The Lost Alpha

Chapter 7

Holly shows me on my arm how to wash myself with the body wash and loofa once my hair was finished. Then she leaves me to finish up. Thanks to the doctor, most of my skin was semi-clean. Probably to make sure what was on my skin was just dirt and not an injury. The dirt from my hair though made the water really dirty. What started as a clear bath, turned into a grey and murky mess. I climb out of the bath feeling like a new person. I walk to the mirror, seeing the new me. My hair wavy and wet, my skin flushed from the bath's temperature. I walk out to find Holly, she is stood in my room with some clothes neatly folded in her hands.

She helps me dry myself and get dressed. The material was so soft, Holly told me it was made from silk. Showed me what a hair dryer was and used it to do the rest of the detangling. My hair hasn't touched my shoulders in years, now thanks to Holly, it fell in loose waves past them. It was so soft too. "Think she can wash me next?" Saph pipes up making me chuckle. I ask Holly lots of questions about packs, what they are, and she tells me everything she can. Even about the hierarchy here. Alpha Kane and Beta Seth, turns out that isn't their full names. Alpha and Beta are their ranks, and they are the highest authority here.

Authority. I don't like authority because everyone I met used it for their own gain out in those woods. I don't fully blame them. Resources out there is a fight for all creatures. A fight for survival, here is luxury. There is no shortage of food or ways to stay clean. Definitely no fight to find good shelter from the elements. They have it all. No wonder the people who live here seem so happy and at peace. However, men in particular out in that forest used their authority and size for very different gains. I shiver just thinking about it. Holly leaves me be for a while then kocks again with more food. Hot food has very quickly become one of my favourite things. She has her own food with her, the sky darkens when she arrives. I pick up the metal things and try to mimic Holly as she eats. I still make some mess, when I drop my fork. My stomach is really hurting. I double over and the last thing I hear is Holly shouting for help.

When I wake up, Kane is in my room, by my side and holding my hand. The tingles running through my hand. "What happened?" I sit up groaning. Viv the doctor from before is observing. "It seems your stomach is struggling with cooked foods at the moment. I thought plain chicken and rice would have been best to help you gain some weight, protein and carbohydrates. Can you tell us what foods you ate before you came here?" I list the things I scavenged to eat and her expression turns from concern to shock. "How long have you been eating raw meat?" She asks. I don't remember when I didn't have raw meat. I know I have eaten it for at least a few years. "For as long as I can remember, I just ate whatever I could find." I shrug.

Viv deduces that my stomach is just struggling to process cooked foods after so long on a raw diet. The new plan is to ease into cook foods. Starting with blue steaks and fresh vegetables and moving on from there. She also showed me where the toilet was to avoid messing my nice, comfy clothes, because that apparently happened while I was unconscious. Let the ground swallow me now! Can't believe I soiled myself and had to be changed and washed again. Thankfully Viv and Holly did that for me. As much as Kane is not pushing boundaries, him seeing me naked would solidify that no man can be trusted. Mate or not.

A new plate of food was brought to me with the blue steak and vegetables. I used the knife and fork like Holly did before, still making a small mess but nothing like before. The meat was tender, melting in my mouth. My stomach felt more full than when I had the cooked meals. Suggesting Viv was right. Holly says I can rest now that we all know what I need so they can make sure I am safe and not in any more pain.

I lay on top of the bed letting sleep take me after everyone has left. Saph pushed forward, just enough to be on alert like when we were out in the forest, while I slept. Saph said she felt so much more energetic when the sun rose. I get up and do my business in the bathroom, brush my teeth and brush my hair. I go into the second room to find lots of clothes to choose from inside. I open one of the drawers to find smaller clothes. No idea what they are. I pick them up and figure out where they go. Looking into the mirror, I deduced that these are clothes that go underneath whatever else I am wearing. Wearing the underwear on its own showed entirely too much skin! I choose a long dress that falls to my knees, the sleeves short like the shirt I found in the woods and its black color complimenting my hair.

Last I found something else strange. Things shaped like my feet, some fully enclosed and some open topped. I choose the flattest pair of open topped ones and quickly realized which one went on which foot. They were pretty comfortable, and sturdy. I looked like Holly and Viv with these clothes. I wonder if all of the other women here like clothes like these? I want to explore the land. Take in the sights and learn about where I am not living I guess.

Exiting the room, Kane's scent wafts my way. His scent more calming this morning. "I like the way he smells but I need more than just holding our hand and giving us choices..." Saph speaks the truth. I wander down the stairs looking into a large room at the bottom. I see Holly cleaning in here. "Hi Holly!" I wave, walking closer to her. She beams seeing me. "Hello sweetie! Gosh you look absolutely radiant this morning! I was just about to finish up in here and bring up breakfast! I can show you the dining hall if you like?" She offerees, holding her big brush still for a moment. I shake my head, "no, thanks, too many people. Maybe another day." She nods understandingly, leading me to the kitchen so we can grab our breakfast and go back to my room.

While we eat I ask about things to do around here, after my limited exploration and not having to fill my time hunting for food or worrying about where I am going to be sleeping for the night. Admittedly, I am a little bored. She tells me about reading. It was her favorite pass time. I told her I didn't know how to read, and she offered to teach me in her free time. Holly was quickly becoming a close friend.