The creature was after me again.

Its blue skin dripped greenish blood. Somehow it had survived Sean's attack, minus an arm and some flesh from its torso as it staggered towards me. Spit flew everywhere as it snapped incoherent words.

I shrieked and tried to run, but before I could, I knocked over again. I crawled to the best of my abilities, but my shoulder prevented me, bent at a weird angle. So I cried.

A sudden warmth crept upon me, and before I knew it my clothes were burning. I screamed, trying to pry the burning of the fabric from my body, but it was melting me. It lapped up my skin, growing up with the long sleeves of my top. The ghoul laughed, pointing a clawed finger and clapping its hands.

"Help me!" I screamed, the flames creeping up to my shoulders.

But no one was there. The ghoul had gone. I looked around in panic and crawled my way over to the nearby stream. I chucked myself into it, thankful for the ability to touch the floor despite my short legs. The flames died out easily, but my nightclothes stuck to me like glue. My skin was black and bleeding, blisters of puss formed instantly.

I cried in that water. Frightful of what to do next since the attack. I was alone. And in pain. A piece of large tree bark floated by, and I clung to it in desperation. The cooling of the water helped my wounds, and the gentle rocking support of the river kept my nerves at bay. Eventually, I passed out, floating down the stream as tears poured down my face.

***

I woke the next morning in bed.

"It was just a dream," I mumbled, scratching at my arms.

It felt so real. So terrifying.

I pushed it as far away in my mind as I could and looked around my room. My IV had been removed, my other arm still in its sling. Eyeing the clock, I found it was 10 am, so I slithered out of my bed and into my shower. I had to be careful of my arm movements, but I managed. It had improved a little through the night.

The warmth of the shower's embrace was comforting after spending so much time asleep.

While I had showered, someone placed a tray of food on my bed. Drying off, I wore a large black jumper before putting my sling back on and some leggings. I huffed and sat down, eying up the plate. I hardly had an appetite in the mornings, but I hadn't eaten in two days and the bacon sandwich looked good.

My attempt at eating took time, but when I had finished, I lounged around the window with a cup of tea. A knock sounded on my door and I eyed it suspiciously.

"Nova?" It was Lucie.

"Hey," I called.

She cracked the door. "Doctor Green wants to see you. Alpha's request."

I shook my head vigorously, my stomach clenching in fear. "N-n-no."

"It is to check you over." She frowned.

I shook my head again, my hand pulling at my hair. "I c-can't."

"Why not?" She pressed.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I just c-c-can't."

"I will go inform Alpha." She sighed and disappeared before I could protest.

My deep routed doctor fear was overwhelming. They always got me at my most defenceless states; in the hands of their mercy. I couldn't deal with the prodding, the wondering if everything was okay. The pain they inflict and the drugs they administer to knock me out. The fear of what could happen was intense.

My door opened again, but this time Lucie arrived along with- wait Beta Charlie? He was on a "holiday" looking for his 'mate', so I hadn't seen him since my old pack.

"Ah, it's little Nova!" He smiled and approached me.

I frowned at him, unhappy to be called 'little'. "Beta Charlie, how c-c-can I help?"

"You need to see the doctor, Alpha insists on making sure you are okay." He spoke gently.

"I c-can't g-go-" I mumbled, my eyes focused on my toes in their fuzzy socks.

"Are you afraid?" His head tilted in curiosity.

I mutely nodded, staring at a loose thread on my sock.

"Why?" Lucie wondered.

I shrugged, trying to appear indifferent.

"Is it to do with your old pack?" Beta asked.

I nodded and shrugged. "Kind of."

My arm wrapped around my knees, I turned to look back out the window, my empty mug hung at my sides. Wolves walked by, pleasantly chatting as they strolled. The hairs on the back of my neck started to stand and goosebumps prickled at my skin. Authority filled my senses, and I turned just as Alpha Phoenix walked into my room.

I swallowed harshly as he walked through Lucie and Beta Charlie. My wolf was purring at his broad and strong demeanour, but I knew he could crush my world in one flick of a finger.

"Nova, please come see the doctor." He stated.

My lip wobbled, my heart clenching in pain as my breath caught in my throat. Panic rose and tears formed in my eyes. My mouth opened and closed but no words came out because my tongue felt heavy.

He sighed. "It is very important they check you over. I will not have a weak m-pack member."

I shook my head vigorously. I felt the frustration in the room grow and both Beta and Lucie had both dropped their heads.

"I didn't want to do this." He muttered.

I nearly hyperventilated when my wolf automatically made me look him in the eyes. They softened slightly at my tears and he paused what he was going to say. He shook his head and sighed before looking back at me.

"Nova." His voice held me at his command. "You are going to see the doctor. Right now."

I whimpered at his strong Alpha command but could not fight it; I was too vulnerable right now. He directed all of it at me, so I felt the full force of its wraith. With my head dropped and tears cascading down my face, I shakily followed him to the doctor's office.

