The Red Wolf

Aria Pendragon

Aria blinked a few times and felt an instant headache as fluorescent lights flooded her vision. Confusion hit her, quickly followed by pain as she tried to move. She winced and stilled her body. Glancing around, she was in the nicest hospital room she had ever seen. The walls were a light gray instead of white. Shelves and books lined the walls with comfy chairs positioned in all the right spots. Her bed was an actual bed with metal rails. To her left was the classic sink and a cabinet that held what she assumed was medical supplies. A regular beeping sound was coming from a monitor to her right and a slow drip fed the IV that flowed down to her wrist. Clean and taped up.

Voices filled the hallway outside but she couldn't make out what was being said. She recognized Kadens smell immediately. The voices stopped and her bedroom door flung open. In walked her mate. As fresh and beautiful as ever. The only clue to his worry was the purple under his eyes. Indicating his lack of rest. Noticing she was awake, he quickly made his way to her side. He reached for hand and she opened it without hesitation. He had saved her life. Risked the lives of his people for her. They barely knew each other but it somehow felt like they've known each other forever.

Tingles erupted as their skin touched and she squeezed his hand in reassurance that she was ok.

"What happened?" Her eyes widened at how course and broken her voice sounded.

"They're gone. All but the Beta. He is in the Dungeon for questioning but has refused to talk. Nobody will hurt you again." Aria tried to sit up further and he quickly grabbed a pillow to prop behind her.

"I don't understand why anyone would want me. They've had years to capture me, so why am I being targeted now?" A shadow fell over Kadens face as he thought about her question.

"We will summon the elders. I believe it has something to do with your mark little witch. And the fact that your powers are making themselves known." He looked down at her hand and started rubbing little circles into her palm. She fought the urge to purr at the tingles. "If it wasn't for your witch powers, I would've lost you.....you killed an alpha...by yourself. No training or knowledge on fire magic at all."

Aria tried to remember what happened. The ring...she looked at her hand and there it shown. "The ring....I think the ring helped me harness it. It was a gift from my mother I assume. It was found on me when I was abandoned. I know it sounds crazy..."

Kaden smiled and looked up at her. "In our world, crazy is normal." He lifted her hand and looked at the ruby shining bright on her finger. A frown replaced his smile as he took in the intricate designs.

"May I?" He asked. Aria nodded and he slid the ring off her finger. The vines loosening to allow an easy release. He turned it over and studied the symbols inside the band.

His eyes widened as he looked at her and then back at the ring. "Aria....you're a Pendragon. The symbol under the base is the house crest. I thought they had all been wiped out but....this is their crest."

A laugh escaped her throat at what he said. "That's impossible!" She knew of the Pendragons. Everyone in the Witch community did. Thirty years ago they were the most powerful family in the witch world. They carried one of the purest witches lines that stretched back to the beginning. But the entire family and line disappeared abruptly. Their home and village was always a secret but had been found out and attacked. By what, nobody knows. Friends arrived to a burned down village with no remains.

"Its impossible." she said again. "Someone would have told me. They would have recognized the symbol at the witchery. Pendragon is a huge name in the witching world. It must be a mistake."

Kaden pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of the crest under the stone before returning the ring to her hand. "Let's not worry about it right now. Ill send a picture to one of the elders and he can confirm or deny it. Until then, you need to rest in preparation for your shift."

Her shift....Aria completely forgot about it. Now that she thought about it, Elaina has been really quiet since she woke up. She could sense her but it was almost like she was sleeping.

"Elaina?" Kaden nodded his head.

"She's OK. The doctor gave you a small concentrate of wolfsbane mixed with herbs to help her sleep. To prevent your shift. Had you shifted, you would've died. My wolf got her permission. She will wake up when youre healed." Aria just stared at him. Wolfsbane was toxic to wolves....it could kill them. "You poisoned my wolf?!" He seemed a little startled by her question but quickly gained his composure.

