The Alphas Sanctuary

I'll see you home then

    A short time later Alex reappeared, but he wasn’t alone. Behind him walked a tall slender older man carrying a chart. He must be the doctor Apryl thought to herself. As Alex returned to the chair next to her bed; She noticed he hadn’t bothered to tame his hair down, it only added to his attractiveness. 

    The kind of man who looked good without even trying. He was tall, well over six foot. She noticed through his jeans that he had long muscular legs, his arms so thick it made his shirt look like it was squeezing him. 

‘yea, squeezing him in all the right places-whoa where did that come from?'

His grey eyes met hers for mere seconds, like he had seen her checking him out, before taking out his phone and taking his seat.

"Good morning Apryl how are you feeling this morning? My name is Zack. I treated you after you were found" Apryl's attention was brought back to the other man in the room. He was tall as well, but whereas Alex was all muscle this man looked like a bean pole next to him. 

"Yes, Alex informed me. Thank you so much for your aid. I have a slight headache but other than that I'm right as rain" her smile she gave him showed her sincere thanks. 

    Alex was amazed by her. She was so polite and proper. Yet her eyes held sorrow and troubles. He wondered what it was that brought this sadness into her life, and what he would do if he ever found who hurt her. Alex’s emotions were all over the place. Shi was constantly piping in about her, Alex just wanted some time to think to himself. He felt so confused, his head and his heart battling, and Shi was definitely not helping things. 

"Do you have anyone who can check up on you the next few days just to be on the safe side?" Zach asked while flipping through her chart.

     Alex stared hard at his phone holding his breath as he waited for her reply. He couldn’t help but be curious about her and her life. While she was sleeping, he couldn't help but to check for a ring, one he was happy not to find. That didn't mean that there wasn't someone in her life, and that could work in his favor. He could just simply walk away if there was another man.

“MINE” Shi barked back as he listened to Alex's thoughts. Shi hadn't said much since she had awoken, but Alex knew he was always there, always listening.

"No" Apryl murmured almost to herself, staring again into her lap, her hands clasped tightly.

What did that mean, she has to have friends, everyone has friends?

"What about someone at least via phone?" Zach asked looking at her concern in his faced. 

Apryl looked down into her clasped hands in shame. 

“No-” she barely whispered “there is no one.”

Alex turned, something was wrong here, he could feel it. Almost as if her feelings, her fears were palpable radiating off her.  Apryl had suddenly closed off into herself. She seemed smaller and timid, looking as if the bed was able to swallow her whole. Whatever she was hiding was still hurting her. Alex felt his cold heart crack slightly at the sight of her.

 How could she have no one?

"Okay well then miss I'd like to personally check up on you then. Before you leave I’d like you to make an appointment to come and see me. Call me anytime day or night.” Zack handed her his card. “Call, text, email just please check in daily  for the next few days so I know there are no issues”

Apryl’s smile seemed to brighten the room, her shoulders straightened and she slightly relaxed.

'"'ll handle checking on her" Alex mind linked the doctor. Zack nodded in acknowledgement saying nothing, smart man.

"Well you are free to go Mrs.-"

"No Mrs. Just Apryl, Apryl Murphy."

"Strong Irish name. I bet you got a touch of fairy in you. You're too pretty not to." Apryl's cheeks set on fire at his complement out of the corner of her eye. She swore she saw Alex tense his jaw so tight it quivered. His hands balled into fists. She thought she even heard Alex growl, one look at his face and you could tell he was pissed. 

What's his problem Apryl thought as she heard Zack chuckle in the background. Alex's head snapped to the doctor glaring at him. Zack quickly covered his laughter with a cough.

"Your free to go Ms. Murphy" Zach stated as he cleared his throat.

Taking a deep breath, Alex spit out "I'll see you home then"

"Oh that's quite alright, if I could borrow a phone perhaps I could call a cab. I don't want to be anymore of a bother then I already have been"

"You're in the middle of nowhere, where do you think this cab will be coming from?"

