Broken and Still Alive

Chapter 4

**Ezekiel's POV**

The stench of human fear and pack anxiety hung thick in the air. It mingled unpleasantly with the antiseptic scent of the infirmary, doing little to soothe the turmoil raging within me. My mate, Angel, lay unconscious in the bed, a fragile, broken thing I desperately wanted to protect. But the questions clawed at me, demanding answers I didn't yet possess.

"Spill it, Crimson," I barked, my voice laced with the Alpha tone that was usually reserved for rogues and serious breaches of pack law. "What the hell is going on? Did you know about her being abused?"

Crimson, my Beta and closest friend, visibly recoiled. A flicker of hurt crossed his features, and I instantly regretted the sharpness of my tone. The Alpha's command cut deep, especially when directed at someone you considered family. But the thought of Angel suffering… it ignited a primal rage I struggled to contain.

"Sorry, Alpha," Crimson replied, his voice steady despite the undercurrent of pain. He held his head high, refusing to let my Alpha's bite wound him further. He met my gaze, his eyes reflecting a torment mirroring my own. "I didn't know of the abuse. I didn't even know about her until my coma."

My confusion deepened. "What do you mean? What happened, Crimson? And what of those wings? Where did they come from, and how long have you known about them?" The room fell silent, every member of the pack present hanging onto Crimson's every word. Even the most seasoned warriors shifted with anticipation, their curiosity piqued by the mystery surrounding my mate.

Crimson took a deep breath, preparing to unleash a truth that would shatter everything we thought we knew. "Alpha, when I was in my coma, it was because the Moon Goddess put me into it to communicate with her at Crystal Lake." A collective gasp swept through the room. The Moon Goddess, communicating directly with Crimson? It was unheard of.

"She explained that your mate's name was Angel, and that she is her one and only descendant." He paused, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. "She was hidden among the humans to protect her identity. The man that was supposed to take care of her was killed three days after she arrived, leaving her to the disgusting woman that raised and abused her. Her name is Tabitha. She lives in an old farmhouse past the edge of the woods where you found her."

The last part was delivered with such venomous anger that Crimson's wings erupted from his back, slicing through the air with the sound of a drawn sword. The pack recoiled, instinctively creating space. I felt a surge of raw power emanating from him, a terrifying display of righteous fury.

"I'm sorry, Alpha. I didn't mean it. It just happened," he stammered, his gaze fixed on the floor. His body trembled with barely suppressed rage. "I want her head, Alpha. I want to rip her to shreds, slowly, making her suffer."

I understood his desire perfectly. My own wolf was howling for vengeance, demanding retribution for the pain inflicted upon our mate.

"And that is exactly what we are going to do, as soon as we get Angel settled," I spat out, my own voice thick with controlled fury.

Crimson looked up, a flicker of relief in his eyes. "Alpha, the wings… they are extra protection given to me by the Moon Goddess. They are so strong, not even a sword can pierce them," he added shyly, as if apologizing for the blatant display of power.

I nodded, accepting the explanation. My mind was already racing, calculating, planning. I needed to secure Angel, ensure her healing, and then… then Tabitha would pay.

Angel POV

I must have drifted off, lulled by the low hum of the machines and the security of being surrounded by my pack. When I awoke, the room was nearly empty, the oppressive tension replaced by a quiet concern. My eyes focused on a hand holding mine, the touch sending a strange warmth tingling through my body. It was an unfamiliar sensation, both terrifying and strangely… comforting.

Fear constricted my throat. What was happening? Had I simply traded one prison for another? Was this ‘Alpha’ holding me captive?

I dared not move my hand, fearing some unseen punishment. Instead, I slowly turned my head, my eyes finding their way to the owner of the warm hand.

His eyes. Beautiful, intense, aqua eyes that seemed to hold the weight of the world. Alpha, I remembered. That was what they had called him. But what had I done? Why did he guard me like this? Was I his prisoner? Had I really escaped my mother, only to be taken captive once more?

"Hi, Angel," he said softly, his voice a low rumble that resonated deep within my chest. "That is your name, how do you feel?"

As if summoned by his words, a wave of pain washed over me, sharp and unrelenting. I groaned involuntarily, curling slightly in on myself.

"Are you in pain?" he asked, his gaze sharpening, studying my face with an intensity that made me want to shrink away. But how could I say yes? How could I voice my pain when I was so used to suffering in silence? I simply nodded my head, the movement sending another jolt of agony through my body.

"I'll get the doctor to bring you something for the pain, okay?" I nodded again, grateful for any relief. He remained seated, his hand still holding mine, his presence a reassuring anchor in the storm of pain and confusion.

A few moments later, a nurse entered and injected something into my IV. Slowly, the pain began to dissipate, replaced by a heavy drowsiness. Unable to resist the pull, I closed my eyes and let the darkness claim me once more.

Ezekiel POV

As I sat vigil by Angel's bedside, watching her sleep, my mind refused to settle. How old was she? Who would inflict such cruelty on someone so innocent? A question that morphed quickly into a vow. It was my promise to her. My own darkness would be her justice.

My stomach rumbled, reminding me of the basic needs that had been neglected in the wake of her arrival. And then it struck me. Is she hungry?

Immediately, I mind-linked Dr. Gardner. "Dr. Gardner, can we get some food brought to Angel? I am sure she will be hungry when she wakes."

"Yes, I will have a small amount brought up. She may not eat that much, and do not force her to. Her stomach is smaller than normal already, and she wouldn't be able to handle that much without getting sick on top of the surgery. We will introduce small amounts at a time and build her up," Dr. Gardner responded.

It didn't take long for the food to arrive – a small bowl of broth and a few pieces of soft bread. As if on cue, Angel stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She looked at the plate in front of her, her eyes wide and… apprehensive. She looked at me, wild-eyed, as if asking permission to eat.

"Do you want something to eat?" I asked softly, waiting for her to answer. But she said nothing. Was she so scared she couldn't speak? Or was it something more?

"Do you understand what I am saying?" I asked gently. She nodded, her eyes never leaving mine. "Can you speak?" I asked, almost afraid of the answer. She shook her head, her expression filled with a heartbreaking mix of fear and resignation.

"Are you hungry? If so, that food is yours, and you can have it. Eat," I said, trying to infuse my voice with reassurance.

Without a second's hesitation, she reached for the food, shoving it into her mouth so fast that I was afraid she would choke.

"Here, now, slow down. You're going to make yourself sick. There is plenty more where that came from," I said calmly, gently placing my hand over hers to slow her down.

She stopped, looked at me, and then, hesitantly, started to take slower, smaller bites. The relief that washed over me was profound. She was alive. She was eating. And she was safe.

Just then, Crimson's voice echoed in my mind. "Alpha, we are at the edge of the woods, awaiting your order."

The distraction momentarily derailed the tender scene, replacing it with a chilling reminder of the task ahead. "Is she there?" I asked, hoping that Tabitha was finally in our grasp.

"Yes, Alpha."

"Then go get her. And Crimson…" I paused, ensuring he understood the gravity of my command.

"Make sure she stays alive. I want to let Angel decide her fate when the time is right."

"Gotcha, Alpha," he responded quickly, the anticipation crackling through the mind link.

The hunt was on. And Tabitha would soon learn the true meaning of fear.