"I promise you. She is fine. I would never intentionally hurt you or your wolf Aria. You are my mate....my queen." Aria felt her throat constrict at that. His Queen?? So soon? Is this the power of the mate bond. The connection was overwhelming but in a good way. Being a loner her whole life, she didn't have much experience in the dating world. Let alone be someone's Queen.

"I'm afraid I may be a disappointing queen." she said quietly. "I don't know anything about it. I am weak, I don't even know who I am." His finger landed on her lips, shushing her. Her body tingled all over from his touch. Thankfully she was able to suppress the moan that tried to escape.

"You are perfect. You will learn everything you need to learn in due time. And weak? Little Witch, you are anything but weak. You took out an Alpha without being in a wolf form. You have trained in combat. Once you're shifted and we have mated, your power and strength will grow. My whole clan will be behind you." Aria felt her cheeks flush red. Mating with the King of Lycans.

Reaching her hand up to cup his cheek, she pulled his face closer to hers. He didn't resist. She couldn't take it anymore. She wanted to taste him, to feel him on her in some way. The air in the room changed. Anticipation and want surrounded her.

His lips softly touched hers and this time she didn't suppress the moan that escaped. It was like their lips were made for each other. He let her explore, and take her time. He leaned farther overtop of her, careful of her wounds. She wanted more and he instantly responded. The kiss deepened and became hungry. She felt his hand slide up her neck and behind her head. The other hand slid down over hospital gown. Down and down it went. He paused at her breast, n*****s already erect, asking for permission. She quickly nodded before resuming their kiss. She couldn't get enough of him. Her body was exploding with tingles everywhere his hand touched. His hand gently pinched her n****e and she gasped in pleasure. She wanted him to go lower and wriggled beneath him. A smile formed over his lips and his hand slowly made its way further down.

His hand paused at sound of urgent knocking. He growled and gently climbed off of her. Much to her disappointment. He laughed at her face before heading to the door. Aria quickly straightened her gown and pulled her blanket up to her chest to hide the fact she wasn't wearing a bra.

The door opened and behind it stood an older man with graying hair and soft blue eyes. He was short and kind of frumpy looking but the white coat he wore told her he was the pack Dr. The name tag on his pocket read Dr. T. Nothing else. How strange. He gave a small bow to his King and walked into the room. If he knew what had been going on in here, he didn't show it. He walked up to her side and checked the IV machine before turning to her and pulling his stethoscope out.

"How are you feeling today Miss?" Aria swallowed as the cold stethoscope slid under her gown to listen to her heart.

"I feel ok. Really sore." He nodded that he heard her and removed the stethoscope and replaced it around his neck. He checked the bandage on her torn shoulder and nodded in approval at its healing. A man of few words it seemed. Kaden watched intently. His every move. A loud beeping rang from his pocket and he frowned as he read the caller I.D. Giving her a small smile, he excused himself from the room to answer it.

Aria felt emptiness fill the room. She hated this dependent feeling when it came to him. It was like all her sense left when he was around her. The Doctors words Interrupted her thoughts.

"You're going to be sore for a few days but youre healing nicely. I need you to take it easy. You're free to get up and walk if you feel like it, but don't over exert yourself. You should be fully healed within the week. Sooner if the King marks you." Arias eyes widened at that.

"Mark me? What do you mean?" He looked puzzled at her question but answered none the same.

"You're mates, are you not? Mates mark each other to seal their bond to one another. In the human world, they call it marriage. In our world, it strengthens the pack and the two who do it. The mark is usually performed during mating." He said it all so casually and Aria knew her face was beat red. Thankfully Kaden walked back in. She couldn't read his face but was happy to see him.

The Doctor spoke a few words to him before leaving. Closing the door behind him.

"Whats wrong?" Aria asked at his silence.

Kaden took a seat beside her bed and reached for her hand once again.

"That was the elder that called me. The one I sent your ring too. He confirmed the symbol. Your name is Aria Pendragon."