It was a short walk, but my anxiety never left. It felt like forever stood in the reception before they escorted me into a private room. Alpha came in with me, but I refused to meet his eyes.

I thought I heard him whimper a sigh, but put it down to my own emotions, getting the best of me.

"Nova..."

I jumped at the sound of his voice. My blubbering face turned to glance at him to find him standing stoic by the window. His face was hard and stern, arms folded across his chest as he stood like a statue.

"I'm so-

"Nova Hope?" An unfamiliar voice interrupted as they stepped into the room.

Seeing the white coat and green scrubs has my breath hitch, and I stare at her wide-eyed.

"Hey, hey it's okay. I will not do anything to you. I'm just going to sit and we are going to talk. Okay?" She cooed and, to her word, took the chair in front of me.

She passed me the tissue box, which I took with a cautious glance. After sniffing them to make sure they were not a trick, I dried most of my face and neck.

"Much better now. I can see your pretty face through all those tears." She hummed. "I'm Doctor Farrah, but you can call me Kate, okay?"

I nodded, wiping at my face again. For an hour, Kate continued to talk to me and before I knew it, I was calm and talking like she was a friend. Alpha stayed in the back of the room, mostly on his phone, but I could feel his glance at me now and then.

I had never felt so content in a doctor's office, but she made it seem like two friends chatting. She asked me about myself and back home, but I didn't splurge on a lot. She mentioned my stutter, and I wasn't sure how to answer.

"So it just developed?" She quieted.

I nodded. "When I w-w-was about thirteen."

"I have a feeling you can grow from it. Something must have triggered it." She smiled sadly and rummaged through her desk. "Now we've had a wonderful chat Nova, but I am going to need to take a sample of blood."

My eyes widened, and I felt hot.

"Now we are friends remember, I will not hurt you. It is a simple needle. You won't even know I'm doing it after a scratch. I'm sure a girl such as you can handle a minor scratch. It will be over within ten seconds; I just have to check for ghoul poisoning. And overall health."

I swallowed, but nodded and eyed her warily as she approached.

'You can trust her.' My wolf whispered. 'Mate wouldn't put us here if not.'

She hummed and busied herself with my arm and her equipment. "Alpha here says you had a lot of bruising when you first arrived? Broken ribs? What happened there?"

My breath sharpened, and I stared wide-eyed. I was unsure of how to speak.

I felt him move closer and soon he was sitting beside me. I shyly glanced over to see him watching me intently. He wanted to know more, too.

I chewed my lip and got lost in my thoughts. I winced at the memories, feeling the familiar ache of their claws sink into my skin. The fear that anyone could turn on me was ingrained in my brain. It was a dark monster. It waited for me to think about him and he would never leave me alone.

"Nova?" Kate called me out of my lost thoughts.

I swallowed, wetting my lips. "My p-p-pack hated me."

"Oh, I'm sure they didn't!" She responded.

I shook my head and closed my eyes. "They did."

She went silent at my sterner voice.

"They found me f-floating... in their s-st-stream as a child. Th-they do not know where I came from...officially. I was burnt and had to ha-ha...have skin grafts. L-lot of pain." My eyes welled. "They h-hated me. I t-t-took up Alpha's time, so they gave me to my p-parents. They raised me and love me. B-but even they d-didn't know that pack members h-h-h...hurt me. Alpha Steven f-found out and gave m-me his blood."

A door slamming shut snapped me back to reality, and I saw that Alpha Phoenix had left. Kate's hand sat on my shoulder and I turned to eye her. She held the vile of my blood in her hand; the equipment sat used on her tray. I had missed it completely since I was lost in my thoughts.

"Well done Nova. I know that was hard. I'm proud of you." She smiled sadly. "If you ever want to chat, just come see me. I will make time for you."

"Thanks." I sighed.

"I think it is in your best interest for me to see your skin, Nova. Scars can be healed over and I need to check they set all your bones correctly. Is that ok?" she asked gently.

I just nodded, accepting my fate as she helped me out of the sling and jumper.

"You can keep your underwear on. I just need to see your bone structure and the skin grafts you spoke about. It will stay between me and you and, unfortunately, Alpha if he asks. You didn't transfer with any medical history so I need to make my own."

Standing there in my underwear was humiliating at first, but Kate was helpful and gentle with the situation. I was thankful Alpha Phoenix chose her.

"The grafts look good. Your skin has regenerated a lot, so the scars are minuscule. The doctors did a good job there. Someone correctly set most of your bones, but they are fragile. We need to get you on a good diet and exercise routine; your body cannot support itself. If you were to get sick, it would not be good for you."

I knew I was underweight by the fact I had protruding bones and pale skin. They hardly fed me at pack meals and I often had to steal and sneak food in when certain members weren't looking. But it was normal. I lost my appetite eventually.

Just on queue, the door opened, and I jumped a mile high before darting behind Kate.

"Alpha! Please, she is not decent."

