Ten Years (The Alpha and Her)

Chapter Four; Mate?

The small red headed woman began to stir on the large bed, shifting under the large grey comforter. She slowly opened her blue jeweled eyes, groaning as the sunlight blinded her. The woman softly touched her right eye, wincing at the pain but thankful her eye wasn’t swollen shut. Ember slowly sat up, the comforter falling from to reveal a large but comfortable white t-shift covering her from her chest to her mid-thighs. Ember’s eyes furrowed in confusion as she looked down at her body, finding that her ivory skin was no longer covered in dirt and dried blood.

She looked around the room, finding light grey walls covered in tasteful art. To her right there were double glass doors which appeared to lead to a balcony. In front of her was a small sectional and a large television with a door placed on either side of the TV, a fireplace lit under the TV. Finally to the left was another door which at that very moment opened, revealing a shocked Clover as she held a tray in one of her hands.

“Ember! You’re up!” She yelled, rushing to the small red headed woman. Clover’s hazel eyes laced with concern. “How are you feeling?” Clover placed the tray on the bed, quickly taking Ember’s small hands in her own slightly rough hands. 

“I-I don’t know?” She questioned, confusion clouding her head even more. “Where, where am I?” She whispered softly, looking around the room once more.

Clover opened her mouth to answer only to be interrupted.

“In our bedroom.”  a deep voice rumbled from the opened door to her left. Ember’s head snapped to the voice, eyes wide, her eyebrows once again furrowed in confusion.

“Our?” She once more whispered as she stared at the man, taking in his strong features. The man stood at 6’3, her broad chest covered in a white tank top, his black hair pulled into a bun at the top of his head. His sweatpants riding low on his hips. His arms were crossed showcasing a wide range of tattoos. 

“Of course.” He looked at her, his eyebrows mimicking hers as they now furrowed in confusion. “Mate, why wouldn’t we share a room?” He took a step forward causing Ember to flinch at the movement. 

“Mate? What are you talking about?” Ember finally found her voice as she shifted in the bed, forgetting that Clover was still holding on to her hands.

Ezra stared at this small red headed woman in shock, did she not feel the bond? Did she not become drunk on his scent as he did hers?

Sebastian, I need you in my room at once. Bring the doctor with you.

 Ezra quickly linked his younger brother as he stood frozen in place. Clover looked between the two in confusion. Clover shifted her position, sitting next to the red headed woman on the bed knowing her presence was providing comfort. 

Within a matter of minutes two men appeared in the doorway, one clearly younger than the other. “Benjamin, what is going on? How come she can not feel the mate bond?” Ezra directed the question to the older man who was slouching slightly, his short hair and beard completely white.

The younger man took his place next to Ezra, their features incredibly similar besides hair and eye color. The younger man instead had dirty blond hair and deep blue eyes that watched the doctor make his way to the bed. 

“Excuse me dear.” Benjamin made his way to the bed, Ember looked to Clover for confirmation. Clover nodded softly before standing up,  moving out of the way of the older doctor. 

“What’s going on Ezra?” the younger man whispered softly to the man.

“I’m not exactly sure Sebastian…” He trailed off as he watched the doctor kneel on the ground in front of the red head. He slowly took hold of the woman’s hands concentrating. Ezra held back a growl, reminding himself that the man touching his mate was a doctor only here to help.

After a few moments, both Benjamin and Ember’s hands began to glow. Ember relaxed, feeling warmth from the light. The room stilled as everyone was watching the two.

After a few more moments the light faded and Benjamin stood up smiling softly to Ember who returned the smile. “My dear, when was the last time you shifted?” Benjamin asked.

Ember stayed silent for a moment remembering she hadn’t shifted since she was back in the states. “A little over ten years ago?” She stated softly but it came out as more of a question.

Benjamin’s light brown eyes widened in surprise, having not expected that answer at all. He turned slightly, glancing back at his alpha to see the almighty alpha’s eyes downcast. “Oh my…” Benjamin kneeled down once more, looking more closely at Ember, noticing the bruises lacing her body; some new, some old. He took note of the many cuts  that were scattered over her skin, he also took notice of how malnourished she was. 

“Oh no, oh no.” He stood back up and made his way over to his alpha, motioning for both him and Sebastian to step out into the hall. Clover stayed behind taking her spot next to the utterly confused Ember. 

“What is going on?” Ember whispered to Clover as the door shut behind the three men. 

“ I have no clue.” Clover shrugged and offered a soft smile. “ But let’s forget them, come let’s get you fully washed up. I was only able to wipe down your body with a cloth while you were sleeping.” Clover stood and held out her hand smiling at Ember. 

Ember took her hand with no hesitation, Clover being the only one that had ever stood on her side after all the years. Clover flashed a brilliant smile as she led the way to the door to the right of the TV. The two women stepped into the large bathroom, Ember’s eyes growing huge as she saw the large clawfoot tub in front of a huge picture window and a massive shower with multiple different shower heads to the left of the tub. 

“Come, I will run a nice warm bath and wash your hair for you, you won’t have to lift a single finger.” Ember opened her mouth to protest but Clover immediately shot her a look daring her to argue with her. Ember knew better than to argue so she nodded softly, lifting the huge white t-shirt off her body not even noticing that she had no bra or panties on. 

Clover choked back a sob as she saw the young woman’s body, her skin sticking to her bones, the bruising worsened in her pelvis area. Clover quickly turned her attention back to the tub. Clover added some bath salts to the water with healing properties. Ember stepped into the warm water, instantly relaxing. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been submerged in water.

Clover smiled softly, trying her hardest to avoid looking at the woman’s body. Clover kneeled down on the side of the tub. “I’ll wash your hair.” She smiled softly as Ember sat up allowing Clover access to her hair. 

One the other side of the bedroom door stood Ezra, Benjamin and Sebastian.

Benjamin shook her head as he glanced at the closed door. “Alpha, I don’t know how to say this. But I believe she has lost her wolf. At this point she is the same as a human. She’s not even able to heal herself.” Ezra growled, his eyes flickering between his forest green and black. 

“Ezra, is she your mate?” Sebastian stared at his brother in utter shock, having not believed what he heard previously when Ezra asked about the mate bond. 

“Yes.” Ezra stated through clenched teeth. “f***k!” Ezra turned and swiftly punched the wall behind him, leaving behind a gaping hole. 

“Is there any way to get her wolf back?” Ezra asked, turning back to the doctor as the punch released some of his anger. 

Benjamin turned his light brown eyes to the younger man shaking his head softly. “ I truly do not know Alpha. There are not many cases like this, and those that have lost their wolves were never able to get them back.” Benjamin knew after seeing his alpha’s rage to opt out the information that the young woman was truly on the verge of death. The only reason she appeared better was due to the mate bond, even though she could not feel it, the bond keeping her alive. 

“What do you plan on doing?” Sebastian asked his older brother. 

“What the f***k do you mean by that?” Ezra turned his black eyes towards his brother, bearing his teeth. Sebastian quickly looked down, his mouth instantly shut. 

“Benjamin, I want you to look into this. Find out whatever you can.” Ezra turned his attention back to the doctor, not even bothering to answer her brother. Benjamin nodded. “Dismissed.” Ezra stated as he made his way back to the door, not noticing his younger brother looking at him with pity. Sebastian didn’t think his brother understood fully; that young woman doesn’t feel the mate bond, she was a human at this point and his brother was going to have to work for the love he so desired from the woman.

Sebastian shook his head softly before quickly following after the doctor.