The Wolves of Ossory

19. A Bone to Pick

Alma

I opened my eyes, seeing grey walls surrounding me once my vision cleared. I felt stronger, but my leg was killing me. I already knew it was broken really badly.

"Hello, princess," a very accented voice said from the doorway. I turned and squinted slightly, making out the woman addressing me.

Actually that's queen to you. Artemis snorted in my head. I was glad to hear her sass had come back and that she was feeling better too.

"Hi. Where am I?" I responded, sitting up and wincing at the ache in my leg.

"You're in our hospital wing," she responded nonchalantly.

"No s**t, honey. I mean where the hell did my sister, Beta and I end up?" I snarled.

"Ossory," came the response.

"Gazoontite. Where are we again?" I rolled my eyes. The sweetest sound came from the woman as she laughed, making Artemis wag her tail.

"That is the country you're in. Ossory." she came closer to me and that same smell engulfed my nose, but Artemis was silent.

"I think something is wrong with my wolf," I rubbed my head slightly, trying to understand why s**t didn't add up.

"Ah, yes well we will explain everything more. First, I need to reset your leg," my eyes grew wide.

"There is no way in hell I am letting you do that!" I laughed dryly. I didn't see any white lab coat on her. I don't even know this woman! What qualifications did she think she had?!

"You've already healed improperly. If you have any chance of walking again, let me help," she was quite breathtaking, long firey red hair braided in six parts and coming together as one running down her back. Her dark green eyes held determination and a strong will, and I knew I would never win trying to argue with her.

"Fine," I snapped, eyeing her carefully as she placed her hands on my leg. A distant feeling of tingling spread across my skin when she made contact and she pulled back for a moment, looking at me curiously.

"That's a bit odd," she mumbled, returning her hands to my crooked leg. The sensation returned and I tried to brace myself.

"Just do it already!" I yelled at her hesitation and she snapped my leg back to the correct angle. I screamed, cursing this red headed devil.

"No warning?!" I hissed through clenched teeth.

"I thought it a better idea to get it over with, like you requested, your highness," she bowed sarcastically and a real doctor came in.

"Ophelia! I told you not to bother our guest! And you tried to reset the leg without me?!" the older woman scowled, pushing the woman, now known as Ophelia, to the side and examining my injury.

"Out with you now, let me work," she commanded her, and Ophelia obligated, winking at me as she made her way to the door.

"See you soon, Alma," she purred, and my name rolling off her tongue made my core heat up.

Artemis, is this mate? The signs are there! I asked my wolf, racking my brain for the logical answer.

I agree, but I can't reach her wolf to recognize her. I know she's there, but I can't connect with her. She huffed back, equally as irritated.

"Hey, doctor, what's up with my wolf? She can't sense other wolves?" I inquired, gritting my teeth as she properly set my leg again.

"I think Lord Haven would better be able to explain. Our land is very different, and respectfully, princess, I do not feel comfortable discussing pack matters with an outsider. Strangers have never been welcomed here, I am surprised Haven didn't dispose of you sooner, but I trust in him and the Duchess's decisions," the woman worked while she explained all of this too me, and I had to bite back a growl of frustration.

"Rest. You will heal properly and should be able to walk in an hour or so. I'll send for your sister to come collect you when you're ready," with that, she left, shutting the door behind her. I groaned out loud, hating this situation.

Maeve walked in an hour later, looking stressed.

"Alma! I am so sorry I couldn't be with you sooner! How is your leg?!" She gushed over me, scanning every part of my body for more injuries. I hopped off the bed to show I was alright, my wolf healing already fixing my leg. Though still a bit tender, I felt good as new.

"It's really late. Do we have rooms or should I expect a dungeon?" I said, venom coating my words.

"We have rooms. I met Lord Haven. In the morning he would like an audience with us to talk about our current predicament," she said, her voice holding a secret admiration in it.

"Sounds perfect. Take me there, I am more than ready to get out of here and figure out what the hell is going on!" I said, feeling drowsy.

We made our way out of the hospital wing, walking outside to a long walkway, the stone arching in a continuous pattern along the sides with pillars separating the arches.

The outside walkway led to a beautiful, rustic castle and I found myself in awe of the beauty the architecture held. You could tell it was very old and full of history.

Maeve led me up a rounded stairway to our rooms. She seemed very fond of this palace, which made sense cause Maeve was a big geek over historical structures.

"This one is yours. Grady is also on this floor just down the hall and I'm next to his. I imagine it's pretty late but honestly I can't tell what time zone were in. I have never felt so hopeless and so useless," Maeve confided, sighing and rubbing her forehead.

"Hey, we can get through this. We are queens at heart babe! We will talk more in the morning, yeah?" I suggested, pulling her in for a quick hug. She squeezed me back, as if I were the only thing anchoring her to this world.

"I love you, Alma. Sweet dreams," she let go and headed to her room, slipping in silently and I moved to my room.

I opened the heavy door and turned the light on, screaming slightly as Ophelia was laying on my bed, a bored look on her face.

"About time," she huffed.

"What are you doing here! Goddess sake. you scared the s**t out of me!" I clenched my chest, trying to calm my racing heart.

She looks extremely scrumptious in that position. Artemis purred and I shut her out, not needing the distraction.

"I just came by to make sure your leg was fine, also to inspect your baggage for any weapons or anything that could be used against us. Pretty nifty bag, I will say." she sat up, tossing my merlin sack at me. I caught it swiftly.

"Very kind of you, now get out," I asked as politely as I could muster.

"Hmmmmm no. I think I'll stay," she smiled, rolling onto her back and stretching to get comfortable.

"Why are you being such a stubborn c**t!" I couldn't help it. I was tired and sore and emotionally drained. Ophelia stood, narrowing her eyes at me as she approached.

"You ought not call such names, princess. At least until you've tasted me first," she was nearly nose to nose with me, her breath brushing over my lips slightly and I sucked in a breath of her sweet smell, Artemis trying to push through.

"Well, can't say I understand what you're implying," I cleared my throat, averting my eyes.

Dumba**. Artemis growled.

"You and I both know bulls**t when we smell it. I don't know why, but my wolf feels yours is calling to her." she confided gently, stepping aside and heading towards the exit.

"Don't worry, I'll have you screaming my name soon enough," with that she disappeared and I threw my hands up in defeat, crashing onto the bed and covering my face with the pillow.

***Authors note***

I'm back b*****s! Sorry for the break, I was traveling home from some work overseas and had literalllllly no time to sit and write and everytime I tried It didn't look right and needed work but I'm back baby!