Chapter 4

I wake up to someone stroking my hair. It's a nice but unfamiliar feeling. I smile and arch my back into the warm body behind me. It's been too long since I shared a bed with anyone. A warm hand presses against my stomach, pulling me closer, and I find that someone is very happy to see me this morning. I rack my brain to try and recall the events that led to this situation. How have I ended up in bed, naked, with a stranger? At least I hope it's a stranger. Oh please, God, let me not have slept with my ex. Or worse, Dr. Eric Daniels. If I sleep with him, I want to be able to remember it.

I attempt to move my body, preparing myself for the worst. I go to look at the male pressed to my back when I feel a hand move on my leg—on my other leg, from an angle that does not match the body behind me. Unless I've slept with Mr. Fantastic, which I doubt, there is more than one person in bed with me.

Jolting up from the bed, I hear some very disgruntled male voices as I break free. I stumble to one knee, cursing in pain as my legs give way. Spinning around, I look across the bed to see four confused and blinking males—all of whom are totally naked.

"What the fuck?" I practically screech before realising I'm just as naked .

I reach across and snatch the bed sheets away from them, covering myself but exposing the men on the bed in the process.

"Will someone please tell me what the fuck is going on? And put some clothes on!" I order. It's seriously distracting with all their naked glory on display.

"I told you she would be pissed off." Relief fills me when I hear Garett's comforting voice, and I attempt to push to my feet.

I don't know why, but right now I need his arms around me. I can't explain these emotions rushing through me. As if he can read my mind, he comes to me, wrapping his arms tightly around me, which I'm thankful for because my legs aren't cooperating right now. I bury my face in Garett's chest as I struggle to remember the events of last night. I hear some shuffling around from the comfort of Garett's arms as the men move from the bed to put some clothes on—at least that's what I hope they are doing. Usually, I would be guarding my back—that's rule one, after all—but I know Garett will handle that for the moment and won't let anything happen to me.

"Will you please explain what is going on? And why the fuck did you bring me here?" I ask, pulling away from his chest, pissed off once again.

I hate being in situations where I don't know what's going on. It makes me cranky. Besides, I just woke up in a bed full of naked men, and I have no idea who they are, so I have the right to be a bit pissy. From the scents surrounding me, I know Garett has brought me to the Moon River Pack. I've not been in this room before, but it smells like them. Wolf packs have a distinct smell, almost like a bond that links them together. Each individual has their own scent, but it gets overlaid with their pack bond. Besides, this is the closest wolf pack for miles.

Why he decided that this was the safest place for me, I don't know. I try to stand again, but the ache in my legs slows me down, causing me to hiss in pain as I stumble back to the bed, still trying to keep my dignity by clutching the sheet. All but one of the men has moved from the bed, the last languishing with a smile in my direction, stretched out like a cat. He crawls closer and rubs up against me, the stubble of his jaw scraping over my skin as he nuzzles the crook of my neck. If he had been in wolf form, he would have been scent marking me. My eyebrows rise in shock, and I shoot a questioning look at Garett just as the man tries to crawl into my lap. I forgot how touchy-feely shifters are.

"Okay, I'm out," I state dryly as I push to my feet, looking in vain for my clothing.

I don't do well with physical contact, especially from people I don't know. I'm dimly aware of Garett's rumbling growl as he stalks closer to place his hand on my arm, halting my search.

"My God," I say. "You shifters are so touchy." I shake him off just as a figure enters the doorway. "Oh good, another person to make this shitty morning even worse!"

"Everybody out, give us some privacy. Sebastian, please show some restraint and find Ariana some clothing." I look at Alex's intimidating frame in the doorway, and I'm not surprised that they are doing as ordered.

The male from the bed, who I'm assuming is Sebastian, gets up to leave, but not before sending a wink in my direction. Pouting at Alex, he exits the room. Garett crosses his arms and stays put, thank goodness. Now it's just the three of us, and I feel like I can breathe again. I shoot both of the men a dirty look before leaning against the nearest wall as I wait for answers.

