Hidden Among Humans

Chapter 4

Two months had passed since the day I first shifted. I now sat in my office reviewing old archives that could shed light on the events that occurred the night my father was killed. The elders had withheld these records, but as Alpha, they had no choice but to obey. So far, I have not learned anything new, but something here would lead me to the truth. I just knew it would. As I sat there reading over the archived, only one thing stood out. Why had the royal family come to visit our humble pack? It was not like we had much to offer, at least not to the royal family.

After countless hours of reading, an answer did not reveal itself. I thought a second glance would help catch something I had missed the first time. But as time went on, the words only became a blur. If that was not enough, the same accursed image came back to haunt me, forcing me back to the days I spent at the hospital.

When I first woke up at the hospital, I felt like I had been trapped in that burning inferno for months, maybe even years. I was shocked to realize it had only been one week. But that week was an eternity of a living hell. I would stare at my hands, waiting for them to fall off. The experience had been surreal, that I couldn’t understand how I was sitting there intact. But it was strange, I felt different, something inside of me was missing and my mother knew it as well.

“You’re fine, everything is normal,” she looked at me with a smile, but she could not hide that look in her eyes. She was definitely worried about something. “This means your affliction is of another nature. It will take time but at least we know where to start.” She had kept me in the hospital to run every test she could come up with. Once she ran out of tests, she had no choice but to see it my way.

“Mom, is it necessary I feel fine now.” I jumped off the bed. “See, can I go home now?” She was skeptical of what I said but with no further scientific arguments to give, she let up. No human medicine would be fixing me now. This is a matter of our kind now.

“Alright son, but tomorrow morning, it’s midnight. I’ll have a nurse come in for one last blood draw, just to make sure.” I walked over and lifted her in the air with a simple hug.

“Can I at least go out for a walk? I feel trapped in this bed, you know I need to stretch my legs.” I continued to trap her between my arms.

“Alright, Alright, just let me down.” I let her down knowing I had gotten what I wanted. “But just a walk, got it?” She had lifted one finger in the air to make her point. I laughed as I imagined an outsider watching her waving her finger around. She only stood at about 5 feet 4 inches tall, I could sit on her if I wanted to.

“Yes, Ma’am. Mom, you should go rest, remember it's midnight,” I laughed before heading out the door. I hurried down the hall before she had the opportunity to change her mind. I was sure she would use her authority as an Alpha to get me back in bed if she caught me. The moment we returned home, we would start arrangements for the ceremony, where the change in Alpha’s would be official. For now, mom had all the power.

I made my way around the hospital halls, finally, I could stretch my legs. The hospital was as busy as I remembered it. Mom used to work here full-time when dad was still around. She had always wanted to help everyone; I think that’s what hit her the most. The person she wanted to help the most, she could do nothing for. She was the only one that blamed herself because no one else could. After all, no doctor could bring back the dead. If there was anyone to blame, it would be me. I only stood on the sideline as I watched the murder of my father.

I had made my way to one of the top floors when a peculiar scent caught my nostrils. I could not explain what it was, but I was drawn to it. I waited for the wolf inside of me to say something, but still, I felt nothing. Even when I felt nothing, I was drawn by the scent. I followed the scent down another corridor. Before long, I stood inches before another hospital door.

“Doctor, labs for from 201.” I overheard a nurse whisper into the doctor's ears.

“Poor girl, I still have no answers for her parents. I worry she will never wake,” he mumbles under his breath. But I had no problem hearing what he had to say. I walked closer to the room; the scent was invigorating. The door was left wide open, there a girl, still in high school, laid helplessly before me. The scent originated from her, but why was I so drawn to it? I stared for a moment until something compelled me to walk inside.

As I entered, I found a man and a woman sleeping on the couch. They seemed rather young to be her parents. Just by the room they were in, I could tell they came from a wealthy background. Even top-of-the-line care could not awaken this girl.

I made my way towards her side. I tried to resist to no avail. As I took a closer look, I knew I had seen this girl before. The day that I shifted, there was no doubt she was the same girl. Her face was pale with a warm beige still giving life to her face; a sleeping beauty at my fingertips. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to see her eyes open wide. Somehow, I knew she was the key. The key to what? I was not sure, but she was the key to something. I could feel it.

