperately wanted to take off my top, but I was way too self-conscious. So I rode the envy wave as Sean worked out in nothing but shorts.

At nearly the quarter-mile mark, I felt uneasy. I carried on running, but I just couldn't shrug off the feeling. Deciding it wasn't my anxiety after an internal battle with myself, I slowed down. My wolf was on edge.

"What's up?" Sean commented from afar.

I scanned the trees, goosebumps rising on my arms as the feeling of uncertainty washed over me. I strained my ears and my vision as I looked around. My instinct had me looking east of here, back where we came from.

"Nova..." a whisper.

My breath hitched, and my vision blurred.

The whispering voice came from a shadow in the trees. It was so faint I wasn't sure if Sean heard it. It was enticing me, calling me. But my instinct told me better. My wolf had her hackles raised in defence.

Oh, I wish I was part of this pack to have a mind link...

"S-s-Sean..." I whispered.

"What is it?" He asked worriedly.

His large hands took my shoulders in his grip and tried to turn me around, but my fear had me rooted, staring, none blinking at a gap between the trees. A small whimper left my throat as a shadow moved.

"Wh-w-who is that?"

He frowned in confusion and followed my gaze. Before I could react, it all moved so suddenly. The shadow had darted forward, and I was hurtling backwards into a tree. I cried out in pain when my back bent against the old bark, leaves and splinters of wood falling onto me.

My head swam, and I moaned when I felt a sharp pain running down my spine and across my shoulders. My head pounded as it whacked onto the ground and the metallic taste of my blood smothered my lips. I glanced up through the foggy darkness in my mind to see pale blue legs approaching me. Fear gripped my throat, and a sickness settled in my stomach as I stared at the creature grinning down at me.

Its face was twisted and morphed, skin stretched like they had taped it to its face. Bony limbs held a barely there naked torso, and I swallowed harshly as I saw the fresh blood that coated the bare chest. Its long claws reached out to me and I backed away as much as I could after being winded. I was pretty sure I had a broken arm, but I didn't dare to look away from this beast.

A movement momentarily caught my eye from my left and in the split second, the creature has me in its claws. I shrieked in surprise as it lifted me from the ground. With my right arm numb and unable to move, I clutched onto its peeling hand with my other in fear. Its nails dug into my neck and I felt the warmth of blood trickle down my collarbone.

I let out a small whimper of pain as it lifted me to its height. It dangled me a good foot from the ground with nails embedded into my throat. I could feel my pulse beating loudly, the swinging of colours blurring around me as I fought with consciousness. I noticed the creature had white eyes and a blue tongue when it licked sharpened teeth.

It let out a small purr of excitement and almost a giggle as it studied me. I was gasping for breath, but it didn't seem to notice. It was like I was a toy or a bug to a toddler.

I could feel blood dripping from my nose and into my mouth, saliva pooling under my tongue as I choked. The creature, although it was terrifying, had a sort of innocence in its gestures. It was smiling at me in wonder, unaware of the damage it was causing.

Just as the creature went to put me back down slowly, I was dropped as it screamed. A large grey wolf had the creature in his jaws, tearing into it as the sound of screams filled the quiet forest.

I rolled onto my side, knowing it was the better chance I had of recovering, but found my consciousness a battle to keep. The warmth of liquid trickled into the forest floor, the grass dampening beneath me from both sweat and blood. Breathing was difficult. It hurt every time I attempted a breath. My arm was numb and tingly, and my back ached in pain.

I watched the one-sided battle until the creature gave up its fight and succumbed to death with a whimper. Dead. The grey wolf made sure of it.

Through teary, blurred eyes, I watched as the wolf transformed into Sean. Finally, feeling safe, I let myself fall into the darkness of sleep as he rushes toward me.

***

I felt like crap.

My head was foggy as I woke, and I groaned at the feeling. The room I was in was dark, and I struggled to adjust my eyes.

I tried to sit up and was pleased to find I was not in a hospital room. Although I was hooked up to an IV drip and in a gown. I had a sling on my arm which I grimaced down at. Doctors had been here. And they had changed me.

I swallowed and surveyed where I was. It was my room-at least it wasn't foreign. There was a glass of water on my nightstand and nothing else to suggest that anything had happened. The scent in the sheets told me it was Lucie. There was a faint smell of bleach coming from the bathroom and my sheets were not the ones I slept in yesterday.

I tried to pull myself up into a sitting position but cried out in pain when my right side couldn't support me. I breathed deeply, fighting against it until I sat myself up. My head swam, and I closed my eyes to fight nausea.

