RISE OF THE WARRIOR QUEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN-1

SILVER'S POV.

After a moment, I got up to use the bathroom, and when I caught my reflection in the mirror, I almost passed out in shock. My face looked tired and pale, and my eyes were bloodshot, like I hadn’t slept in days. And maybe I hadn’t. I didn’t know.

I used the bathroom first. Then, without thinking too much, I took off the bandages and stepped into the shower, turning the water on. It was a little too warm at first, but I didn’t move. I let it run over me, down my back, across the healing cuts and bruises.

I leaned my head forward with one hand on the wall. My other hand moved to my neck, rubbing the skin there slowly. I didn’t know why I was doing it. I wasn’t in pain. It wasn’t sore. But I just… did it. Like I needed to.

At first, I didn’t think much of it. Maybe it was just a kind of habit. Something I was just used to doing. But after a moment, I couldn't help but frown. The more I thought about it, the more I found it hard to dismiss.

I’d done this before. Back in the hospital. At first when I cleaned up in the shower last night. And then when I had my bath this afternoon too. It was always the same.

The same motion. Every time I stepped into a shower, my hand went there—right around my neck. Like I was looking for something. Or remembering something.

But what?

I didn’t remember.

The longer I thought about it, the more a lot of other things started to occur to me—things I hadn't bothered to think much about at first.

Like the fact that my left thumb rubbed over my middle finger. Again, without me even being aware of it.

I stared at my hand, watching the water run down my arm.

Why did I keep doing that?

There was nothing on my neck, or on my finger for that matter. So why did I keep rubbing at them? What was I looking for?

Was it some kind of tic? Or was it more than that?

Does it mean something?

Maybe I wore something around my neck before. My fingers too. A necklace? A collar, maybe? A ring?

Was that it?

No… that didn’t feel right.

My head started to ache again, just a little. That dull pressure began to build behind my eyes, and I groaned, gritting my teeth and shutting my eyes tight for a second.

Nothing came. Just more confusion.

I wasn't getting any answers. No clue whatsoever.

I let out a sharp breath and turned the water off.

Enough.

I'd had enough for one night.

I stepped out and dried myself, rubbing the towel roughly over my hair. My body was still sore, but not like before. The wounds were healing fast—too fast to be considered normal, especially since my wolf was nowhere to be found. Some scabs were already fading. My ribs still ached a little, but I could move without gasping too much now. Or at all.

I looked at the fresh bandages, stacked neatly near the cabinet. Dr. Grayson must have left them there. But I didn’t want to use them. I wasn't comfortable wearing those bandages anymore.

They were too tight, and it was annoying. They made me feel like I couldn’t breathe properly. Like I was being wrapped up and hidden away. I felt restrained whenever I wore them. I think I've already worn them long enough.

I left them untouched and instead grabbed a fresh towel.

Wrapping the towel around my waist, I opened the door and walked into the room quietly—only to halt when my eyes fell on the bed.

“The hell?...”

There was someone on my bed. Someone who definitely shouldn't be there.

A girl.

The same one I saw earlier when I arrived with Dr. Grayson.

She was lying face down across the mattress, her long blonde hair spilling over the pillow. Her nightdress was short—very short. It barely reached her thighs.

She turned around slowly when she heard me come in, and her lips curled into a soft smile. Her eyes scanned me, lingering on my chest for longer than I appreciated.