I heard him curse and a shuffle of clothing. I peaked around Kate's arm to see him with a hand over his eyes. I could see the blush forming on his tan cheeks and the awkward tension in the air.

A small giggle left my mouth before I could stop it, and it caused him to tense. Kate glanced at me before eyeing him with a curious look.

"Alpha, while you are here I have a few things to inform you about Nova."

She helped me into my top and leggings as she spoke, before announcing he was safe to look. He quickly glanced at me with a set jaw, yet the embarrassment still hung in his features. Alpha or not.

"Nova needs a better diet plan, an exercise routine, and to be treated with care. I had found many of the burn marks healed fine. They are; the left leg to the knee and the right leg to the thigh. Also, lower stomach on the right, right arm to the collarbone and left arm to the elbow. There are no bruises that I can see; her newly shifted health is helping there. Most bones are fine, a few seem weak, but I believe with exercise that will change."

I stared at her in curiosity.

He clears his throat. "Thank you. I apologise for leaving so abruptly earlier."

She quirked a brow. "It's okay. I understand that hearing about past trauma can inflict emotional pain on even the strongest of wolves, especially those that are mates."

My eyes widened, but Phoenix just nodded along. As if repeating her words in his mind, he stiffened and grunted.

Left speechless, we both stared at her in anticipation.

"Your secret is safe with me Alpha, Luna." She winked. "Now that is all I needed. I will continue with blood tests."

"Th-thank you, Kate."

She grinned and walked away, leaving us alone. We stood for a moment before he clears his throat.

"Come. I believe lunch is soon."

My head whirled at the rollercoaster of this morning but quietly followed him from the room.

***

"You must eat more Nova."

I pouted down at the sandwich in defeat. The chef had made me some kind of chicken sandwich with fries on the side and a leafy salad. I had managed one-half of the sandwich and a few fries and most of the salad. It was good for me, I thought, but not good enough for Phoenix to sit beside me.

I swallowed some of the cold water beside me and peeked up at him. "I-I-I am honestly full."

"Are you sure?" He sighed.

I nodded and cast my eyes down to my lap. "I-I have never eaten this m-much."

It was silent before I saw him nod with pursed lips. My wolf purred and my cheeks flamed at her naughty thoughts. As if sensing my embarrassment, Alpha turned to eye me.

"Anything else?" He wondered.

I shook my head.

"Good. I shall go now, I have work to do."

As normal, I thought.

I mutely nodded and watched him leave the kitchen from the corner of my eye. I stayed sat at the kitchen island for a moment longer before deciding to wrap the sandwich in film and leave a note on it stating it was mine. For later.

Just as I closed the fridge door, a figure blocked my way and had me jump out of fright.

"Hey, Novie!" Sean grinned.

"Y-y-y-you-you-"

"I got you good huh?" He teased.

I grumbled and crossed my good arm. "What d-d-do you want?"

He shrugged and raised a ladder cupboard full of snacks. "Smelt you in here and thought I'd come to see you now you're back from the dead."

I frowned. The gentle giant was stuffing his face with cookies, and here I owed my life to him. He took out the ghoul and saved me from death, from having my windpipe crushed.

"I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for you," I murmured.

He swallowed harshly and turned to me. He put a cookie down and whimpered when he embraced me.

"You are my friend. I see you as a little sister. Maybe it's the Luna bond, but I feel obligated."

"You got h-h-hurt-"

"Shush!" He shook his head on top of mine.

"Bu-

"Shush!"

"Sean-

"Shhhh!" He grinned.

I growled a little, and he chuckled before letting go of me to keep me at arm's reach. "I'm glad to see you out of your room."

I smiled. "I-I-I saw Kate today."

He frowned as if he wasn't sure who I was talking about. "Oh! Doctor Farrah! Wow, she lets you call her Kate? Damn, I need to injure myself more..."

I chuckled at his expression. He seemed to contemplate the idea of hurting himself and I had a feeling the pros and cons were piling up in his mind.

"Hey," I spoke. "Movie day?"

He eyed the clock that read it was nearing 2 in the afternoon. "Sure! Since we can't train with your arm and I have no more training for the day. So you are very lucky to have me."

I smiled and cast my blushing gaze away. He took my good arm and gestured me forwards.

We watched movies in my room since I had a bigger TV and a better bed, apparently. We chose popcorn, chocolate and Haribo for snacks and Pepsi as our drink. Although I found myself unable to eat most of it, Pepsi was a fresh experience and the bubbles made my eyes water at first.

"Nice right?" He mused.

I swallowed my large mouthful and smiled at him. "I wasn't allowed this at my old pack."

His eyes widened. "Clear sentence!"

I laughed, actually laughed for the first time in what felt like forever. And it felt good, great actually. It felt like the world was being lifted from my shoulders and I could actually embrace my emotion without fearing consequences. I felt safe around Sean. The enormous giant was becoming my new friend.

***************

wc: 3177

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