"Oh yes that is true. I could walk seeing as how I walked myself into this mess. If you could just point me in the direction of town please" she was already up and out of the bed putting on her shoes.

Alex looked over at Zack utterly confused. Was this girl for real? Zack shrugged his shoulders and excused himself.

"I'll take you home Apryl. It's not a big deal"

"Al-alright" she stuttered. Jeez it was just a ride home not a marriage proposal.

As soon as doc had said she was good to go Alex mind linked one of his omegas to bring his Jeep down to the hospital, so when he and Apryl exited his Jeep was waiting right out front. He opened the door for her without even thinking and offered her his hand as the Jeep sat higher above the ground then normal. Warmth and sparks flew as soon as her hand connected with his. She sucked in her breath, and looked up into his eyes in confusion and shock.

Could she feel it too? How? She was a human. He would have to pay better attention, as not to touch her. She couldn't fall for him, he wouldn't allow it. He had to tell himself over and over like a broken record that he didn't want this, he didn't want her. Or anyone for that matter.

The drive to her home was quiet,  and neither of them seemed to notice, or care.  Apryl watched as the tall green trees rushed past her window and noted the colors of autumn on others.  Where she was from it was the complete opposite.  She had chosen well for herself to start over. Her cabin was small a few miles outside of town; her closest neighbor was at least a mile away.  But what sealed the deal for her was the view.  The lane to get to her place was narrow,  to the left nothing but trees,  but to the right was a river.  And since you had to walk up a flight of stairs to reach the cabin,  the view below was breathtaking. Alex pulled in her driveway behind her old Kia.

"Did someone actually sell you this place? " his face showed his obvious distaste.

"Yes.  I found it rather charming.  It has good bones"

"Good bones?  What the hell does that mean" looking at the property Alex thought it looked like she was living in squalor. 

"Would you like to see it? Have a glass of tea?  It's the least I can do to repay you. "

It was a bad idea and he knew it.  Shi had been calm since we hadn't left her side.  He wasn't ready for the argument quite yet.  She wasn't horrible company.  Truth be told he wanted to see how bad a shape the cabin was. So he agreed and as she led the way up the old tattered steps he held his breath that he wouldn't fall through. 

The front porch of the cabin has a large porch that wrapped around the one side into a patio portion.  The view of the river was beautiful; he was sure the sunsets and sunrises there would be a sight to behold. The banisters of the porch were made of real wood, sticks around the windows, and a door framed with tree bark. 

"Breathtaking isn't it?" Apryl had come to stand beside him barely coming to the height of his shoulders. She gazed out to the calm waters. Not looking at her he merely nodded.  

"Come, the best is inside" turning she led him to the door, unlocked it and stepped in holding the door for him.

 He entered and studied the room. First thing he noticed it was cold.  They were standing in the dining living room area.  A stone fireplace, a beaten up old table and chairs, and an even older rocking chair. 

"There's not much for furniture.  Everything here came with the place.  But this...." she walked to the fireplace and ran hand over the smooth rocks. 

"Those rocks were hand picked out of the river and brought in here to make this." she looked at the old fireplace like it was made of diamonds.

"Really?  How did you know that?" he knew the answer, but her voice was calming and he wanted to hear it more.

"It's traditional with these older cabins.  The wood and framing I'd bet came from the woods behind here as well"

 "Wood."

It was then he noticed there was no wood,  no ashes in the hearth. How long has she been here without heat?

  "Do you know how to use it"

"No but I'm sure I'll learn.  I owe you a glass of tea. '' 

He followed her into the dated kitchen and accepted the glass she handed him. He took note of everything that would need replacing,  he didn't need to see the rest. It was clear she came here with nothing.  That was going to change,  his mate deserves better than this; even if he didn't want her as a mate.  Maybe he could keep her close,  and provide,  no not provide,  he could assist her in a more comfortable life.  Perhaps Shi would be okay with having her in his life but not as a mate.  One thing Alex knew for sure, there was work to be done.