Immediately leaned in to whisper into her ear. I don’t know why I did it, something inside of me told me I should try.

“Wake up!” I watched her for a second and nothing happened. “I said wake up!” I repeated, but still nothing. “Damn it, can’t you hear me,” I began to get agitated as she remained still. “Wake the f*ck up!” I hissed, that’s when I heard a groan. I immediately scurried out before I woke the adults in the room. It would be difficult to explain why I was in there.

Still, I could not force myself to leave. I needed to see her one more time. Something told me I needed to see her eyes. I stood outside for a moment, waiting to see what would happen. That’s when I heard it, her voice was beautiful.

“What is this place?” She let out a faint whisper. Her voice sent me into a deep trance, repeating itself over and over again. I could not understand it. Then it caught me. The room number, 201, stared right back at me. What is possible? Could I have liberated her from her slumber? No, it must be a coincidence. I was only broken from that trance when the commotion began.

“Get me out of here!” Her voice rang in my head, something inside wanted me to help but I couldn’t. I had almost given in to my impulse, by sneaking a peak into the room. Just then, I saw the nurses rushing in. I took off just as the last nurse rushed right past me. I didn’t understand what was wrong with me. I tried shaking the thought of a return to the room. I told myself, I would be going home tomorrow and that’s all that mattered. This girl, she was not important, she did not matter. All that was left for me was to figure out why my darn wolf had disappeared.

All that mattered now was to take control of my pack and find the answers to that night. I will stop at nothing to destroy those who destroyed my life. No image of this girl would sidetrack me from my true goal. Either way, I will never be seeing her again.

As I walked towards my hospital bed, confused about the situation. But most of all, I struggled to remove her from my mind. It's fine, I thought, I wouldn't be crossing paths with her again. That night I tossed and turned in my sleep. She haunted my dreams.

“Alejandro,” I heard a voice in the distance, “Alejandro,” the voice became louder. “Alejandro!”

I jolted awake only to find my mom leaning over the side of the bed.

“Are you alright,” she asked.

“Yeah,” I yawned, “it was just a nightmare.”

“Well, if you’re ready we can head out,” a smirk crossed my face as she spoke. Finally, I was home free. “I just have to check out at the front desk.”

We made it down the corridor before we could reach the front doors, we heard a nurse call. “Dr. Villalobos, Dr. Villalobos. Dr. Villalobos." I laughed under my breath, knowing we had heard her quite some time ago, but she continued to call out, maybe out of habit.

“Dr. Villalobos, I am sorry to bother you, but Dr. Brown would like a consult.” She said as she gasped for a breath.

“I’m sorry dear, I am on my way out. I'm taking my son home. Dr. Stein is your full-time Rheumatologist, he would be happy to assist.” Mom replied with no hesitation. I could tell she wanted to help, but from time to time she knew when to say no.

“I know, but Dr. Brown…” the nurse tried to plea, to no avail.

“Dr. Brown needs to understand that my son was discharged this morning. My answer is no.” Her voice even scared me as she sternly addressed the nurse. The nurse looked down knowing Dr. Brown would not be happy. “Now if you excuse me.” We both turned to walk away before my mom turned back.

“Please call my assistant to schedule a consultation but be aware I have left strict instructions not to be bothered while my son is in recovery.” The nurse only nodded before heading back.

“Mom, you can't blame them, you are the best after all.” That’s when I heard the overhead speaker go off.

“Paging Dr. Stein to room 201. Paging Dr. Stein for room 201.” I turned back to find the same nurse speaking on the phone. It was for the girl in my dreams. Even as I was trying to leave, she followed me. Again that strange feeling returned. Why did I even care?

“Mom, maybe you should go, the last one before you leave,” I said as I continued to stare at the nurse.

“Dr. Stein is just as capable, right now you are my priority.” She said as she pointed to the overhead speaker. “Hey, are you okay?” she turned to find me still staring at the nurse. My mind mapped the fastest way back to her. I quickly erased it from my memory before I turned to face my mother.

“It’s nothing.”