DARK DAYS

CHAPTER FOUR

She met Wes, the resident doctor, later that night. He took one look at her and winced, “You won’t be able to change form for at least a week, your ribs will just re break if you do.” He informed her as he finished binding her ribs.

Christiana wondered if she would be able to breathe for the next week never mind change. She wouldn’t mind a long shower as well, she felt grimy. But that would have to wait until she could stand on her own without her legs giving out, or her blacking out, Damn I’m a mess, she mused tuning out of Wes and Micah’s conversation. Christiana finally snapped out of her daydream, “So how long will I be here?”

Wes looked at Micah and frowned, “two weeks at the least, three would be best. We heal quickly, but you are always worn out, you pushed yourself too hard… You are still quite dehydrated.” Christiana didn’t appreciate his tone; it was that ‘I’m older and wiser and know best, and you’ve been stupid so I have the right to talk down to you’, tone. 

“I know I’m dehydrated, and weak and malnourished. Believe it or not I’m not an idiot.” She snapped.

Wes’s eyes cooled, “You have a funny way of showing it. You are here taking up our resources because you were to inexperienced and stupid to know your limits.”

Micah opened his mouth but didn’t have time to intervene before Christiana grabbed Wes by the throat and brought him down to the ground, despite her broken bones. “You don’t know me, so you have no right to weigh in on an issue that has nothing to do with you. Forgive me if I’d rather kill myself by running myself into the ground trying to escape a man that would kill me once I’d served my purpose!” She hissed, watching Wes struggle for air he looked shocked. She smiled coldly, “It’s amazing what a little adrenaline will do isn’t it?” She couldn’t say why exactly but she knew she didn’t want anyone to know her alpha status; she’d rather them all think she was some weak female than know the truth.

Micah finally intervened; he pulled her hand from Wes’ throat gently, knowing that at any point she could tear it out. “That was uncalled for Wes, you took an oath to heal not judge.” He pointed out unsympathetically as Wes demanded she be thrown out. “Go home!” Micah roared when Wes took a threatening step towards her.

Once alone again Micah turned on her, “You do know how to make enemies don’t you?” He raised his eyebrow.

“f**k you!” She gritted out, the adrenaline was leaving her with protesting muscles and bones that were retaliating for her careless actions. 

“I am the only thing standing between you and certain death, don’t forget that for a second. I feel sorry for you, but I’m not reckless. I will turn you out if you endanger my pack!” He was kneeling in front of her, with her chin in his hand roughly. “I am alpha here.”

Christiana met his angry gaze straight on, “I don’t need you to feel sorry for me, and your pack may think the sun rises and falls at your whim but you mean nothing to me.” Micah studied her thoughtfully; his face still inches from hers, don’t hit her! A voice said sharply in his mind. 

Of course he wouldn’t hit her, nobody had ever spoken to him with such disrespect for his position as she did, but he wouldn’t strike her. It was simply not his style, she doesn’t know that, that voice elaborated. That’s when it clicked for him, she expected him to lash out at her part of her even wanted it so she could hate him. “You’re father didn’t do a good job teaching you your place did he?” He muttered still not blinking.

Christiana arched a brow, “My father taught me not to be pushed around by people like you.”

“He did you a great disservice, no wonder this man who ever he is, is furious. I would be too if you made me chase you for days rather than face my claim.” He was probing and he knew it. He was trying to figure out how much of what he suspected was true, he felt like an ass when he saw her haunted look. It was fleeting, a few seconds later she donned her angry but somehow detached look again. 

Christiana jerked out of his grip, “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” She crawled backwards away from him until her back came up to the wall. Inside she was shaking from the memories that were still too fresh. Alaska she reminded herself I just have to get to Alaska and I’ll be fine. Maybe the cold would freeze the pain, would make her forget, she choked back a tight laugh. Covering her mouth with both hands so not to scream, she felt herself break. Here we go, she thought dispassionately. 

Micah was already moving towards her when he heard the low cry, it sounded like pain. He never thought pain had a specific sound, but there was no denying that the sound of her half moan half scream made his stomach tight with anxiety. Micah expected her to push him away, but she just gripped his arm tightly and rock slightly. For all his skills as Alpha, he didn’t know what to do. He didn’t think anything he could do would make it better, so he just stroked her hair and murmured comforting things.

When she was calmer she heard herself whisper, “My fathers dead,” She looked up at him, “he wanted me, so he challenged my father.” Christiana closed her eyes and felt herself drift off into sleep. Her father had been dead for seventeen days.