Awakening Fate

Chapter 15: Home

Emmeline’s POV

(Day of arrival)

              Soft voices pull gain my attention as I fight against the darkness. I couldn’t make out what was being said, but I could hear a sense of urgency and concern in the tones being used. I tried to focus on the other sounds I could pick up on before brining myself out of my unconscious state. The sound of a clock ticking, the wheels of some cart outside, and then the steady rhythm of a soft beeping.

              My eyes shoot open at that sound. I’m back in the hospital. I didn’t make it. My heart rate increases making the machine sound loudly to my left. I glance around and notice that my surroundings look different then before. The walls are now a light gray and there are soft paintings of scenery hanging on each wall. Dark blue curtains sit off to the sides of the window. The sounds of heavy footsteps echo from the hallway as I prepare to be punished for trying to escape. I flinch and close my eyes as my door swings open so hard it crashes with the wall.

              With my eyes scrunched tight I sit there waiting for anger from Dominic. However, I feel arms swing around me pulling me into a deep hug. The sound of a sob escapes the person who holds me.

              “Emmeline sweetheart it’s okay, you’re home.” I open my eyes and find my mother’s face just inches away from mine. Tears fall from her green eyes as her hands lightly brush my cheeks. I stare at her feeling stunned. I try to open my mouth to say something, but my own sob comes flying out. I grab onto my mom holding her for dear life, as I fear that she will disappear, and this would have been just a dream. My mother continues to cry silently as she rubs my back soothingly.

              I glance over my mothers’ shoulder as she holds me and spot my father standing in the doorway. He has tears in his eyes as he watches us. “Daddy!” I cry and hold my arms out to him. He walks over quickly and embraces both my mother and me into a deep hug.

              “Sweetheart, you’re really home.” He says after taking a steady breath. It took several minutes for my mother and I to break away from the hug. She doesn’t let go of me fully, instead she keeps ahold of my hand pulling away just enough for her to glance over me.

              “Once she is examined, we will be able to take her home.” My father states softly while rubbing small circles on my mother’s shoulder. Warmth fills my chest at the thought of going home and being in my old room.

              “I just want to go home now, please.” I beg looking between both my parents. My mother looks at my father with a concerned look.

              “Let me go see if we can get everything needed done now.” My father says before his eyes glaze over.

              After a few minutes a shorter male in a white jacket comes walking in with a clipboard. He smiles softly as his eyes connect with mine. Seeing him makes my chest ache for Zachariah who is still stuck back with Dominic.

              “Miss Brookes, it is such a happy day to have your returned home. My name is Doctor Peters” The Doctor says moving closer to my side. I unintentionally tense as he gets within arm’s reach, causing my parents to move closer to me in a protective stance. “I’m sorry but I’m going to need to give you a checkup before discharging you. Would that be alright?”

              I take a deep breath and nod while glancing at my parents. “Yes, it’s fine. Sorry, I’m just jumpy.”

              “That’s understandable.”

              Doctor Peters checks all of my vitals and determines that everything appears fine. As he does a physical, he quickly notes each of the wounds on my body. His face keeps a stoic expression as he asks me about each wound he finds.

              “Miss Brookes, how did you hurt your head?” He asks looking closely at the small cut right below my hairline. Unfortunately, since I do not have my wolf yet, I don’t have the luxury of quickened healing. This means I will be left with scars.

              “I fell while running through some woods.” I state giving a small shrug. Doctors Peters nods and marks something down on his little clip board.

              “And, how did you get the scar on your stomach?”

              “I think that was from the mall. I was hurt in the explosion.”

              “What happened after you got hurt?” Doctor Peters asks still looking down at his clipboard.

              “I don’t know. I was out until a week or two ago.” I state with a bit of annoyance. I feel tired and I don’t want to talk about what happened.

              I hear my mother gasp causing me to look up confused. She has her hand over her mouth trying to muffle the noise and her eyes are wide. Doctor Peters is now staring at me above his clip board. “Out?” He asks raising an eyebrow. I nod and glance to my father who stands there with a neutral expression.

              “Well that provides some explanation for the missing information as well as your current state.” Dr. Peters makes a gesture with his hands towards my body, making me slightly self-conscious.

              “One last question. You have specific bruises on your wrists and at the base of your throat. Can you help us understand how these occurred?” He asks pointing towards each bruise.

              My entire body stiffens and almost instantly I shake my head. I look down trying to ignore the burn in my eyes from unshed tears. Silence fills the room as I refuse to acknowledge their questioning looks.

              “Maybe that is enough for today.” My father says, picking up on my discomfort.

              “Yes. That is all for today. I feel comfortable discharging her, but I must encourage lots of rest.” Doctor Peters says with a soft smile. “Beta can I speak with you for minute out in the hall?” My father nods and follows the Doctor.

              My mother jumps off the bed excitedly. “I brought you some clothes to change into. I thought it would make you feel more comfortable.” She says handing me a small bag.

              “Thanks mom.” I take the bag and go into the small, attached bathroom. I pull on a dark blue slip dress with white slip-on sandals.

              “What would you like to do first?” Mom asks from the other side of the door.

              I freeze not sure how I feel about being around others just yet. “Um, really I would just like to go to my room. I don’t think I’m ready to face others just yet.” I state through the door, afraid of seeing my mother’s reaction.

              “That’s fine sweetheart. Just let me know when you’re ready.”

              “Victoria, my love I need to see you for moment.” My father’s voice comes from the hallway.

              I can hear my mom hesitate before joining my father. I turn to look at myself in the mirror. I understand what the doctor meant by my ‘current state.’ My eyes have dark circles under them giving me a tired appearance. While I have developed a fuller figure in some of my curves, I notice that my muscle mass had basically depleted. Most likely due to me being unconscious for so long. I sigh feeling even more tired than before.

