Chapter 3:

Sahara's POV:

I awoke in the morning feeling much better. The pain in my ribs had reduced to just a small ache, and I could move my wrist without much pain. I was a little bit stiff but it was nothing that I little walking around could not fix. Sitting up I quickly ripped the IV. Wincing at the pain. I walked around the rather large room. There was a huge window that had its curtains drawn. I opened them and my heart soared at the sight. The Appalachian Mountains were sprawled out in front of me.

It was one of the most beautiful things that I had ever seen. The mountains were covered in hundreds of different colored leaves. It looked like a snapshot on a postcard. Fall was in full swing, and I stared to realize all that I was missing. If, no, when I got back I would be behind on work, something that I could not afford. I had to maintain my 4.7 GPA it would be my only way in to college. Well it and my 35 ACT score. My father thought that buying me clothes was a waste of money. He would never pay for college. He had actually bragged about spending my college fund one night while slapping me silly.

I turned around quickly when the door creaked open. The nurse from last night was standing in the doorway.

"Oh my, you're out of bed." She exclaimed almost dropping the tray that she was balancing in her left hand. "You must be starving."

I nodded my head at her. All 0f the adrenaline that had been pumping through my veins yesterday was gone now and it had left me scared and nervous. The fighter that had been present last night was now gone. It was most likely for the best. I was less likely to be hurt if I acted sweet and delicate. Rebels were loud and drew attention to themselves. When your goal was to not be touched not being a rebel was the cardinal rule. My father had instilled that ideal in me. While this did not apply all of the time, he hit me more often when I acted against him.

The nurse brought the tray over to the seats that were arranged around a coffee table. There she sat down in one of the chair and place the food on to the table.

"Come on dear, sit down, eat, tell me about yourself." She told me, patting the seat next to her.

I sat down and began to eat the soup and sandwich that she had given me. It was very good. The soup was rich and creamy.

"Thank you very much. This is wonderful," I thanked her.

"You're very welcome. Tell me about yourself." She insisted.

"Is there anything in particular that you would like to know?"

"Well one thing, do you have a boyfriend?"

"No, never, there wasn't the time with school and work, and I can't imagine what my father would do if he found out."

"Yes, your father, I'm extremely sorry about that."

"It's ok. I have been dealing with it for a while now, so I'm kind of used to it."

"Dear, Ryker will make sure that you never have to go through that ever again."

"Who is this Ryker? Everyone who I have met here mentions him."

"You will meet him in due time, but on that note I must go. Please get some rest dear, you will need it. The next few days are going to be I little chaotic, but Ryker will keep you safe." With that she left, leaving me confused and just a little bit scared.

Ryker's POV:

Over the fifteen hours that I had been in her general vicinity, my wolf had become in tune to everything about her. He was completely enthralled with her. I was informed the second that she woke up, my overprotective and overbearing wolf was very informative in all things relating to Sahara. He was constantly challenging me for dominance so that he could go and see her. It was borderline obsessive, and it was about to drive me nuts.

I hadn't gotten a wink of sleep with all of his constant updates on how she was sleeping and every second that her breathing pattern changed, God, I thought that there was a rouge attack. When she did wake up he was frantic. He couldn't bear to be more than 15 feet from her. I heard every bit of her conversation with the nurse. The second that she said that she did not in fact have a boyfriend, my wolf's heart soared. He almost gained control and ran into the room.

"You can go in and see her if you want to. She's been asking about you." She told me nonchalantly.

It made my wolf's heart soar, and mine too, surprisingly. For the first time in what could have very well been the longest fifteen hours in my life, I let my wolf go. I gave him the reigns.

You earned it big guy.

Well it was about time.

Sahara's POV:

I had been looking out the window thinking about how I was to get home when a huge dog, more likely a wolf, walked into the room. He was huge, coming to the top of my hip bone. His coat was as black as night, and it created a striking background against two, seemingly familiar, silver eyes.

I had always loved animals. Before mom died, we had two golden retrievers and a cat name pumpkin, but once she was gone they were too much of a reminder. He couldn't be around them without letting out his anger on anything close. I had to get rid of them. I couldn't put my dad through that anymore. I was reminder enough. At the time I thought that it might be a good thing for me too, but when they were gone suddenly all of his furry was directed at me. The beatings got worse.

The big black animal walked forward whining, if sensing my distress. I reached out so that he could smell my hand. He sniffed it, and then quickly pushed his head into my hand. His fur was soft and very thick. His head was huge, too big to be a dog's. He must be a wolf. I petted him behind his ears; he let a deep sound in his throat. I backed away quickly thinking that he hadn't wanted me to pet him there. He whined again and moved closer to me again. I scratched his chin, and he made the same sound again, closing him eyes.

"You like that boy?" I cooed at him, "Don't you?"

He waged his tail. His eyes stayed closed. He laid down on the floor and I sat down next him scratching him tummy. I stared to get tired again. I didn't feel awake enough to stand up and go to the bed. I put my head on the large dogs shoulder and closed my eyes. As I was drifting off to sleep, I felt him wrap around me, folding me into his warmth.