“Your parents were... Oh, I see... I’m sorry, baby girl. Did they belong to a pack?”
That question again. Somehow, I feel that’s what Tonia really wants to know. If I belong to a pack, and if that’s the case, which one. I’m pretty sure it’s Damian who wants to know where I come from, and I don’t like it. Why does he want this information for? Before I can answer, Bobo suddenly gets up, turning his head in a new direction. I thought there was something, but as I follow his gaze, I realize it’s Nathaniel Black coming to us, with his usual gentle smile. He has a motorbike helmet under his arm. Since his shirt is slightly unbuttoned at the top, I can see the crescent moon tattoo he wears on his chest, the same as Damian. I figured it’s a common thing within the Blood Moon Clan, since Tonia has one, too, though smaller, on her arm.
“Hello, guys. I took a small detour to come to check up on you. How is our princess feeling today?”
I give him a smile as an answer. It’s not the first time Nathaniel has come to visit me since I woke up. He never stays long, but he always displays a friendly smile and will talk to me about anything but himself. I have noticed that he just likes to inquire about my tastes, like my favorite colors, or my personal tastes. Like today, he hands me a small carton box, and when I open it, it turns out there are four delicious-looking French canelés inside. I love those!
“Glad you like it, princess. You really have a thing for French cuisine, don’t you?”
I nod and thank him silently. Somehow, I’m a bit more comfortable around him now. Maybe it’s because he’s always acting extremely nice to me, bringing me gifts like these and all, but I somehow got used to talking to him, forgetting who he is.
“Really? Well, next time I’ll invite you to my restaurant then, you can try it all to tell me your thoughts on our menu. Deal?”
“Oh, the Boss will love the idea,” says Tonia, with a mistrusting look.
But Nathaniel doesn’t seem intimidated at all. He just winks at me, as if we were now sharing some secret, making me blush. Gosh, why is he so handsome, too! His mid-length hair gives him a wild and juvenile look, and his blue eyes must have all the girls fawning over him. He may not be as breathtaking as Damian, but he still is very attractive–and yes, I do realize my judgment is most likely totally clouded by my wolf-self. But he’s more angel-like beautiful, while Damian is the devilishly handsome type.
“Nora, I actually came to tell you that you’ll probably be able to leave the hospital soon.”
What? Really? That’s great! When will that be, and why do I have to wait again? I frown to show him I’m a bit curious about this delay since no one will explain to me.
“Don’t worry, I assure you it will be pretty soon. I...”
But then he stops talking and grabs a smartphone. Oh, it must have been vibrating. He answers it in front of me while I take one of my canelés to start eating it. This is so good!
I take one to give it to the siblings. Tonia frowns and declines it -I’ve learned that she’s not too fond of anything sweet or sugary by now-, but Bobo happily gulps it all in one go.
“Yes, yes, understood. No, wait, brother. I’m actually with Nora, do you want to talk to her?”
I suddenly raise my head. Damian? Is that Damian on the phone? I look at Nathaniel with eyes full of hope, but he suddenly gives me a sorry look and hangs up. Wait, what?
“Sorry, Nora, he is... busy. But you’ll see him real soon, okay? I have to go now. Tonia, Bobo, take good care of the princess, okay?”
He puts his phone back in his pocket, and he just leaves like that in a hurry. But while watching his hand, I saw it.
A stain of fresh blood on his sleeve.
Back into my room sometime later, I’m still thinking about it. Was that real blood? Gosh, I know it was, I’ve seen blood like a million times; how could I be mistaken about that? But I just can’t help but wonder about it. Like, how did he get it on his shirt; what was he doing before coming here?
I’m not naive. I know werewolves get into fights, and it’s not pretty. But the Jade Moon Clan was never very aggressive, so I’ve seen very few fights so far. We usually stand our ground and stay away from trouble. But everyone knows how bloody the Blood Moon pack is... How could they have gone from the shadows to domineering half of the city unmatched? They have wiped out an entire clan overnight.
And the leader is Damian Black.
I usually try to not think about my mate, as he is still a big, intriguing mystery to me. We barely talked, and I know next to nothing about him. Do I want to know more? I can tell from my only meeting with him that he is as frightening and dangerous as the rumors say. Any werewolf could tell he is the ultimate Alpha material, made to dominate people into submission. Tonia calls him the Boss, and even Nathaniel acts differently around him. They are very clear about this position toward him. What about me? How do I fit in this picture as his mate?
“Nora? Everything okay, baby girl?”
I’m sitting against the window, lost in my thoughts. I completely forgot about the book on my lap. Tonia seemsconcerned, and even Bobo won’t pretend to sleep. I just nod and smile faintly before resuming my reading.
It’s been a few days now.
Bobo takes me every day to the small courtyard, but we didn’t hear from Nathaniel or Damian anymore after that day. My throat is a lot better, as I can now make some sounds and speak in a soft voice. Almost all of the medical equipment has left my room now, and I should do the same sometime soon.
Then, one night, I suddenly woke up.
I just felt it. That state of nervousness, grasping me from the inside. I instantly knew he was near. The room was completely dark, but I knew it. Sitting up, I reached my hand out in the dark, and I felt his fingers grasping mine.
“You okay?” He whispers with that deep voice of his.