              Exiting the bathroom, I see my mother and father standing outside of my room. My mother has tears falling from her eyes and they seem to be having an intense conversation. I slowly walk up to them causing them to stop their conversation.

              “Hey sweetheart, ready to go?” My father asks holding my mother by her shoulders.

              I nod and look at them both with a concerned look. “Is everything okay?”

              “Yes, sweetheart. It’s just been an overwhelming day.” Father says softly giving my mom a slight squeeze.

              “We are just so happy to have your back.” Mom says wiping the tears from her face. She pulls me into a hug. “How about we go home?” She asks softly. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.

              As we enter the packhouse I can’t help but feel warm and safe. The large stone fortress feels impenetrable, while the warm wood that decorates the inside makes me realize I am finally home. Climbing the staircase towards the fourth floor and to my bedroom I throw open the door and am greeted with the sight of my room looking the exact same way as I left it. Soft grey walls with dark blue and green flowers delicately painted on each wall. My queen-sized bed pushed up against the wall with plush green comforter. My small window bench, bookshelf, everything I love sitting there waiting for my return. Tears fall from my eyes as I run my hand across my bedspread. This is all I need right now.

(Two weeks later)

              Over the last few weeks, I have settled into comfortable routine. My parents came to visit me almost daily, but that is it. I have been working up the courage to go and meet with others, but my parents assured me that everyone understood that it all had to take place at my own pace.  

              Every day I wake up and sit at my window bench watching and taking in everything that has changed about my pack, my home. I learned that my brother has found his mate, and that he is excited to introduce me to her. I also learned that Clark Blackwood has almost taken over completely as Alpha but is just waiting on finding his mate. So many little changes feel huge to me. It feels like the rest of the world kept moving while I stayed stationary.

              A soft knock pulls my eyes away from the window to my doorway. My mother walks in with a soft smile. I noticed that over the last few weeks my parents have been gentle, as if they were worried that I was going to break.

              “Good morning sweetheart.” My mom said before shutting my bedroom door behind her. “How did you sleep?”

              “Fine. What’s going on outside?” I asked before turning back to look out at the courtyard. Omegas within the pack appeared to be setting up tables and chairs. A white tent was being set up on one side of the courtyard while the other side looked like it was going to be a large fire pit. I don’t recall any pack festivities like this in the past.

              “Our Luna thought a pack picnic would be a great way to celebrate the summer season. So they are preparing for tonight.”

              “That’s nice.” I state feeling a small twist of pain from my chest.

              “It is nice. You are welcome to come if you are feeling up to it, but we all understand if it’s too soon.” Mom states giving me a small squeeze.

              “All I can say is maybe.” I mutter looking at all the pack members. Some I don’t even recognize from before.

              “I’ll take a maybe.” Mom says smiling brightly. She was always the optimist within our family. “Your brother has been asking about you. He is excited to see you and for you to meet his mate.”

              I feel my breath hitch slightly. The thought of meeting my brother’s destined mate is terrifying. What if it’s Kenzie Tinkman, and she hasn’t changed. My eyebrows furrow as I think about how to support my brother and his happiness. My facial expression must have made my mom concerned because she was now grabbing my shoulders and looking me over.

              “Emmeline, what’s wrong?”

              “I’m just thinking mom, it’s okay.” I state trying to shake out of her hold, but she just tightens her grip giving me the look that tells me she doesn’t believe a thing. Looking down at my shoes I release a long sigh. “What if his mate doesn’t like me?”

              My mom remains silent for a few minutes making me regret asking. The moment I go to tell her to forget everything I had just said she starts to laugh. I stare at her confused as she plops down on my bed holding her stomach from laughing so hard. After taking a few deep breathes to compose herself she grabs my wrist and pulls me to sit down next to her.

              “I can’t imagine anyone who would have a reason to hate you, sweetheart.” She says giving me a soft hug.

              “You would be surprised.”

              “Does this have to do with what happened to you?” She asked looking at me worried.

              I quickly shake my head letting her know that it was not related. “No. I’m just not as popular as you, dad or even Matt. I actually had many who would be happy if I never returned.” I mutter and look away not wanting to see her disappointment.

              “Well, they sound foolish.” She says with a bit of annoyance making me laugh slightly.

              “Thanks mom.”

              “What do you want to do about tonight?” Mom asks softy trying not to be pushy.

              “All I can promise is to try.” I say taking her hand and giving it a small squeeze. My mom smiles and kisses my forehead.

              “Okay sweetheart. I have to go get some work done before tonight. You let me know what you want to do or if you need anything.”

              “Okay mom. Thank you.”

              After my mom leaves the room I snuggle into the corner of my window bench to watch the pack below. I see how members are laughing and smiling as they set up for tonight. I spot a few of my friends walking around and find myself smiling at how happy they all look. All I want is to join them and be carefree and happy again.

              The only thing stopping me from running down and hugging my friends are my own fears. I watch my friends engage with one another effortlessly as if nothing has changed. I on the other hand have changed, and I know it. I start to wonder if my friends even thought about me while I was missing. I look around at the woods surrounding the courtyard. Not only do I worry about my friends, but I also worry if my captor will come back and get me. He has someone he could easily choose as a mate, but for some stupid reason he thinks I’m powerful. Clearly, he is delusional since I don’t even have my wolf yet. I can only hope he will see he has a potential mate already and will turn his focus back towards making a pack for those seeking a second chance.

              I sigh, wrapping my arms around my body as I continue to watch my pack. I know that I can’t hide forever. I need to be brave and learn how to protect myself within the pack. I need to take a chance and live.