Chapter Twelve.

I stayed still where I lay on top of the familiar hard mattress, a layer of fluffed pillows behind my back that propped my head up. I could feel a blanket wrapped around me and tightly tucked under my chin, the soft material lightly tickling the sensitive skin on my neck.

My head was lightly pounding and my shoulders seemed to throb with a dull ache. I was still somewhere between consciousness and unconsciousness as I could hear the faint movement around the room although it sounded far away; I could feel all of my limbs although I lacked the ability to move freely, open my eyes or speak. My throat was dry and I wondered if I had finally gotten my voice back.

I was slowly regaining all of my senses as I began to remember what had happened and how I ended up in the hospital bed again, after I remember leaving it.

I was getting flashbacks of the earlier events. It was as if I was reliving everything that happened behind my closed eyelids. I remember Jason and Oliver coming in to the hospital ward begging Logan to allow them to take me out and after much persuasion and communication through the pack link that I had not been able to hear Logan had agreed to let me go with them.

I could picture the beautiful waterfall that Jason and Oliver had shown me. Walking through the forest, climbing over logs and getting the shoes I wore dirty had all been worth it to stand in the clearing with the breath taking view of the waterfall. We had spent hours splashing water at one another before Oliver had decided that it was time to leave as I had begun to shiver, my lips had turned blue and my teeth were chattering against each other from the cold.

The scene turned ugly as Jason and Oliver surrounded me while they watched the forest around us. It had happened so fast that I had missed it with my human eyes. Jason had lunged forwards, shifting into a wolf the colour of golden sand as he tackled two wolves that had jumped into the clearing from nowhere. Oliver had run from where he had stood in front of me to stop the oncoming attacked of two more wolves; he had swung his fist into the jaw of one, knocking it into the other before he had shifted into his brown coloured wolf.

I had been left in the open, standing in the middle of the clearing frozen in shock. A heavy weight had knocked into me causing me to fall to the ground as I had screamed in both fear and surprise. The air had been stolen from my lungs as I had landed in a heap on the floor. I remember looking up in daze to see that a wolf stood over me, its grey fur mattered and covered in dirt and what looked like dried blood. I remember the feel of bile rising up my throat at the smell that the wolf had given off as drool fell from the corner of its mouth and onto my face.

A scream had torn its way through my throat as the wolf's paw lifted and wiped away the spit from my forehead, his claw had extended and cut across my forehead. It was as if I could still remember the feel of warm liquid as my blood trickled down the side of my face and into my hair. I began to squirm at the memory, where I lay in the bed, I was desperate to reach up and wipe away what felt like blood on my face. I couldn't move my hands and my attempt was weak and useless as they continued to lay limp at my side.

I remember a scream tearing through my throat, echoing within my ears. The wolf on top of me had risen onto its back legs before lowering himself down and onto my shoulders. His claws protracted and pierced the material of Oliver's jumper and the top I wore underneath it before my tender flesh fell to the same fate. It was as if I was screaming out loud remembering the pain that I had felt as its claws had made its way deeper into my skin; blood easily dribbled from my wounds and soaked my shirt and Oliver's jumper.

I had thrashed underneath him while my head lolled to the side to see that Jason and Oliver were each fending off two wolves that seemed to take turns lunging forwards and trying to bite the brother's flesh. These other wolves were also matted and dirty, the coats of Oliver's and Jason's wolf were glossy and well looked after.

My eyes had widened and a shriek had left my lips as I realised that the wolves were rogues, when Oliver had sneered the words it hadn't seemed real but as I saw the lost souls in front of me I knew that it was real and I was most likely going to die beneath the rogue.

"Esme," my name was being called from what seemed to be miles away.

I could feel pressure on my shoulders, dangerously close to my wounds as I screamed out loud in fear. My eyes opened on their own accord as I sat upright in the hospital bed. Logan was hovering over me; his eyes were filled with concern and his lips were parted as if preparing to call out to me once again.

I was gasping for air as my hands balled into shaking fists. I could feel my heart pounding as I allowed Logan to hold up all of my weight. I was relieved to see that he was there and it looked as if he was perfectly healthy.

I could vaguely remember the rogues being tackled and then a black wolf had stood over me. I hadn't noticed at the time as my mind had been consumed with nothing but a cloud of fear that had affected my judgement. As I remembered the wolf I realised that it had been Logan who had fought off the rogues and stood over me, he had protected me.

I was grateful for Logan as he had saved my life, even if it meant risking his own. I began to cry softly, warm tears ran down my face and my shoulders lightly shook. I didn't hesitate to wrap my arms around Logan's broad shoulders and pull him to me into a hug. I continued to cry on his shoulder as Logan pulled me towards him gently, his thick arms wrapped around my waist as he moved us easily so that I sat on his lap.