Once clear, I grabbed the glass of lukewarm water and sipped it. Eyeing the bedside clock, I could see it was around 3 am. So the whole day had passed, and I did not know what had happened. And I was alone. No family, nor even my mate to comfort me.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and slowly slid onto the balls of my feet. I grabbed the cool silver pole of my IV drip and slowly made my way towards my en-suite. Turning on the light, I blinked at my state of me. My hair was wild and untamed, spiralling out of the bun I tried to keep it in when working out. I even spotted a few leaves still peaking through the mass of it. I was glad it was getting healthy though, finally getting some colour.

My face looked fine other than the bags from the ten days of no sleep, but the large bandage wrapped around my neck had me wrinkle my nose in disgust. I couldn't feel any pain, just aching and I don't doubt it was because of the drips in my hand.

They wrapped my arm up in a sling, hanging to just below my breast. I tried to move it but found only my forearm could slightly rotate. So it had to be my shoulder. I don't know what pain killers these were, but they were amazing.

With my free hand, I attempted to seek the bobble hiding in my hair. Unravelling it was tricky since it was so messy, but eventually, I got there and shook it out. I wanted a shower so badly, but being hooked to an IV and in a sling was going to make it difficult.

"Nova?"

I jumped and knocked a sink pot onto the floor just as I went to brush my teeth.

"Y-y-yeah?"

Footsteps approached the door and, with wide eyes, I watched as Sean came running into the bathroom. His chest deflated in what appeared to be relieved before he checked me over. I insisted I was fine, but he made sure he glanced over every part of me.

I chuckled. "Honestly, I'm o-okay. Just... groggy."

He sat down on my toilet seat and observed as I brushed my teeth. "You hit your head pretty hard. I would be surprised if you weren't."

"What else?" I asked.

"Broken shoulder bone, few broken ribs, too. They stitched five cuts in your neck, so be careful with that. And with your twisted ankle from the other day, I'd say you're pretty done for." He laughed.

I chuckled. "Thanks."

We fell into a comfortable silence as I refreshed myself.

Drying my face, I contemplated my question. "Sean... w-w-what was that thing?"

He frowned, and I watched as he thought about how to answer me. But he didn't have to.

"A ghoul."

A voice like silk. Deep and merciless as the ocean has me closing my eyes. I suppressed a shiver and opened my eyes to see Sean giving me a confused yet concerned glance.

I turned to face him and held my breath as my eyes met his. His hair was tousled, eyes dark and tired, much like mine. His white shirt was ruffled and unbuttoned halfway down, trousers still neatly in place, but his dress shoes were untied. Why was he dressed up in the middle of the night?

Phoenix leaned in my doorway, his shoulder against the wooden frame and arms crossed at his chest. I let out my breath when his black eyes met mine. A firm frown was his only feature. I was surprised he didn't have wrinkles yet with the amount he grimaces.

"G-g-ghoul?" I whispered.

He took a long blink and sighed. "Yes. A ghoul. I will tell you, but I insist you get back in bed."

I chewed my tongue but nodded and began my snail pace to the bed, Sean following behind me. Phoenix had hardly moved when I passed by him, a sigh leaving his lips as he explained what a ghoul was.

"It's a flesh-eating monster, with a soft spot for werewolf blood." He began.

My eyes widened as I got close to him and his scent, along with his words, had me stagger. Thankfully, both men steadied me; Phoenix grabbed my IV and elbow and Sean grabbed me by the waist.

Phoenix suddenly let out a low and dangerous growl and I glanced at him to see him glaring at Sean. Sean's hands stiffened on my waist behind me; we all froze.

Phoenix sneered. "Do not touch her."

"I was just helping-"

Phoenix growled again, and Sean's warm hands soon vanished from my waist. Phoenix suddenly scooped me up and carried me the rest of the way to my bed. He was warm and tingly, his eyes black as he focused on the task.

So now he's protective and growling at Sean, yet for the past ten days, he ignores me? Temperamental much?

"I'm sorry Alpha. I just did it out of instinct." Sean spoke from where we left him.

Phoenix laid me in bed and placed the duvet over me. He clenched his jaw as his dark eyes met my confused ones. Straightening his back, he turned around to face Sean. My wolf purred at the sight of his back; she had a thing for his backside.

"I understand." Was all he said.

Sean glanced at me and I could see what he was going to ask before it left his lips. "May I ask what... is going on?"

Phoenix grumbled. "You already know it seems."

"You found your mate?" He grinned, despite the tense standoff. "Thank-fucking-finally."

I heard Phoenix grumble and clench his fists until his knuckles cracked. "You must tell no one."

I frowned this time. "Why?"

He glanced at me over his shoulder. "They mustn't know. It's for your own good."

"B-b-but I'm your m-mate..."

"Enough of this. Just get some sleep. Goodnight, Nova." He huffed before gesturing for Sean to follow.

My mouth parted in shock and I watched as they both walked out of the room, Sean following him with sorry eyes sent in my direction.

Dang Alpha.

**********

wc: 3323

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