The Pack Where She Belongs

Chapter 2

----Astrid----

ugh.. my head hurts...

I groaned softly then noticed the soft beeping sound beside me, instantly my brain makes me think it's my alarm but.. its not, am I in the hospital? I've never been to the pack hospital before..

I tried to open my eyes but I couldn't will myself to do it. I managed to shift a little just before hearing a door open and the most amazing scent hit me, it smelled like fresh apple pie on a warm summer day. I shifted a little again and instantly groaned once more

"She's waking up, go get the doctor!"

The man's voice was deep and had a slight gravel it, instantly making my stomach clench. despite my feelings I still couldn't form words or open my eyes. The scent got closer then suddenly the most amazing tingling feeling went up my arm as he grabbed my hand, causing me to gasp a little.

"shh shh.. you're okay, yours safe now. no one is ever going to hurt you again.." he cooed softly while his thumb rubbed the back of my hand, sending more lovely tingles through my body. while he did this I heard the door open and more footsteps.

"has she opened her eyes or spoken yet?" another man's voice asked. "No, not yet. she's made a couple noises and I've seen her eyelids move but nothing else.." the first man answered him, sounding worried.

"That's what I was worried about.. she had a pretty bad head injury when you brought her in. I don't know if there's any permanent damage but, Alpha... you should prepare that there might be. The poor woman has been through a lot from what we saw on the scans.. someone treated her extremely unwell and she's malnourished, meaning she wasn't fed properly either. it.. May take her a while before she's healed or able to do much really.."

Listening to the man talk about me and the kind of shape I was in began making me panic a bit, I could hear the heart monitor picking up its pace as my heart began to race. my heart got faster when the other man called the first one "Alpha"

"Wait, I think she can hear us and I think you're scaring her" Alpha growled as a warning. "can you hear me? if you can, squeeze my hand.. even just a little" he pleaded

after a second of trying, finally I managed to curl my fingers and squeeze the man's large hand and he gave mine a gentle squeeze back

"I told you she could hear us! this is an improvement right? she's reacting!" The man seemed very excited and I felt a warmth in my chest for a moment. "Please do it again.. please" he begged me and I managed to squeeze his hand again, feeling a sudden urge of strength.

I need to open my eyes.. come on!

finally, with a little more energy I finally managed to get my eyes to open. I looked around the hospital room a moment before looking at the doctor. the man looked to be in his forties with graying hair, and a pleasant looking face. he seemed surprised as I looked up at him before finally looking at the man holding my hand, instantly it felt like all of the air had been sucked from my lungs.

he's gorgeous... he.. looks so worried about me..

he's gorgeous and our-

"Mate.." I breathed as I stared into his light green eyes, I was absolutely captivated by him. His rugged features were extremely handsome, his dark brown hair was shaved on the sides and longer on top, his hair was slightly wavy. his jawline was hard and defined. his lips were full and looked soft, extremely kissable. goddess I wanted to kiss them so badly. as if he could feel what I was thinking, I watched his eyes darken a moment

"there's time for that later you two, she's in no condition for what you two are thinking" the doctor interrupted us and I instantly blushed and looked at him now instead of the man holding my hand still, but with a warm smile on his face. he seemed relived

"I have some questions for you, but first would you like something to drink? if you still can't speak very well just nod or shake your head okay?" he told me and I nodded softly.

after being given a drink of water and clearing my throat I finally felt I could give speaking fully another try. so far, all I could say was "mate".

"do you remember your name?" the doctor asked me and I nodded softly.

"Astrid.." I answered softly and watched him write it down the raise his brow

"last name?" he asked and I shook my head.

"I.. don't have one. I was never given one" I answered and felt the Alpha squeeze my head and I looked to him a moment, I couldn't quite read the look in his eyes but it seemed confused and sad, though I wasn't sure.

"I see.." the doctor said, getting my attention once more. "Your age?"

"twenty four, I think. again, I don't really know, it's what I've been told and no, I don't know my birthday. I wasn't told what it was and I've never celebrated it" I answered before he could ask any of those questions. he looked at me very confused before writing stuff down again.

"do you remember where you came from and how you got here? you're clearly not a rogue" he asked, tilting his head a little. I nibbled my lip and looked down at my lap before my hand that was in the Alphas hand.

"I um.. I lived at the Mountain pack.. I grew up there." I finally answered after a moment but didn't say anything more, feeling very anxious. finally the Alpha spoke up.

"I think we should probably let her rest a bit, don't you think doctor? she did just wake up after all" he said and the doctor looked to him before giving him a nod.

"I'll be in to check on you a little later, okay, Astrid?" he said and I nodded to him before watching him leave before turning my head to the man beside me, still very much in awe of him.

----Alex----

All I could do was sit there quietly while listening to my tiny mate answer the doctors questions. I was still amazed that she was awake, we really weren't sure she would wake up at all. Her injuries were really bad when we found her and her body was thin and weak looking, it had been two days since we had brought her to the pack hospital. Seeing all of the scars on her body had made me angry, especially the one on the left slide of her mouth; cutting across the corner of her perfect pouty lips. someone had attacked this woman with silver, it was the only way to leave these kinds of scars on her body; I would know because I had silver scars as well.

I listened to her soft beautiful voice, losing myself in the sound. I wasn't sure if she was always so soft spoken or if it was from waking up but, I could listen to her speak all day.

"I think we should probably let her rest a bit, don't you think doctor? she did just wake up after all" I finally spoke up when she seemed uncomfortable with all thr questioning. she seemed relived when doctor Kevin agreed and left the room.

