I was never human

Gained to lose

I was coming to. I had no idea I was asleep in the first place. The last thing I remembered was seeing Brody and all that worry and anger in his eyes.

Was that anger for me or about me?

I stopped thinking immediately because my head was pounding. It was still dark around me, and then I realized my eyes were closed.

I can see this gonna be a thing around here.

I heard a beeping sound that seemed closed to me. I felt this sense of deja vu when I heard my father speak from somewhere in the room.

"She's fine. I think she overexorted herself. Brody, here, explained some of what happened that led to this exhaustion, but he couldn't really tell me all of it."

Is that Dr. Mason?

"She and... my mate got into it. You may need to go check on her or send a nurse to aid her."

"What for, alpha?"

"Her nose is broke... We all heard it."

How the heck did her nose get broken... did I do that? What the heck happened?

"How'd that happened? D- did you do it, B?"

I heard a low grumble.

"OF COURSE I DIDN'T. WHAT DO I LOOK LIKE, LOGAN??!"

I could feel my dad's aura becoming stronger, smothering the air in the room.

"He didn't mean it that way, Brandon. We just don't know what happened. If you didn't do it, who did?"

I couldn't keep my mouth closed any longer.

"I did... didn't I?"

All eyes were on me now as heads snapped in my direction. My grandparents and brother flew to my side as my father stood at the foot of my bed, looking distraught and guilt ridden.

"Oh my baby! Are you ok? What happened?"

My grandma cried beside me, patting my head, kissing and hugging me, but I ignored her and kept my gaze on my dad.

"I did it, right? I broke her nose."

I got no reply. I looked down at my hands tryna remember anything, but I couldn't.

"I can't remember... I can't... why can't I?"

Tears began to fall from my face. My head was already pounding, and the tears made it worse.

"I'm tired. I just want to leave. Why won't you let me leave? This is clearly not working. Me being here is not working. Just let me go live with my aunt. At least there I know she loves me and I have a sister who loves me."

My voice was cracking. The harder I fought the tears, the more they poured. I felt my brother hold on to my hand tightly, forcing me to look at him.

"No! You can't leave. I just got you, Kwenali. You can't leave! You're my big sister. You can't leave me... I'll protect you...please say you'll stay?!"

Danny had tears in his eyes as his voice fought back his emotions. My heart hurt knowing I did this to him. He didn't deserve to be hurt. I wanted to answer him but I couldn't find the words to say. I didn't want to lie to him.

"Kwenali."

My grandpa spoke to me in a gentle but commanding voice. My eyes found his.

"You are loved here. We will always protect you, little one. Please... give us a chance. I don't want to have to say goodbye to you yet. 12 years is a lot of time to not have, especially when that time was lost without you even knowing it. We can't make up for lost time in a week, but please... give us time to try."

I saw and felt how true his words were. He seemed desperate for me to stay. My grandma wore the same look, as did my brother. I looked to my father, and his eyes were cast down. I didn't know what to make of my new dad. Somehow, I knew he loved me, but it seemed as if he didn't know how to really show it. I looked from him to Dr. Mason.

"I want to go to my room now, please."

"I think you should stay her, Kwen. You fainted. That doesn't just happen."

"I'm fine now. I was clearly exasperated from the situation and considering I've been given no time to adjust here or mourn my mother's death... I'm exhausted. I won't do anything, I just want to lay in my own bed."

He looked to my dad, and he gave a small nod of approval. He finally looked at me, and his gaze crushed me. I saw the pain in his eyes. They were filled with so much regret and hurt, it felt as if I would be consumed by it. He came around the bed to lift me up.

"I'll carry you to your room. You're too weak right now."

I held out my hands to stop him without touching him.

"No!"

I said it so loudly and with a lot of force. My dad flinched at my words, stopping dead in his tracks.

"I- I- I want Brody. He can take me."

I couldn't look at him. Everyone in the room was quiet.

"Ok."

My dad's voice sounded so weak. The sound sent a shock through my heart, causing more tears to fall than before.

"Son! So- Brandon, wait!"

I heard my grandma call out to my dad as she chased after his retreating figure out the door, grandpa following behind. The pack's leaders left as well, leaving only my brother and Dr. Mason.

"I'll come check on you in a bit. Ok, Kwen?"

I nodded my head at Danny as he left, allowing Brody to enter. He looked at me, and relief seemed to spread over his whole body. Again, I felt sorry for causing him so much grief.

"I'm sorry I scared you, Brody."

He frowned.

"Don't ever apologize for something that isn't your fault."

"You're not mad at me then?

"I was never angry with you."

"Then, why do I remember your eyes holding so much anger in them before?"

His brow shot up, and then realization clicked. He walked over to me, picking me up bridal style.

"I was never angry with you. I was angry for you."

I nodded at him as tears of relief fell. I hugged him around his neck as he began walking to my room.

"Good. I couldn't handle you being mad at me... I think too many are right now."

I hold on tighter to his big neck, afraid that the family I just gained will be lost to me forever.