My body tingles in delight at the feeling of a cold breeze.
There is a beeping next to me, following the beating of my heart.
Such a strange sensation... I feel too tired to fully wake up, and yet, I can't seem to be able to sleep any longer.
My weary eyes blink in exhaustion, and the blazing red eyes staring back at me send shivers down my spine.
Red eyes... am I back to the demon world?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Is she awake?"
"Not yet."
"How are her wounds?"
"They are healing. Slowly... but they're healing. The doctor said she's out of the danger zone."
What are those unknown voices? I remember passing out in the cave... how did people find me here?
"Call me the moment she wakes up."
I am awake... did I fail to open my eyes?
I don't feel that tired... so why can't I get up?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
My eyes shot open.
I know I woke up before, but I was too tired to get up.
I'm still too tired to get up...
How long was I out?
Damn... I did my best to get away, only to die of starvation?
I need to move. I need to get out of this... cave?
What is this? Where am I?
I was too out of it to notice before, but there's a ceiling above my head... I am in a room.
All I can do is slightly move my head. There are machines and wires attached to my body... this is a hospital room.
Someone found me and brought me to a hospital.
How did they even find me in that cave?
Right... there were voices... I remember hearing people talking, but when was it?
As if on cue, I hear a door opening, and someone rushes over.
"My goddess, you're finally awake!"
A brunette lady with green eyes and blazing hair rushes to my side... she is beautiful.
I open my mouth to talk, but no words come out.
Right...
The woman died strangled.
I still remember the bruises on her neck... there's no way I could talk.
"Don't try to talk yet, miss. Your neck was gravely injured. Don't strain yourself. Don't worry, you're safe now."
Indeed... my wounds are treated, and this girl doesn't seem to bore any malice towards me.
Is she the one who saved me? I should thank her properly later...
"I'll call the doctor and be right back, okay?"
She dashes out the door, and I take a moment to look around.
This room is spacious.
I'm definitely sitting in a king-sized bed, and this room is too nicely decorated to belong in a hospital. Especially the huge chandelier...
"The decorum is a bit odd, isn't it?"
Indeed...what?
There was someone else in the room.
A young man. His emerald eyes shone in the dimly lit room, and his black hair seemed to paint the white wall, making it blend in with the darkness, yet stand out beautifully from it.
Was he here all along? I didn't notice it... did he mask his presence?
The air surrounding him screams of irritation and boredom.
He isn't pleased with me, but I don't sense malice either.
Still, I failed to notice his presence... maybe he was masking his hostility as well.
Maybe I'm not safe after all.
I gather all my strength to get up, but I still can't walk.
As soon as my feet touch the ground, I stumble back, but he catches me and puts me on the bed, in a sitting position.
"Easy there... my brother will beat the shit out of me if I let anything happen to you."
So he's not here to hurt me. But who is his brother?
Why would he care about what happens to me?
"I'm impressed. Yesterday, you couldn't even keep your eyes open for long, and you can already find the strength to get up. You're not as fragile as you seem."
Is that a compliment? And why does this brat keep talking down to me? He's clearly younger.
"Stop glaring at me..."
Was I?
The doctor rushes in and takes a quick examination. Besides my throat, the rest of the wounds are almost healed. That's a good thing.
"You just woke up from a two-week coma, so try not to overexert yourself. You should try to gently move your toes, then slowly move up to your feet and body. Nothing too exhausting, just some mild movements to get your body accustomed to activity again. Starting tomorrow, you will be undergoing physical therapy, as walking will be difficult for a while. I noticed your healing ability is low, almost human-like. Is there a problem with your wolf? Ah, you can write on this."
He hands me a notebook and a pen and waits patiently for my answer.
What should I write? Is there something wrong with the wolf? Seraphina never shifted, so it can't be good. Should I tell him?
"Miss?"
What am I thinking? This is a weakness. This body is full of weaknesses.
Letting others in is dangerous... letting others know your weaknesses is pure stupidity.
'No. There's nothing wrong with my wolf. I've always healed slowly compared to other wolves. It runs in the family.'
Something genetic can't be seen as a weakness, nor will it be inquired about. This is perfect. I am impressed with how good I am at lying.
After all, I had to lie a lot. My father was a cruel man. And he despised anything, everything, and anyone who was weak, even if it was family.
I had to learn to lie and hide to survive.
"I see. This will be all for now. Don't hesitate to press the red button should you feel any discomfort or pain."