Mountain pack.. that's pretty far. I'm amazed she made it here with the way she looked, her wolf must have helped her. I swear, when I find out who treated her this way.. I'll kill them..

I thought but feeling her hand shift in mine finally brought me out of my thoughts, my gaze moved up to her face.

"Hi there.. this isn't how I I expected us to meet but I'm happy I've finally found you, Astrid. My name is Alex Black, Alpha of the-"

"Crimson moon pack.. I've heard of you before. Well.. I've heard your name before." Astrid intrupted me, causing me to lift my brow at her curiously. "I heard you were going to the summet this year.. there was a lot of talk about it at Mountain pack." she explained and I nodded. I didn't usually attend the summets, even after becoming Alpha; my father insisted on going so I could focus here. this would be my first year going, I had hope that by some chance my mate would be there, but here she was instead.

"well.. you seem to know things about me but I hardly know anything about you. I can't wait to learn more about you, Astrid.. if you'll allow me to learn more about you that is" I said, hoping she would give me that chance. she seemed to hesitate and it instantly made me nervous and made River whimper in my head.

"i.. would like that but.. I don't think I would be good for you, Alpha Black.. I'm no one. I wouldn't be a good fit to be your Luna" she said, looking down at our hands; I had refused to let go the whole time I sat there with her.

"why do you think that? I don't think you're no one, Astrid. I don't know what your life was like before this very moment but I know it wasn't good. I promise you, things will be different for you.." I was softly begging her. When she didn't look at me I reached my other hand up and lightly turned her head to look at me and I saw tears had begun to form in her eyes. "shh... please don't cry, I'm sorry made cry" I breathed and lightly caressed her soft cheek, the sparks between us caused the most wonderful tingling sensation.

"You really want to take the chance of me being your luna?" she finally asked me, her voice trembling.

"Absolutely.." I breathed and finally gave into my desires a little while also hoping it would bring her some peace of mind of how serious I was about this. I just found her and I wasn't letting her go. I leaned up from the chair and leaned my face close to hers before finally pressing my lips to her, melting instantly for the feeling. I was never letting her go.

----Astrid----

"Absolutely.." was the last thing I heard before the most amazing warm feeling went through me as Alex kissed me. The kiss was tender yet possessive, like he wanted me to know he wouldn't let me go. I melted while kissing him in return, causing him to deepen our kiss a little more. a soft moan escaped my lips as we kissed, causing a soft growl to come from Alex; which caused me to feel a dampness pool between my legs.

all too soon Alex pulled his lips away from mine, both of us breathing slightly heavier. my lips felt swollen and my body ached with need, looking at his eyes again I could tell he knew how excited I was.

"soon love.. but for now you need to rest and heal. Once the doctor give you the clear ill bring you back to the pack house to let you continue to gain your strength, okay?" he cooed to me while stroking my cheek with his knuckles gently.

I nodded softly before finding my words again. "okay.. are you sure it's okay for me to be there?" I asked him timidly and he gave me a confused look.

"why wouldn't you be? you're my mate, you're welcome any where in the pack" he smiled at me. goddess that smile.. I made my heart melt.

"I just wanted to make sure was all.." I responded softly and leaned my head into his hand as he now cupped my cheek. I suddenly felt tired again, my body clearly needing more rest.

"You should get some more sleep, Astrid. I have some things I need to get ready for you but I'll be back to check on you" he said then moved to stand while I nodded again. I felt him kiss the top of my head just before my eyes closed and I fell back asleep. for the first time in my life, I felt a peace.

----Alex----

After sitting with Astrid for a little bit after she fell asleep again, I finally pushed myself back up onto my feet. I really didn't want to leave her but I had things to prepare for her when she got released. I checked with the doctor before I left, hoping he could give me an update soon on when I could bring my mate home. he said after checking on her later he would let me know, which I reluctantly accepted.

I made my way back to the pack house and was instantly greeted by my sister Morgan, standing there with her hands on her hips while looking around me as if she was looking for someone.

"Well? where is she? William told me you found your mate" she said looking up at me, her eyes looking hopeful. My sister and I are very close and look out for each other constantly.

"She's at the pack hospital, she still need her rest. She did wake up and was talking for a little bit before falling asleep again" I explained to her and she gave me a sad nod, clearly she had expected to meet Astrid right away.

"William did say she was hurt when you all found her, how bad is she?"She asked unfolding her arms, she now looked worried.

"pretty bad.. she had a bad head injury, some broken ribs, a lot of cuts and bruises. I honestly have no clue how her or her wolf managed to get her here all the way from, Mountain pack.." I answered her as I ran my fingers through my hair. "who ever she lived with.. they hurt her so badly and starved her, Morgan.." I made no attempts to hide the pain in my voice, I knew it wasn't my fault but I wished so desperately that there could have been something I could have done for her before now.

"It's okay, Alex.. none of that is your fault. What matters now is that you do what I know you'll do, treat her right and show her the love I know you already have for her. you've hardly left her side and you've talked about her so much. now you have the chance to give her a good life. what's her name?" Morgan asked and I couldn't help but smile before answering her.

"Her name is Astrid. she has the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen and her hair is the darkest shade of black I've ever seen and it's so long.." I rambled, getting lost in my thoughts of how beautiful she was until I looked down at Morgan again, who was giving me an amused smile.

"you've got it bad big brother. let's get things set up for her for when she gets to come home" she told me before we both walked up to my office to get preparations going for when Astrid was allowed to come to the pack house