I didn't panic as I had expected I would at the close contact between Logan and I. I was wrapped in his tight embrace, as his entire body seemed to shield me from the world, protecting me from any possible harm. The electricity in the air between us seemed to crackle in my ears as I fisted the material of Logan's shirt on his shoulders. I began to slowly breakdown in Logan's arms.

I was battling with my emotions. Part of me wanted to give into Logan; to feel safe and protected and most especially to feel loved. I was feeling all of this while wrapped in Logan's warm embrace. But for the other part of me, It didn't matter how much I wanted to give in to the mate bond, to allow Logan in and see me for who I really was; I just couldn't let down the walls that I had spent almost all of my life building up.

The damage had been done and it was almost unfixable. I was just as broken as the glass that my dad had thrown against the wall on the day I had left. It was unfixable and it didn't matter how much glue was used or how long anyone spent of trying to put the glass back together it would never happen. It was sad to know the truth that I had been broken beyond repair and my dad had gotten what he wanted.

"It's okay Esme, you're safe now," Logan cooed softly in my ear as he ran his hand through the ends of my hair that was matted with knots. "Everything is going to be okay, I promise."

I wanted desperately to believe Logan and everything that he said but I couldn't as I knew the truth myself. I wasn't okay and everything wasn't going to be okay either. The rogue attack had proved to me that even when things seemed to be looking up, that there was some light in the dark world that I lived in, something would happen and it would be no better than it had been before.

"Why me?" I choked on a sob. Logan's arms tightened around me as his hand wrapped itself in my hair and gently guided my head to his shoulder where I buried my face in the crook of his neck.

My voice was still as rough as I had remembered it to be. The screaming that I had done moments ago didn't help the slow recovery but it was still better than it had been before the rogue attack. I hoped that I would have full control over my voice within the next few days; that it would be back to normal and the pain I felt every time I talked would soon be gone.

Logan didn't say anything as he continued to embrace me while I cried into his shoulder. I was giving in to the mate bond slowly but surely even if I didn't want to. The pull between us seemed to get stronger day by day and the more time we spent together the stronger it seemed to get. I knew that whether I liked it or not, I would soon be giving in to Logan and accepting him for who he was; an Alpha werewolf.

I had never had a boyfriend. My dad had never allowed me to make friends and I had learned from an early age that I would forever be a loner throughout my life. If I hadn't been allowed friends then I knew that I would never have been allowed a boyfriend; not that any boy had approached me in my seventeen years of existence. I had seen couples at school, holding hands, hugging and kissing acting without a care in the world. I was envious of their relationship as I had convinced myself that I would never have that.

I guessed that a mate would be similar to having a boyfriend. I had briefly spoken to my mum about mates and from what Logan had explained to me, I knew that if I ever accepted Logan, or when I accepted him, that he would be my first for everything. Logan would no doubt take my first kiss and my innocence.

I would have to get over my issues and my troubles and allow Logan the time to try and fix me no matter how useless I thought it would be. No one had ever taken the time to get to know me; I had never been asked how I was or how my day had been unless it was from my mum. I wasn't used to the kindness that everyone in the pack had to offer.

"Wait," my voice was panicked as I moved my face from where I had buried it in Logan's shoulder to look at him through my wet lashes, "what about Jason? And Oliver? Are they okay? Oh god."

I had been too caught up in my own thoughts and feelings to realise that I was being selfish. The last time that I had seen the twins was when they were protecting me and themselves from the threat of the rogues. I had seen them fighting two each. We had been outnumbered and I couldn't help but feel sick knowing that something could have happened to either of them.

The twins were easily becoming my friends. Jason and Oliver were the first two people that had taken the time and effort to get to know me even if I was distant and different. I enjoyed both of their company and the constant banter that went on between the two. They made me laugh and it was refreshing. The possibility that something could have happened to either of them made my heart ache.

"Esme," Logan soothed as he placed his large hands on each of my shoulders, his thumbs rubbing circles against the t-shirt I wore, "they are fine, not a scratch on either of them."

I let out a deep breath that I didn't even realise I was holding as I heard the good news that both Jason and Oliver were fine, that they hadn't been seriously hurt. The rogues had been vicious, I had seen the crazed glint in all of theirs eyes, they were wild and untamed, and seemed to have completely given into their animal side.

"They tried to protect me," I told him feeling a sense of pride for my new found friends who had risked their lives to try and protect me.

"They would protect you with their lives, we all would. You're my mate, my Luna as well as the packs Luna; it is instinct that they protect you with all they have," Logan told me sincerely as he lightly ran his hand up and down my back causing as shiver to run up my spin in the wake of his touch.

"What happened to the rogues?" I asked as I looked up at Logan once again. His chocolate coloured eyes seemed to bore into my own, as he searched my eyes for something.

"Four were killed and one was taken to the holding cells for questioning," Logan told me as he squeezed my shoulders gently. I closed my eyes as I allowed the information to sink in.

