The steady, rhythmic beeping of a heart monitor broke through the silence, as she pulled back from the abyss of darkness, eyelids fluttering, heavy and resistant, as if even opening her eyes took more energy than she had. The bright light in the room was harsh against her senses, and the sterile scent of antiseptic filled her lungs, mixing with the prominent smell of herbs.
She blinked again, slowly, her vision swimming until the blurry figures around her came into focus.
There was a woman—Selene, standing over her, staring, her sharp eyes briefly flickered with surprise as she noticed her patient's golden eyes. "She's awake," Selene murmured, her voice low, but not to her—a young girl, stood nearby staring almost breathless, wide eyes locked onto the raven-haired woman lying on the bed.
She sat up suddenly, feeling the rush of blood to her head, her vision darkening for a brief second. But something else caught her attention—leather restraints binding her wrists to the bed.
Leather? She thought with indignation. Silver cuffs would've been more of a challenge.
Selene glanced at the younger girl beside her, tapping her shoulder. "Quickly, go find Gamma Tyrone. Tell him the doe is awake."
The girl hesitated, her eyes still glued to the woman on the bed, before Selene repeated herself more sternly, "Quickly!" The girl snapped out of her trance and dashed out of the room, leaving both women alone.
Selene turned back to the raven-haired woman, her tone soft but measured. "I'm Selene. The village's physician. You are safe."
"Safe?" The woman scoffed, tugging at the straps with irritation. "I'll decide what's safe."
"You were severely injured. The restraints were to keep you from hurting yourself." Selene told her.
She pulled at the bonds once again, testing. "They already bruised," she said flatly, golden orbs boring into Selene's. "Get them off before I do.
"I'm afraid I can't—" Selene's response was interrupted by the sudden sound of metal groaning under pressure. The woman yanked her wrist free from the bed with a strength that made Selene stiffen. The restraint tore away from the bed frame as if it were nothing.
The woman's lips curled into a snarl, shaking out her wrist. "Do you want to undo the other, or should I?"
"I suggest you take it easy," Selene finally said, warily.
The woman ignored her, freeing her other wrist with ease. She rubbed at the red marks on her skin, then swung her legs off the bed, standing up in one smooth motion.
She stayed still, watching the woman move around the room. It was clear she was looking for something. Her sharp eyes scanned the small space before landing on a piece of the broken bedframe, now twisted from the force of her pull. She picked it up, testing its weight in her hand. A makeshift weapon, but it would do. "Where am I?"
There was something about her voice that washed over Selene, giving her a strange sense of peace despite the situation.
"Strongborne," Selene replied. "You should wait for the village head to come. He was here yesterday."
"Yesterday," the woman repeated. "How long was I out?"
"Four days—"
"Four days?" she cut her off, her voice tightening with urgency. "What is this place?"
"Strongborne," Selene repeated. "A small village-"
"Werewolves."
Selene's eyebrows rose, "You know what we are."
"I know enough," the woman replied curtly. She turned to the window now, the dark sky taunting her. There was no time for all this—she had been out for too long.
Selene spoke again, very cautiously. "Your name. Can you tell me your name?"
Her gaze shifted back to Selene, blank and unreadable. "Names don't matter."
"I think they do."
"I think," the woman said with a snarl, "you should stop asking questions."
There was a brief silence before Selene heard footsteps—several pairs—approaching the door. The woman stiffened, her eyes darting toward the sound.
Selene knew it was too late. The men would be at the door in seconds. "They're coming to help you," Selene said quietly, her voice gentle, hoping to defuse whatever was brewing.
The raven-haired woman moved before Selene could finish her sentence. She grabbed a first-aid box off the shelf and hurled it at the window with a deadly precision and inhuman strength. The glass shattered instantly, shards flying in all directions. Without hesitation, she made a swift, agile leap through the broken window and rolled down the hill below, Selene following her movements after a beat.
Within seconds she was gone, disappearing into the night.
The door opened moments later, and the Alpha entered the room, followed closely by his Beta. Kade's eyes immediately fell on the broken bedframe and moved to the broken window before landing on Selene.
"Where is she?" he demanded, his tone thick with authority. With his wolf bristling at the surface, his eyes became a golden color, even brighter than the runaway woman.
"She's gone," Selene replied, shaking her head slightly. "But, she knows."
"Knows?" Logan stepped forward. "Knows what?"
Selene hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "She knows who we are."
Kade's jaw clenched, and his voice dropped to a low growl. "Tell Tyrone to get the patrols ready. She can't be far."
Logan was already moving, barking orders as he left the room, but Kade lingered, his eyes surveyed the wreckage: the broken bedframe, scattered drawers, shattered window, and leather straps strewn on the floor. He turned to Selene, his eyes scanning her for injuries. "Did she hurt you?"
Selene shook her head. "She could have, but she didn't."
"That scent," Selene continued quietly. "The one you perceived when you first came here. I should have guessed it at the time but I guess I didn't think of it that way. She's your mate isn't she?"
Kade's expression hardened, he clenched his fists, his voice taut with restraint. "No, It can't be."
"I think she is, and she doesn't know too."
"I'll be the judge of that." He stormed out.