The Reason

Chapter Three

“When will she wake up? Will she be alright?” I heard voices saying with the sound of footsteps. I slowly opened my eyes, being blinded by the bright lights that felt like it was all over me, but after opening my eyes it was the light on the ceiling. I looked around to realize that I was in the pack doctor's office with Em, Mom, and dad there. Dad was giving me a disappointed look, so I looked away. Mom left to get the doctor.

“Good to see you awake again” our pack doctor, Cam, had said. Then Em put his arms around me like an overprotective parent or maybe sibling, or even a mate. I have loved Em for years but I knew about the mates and how we would find the one we were meant to be with after our first shift. I looked up as I heard him speak.

“Don’t scare me like that again, do you understand me?” Em orders like he is now the alpha of the pack. I only nodded as I rested my head on his chest because I knew he wouldn’t like me to go. I knew him long enough that it would be hard to let him let go of me.

“Winter you will be here for a week or two to let the wounds heal,” Cam said, and we nodded. Em climbed into the bed that I was lying on and kept me close to him. I felt tired and I guess he noticed because he told me to sleep. I fell asleep in his arms and chest.

When I woke up again for the third time today, Ember was cuddled next to me while still sleeping. I smiled at how cute it was. It didn't take him long to wake up. Finally getting the chance to talk to him, I asked “ why were you ignoring me today?” he sighed, “I guess it's time to tell you, My father is sending me to an Alpha camp so I can learn how to be a better alpha.” I swallowed sharply. “ You're leaving, when?” I said holding onto him. He nodded, “ In three weeks, at least we will turn sixteen together, though” I only nodded, our birthdays were a week apart.

We stayed quiet for a while as he would be leaving and I had no idea when I'd see him again. I held onto him. I didn't want to lose my best friend. I felt tears leave my eyes crying again.

“Do you have to go?” I asked, burying my head in his chest. “Sadly I do, dad isn't giving me a choice.” I held him tighter, “ how long will you be gone?” I asked choking on my words. “I'll be back after my 21st birthday.” I looked at him. “So you're not gonna be here for your first shift?” I almost jumped up. He looked down at me sadly, “ No, not unless I can sneak away.” I sat there silently.

“Are you going to sneak away?” I asked, wondering, asked, wondering if he would. He held me closer and kissed my forehead. “Maybe I don’t know if I will, but if I do, then I'll let you know” I heard the hesitance in his voice, but still I gave him a reassuring smile and cuddled close to him.

Cam walked him and, sadly, Em had to go back home since it was after visiting hours. I sighed as I sat in the darkness alone. My mind is racing, thinking so many thoughts, finally getting the better of me. I started silently crying. Em is leaving me alone. I grabbed my phone and decided to text my mom, “ hey mom can you bring me some of my clothes?” not expecting a response. It's almost midnight and she is sleeping. Hopefully, in the morning, I will get a response from her and, hopefully, have some clothes so I can get out of this disgusting hospital gown.

This week went by super slowly. Luckily, Em visited a lot, even bringing me my homework and helping me with it. My mother ended up getting too busy to bring me clothes bring, so I had to stay in a hospital gown. Finally, Cam let me leave the pack doctors. The first thing I did was take a shower and put on fresh clothes. Everyone is running around the packed house. Then I realized. This weekend is our seventeenth birthday party.