Far From Home

Chapter Nine - Night At The Infirmary

Lilly, are you there?

Yes Opal, are you ok? What is happening?

We were shot Lilly. The bullet was laced with wolfsbane.

Shit Opal, Liz was injured.

I smelled Ciera.

Cierra? My roommate? Why would she be at Harvest Moon? She’s not part of the pack.

I don’t know Lilly but we need answers. It’s time to wake up now.

Beep beep beep beep. I suddenly hear the sound of a heart monitor and my head feels like someone has me in a vice grip. I blink and try to move my arms but realize I’m covered in tubes and wires.

“Nurse! Doctor! She’s awake, come quickly, she’s awake!” I hear Ryan yell. He sounds exhausted. I must be in the infirmary. My eyes begin to focus and confirm that I’m definitely in a hospital bed. I try to speak to ask about Liz but my throat is dry and I have no voice.

“Shhh Lilly Pad, take it easy,” coaxes Ryan. I feel his hand grab mine. I hear footsteps and equipment trays and Opal confirms that we’re surrounded by healers.

“Miss Harris, I’m doctor Smith. Don’t try to speak just yet but nod if you can hear and understand me.” I nod and concentrate on focusing my eyes on the man speaking. Slowly but surely he comes into view and I am able to focus my vision.

“Lil, are you able to speak with Opal?” asks Ryan. I nod and everyone in the room collectively sighs in relief.

“That is excellent news Miss Harris. Your wolf should be able to speed in your healing now that the wolfsbane is out of your system. You gave us a scare for awhile there but you should steadily improve now,” the doctor explains.

I look over at Ryan and see that he is a disheveled mess. I want to ask him how long I have been here but I still can’t seem to find my voice. He looks at my face and seems to understand what I am asking.

“You’ve been out for three days Lilly. Liz is fine, she was also shot but the bullet hit her leg and the doctors were able to patch her up in no time. We didn’t get the shooter but Alpha Chris has one of the rogues in the cells and they’re going to get as much information out of him as they can. Trust me,” he pleads and I nod my understanding. Thank Goddess Liz is ok.

I want to convey that I could smell Ciera during the attack but every time I try to speak all I manage to do is produce a raspy groan. Ryan traces circles on my arms absentmindedly as he rubs them. Now more than ever I wish we were mates so I could mind link him. Frederick! I could mind link with him! I hope that he and Olivia are ok and I hope they visit me soon. And no sooner than the thought enters my head, it is like I will it into existence and he comes rushing through the door.

“Cousin! Thank Goddess you are ok!” he practically screams as he approaches me.

“Cousin, I can’t speak yet but I need you to convey a message for me to Ryan and Alpha Chris. During the attack I could distinctly smell my college roommate Ciera. Please tell them for me!”

Frederick turns to Ryan and relays my message. Ryan’s face contorts and fills with rage. He excuses himself saying he’ll go tell Alpha Chris and they’ll take care of it. Suddenly a wave of exhaustion hits me and I close my eyes for some rest.

Beep beep beep beep. The rhythmic sound of my heart monitor comes into focus as I wake. It’s dark outside now so I’m not sure if I’ve been asleep for a few hours or another day but I see a nurse in the room and I attempt to sit up so that she knows I’m awake.

“Hello Miss Harris. I’m glad to see you’re awake again. You should be feeling much better by our tests. Would you like to try to speak? I can bring some water for you,” she states more as a statement and less as a question. In fact, she is already out the door to fetch me the water she asked about. She returns quickly and I take the cup from her already feeling my strength returning. I drink the water like I’ve never tasted it before and it is the nectar of the gods which gets me a chuckle from the nurse. I clear my throat and slowly form the words I want to say.

“Thank you,” I manage to squeak out.

“Excellent! And you’re very welcome miss,” she replies. “The doctors and the Prince should be here shortly, I’ve let them know you’re awake,” she continues and I nod my understanding.

My body aches but in general I feel renewed and glad that I can speak again. Opal stirs in my mind.

We are almost fully healed Lilly. I am sorry I wasn’t stronger for you.

Opal, you more than likely are the only reason I am still alive. We are a team girl. And I feel her agreeing with me as my cousin the Prince and the doctor enter my room.

“Good evening Miss Harris,” begins the doctor. “I am satisfied with your progress and you may be discharged in the morning. The Prince will take care of your paperwork and please let us know if you have any questions or need anything in the meantime,” he explains with a smile.

“Thank you doctor,” I respond with a steadier voice.

“Yes, thank you and your team for taking care of our Princess. I will be sure to let the Crystal Moon Pack know of your part in her wonderful care,” Prince Frederick states. The doctor beams at him and leaves my room. He turns to me and informs me that we will remain in Harvest Moon tomorrow while he ties up some loose ends and that we will then travel to Crystal Moon the day after. I nod and wonder where Ryan is. Frederick tells me he will leave me to rest and see me in the morning. I close my eyes just for a moment and drift off back to sleep.

When I wake up again Ryan is asleep in the chair by my bed and I sit up an lightly kick his knee. He wakes with a start and rushes up to hug me.

“I’m so glad you’re ok Lilly Pad,” he sighs into me.

“Me too,” I respond.

“Let’s get you out of here!” he says while pushing my call button. A nurse rushes in and begins to unhook my monitors so that I can leave the infirmary. Ryan insists on carrying me back to the pack house and once we arrive we go straight to Gamma Stephen’s office. I’m barely in the door before I’m wrapped in a giant hug by Liz. Relief washes over me as I can finally confirm that she is in fact ok.

“Lilly! Thank Goddess!!” she practically screams.

“Liz, I’m so glad you’re ok!” I say returning her hug.

“Lilly,” Stephen interrupts, “I’m so sorry but please know we are doing everything we can to get to the bottom of this.” I nod and smile at him. Liz tells me that we’re spending the rest of the day being pampered before I set off for Crystal Moon and I don’t bother to argue with her. It will be a nice change of pace from they last few days and I’m happy to spend time with my friend before I meet the rest of my family. Just then I remember Frederick calling me a princess and I wonder just what my role in Crystal Moon will be. I’m suddenly very anxious and glad to have an afternoon of relaxation before I take the next step in finding out who I truly am.

Liz leaves me settled in my guest room for the night and I pull out my phone to text Ryan. He’s been busy all day checking on leads with his own pack regarding the attack. I’m sad that he won’t be traveling with me to Crystal Moon but I understand. My cousin explained that when a Royal shifts for the first time they form a strong bond with any other wolves there. Apparently there is normally a small ceremony with family and the chosen guard of the Royal shifting for the first time. Frederick seems to think that Ryan has taken my guard position and that is why we are so close. I could tell Ryan was a little upset by this information and it feels like he’s been avoiding me since finding out. But he quickly responds to my text saying that he’s just heading back to his room so I pull on my robe and head down to his room.

He answers quickly when I knock and I slip inside pulling the door close behind me. Even though he is disheveled and obviously exhausted he still looks like a god standing there. I wrap my arms around his waist and his body tenses at my embrace. I look up at him not understanding and he looks like he is about to cry.

“We can’t be together anymore Lilly. We’re not mates and it’s not right,” he says quietly. My heart feels like it’s literally breaking. My resolve is broken and I nod at him heading for the door. My enhanced hearing hears him say “I love you,” under his breath as I leave his room. I feel like I am walking away from the only person who has truly felt like home.