Chapter 5

Bright colors of orange and yellow danced in front of Ruby’s eyelids. There was some restraint when she attempted to open them. She managed to open them just enough to see her eyelashes and nothing more. Ruby tried to move her arms next, but her left shoulder felt as if someone had dropped a boulder onto it. She let out a yelp and attempted to move the other way instead. When she was met with her abdomen spasming in pain from the movement, it all came flooding back to her.

Tyson used me and then ordered me to be killed. Some mate.

Underneath her body at least felt soft, so she must have gotten to safety. How? She had no idea. Tyson most likely put out to all the packs that she was a traitor and should be killed on sight. He must have felt the wolves’ deaths, the ones she took down when they attacked her, through the pack bonds, making an even bigger target on her back. Tyson would not let that go unnoticed. Whoever would take her in would be signing their death certificate.

Footsteps creaked along the floor, and Ruby attempted to open her eyes again, but it was no use. She did not have the energy to open them since it was all being pushed into healing. The footsteps stopped next to her, the scent of baby powder wafted into her nose, and she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder first. She felt the person pull on something on her shoulder and realized it was tape. Feeling the stinging sensation of it pulling away from her skin was unmistakable.

“This wound is nearly closed now, but I suspected that it would. It was less severe than the other.” It was a man’s voice, warm and educated. He moved on to the one on her stomach, checking it by lifting tape like on her shoulder. “This one’s power may be subtle, but clearly at an Alpha level. This one will heal within the hour. Haven’t seen wounds heal this quick since Sims came to town.”

“He’s the one that found her just outside of the bar.” A female this time. Her voice seemed seductive, but pleasant. Her scent was harder to smell since the man was still next to her, and his scent overpowered the female’s. “Though he hasn’t asked about her since.”

“No need to come check on her; she’s been in good hands. I see you have redressed the wounds since I’ve been here.”

“Well I don’t want the poor thing to die on me. She fought off two pack wolves and killed them. That’s a bad enough time.”

The man chuckled, “I guess that is one way to look at it.”

“What should I do now?”

“Let her rest. When she wakes up, allow her to shower and get some food into her. She’s going to wake up hungry and most likely confused. Take it easy on her.”

“No chance of her waking up in attack mode? If she is powerful enough to heal within twenty-four hours after nearly bleeding out, after taking down two ranking wolves, she is strong enough to kick my ass.”

“She will wake up from a sedation. Her wolf will still be asleep when she wakes up, so she will be a little groggy. You’ll be fine.”

A door closed, and the scent of baby powder within the room lessened. The female’s footsteps left the room, but Ruby could still hear her within the vicinity. Ruby knew from the male’s words that Scarlett was asleep. That knowledge scared her more than anything, but it seemed as though the female was not an enemy. If this person wanted her to die, she would not have taken care of her.

Though that may not mean anything. I don’t know these people. I don’t even know where I am. If I want to survive, I can’t relax and trust everyone I meet.

Ruby thought it would be best to try to open her eyes. They were still heavy from the sedation, but she managed to open them long enough to take a small inventory of the room. She noticed an IV pole with a standard fluid, she was on a normal bed, and there was a dresser and closet. After a few minutes with her eyes shut, Ruby did it again. This time she managed to see just outside of the door. There was a hallway, and at the end of it was another door.

I think I am in an apartment. This female brought me to her home? I don’t think a single wolf on the West Coast would do that for a stranger.

It felt as if time moved at a snail’s pace to Ruby as she waited for the sedation to completely wear off. She would try to move her fingers or open her eyes every few minutes in hopes that would be, and each time she failed, she groaned. After about the fifth time, the female walked into the room. An overwhelming scent of cherries filled the room.

Well, let’s see if she is still happy about me being alive.

Ruby moved her fingers again, this time she was able to move her wrist as well.

“Oh. You are waking up! I will get to work making food. Are you able to talk? If so, let me know what I can make you!”

