Paws thudded on the forest floor, kicking up leaves with each powerful move. The panting breaths that slipped from my jaws were echoed just behind me but I didn't feel afraid. They were familiar and as I looked back, I grinned at my mate.

He grinned broadly, baring his teeth in a wolfish grin before attempting to tackle me. Eyes bright with amusement and love, he let out a playful yip when I dodged him. We jumped back and forth, playfully trying to trap one another before pausing as the Alpha howled.

"Time to go back, my love." He murmured, sniffing and nuzzling at my fur before nudging me ever so softly. I eagerly soaked up the affection and gave back in kind, lapping at his fur until he nudged me away with a chuckle.

He let out a responding howl before pushing himself off, leaping further into the forest and towards the pack. I let out a howl as well before eagerly following behind my mate's tail that flashed through the bushes-

-~-~-

Pain exploded through my skull as I smacked face first in a wall, taking a few staggering steps back while voices hushed and whispered, yelping at the hit I took.

"Easy there, you're alright."

Soothing, strong, commanding. Blinking my eyes, I looked up at the Alpha's face, feeling confused and disoriented from the pain and sudden change in surroundings. I could've sworn I was outside, chasing my mate in a bittersweet dream made from memory.

My legs trembled underneath me, my leg weighing me down with the thick cast wrapped around it. Now that the adrenaline was slowly evaporating from my veins, it was easily replaced with pain and nausea.

Luckily the Alpha was keeping a mindful eye on my form and easily caught me as I staggered before gently placing me back down on a bed. My eyes slid through the room as I panted, ears twitching at the multitude of heartbeats I could hear in the deafening silence.

A lot of pack wolves were standing in the room and gathered at the doorway with solemn expressions. Be it human or wolf, they all had their eyes on me with a tenderness I'd never received before.

"I'm still dreaming, aren't I?" I thought to myself before settling in on the bed. The thick fur that laid above was comforting and I nuzzled in it before sighing tiredly. The Alpha was still hovering nearby, keeping his eyes on me even when he was talking to several pack doctors.

After a few nods and a grim expression, he turned around and slowly approached me. At first I didn't understand why, until I realized there were soft growls slipping from my chest. "Easy...." The Alpha hushed once again before sitting down beside the bed.

"You had surgery on your leg and hip. I'm actually stunned you were able to stand, even if it was for a brief moment. The doctors have fixed your hip and leg as best as they could but they had to focus on your current injuries. The older breaks can be reset at a later date."

I flicked my ears, tilting my head slightly. Why even bother? I wasn't pack and I never will be. I appreciated their kindness but saw it for the poisoned gift it really was. A peace offering to pacify me and make them jump on their command.

My stomach jumped and rolled uneasily as I struggled to stay upright. Drool dripped down my lips as my body shook, the Alpha cringing in sympathy before requesting for a bowl. It was shoved underneath my muzzle just in time, a small puddle forming as there was hardly anything in my stomach to lose.

"It's okay, the medication is going to make you feel sick until it wears off. One of the bone fragments had clipped a major artery. Good thing that Neil checked your gums and noticed they were extremely pale, otherwise you could've possibly bled out during the night." The doctor softly reassured while I dry heaved, shivering and wishing this sensation would end soon.

Finally my stomach relented and I laid down, eyes heavy lidded before the doctor shared a look with the Alpha when I scratched at the annoying cone. "We can remove the cone as long as you don't irritate the stitches too much. But if you can't contain your wolf, we will have to put it back."

I huffed, snorting tiredly before lifting my head when the woman reached over. The cone was quickly removed, making me rub my head against the soft fur on the bed, knowing I wasn't able to scratch it. My mind was woozy from whatever drugs that still remained in my veins.

The second I was free, I strained my leg to look properly at the cast, snorting when I realized I had a few stitches on my stomach as well. I gave them a hesitant sniff before laying myself down comfortable.