The doctor leaves, and the woman comes by my side.
"It's good that you're healing. If you still have the strength to write, could you tell us a bit about yourself? Your name, age, pack... anything?"
Age? In the memories, Seraphina mentioned something about coming of age and how she couldn't participate for a year... so I guess she's 19? Or 20?
' I am Seraphina, and I'm 20.'
"Seraphina, beautiful name. Any family we can call?"
'No. But who are you? How did you find me in that cave?'
"My apologies, I asked for your name, but we forgot to introduce ourselves. My name is Cataleya, and I am a witch. This here is Raphael, the Alpha's brother. We didn't find you. The Alpha did. He'll be here shortly."
I nod, but before I can write something else, another man enters the room.
I never thought I would say something like this... but he just blew my breath away.
My god, he was gorgeous.
His hair was a perfect shade of blonde. His eyes had the same allure as those of a demon, red as the blood, and the lineaments of his face were in perfect proportion to each other.
He seemed molded from a different cast, lacquered and enameled by the moon. His cheekbones appeared chiseled into shape by a master craftsman. They had such a sharp contour that it looked as if they were sculpted and pared to perfection. With eyes as bright and spellbinding as lode stars, they bewitched all those who fell under his steady gaze.
They were a sparkle with mirth and shone like two rubies enwrought in snow.
My god... have I lost my mind? Did those words come from me?
"Are you alright?"
His deep voice resonated with my very being. A feeling foreign to me... is as if he awakened a part of myself. An animal to the core... an animal... right!
In this world, I am a werewolf! But Seraphina never shifted... so how come I feel the wolf inside?
"Is she alright? Why does she seem so lost? What did the doctor say?"
I was lost in your beauty...
Damn, I need to snap out of it.
Currently, I don't know anything. I don't know these people, so why do I feel so strangely safe?
This feeling... I remember it from Seraphina's memories.
This man... he is my mate, isn't he?
I signal the man to let him know I am alright. I can't believe I lost myself in his beauty.
"Who did this to you?"
The man was handsome from the depth of his eyes to the gentle expressions of his voice. His hand felt warm against my own and gave me a sense of security. These feelings are dangerous...
I shake my head, and his grip tightens.
"Do you not remember what happened to you?"
I do, thanks to my powers, but his eyes tell me I should keep quiet. I know those eyes all too well.
He's out for blood.
But this isn't something he should interfere in. These people killed Seraphina, and they need to die at her hands. This is a revenge that only I am entitled to get in her stead. Having those people die at her own hands is the least I could do for using her body as my own.
"Did she say anything?"
"Only that her name is Seraphina, she's 20, and there's no one we can call for her, so I guess there's no family or pack."
"That can't be. She doesn't- you don't smell like a rogue. You must have a pack. Why won't you tell me? Are they the ones who did this to you? Are you trying to cover for them?"
His voice got dangerously low...
'I am not covering for anyone. I am alone. And this isn't your business, so let it be.'
"Not my business? They almost killed my mate!"
You didn't seem to be in a hurry to find your mate...
I know I should be annoyed by his tone, but for some reason, seeing him get so worked up about my state makes me feel tingly.
Someone else comes in and whispers something to the man.
"Call me if anything happens."
"Yes, brother."
Everyone leaves, and I'm left alone with Raphael.
Why do I feel disappointed?
These feelings are dangerous. I need to get a grip on myself.
But the man that came seemed familiar... did I see him in Seraphina's memories? Where did I see him? His name...
'The man that came. Isn't he William?'
"Yes, he's my brother's Beta. You know William?"
So I was right.
'I saw him at the Mating Event.'
His slumped shoulders jolted up, and his eyes sparkled for a moment as if he had a revelation.
"Where exactly? Cuz' I know he didn't see you."
I know he didn't. Seraphina was hiding in the attic.
"So you do have a pack. No way... are you seriously covering for the one who did this to you? I thought you were fragile, not dumb."
Honestly... this brat. If I had even a tiny bit of energy left in me, I would use it all to smack him just once.
Now that I think about it... he said William is his brother's Beta.
No way...
The notorious clan who loves bloodshed... the cruel man akin to a king in this city...
Am I supposedly fated with the- THE Alexander Devlin?
Ah, of course.
If this doesn't make sense, then what would?
The allegedly incarnated devil is mated to the former demon queen.
A match made in heaven indeed...