Ruby moved her lips, but her throat burned as she tried to expel air to reply. Even if she wanted to tell this female what she would like to eat, there was no way she would be able to just yet. The female retreated from the room, and Ruby could hear pots and pans falling onto the floor and a fridge open. Before she knew it, Ruby could smell garlic, butter, onions, red meat of sorts, potatoes, and corn. Her mouth watered at the delectable scents, and she found herself rolling onto her right side. No pain accompanied the movement, so Ruby knew she was healed. However, she felt a pinching sensation on her hand. Ruby’s eyes flew open and looked at her left hand. That’s when she noticed that the IV still remained attached to her hand, and she was dressed in a pair of loose-fitting pants and a large shirt.

Should I just take this out of me? I can’t hurt myself too bad by doing that, right?

The smells from the food continued to waft inside of the room, making Ruby nearly drool. With no further second guessing, Ruby ripped it out of her skin and slowly made her way into the kitchen. She wobbled as she walked, so she held herself up with a hand on the wall. The hallway was narrow with white painted walls. The bathroom was on the right just outside of the bedroom, and then there was another bedroom on the left. When Ruby continued down the small hallway, there was another door on the right. That appeared to be the living room with a couch, two end tables, and a TV above a stand with a cable box and internet router. The kitchen was in the back of the large room as a shared space. The stove was in the corner of the room followed by a line of cabinets on the top part of the wall and underneath a counter. At the end of the counter was the sink, and wedged in the other corner was the fridge. A small table with two chairs was in the middle of the shared space against the wall with the TV.

The female was standing with her back to Ruby as she cooked on the gas stove. She had long, black, wavy hair that reached the middle of her back. Her skin was lightly tanned as if it was her natural skin color and not sun-made. Even at a distance, Ruby knew the female was shorter than herself. She was wearing a pair of light jean shorts that barely covered her ass and a yellow tank top. Her cherry scent mixed with the savory flavors of the meal she was currently cooking, and it made Ruby’s stomach growl so strongly it could give Scarlett a run for her money.

It startled the female, causing her to jump and turn around. “Oh, you’re fully awake now!” There was some hesitancy and a quick flicker of fear in her voice. “Was that your wolf or you?”

I’m not that scary, am I? Ruby thought to herself before pointing at herself since her throat still felt as dry as a desert.

“Silly me, I meant to put a big glass of water by your bed for when you woke up. Nick’s sedatives always seem to make your throat beyond dry.” The female quickly opened up a cabinet, grabbed a tall glass, then went to the fridge, and poured water into it from what looked to be a filtered container.

Ruby sat at the table in the time that the female got the water for her. The female held out the cup, and Ruby noticed that her hand trembled a little. Ruby moved slowly, so as not to frighten the poor woman, took the cup from her hand, and downed the contents. The coldness of the water made her throat burn, but it tasted too good for Ruby to care. When the cup was empty, Ruby set it down on the table and looked at the female.

“I’m Ruby,” The words came out raspy, and Ruby frowned with distaste for the sound.

The female smiled, “I’m Natasha, but I go by Tasha. It’s nice to meet you.”

Ruby could hear the food behind her sizzling within the pan. The smells all hit her once more, and her stomach growled again.

“Oh yeah. Let me get that food before it burns.”

Tasha turned around and tended to the food. Within another minute or two, the food was on a plate in front of Ruby. The potatoes were mashed with some cream, butter, and garlic and the corn was off the cob bathing in some butter. The meat was cubed steak and had some kind of white sauce on it that Ruby had never seen before. She gave it a taste, and realized there was some parmesan in it. After that small taste, Ruby could not help herself. She wanted to eat like a normal person, but it did not happen. Her usual manners went out the window as she scarfed down the food. Her water was refilled without her noticing, and she downed the contents once more. As she drank the water, Tasha made a second helping of food on her plate. When that plate was cleared, Ruby sat back in the chair and rubbed her stomach.

“You’re a good cook. Thank you,” Ruby complimented. “For everything, actually.”

Tasha was seated opposite of her and smiled. “You’re very welcome. What’s your story, Ruby? I haven’t seen you around here before, you are clearly a higher-ranking wolf, and you had two wolves trying to kill you.”

“Well, first of all, where is here? Because I don’t have a clue where I am.”

Tasha cocked an eyebrow. “You’re in the Rogue Territory. We call this small town, Wolf Den.”