All the while their eyes were on me, assessing my every move with quiet curiosity. I just huffed at them, eyes still droopy from the meds, though I fought against it. I didn't want to fall asleep, especially not with so many people still lingering around.

"It'll take a few hours at least before we can check and possibly remove the cast. As soon as your nausea disappears, we can give you some food and vitamins to regain some strength."

Food...food sounds good.

The Alpha snickered slightly as my nose twitched before he ordered one of the wolves to fetch some meat and vitamin pills.

When the girl arrived though, I didn't reach out to take the morsel of flesh she held out to me. Eyebrows raised around the room and murmurs started before the Alpha rolled his eyes and snatched the meat out of her hand, chucking it down his own throat.

"Completely fine, not tampered with. See?" He said after a few chews and swallowed, opening his mouth to show the lack of meat there. I grumbled slightly but did reach out for the next piece of flesh.

I eagerly ate it, barely waiting for her to hand over the next piece as my stomach grumbled and growled. She smile warmly at that, making me snort and pause when she handed the rest of the meat over to the Alpha on his gesture to do so.

Eyeing him curiously, I huffed and licked my lips, glaring at the meat in his hands. I yawned slightly as the meds were still in my blood, unintentionally bathing the Alpha's face in my wolf breath.

His nose curled in disgust before he muttered against the doctor, "I think we might need to get his teeth scrubbed while he's stuck in this form too." I glared at him before letting out another, stretched out yawn, letting him smell my breath before snorting and curling up on the bed.

The rest of the pack chuckled at our interaction but I ignored them. Sleep was drawing me in and what little meat they gave me was enough to upset my stomach. Yet I struggled to stay awake, partially because I didn't trust these people.

But mostly because I didn't want to dream of my mate.

Ex mate.

I snorted to myself, wincing when the movement pulled at the stitches on my stomach. They started to ache as well, making me shuffle my weight around, stilling when a piece of meat was held out.

Following the hand that held it, the Alpha sighed at my defiant expression. "It has a pill in it that'll help with the pain."

Ew.

I curled my nose at the thought but the Alpha didn't give me time to refuse, as he pushed the meat in my mouth, forcing me to take the meds. He smirked as I swallowed, before scowling as he pulled away his hand, revealing the little pill I pushed out with my tongue.

"Aw come on." He scowled, pushing it another piece of meat before holding it out. "You really need to take that." The pack snickered in the doorway as I snorted and twisted my head away, managing to flick the pill out of my mouth while munching on the meat.

"You little shit."

I panted happily before backing up, or at least trying to. It was no use though; the Alpha quickly shoved the pill down my throat before clasping his hand shut around my muzzle. I growled but as he gently rubbed his free hand over my throat, I couldn't help but reflexively swallow, swallowing the pill down like he intended.

Slowly he released me, freezing when I instantly snarled and grabbed his hand with my teeth. The rest of his pack hissed, eyes flaring with their wolves as I glared at their Alpha. I didn't break his skin though, simply showing my anger at being forced to take whatever meds he shoved down my throat, and at being touched.

Giving him credit, he didn't back away or act aggressively at all. He just patiently waited until I released his hand and shuffled down the bed, growling all the while. He just smiled down at me as I pushed off of the bed, waving his wolves away from the door.

"Rest up, the doctors will check up on you throughout the night. Just bark if you need something, okay?"

I didn't respond, simply nuzzled into the soft fur and sighed deeply. Already I was frustrated for being on pack territory but I knew that leaving now would be my death sentence. So I simply glared and huffed at the Alpha, watching him leave before rolling my eyes as a nurse sat down in the far corner and flicked through a magazine.

No privacy in packs, I take it.

Whatever was in that pill worked wonders though and it wasn't too long before I was nodding off, fighting against sleep as much as I could. The nurse shot me a sympathetic smile, eyes warm and comforting as she slowly started humming under her breath.

It oddly...reminds me...of...a lulla...by.....

And just like that, I was out. Comforted by a vague lullaby hummed by a woman I didn't know, in a pack I've never met and left completely vulnerable at their mercy.