Blood-Stained Moon

Best friends

Present Day.

The beeping increases, I'm brought back from my nightmare by the gasping of my breath. The curtain is pulled aside and several people pile in. Dots and white edges fill the picture in. I grasp the sheets scared of what's happening. A cold feeling seeps up my arm and calm begins washing over me. I start to feel sleepy, I hear the voices talking over me in confusion, but who cares, I'm curling up in my mind pulling that cool soft duvet in comfort...

I'm back again, staring at that white ceiling. I just want to go home. I want Ryan, he's always there when I have flashbacks. I miss his hugs. I can't feel wolfy, I guess sedation makes her sleep too. I feel oddly alone. My life feels like a walking nightmare, so complicated. I just stare at the ceiling. The nurse comes in a while later, explains I'm going to be discharged, and takes the IV from my hand. I stare at the blood droplet forming. Gaping at the droplet growing larger and beginning to slide down my hand, I notice I seem to be healing a little slower. The nurse checks my confused expression and holds the cut hard with her thumb to stem the bleeding. "Your wolf is still sleepin' darlin', the sedatives ain't fully done yet" she drawls."I hope so", I think. The nurse completes her discharge routine of removing wires and sticky pads from my chest, the gray clip from my finger and switches off all monitors. "You're free to go darlin'" she whispers, standing near my head juggling all the wires. "Doc says you should take a few days of rest darlin', you need time to rest and adjust to here. Alpha has already been notified darlin' so you just get on up and go when you're ready 'kay?" Her tired eyes twinkle with kindness before she turns heel, draws the curtain and leaves.

Please wake up soon wolfy, I'm alone and I don't like it. I need some support

I gather myself and pull the blanket off. Luckily I'm still dressed in my clothes. I count my blessings and stand up, knees wobbling. I grab the side of the bed for support, still a little woozy. I feel drained, like I need a day's sleep, even though I've been out for..... Hmm, I searched around for my phone to check the time. It's on a small side table next to the bed. The clock on its screen reads 6pm. I yelp mentally and walk as fast as I can to what I feel like is the exit.

After walking around corridors, getting lost and somehow circling through the same ones again, ending up where I started. Finally a lady sitting at one of the desks motioned me over and gave me a few directions to the exit. I mumbled a thanks and set out at a speedy pace. Nearly halfway I decide to pull my phone out and text Ry, darn, the battery is almost dead, I type quick a message.

'Meet me hospital 5 mins'

My phone dies straight after. I hope it went through. I carry on my way, forgetting the directions halfway through. I start to guess left, right or forward for a few minutes, relief sweeping over me when I find the exit/entrance signs. I'm practically panting when I finally find my way out.

A familiar face, head bowed and brows furrowed in concentration, fingers tapping away fast on the phone. I clear my throat loudly to draw him away and he looks up, his mouth stretching to a smile. He doesn't even have time to move or talk before I run at him arms wide for a long embrace. "Ah Ry, I missed you, I hate hospitals" I whimper, warm tears spilling over my face.

"I know R, I know. I was been waitin' here a while but I was starved so I had to go eat ya know. I'm here though babe, I'm here." His breath hits the top of my head as he talks. His arms are holding me just as tight as I cling onto him. We hugged for at least a minute before he peels himself away, I sniff all embarrassed at the big watery stain on his shirt. "No prob R, all good. C'mon I snuck some food for ya, in my room". Ryan grabs my hand and leads me back to his room. "I hope there's no girls hiding in there Ry, I'm not sitting on your gross sheets" I giggle. Ryan huffs and sideyes me before letting a small giggle escape.

It takes a while to get back to the main castle, through lots of winding gravelly paths and a few small buildings, one of which I assume is a school gathering by the many small painted handprints on it's wall and a gated playground tucked nearly at the back.

As soon as we enter through the castle door I'm greeted by the faint whiff of my mates enticing scent, sending stabs into my heart.

It's not f*cking fair wolf whines

WOLFY I gasp. You're awake, how are you? Are you okay?

No, I am not okay, you couldn't keep your sh*t together and I ended up being pushed away from you and then they made me sleep. And I like to know everything that goes on. What if you get into trouble hmm? How am I going to save your weak ass if I'm unconscious?

I can practically feel her pacing back and forth growling at me.

But you're okay, right? Don't scare me like that again. I need to go for a run, you owe me that, let me out

Not a chance, I'm tired, we are going to bed

Wolfy pouts and backs off. I do feel less tired now that she's awake, and the aches have subsided. However, I do need to rest, I have a lot to think over.

Apparently, I've stopped walking at some point and dazed off because Ryan gently shakes my arm. I look at his concerned expression "Wolfy's awake", I explain. He nods understandingly. To my amazement we were in front of his door, the key in it's hole ready. I push the door open impatiently and throw myself on the bed, I'm that tired I don't even care if the sheets are stained. Ryan follows, drops the keys on his desk and grabs a plate next to it and places it by me on the bed before sitting down gingerly. "Eat babe, you look rough as hell" his face clouded again with concern. I sigh and prop myself up on my elbows wondering how I'm going to play this off, Ryan doesn't stop until he gets the truth, but I myself am not ready to hear the truth, let alone tell someone else- no matter how close we are. "look Ryan" I sigh heavily "I-I can't get into this right now. It's been a lot. I need your trust that I am okay. Please, it's just been everything. The past few days, it's brought back the flashbacks. It's hard. You know I love you, you're my best friend-" I start to sob and Ryan scoots over to hug me. I sob uncontrollably in his arms until I fall asleep.