“I have no idea how I got that far into the forest when I ran, but I guess I am glad that I did.” Tasha stared at her, not saying a word. Ruby figured it was due to her not explaining everything, so she continued. “I was rejected by my supposed True Mate, the Alpha of the Sanction. When he walked away from me, my wolf wanted an actual answer as to why he would do that to us. Naturally, that meant she took off after him. He took that as an attack on the Alpha and told the whole pack that I was a traitor. The two wolves? They were to kill me.”

“HA,” Tasha let out a laugh, “that didn’t work for them, now did it? They’re dead.”

She just ignored that I said an attack on the Alpha… hmm.

“Good to know my wolf can handle herself.”

“You weren’t aware of that before yesterday?”

“I’ve only had her for three days.”

Both of Tasha’s eyebrows raised this time. “You are a freshy?”

It was Ruby’s turn to cock an eyebrow, “freshy?”

Tasha chuckled. “Yeah, a freshly connected wolf. So, you just turned twenty-one?”

Ruby nodded. Explaining the event that led her here hurt more than she expected. It wasn’t every day that a wolf found their True Mate. It was an even rarer occasion to be rejected by a True Mate; after all, it was supposed to be an amazing moment. It wasn’t.

“A She-Alpha?”

Ruby nodded again. Still not wanting to talk at the moment.

“Well, just so you know, you flatlined just after Sims got you to Nick. So your mate should think you are dead. If you want to stay here, you can, and start over. At least until you get on your feet.”

The last thing she expected to hear was that she died for a moment. Tasha said that Tyson thinks I am dead because of that. I can start over… that sounds like a good idea… but…

“This is a lot to take in. Is there anywhere I can decompress?”

Tasha nodded, “how about you take a shower? We weren’t really able to get you cleaned up when we brought you in.”

Ruby nodded her head slightly and stood on her feet. Tasha led her to the bathroom and even turned the shower on to let it get to temperature so Ruby wouldn’t have to figure out the knobs herself. Tasha pulled open a small closet and brought out a towel, a rag, and a brush. She placed the items on the sink and left the room. Ruby took off the clothes she had on, realizing that they were men’s clothes.

Hmm, I wonder who these are.

She felt a stirring inside of her. Scarlett’s presence slowly flowed through her, and it felt as if Ruby was hugging her best friend.

Whose scent is that?

Well hello to you too, Scarlett. The cherry scent? That would be Tasha.

No. The amber and berry scent. It’s a male.

Not a clue. You alright?

I’ll be better once the sedative wears off. It’s difficult to fight off. I just want to sleep. Scarlett’s voice sounded as if she was falling asleep as she finished the sentence.

Please, don’t. We are in Rogue Territory. I need you.

Scarlett did not answer. Ruby felt alone even though she could still feel her wolf’s presence within her. Ruby wanted to reach out to her again, but stopped herself.

If Scarlett needs rest, I need to give it to her. We are in unknown territory… and we both need to remain sharp.

Ruby saw herself in the mirror and grimaced. Her hair was a bird’s nest and there was some blood caked on her mixed with dirt. Then she noticed the bandages on her. She yanked off the bandage on her shoulder, and there was no indication she was injured underneath. Same with her stomach. On that note, Ruby got into the shower and washed her body off. Tasha’s body wash was floral smelling, which wasn’t her favorite, but it would have to suffice for now. Same with the shampoo and conditioner. Ruby also noticed some supplies for men and assumed that it was Tasha’s mate even though Tasha did not mention having one.

Maybe it is that guy, Sims.

As Ruby turned off the shower, she realized she did not have anything to change into. She opened the shower curtain and found clothes sitting on the sink. After examining them, it appeared to be clothes in her size. They did not have a scent, so they must have been recently purchased or Tasha had access to extra clothes that were bagged for situations like this.

That’s a pack mentality though. I never heard of a rogue having extra stuff sitting around just in case someone ended up on your doorstep and needed it…

Ruby put the clothes on, and it was similar to what Tasha had on. Except the shorts were longer and had a red tank top. Once she was dressed, Ruby returned to the living room/kitchen. Tasha seemed to be waiting for her at the table.

“If you are going to stick around, I can get you a job where I work. We can even go there now and talk to Sims about it. Sound like a plan?”

Hmm. Sims is her boss? Interesting.

“I’m down for that.”

Let’s see how this goes.