I've been in and out of consciousness trying desperately to keep myself awake, I never felt myself hit the ground and my head feels disoriented, feeling like I'm still walking as my eyes are met with the forest trees every time I open them.

My hands twitch involuntarily as I become aware of the soft fur underneath them, moving my head slightly which is also resting against the same soft surface.

The realization hits me and my eyes widen as best they can in my rough state. I lift my head up slightly instantly being met with a dull pain in my temple. My heart begins to race, its rapid beats echoing in my ears as all the memories that happened only a few moments ago come rushing back.

The giant wolf being one of them.

My eyes finally zeroed in on the massive beast beneath me, and I only now realize I'm being carried on its back. The initial panic that surged through me almost urged me to scream, but the feeling of blood rushing to my head quickly silenced that impulse. That and the oddly comforting scent my nose is picking up doesn't help as I once again lose consciousness.

I woke moments later, all movement had stopped and the comforting sensation of soft fur beneath me was replaced by what I could only assume was a blanket. My head lolled to the side, eyes squinting as I tried to make sense of what's around me. Everything seemed like a blur but I could tell I was no longer in the forest.

My body feels on fire, every nerve inside me burns with any small movement I make. Waves of discomfort roll through me, the wound on my thigh pulsing in pain as I try to remain awake. Whoever decided to crank up the heat in here needs to stop. This is too overwhelming. I know it's not the best description, but when you're feeling like a human furnace, poetic descriptions tend to take a back seat.

The sound of footsteps catches my attention and I snap my head towards the sound causing a wave of dizziness to wash over me, blurring my vision with black spots.

I hadn't even noticed I blacked out until I felt a shooting pain on my thigh causing me to inhale sharply. My eyes snapped open, landing on a man in front of me.

His bright yellow eyes stood out to me as I tried making out the rest of his face but failed to do so. The crackling fire behind him and his glowing yellow eyes were the only thing I could focus on as the rest of his face remained blurry. I felt utterly spent, my body felt heavy with the comforting scent that surrounds me and it aches every time I so much as move an inch.

My breath stuttered, a small whine slipping out of me as he pressed on my wound, and I can't even begin to describe the searing pain that came next as he poured liquid on the gash. I've gotten worse wounds before but nothing comes close to the intense pain I'm feeling right now.

I could feel it spread throughout my body and my eyes rolled back as I fell unconscious.

...

"I got it from here alpha. I'll keep you updated."

The sound of receding footsteps brought me back as I attempted to open my eyes only to be blinded by the bright light above me. Distant beeping and faint voices confused me further.

My fingers twitched, my mind beginning to race with countless thoughts and questions.

To say this night has been a fucking roller coaster is an understatement, how could so much happen in only a few hours. My life has completely changed in one day and I haven't even had the time to process anything.

"You're awake." A soft voice catches my attention.

I hadn't even realized I'd been staring at the ceiling just now, my body too tired to even flinch at the sight of a lady coming into view.

I took the chance to look around, the beeping sound coming from the monitor next to the bed I'm currently on, gave me the hint that I might be in a hospital. That and the IV that's currently gauged in my arm was hint enough.

My eyes scanned the room questioningly before landing on the lady next to me. Her hair caught my attention first-almost a black color but with a subtle purple tint that shimmered under the fluorescent hospital light. Perched on her nose were a pair of glasses, the frames clear and complementing her face.

I noticed her attentive gaze and the gentle smile at the corners of her mouth as I studied her further.

"Where am I?" My voice came out groggy, my throat desperately in need of water.

"Wakefield hospital." She replied, "Here." As if reading my mind she passed me a cup of water which I gratefully took.

"Wakefield?"

She gave a small nod "We found you just a mile away from here. You passed out from blood loss but I was able to stitch up the wound before it got any worse."

My eyebrows furrowed, once again everything came rushing back to me. My death sentence, the giant wolf carrying me on its back after it let me go,... the man.

"Was anyone else with me... a man maybe?" My question comes out hesitantly.

Her eyes widened slightly "No... No I'm afraid not."

I racked my brain for any answers, was I hallucinating? So much was going on I can barely remember half of it and forcing myself to think about everything that happened gives me a headache.

She cleared her throat while grabbing a pen from her pocket. "I'm going to ask you a few questions if that's ok?"

I gave her a nod, the throbbing pain in my head only convincing me to leave that for later.

"What's your name?"

"Aria Quinn." I answer, watching her plot down my name on her clipboard.

"Do you have any family or a home?" She continues

I take a breath, flashes of the events from only a few hours ago pass through my mind and it hits me.

I have no one.

"No." I rake my fingers through my messy hair. "No. I don't have a home."

I had a home, if you could even call it that. But it was enough for me, it's better than having nothing and now I have nothing and I just- I...

She gives me a look of understanding, placing her clipboard down. "We'll Wakefield has plenty of cabins you can rent out," she explains, her tone warm and reassuring. "I could give you the information for one that might let you stay for a month without charge to let you get settled in. It should be enough time to look for a job too."  She finished.

A month?! My eyebrows furrowed at the odd deal and I became weary.

"I don't think I'll be staying long anyway..." I spoke hesitantly.

"Oh... I don't think it's a good idea to leave so early in your condition." she said, "it would take at least two months for you to fully recover."

Ok she's bullshitting me right? "Two months? For a small stab wound?" I restated, looking at her questionably.

It's not that I don't trust her...actually I don't. I don't trust anyone, don't blame me for being hesitant. I guess living in a cultish town where anyone could stab you in the back does that to you.

"Small? Aria your wound looked to be almost infected and with the way your body reacted so negatively to it should say enough." She stated

I studied her carefully. Over time, I've learned to gauge people's intentions by their demeanor. With my experience growing up and being surrounded by negative people all my life, I've learned to pick out the good ones.

Her presence alone gives me a sense of comfort only a true doctor would. Unlike the greedy assholes in my town who probably weren't even trained enough.

That alone isn't enough to get me to stay and just as I'm about to say it out loud my mouth shuts tight and I'm unable to get the words out.

Oh right, that's called hesitating.

You know that gut feeling you get before making a wrong choice? Except all I could feel is a pull in the center of my chest when I even so much as think about leaving.

"I guess I could stay until I'm fully healed." I gave in reluctantly. The pull loosened slightly, but I could still feel it. Urging me to do more, only I have no clue what it wants me to do.

The way her eyes lit up slightly only made me more weary and I ignored the content feeling in my chest when I made my decision.