Happy memories of the lifetime I’ve spent with Jenson flit through my mind swiftly like butterflies. I double over, aching with a bittersweet taste on my tongue. I curl up onthe grass as the memories are taken on the wind. Feelings of betrayal touch my heart as I reach up to grasp something—anything, to keep those memories safe. But they slip through my fingers as I touch my face and realize I am weeping.
I hear a sharp, keening howl, and I realize it’s me. I collapse to the earth, curling up in a fetal position.
“Daughter.” I hear a soft feminine voice whisper. “Charlie, get up!”
I open my eyes to look around me, but I see no one. “Who’s there?” I cry.
“It’s me, Selene.” A beautiful female is walking toward me through the grass. “Rise up! Stop weeping. All is not lost. You have a very important role in the world to come. I am preparing my daughters to save my wolves before it’s too late.”
“What does that have to do with me?” I query, still curled into myself. “I can’t even save myself or my mate.”
“Charlie, I’ve always given my children free will to make choices.” She sighs. “But I never promised immunity from the natural consequences of those choices. Bad choices lead to bad consequences, while good ones create opportunities.
Jenson made his choices on his own, without influence from me or you. And, now, he must live with his decisions. It isn’t punishment from me, but the universal laws of justice. Symbolically speaking, what goes up, must come down.” She intones.
“Listen to my words carefully; from this moment on, the balance of your world depends on making the right choices. The Alpha in you has the ability to come out victorious. You need to lead in your world.” The sky begins to shift to black with the approaching storm. “Choose wisely.” Her voice fades in an echo.
“Wait!” I scream. “I don’t understand!” I don’t know what she wants from me, but it’s too late; the blackness gathers around me, and I slip into it.
Beep, beep, beep.
I hear muted voices.
Beep, beep, beep.
I try to open my eyes, but the light here is too bright.
Beep, beep, beep.
I feel someone touch my arm. "I think she's waking up," a female voice says.
I blink my eyes open. Squinting, I shield them.
"Go get the doctor; she is waking up!" a female in scrubs gets up close to my face. "Can you hear me?"
"Yes," I croak. She puts a straw up to my mouth, and I drink a gulp of water; it soothes my dry throat.
"Easy," she cautions. "Don't drink too much at once. It might make you sick."
After taking another small sip, I look at the people surrounding my hospital bed. "How are you feeling?" Asks a petite older she-wolf who just stepped into the room. Since she is wearing a white coat, I assume she is the doctor.
"A little disoriented."
"Do you remember what happened?" She asks.
"Yeah, I think so."
"Can you tell us what happened to you?" She continues. "You were found at the back of some retail shops, covered in blood, with a knife in your hand but no obvious wounds. What is your name?"
"How long have I been out?" I avoid her questions.
"About a week." She states. "What's your name?"
"Where am I?"
"Sparksburg Memorial." She glances at the other people in the room. "Leave us for a moment." As the others file out, she leans in and repeats. "What's your name, honey?"
“Um…I must speak privately with Alpha Blake before I say anything further.”