I had expected Logan to lie, to make up some excuse about letting them into the wild. I was pleased that Logan had decided to be honest with me but a little part of me wished that he had lied. The rogues may have been wild and untamed, their intent was to hurt us but they were still human beings trapped within the animal part of them. I didn't know if it was possible for a rogue who had given into their animal side to ever regain their human side.

I understood why Logan had to kill the rogues. If Logan hadn't killed them they would have surely killed us or caused serious damage. I also understood why Logan had one of the rogues in a cell somewhere, because it was obvious that they weren't stable enough to be let free as they would most likely have attacked others and their behaviour couldn't go unpunished.

It shocked me that I was slowly but surely becoming accustomed to the werewolf way of life. I was beginning to understand their actions and how they lived. It was as if they had their own set of laws that they lived by and minus the threat of rogues they seemed to live peacefully side by side. I was beginning to see the importance of a pack and the hierarchy within it. Everyone had their set role and importance within a pack that made it function so smoothly.

"I understand," I whispered as I reopened my eyes to see that he was already staring at me with such intensity that I shied away from his gaze and buried my face within his shoulder.

I was confused by the gesture as I openly instigated contact between me and Logan.

I was constantly at war with my feelings and I was beginning to grow tired of the constant battle that was raging within me. I was prolonging the inevitable but I still wasn't ready to welcome Logan with open arms and be the mate that he had waited so long for. Logan had already showed patience and I could only hope that he understood that I wasn't ready yet.

Before Logan could reply the door opened and in walked Doctor Luke who was closely followed by my nervous looking mum. My mum's eyes seemed to brighten as she saw me awake and cradled in Logan's lap with his arms protectively around me. She smiled widely as she made her way across the room until she stood in front of the both of us. I shuffled my body off of Logan's lap with his help as he lowered me on to the floor.

My mum wrapped her arms tightly around me in a hug as I wrapped my arms around her slender waist. I smiled into her shoulder and I breathed in her familiar flower smelling perfume. My mum was warm and comforting as I stayed in her embrace. I had seen the worry etched on her face that seemed to always be there whenever I saw her and I knew that she was tired and the constant worry she felt for me was not helping.

"I'm so glad you're okay." She whispered in my ear as she pulled away and held me at arm's length.

"Me too," I smiled softly at her.

"I was so worried about you. When werewolves began to run through the house and Gemma took me to this safe house I just knew that something was wrong and then Logan was running back like a crazed man with you unconscious in his arms." She shook her head from side to side as if she wanted to get rid of the memory.

I squeezed her upper arms gently letting her know that I was alive and safe. "I didn't mean to worry you mum. I'm alive thanks to Logan, he saved my life." A small smile made its way on to my face.

"He'd do it again and again," She whispered so low that I knew that I was the only one that had heard her despite the advanced hearing of the werewolves in the room.

My mum was right. Logan had saved my life more than once. The first time when he had allowed us to stay with him and his pack under their protection from my dad and again then when the rogues attacked out of nowhere. Logan was an overprotective mate and would no doubt save me over and over again if he had to.

"It's good to see you healthy and standing Luna," Doctor Luke told me with a warm smile before he turned to Logan who still sat on the bed, "If I may, I'd like to run some tests to see if everything is alright before the Luna can be discharged from the room."

"You may," Logan granted permission.

It no longer annoyed me that Doctor Luke asked Logan's permission to look over me as I understood why Logan was so protective over me. I was his mate and he was only looking out for me. Logan had my best interests at heart and I had to respect that the mate bond affected the both of us differently as I wasn't a full blooded werewolf so I only felt part of the connection.

A squeak escaped my lips as I felt large hands on my hips before I was lifted off of the ground and set back onto the bed with Logan at my side. I was released from his grip and he sent me a small smile. My mum was looking at the both of us with a huge grin on her face as she leaned against the bed next to mine whilst Doctor Luke began to run some test under the watchful eye of Logan who seemed to watch his every move.

"It seems that everything is perfectly fine, your wounds will heal in the next few days. If anything happens just come back to see me other than that you are free to leave." Doctor Luke told me with a smile.

"Thank you." I sighed in relief.

I was beginning to get bored of sleeping on the hard mattress, the white walls were beginning to make my eyes funny and the constant smell of disinfectant was giving me a headache. I didn't know where I would be staying though, I knew that my mum had a room within the pack house but I didn't know if I would too. I was Logan's mate and I had learned that the house I had first woken up in was his.

"Where will I be staying?" I asked.

I slid off of my bed to help my mum who was zipping my suitcases closed. I could see her looking at me out of the corner of her eye with a small smile on her face as I frowned a little. I was dressed in one of Logan's t-shirts and a pair of comfortable bottoms that I had woken up in.

Logan coughed from behind us as I turned where I stood to see that he was rubbing the back of his neck nervously where while standing by the hospital bed that I had once occupied. "You will be staying in a room in my, our house."