The Alpha and the Rogues Daughter

Chapter 8: Awakening

-Xavier's P.O.V.-

I ran as fast as I could, linking some of the other guards and the Beta. "no time to thoroughly explain; the girl from the woods is the Alpha’s mate, he is with her at the hospital, and I need some of you to come with me. He would like us to track down the rogue that assaulted her." Four guards joined me within minutes. "Xavier," I heard the beta call through our link. "Yes, beta," I responded. "I will check on the Alpha; report as soon as you find anything."

"Yes, sir," I answered before I felt the link close, and we began scouring the woods for clues. We followed the scent of the rogue as it faded on a dirt road, not 200 yards from where we found the girl. Maybe the rogue didn't realize he was this close to Crescent Moon Pack territory. Other than leaving the female out here, the rogue did not attempt to enter pack lands or leave a message. I guessed he had gone back to wherever he had come from with no intention of returning to the girl.

I mind-linked the Alpha and relayed what I had found. He responded, "Well, hopefully, she can tell us more when she wakes up; return to your normal patrols."

-Christians P.O.V. -

Even battered and bruised, she was magnificent, I thought. Long brown silky hair, large breasts, a thin waist, and hips that completed her perfect hourglass figure. I wished she would wake. I wanted to see the color of my mate's eyes. But instead, I sat just staring at her as my thought began to spiral. Would my mother accept her?

After all, my father had been killed by rogues. Was she a rogue or just captured by them? Who hurt her? At that thought, my wolf growled menacingly in my head. Calm down, Chaos, I scolded him. "Someone hurt our mate and nearly killed her, and you tell me to calm down?" He spat at me. "You are losing your temper right now will only make it worse, don't worry when we find the bastard; I will let you have him." At that, Chaos chuckled an evil laugh and calmed down. I sat down in the chair next to the girl's bed. I wanted to be here when she woke up. Who am I kidding? She is my mate. I couldn't leave if I wanted to.

-Eliana's P.O.V.-

I opened my eyes as much as possible; my face was still swollen. I could make out machines and white linens. It appeared I was in a hospital of some kind. Then the memories came flooding back, the brutality, the assault. I began to sob loudly and uncontrollably. I felt a warm hand touch mine and jumped. I could barely see a significant figure sitting next to me. The guy was massive and all muscle. I quickly pulled away from him and fell off the bed.

"There, little wolf," he said in a voice that could only be described as that of a s*x god, husky and strong. Something in his voice sent shivers through my body. I squinted, trying to get a better look, but with the swelling in my nose and face, I could barely see or smell anything. "What do you want?" I demanded of him. "Where am I?" "Who are you?" I spouted off before he answered my first question. "Woah, little wolf, calm down," he said reassuringly. I didn't know where I was or who he was, and the panic in my voice could not be hidden. I wanted to run or scream, but my chest and body were in so much pain that I could barely sit up. "I am Christian," he said, "Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack," he continued, "You are currently in the pack hospital, where my Guards brought you after they happened upon your lifeless body in the woods." Silence as he took a breath, and I got embarrassment and shame coursing through my body.

"You are safe here, little wolf," he added. I wasn't sure who he was, but something in his voice genuinely concerned me. I relaxed a little and laid back on my pillows. "What is your name, little wolf?" he asked softly. "Eliana," I replied. "Eliana," he repeated as if my name were a line from his favorite song. "How did you end up in the woods, Eliana?" He asked. Immediately I began sobbing again as the memories of what Roman had done to me and how my body betrayed me rushed into my mind. "Eliana," he said softly, gently rubbing the back of my hand. "How about we talk about this once you feel better." The touch of his hand sent sparks up my arm, and I gasped a little and shook my head yes.

"Mate," I heard my wolf say inside my head. She was prancing around excitedly. "No way," I responded to her, "You off your rocker? But the smell of chocolate chip cookies and fudge-filled my nose just the same as it had since I had woken up. It was him, the Alpha, as he had assured me. I couldn't see him, but I could smell him, and his touch sent electricity up my arm. This is crazy, I thought, he will reject me, I am sure of it. It's not only that I am a rogue, but I am damaged, and his guard found me that way. The thought of more rejection hurt, but I would understand him not wanting me after what had been done to me. Tears filled my eyes as I laid back and let sleep consume me again.

