pte

RA

ndings. I was in a hospital room, surrounded by the b

, forcing a wince out of my throat ,feeling the spasm i

arm, the clear liquid slow

arched my back in pain. My b

; I was in the hospital, with litt

of dizziness washed over me,

opened and a nurse walked into the room, a bright smile plastere

from disuse. I cleared my throat, trying a

I don't know much about what happened to you. I do know that you were brought in las

couldn't be

over me. I tried to remember, but every

sure you are better. I would

replied almo

any job? Career-wise

eacher,"

ng." S

ip. "You're doing great, ma'am. Just get some rest, I will inform the doct

nd?" I asked the world ext

ong with the do

questions and too many fears. And I knew I woul

ded away, I was left alone

umed to be in green shrubs, accompanied by two men, wal

n intensity that made my heart skip a beat. The other man was a st

attack, the humiliation, and the shame. I sighed, feeling the weight of

eaving mine, while his companion greet

" I r

enrir's friend."

na." I

mind. "Thank the Goddess she's doing fine. Or am I b

the recovery after your husband's intervention last night." The doctor s

psychic voice in sheer panic. "Oh Goddess, I hope

I gritted my teeth, and a sharp pain spre

your healing process. If you require therapy, I will arrang

replied and escorted the docto

important; this pack is no longer safe fo

go? No other pack would accept me; my mission to save

re, Serafina. Your life is more important than

ughts were jumbled and unclear,I just wanted to go home,to grandma Flora

come with me, Ser

Why was he willing to

as unreadable, but hi

I can't leave Grandma Flo

ever mess seems to be happenin

ne, but before that, I need to see them," I said, my voice

anding. "Of course," he said. "As soo

NEXT

inding roads to the orphanage. The familiar buildings

hat would Grandma Flora say? Would she be angry, or would she und

he Orphanage must

" I repli

elf for what lay ahead. We got out

n my arrival. I crouched down, hu

my l

probably wondering who

nothing to worry about

s been trying to reach you for days, but you never showed up. Are y

orgive me." I hugged the

wiped my face" Where

ked their foreheads, w

low me. The door was open, and I could see her sitting at her desk, her head b

warm. "My dear, where were you?

, my voice shaking slightly. "I am sorry, for skipping my birthday,I got caug

into my own hands, and i

summit, a party Alpha Robert was throwing two d

ing at me intently. " You are the unlucky girl who everyone has been talking

ng, Grandma; I ruined

, Serafina; everything

. " Oh, Serafina, what did they do to you?"

I said, trying to hold back tears. "Alpha Robert has no idea about the

n turned stern, "It is no

by two generous men. I am leaving with them. Staying here will only draw

as I hugged her tightly. " I wasn't expecting you to leave so soon," she said

back, smiled weakly, and turned to leave. Grandma Flora's warm hug and bl

stood by the door, his eyes fixed on me, while Fredrick was inside, regaling the children with s

ix of emotions. Their smiles always brought back memori

ng around, his voice low and gentle. "

liberately waited for me to see the children before leaving.

g Fredrick to follow. As Fredrick stood up, the childr

. "We will," he promised, and the c

ildren's smiles and laughter etched in my mind. I knew I would carr

what caught my attention was the gathering of people outside - all the kids and Grandma Flora, standing together, looking...s

maller and smaller, until they finally faded from view. I felt a pang i

reaking the silence. He pointed ahead, and I followed his gaze to the border of a new territo

e Pack would readily accept a stranger like me. I turned to Fredrick,

riving, through the rearview mirror. He didn't say a

the window and saw a terrifying creature lunging at me. It had a canine face with a long tongue and a mouth that see

orror I had just seen. Fenrir stopped the car and asked me psychically what was wrong. I

o believe me. I slumped back in my seat, feeling scared and unsure of what

re? And why did no one else see it? I looked at Fenrir and Fredrick, but they seemed comp

resent moment. I was here now, and I needed to make the best of