-Christian's P.O.V-

My god, she was breathtaking, even though cuts and bruises. That would all heal eventually, I thought, but the pain on the inside would take much longer. As much as I wanted to grab her in my arms and comfort her, I knew she was too fragile for that right now. The sound of her voice aroused me, and my wolf hadn't calmed down since we heard it. Come on, man, I thought to myself, she will want nothing to do with anything intimate after what was done to her. I could tell from her reaction to touch she was scared and broken. I will wait if she needs it, I thought. My true mate would be worth whatever wait she deemed necessary. I sat in the chair next to her bed and watched her sleep. Dreaming of the day, I could hold her and even show her what making love was supposed to be like. I faded into sleep dreaming about my little wolf.

-Unknown Wolf P.O.V.-

"Where is Christian, Beta?" I asked Derrick once I found him. "He is in the hospital, Luna," he responded. "What is wrong with my son?" I demanded. "Nothing," Derrick said, "he refuses to leave the side of the little she-wolf we found beaten and abused in the wood near the border." I looked at him with shock on my face. "I must go to him at once." I turned on my heels and headed for the infirmary. Why would my son not leave the side of this little she-wolf? Sure, from what I had heard, she was severely injured and r***d the poor thing, but he had a pack to run and had not gone into town as he had said he would. I sent a couple of betas with the list instead, but I became even more curious and worried when he missed lunch and dinner. I had just entered the hospital when I heard the doctor and nurse quietly speaking in the corner. "Do you think she is a rogue?" the nurse asked. "Could be," the doctor responded. "The moon goddess works in mysterious ways," the nurse added. "Indeed," the doctor commented. Clearing my throat, I interrupted this odd conversation. They both looked up in shock and bowed slightly, "yes, Luna Alice, what can we do for you today" the doctor said. "Where is my son?" I asked pointedly. "Room 126," the nurse chimed in. I turned down the hallway and quickly found room 126.

Christian was sleeping, arms crossed in the chair beside this girl's bed. I crept in, not wanting to disturb her. She lay there a bruised and bloody mess. I gasped a little as I took in the damaged and broken wolf. I scanned her body and then reached her face. Something was familiar about this wolf, but I just couldn't place it. Just then, I felt a hand on my arm; startled, I jumped and turned to see Christian looking up at me from the chair, smiling, but the worry in his eyes gave away the concern I could feel radiating off him. I motioned for him to follow me to the hallway to speak without waking the she-wolf. "Christian," I said once in the hall, "what are you thinking sitting at her bedside? You have a pack to attend to," I chastised. I needed him to realize as sad as that wolf looked, she was not his responsibility; the pack was. Christian had always been soft-hearted.

"Mother, he chimes in drowsily; she is my mate," he said. Shocked, I stood there momentarily as I took in his words. I was overwhelmed with emotion. Happy he finally found his mate, sad she was a broken rogue she-wolf, angry the goddess would have given him a wolf that may belong to the pack that killed his father and shocked at his utter disregard for any of those thought and the love in his eyes for her. "Christian," I said gently, "are you sure" I was concerned about her familiarity and why I could not figure out where I had seen her before. "She is a rogue son," I said softly, "and a broken one at that," I added. "I don't care, mother," he said with anger rising. "Christian, I am simply concerned about you," I said softly, trying to make him understand my point of view. "I am not going to reject her because she is a rogue mother; I know that's what you're getting at," he scolded. "Son, have you considered she could be part of the pack that murdered your father?" With that, his eyes got misty. "No, mother, that's not possible." He demanded.

-Alice's P.O.V.-

Goddess, I thought, why would you bring my son a rogue? I was worried about him. Something was very familiar about that girl, but with the bruising and swelling, it was hard to make out her features. Soon enough, time will heal her, and I may know how I recognize her. Until then, it seemed my son was determined not to leave this girl's side. I am sure most of that is the mate bond, I thought to myself.

"You can go, Mother; I am staying here," Christian said after a long silence between us. "Very well, I love you, son," I replied as I turned and left the hospital room. I decided to keep to myself that the girl was familiar to me, tell me she healed, and I could place where we or if we had met before. I left the hospital room worried about my son. I prayed that the goddess would give him strength and show him what he was meant to do.