"Ari, sit down, you're not fully healed yet." Giving Garett the stink eye, I do as he suggested, sitting primly at the end of the bed, very aware I am fully naked under the sheet that is tightly clasped around me.

I may not be ashamed of my body, but I have scars that tend to invite questions I would rather avoid today.

"Come on, Ari, don't act like I betrayed you. Where else could I take you?" he questions imploringly, sinking to his knees in front of me. "I was going to take you to the bear commune, but you were shifting in and out of shadow. I didn't think you would want them to see that, and I was terrified! Why didn't you tell me you were Shadowborn?" Garett asks quietly, but I stiffen at his words.

Shadowborn are rare, even within the supernatural community. With the ability to turn into shadow, they are notoriously trained and used as assassins. In their shadow form, no one is safe from them. Being impervious to injury while in this form makes them difficult to kill, which puts a target on their back. Only a handful are born every century or so, and they tend to be killed off early in life before they learn to master their skills.

The Shadow Pack was named for their high percentage of Shadowborn, but I was the only one in the last hundred years. What might seem like an honour has only resulted in pain and suffering my entire life. Born into a pack that believes females are only good for breeding and have no place of power within the pack, my childhood was especially rough. Trained to be strong in body but weak in mind, they didn't anticipate the strength of my alpha power. I had to wait until I was eighteen until I could make my escape.

Shuddering away from my dark memories, I focus on Garett who's still kneeling in front of me, and I feel uncomfortable at the look of concern on his face. We are friends, and sure, we have flirted on and off for years, but just in a friendly way. While we talk, we have never broached the issues around my old pack or what brought me here, but he knows it wasn't pleasant. Tori knows what I am. Not because I told her, but because her powers revealed to her that I was something ‘other,' and she guessed. I was so shocked when she flat-out asked me that I couldn't hide the surprise on my face. Most Shadowborn learn not to advertise what they are if they value their life.

"I'm fine," I mutter, as I survey my legs. They were shredded last time I saw them, and my shoulder felt like it had been used as a chew toy. Now they ache, but only in a muted way, like a shadow of the pain I should be feeling. Tight, shiny pink scars crisscross my legs, the stage of healing much further advanced than I had expected. Shifter healing is more evolved than that of our human counterparts, but with the extent of my injuries, my wounds should not be at this stage already. I glance up, my expression of surprise clear to see, and I raise a questioning eyebrow to Alexander, who is silently watching us with his arms crossed.

"We healed you. You were losing too much blood. We nearly had to amputate your leg. Which we would have done too, but your bear here wouldn't let us." Garett half-heartedly growls at this comment, and I have never been more thankful for his friendship.

Forgetting I'm supposed to be pissed off at him, I lean forward and bury my face into the crook of his neck. Gratitude floods my body. I'm overwhelmingly grateful that my friend is always looking out for my best interests. I don't deserve someone like him in my life.

"Thank you," I whisper quietly before pulling away in confusion, only just registering what Alexander said. "Healed me? You have a witch? I thought you needed a nurse?" I ask, puzzled.

That's why they wanted me here, after all. Only beings who possess magic, such as witches and sorcerers, can ‘heal' people. Over one hundred years ago, it would be uncommon for there not to be a witch in a pack, but it was almost unheard of nowadays. Prejudices run strongly in the supernatural community just as much as in the human world.

I watch as Alexander shakes his head, his shoulder-length hair catching my attention. I have always liked guys with longer hair, more to grab onto. Down, girl.

"No, we don't have a witch," he answers with scorn, and I raise my eyebrows at his tone, wondering what he would say if he found out that I live with a witch. I'm sure it would piss him off, so I store this bit of information away for later.

"Do you know nothing of being in a wolf pack? I thought you were raised in a pack. Surely being a lone wolf for a few years hasn't made you forget everything about your kind."

My back stiffens at his comment and I glare at him. How dare he comment on my upbringing like I'm a disgrace to shifter kind? A cold fury fills me, my wolf urging me to bare my fangs and make him sorry for taking such a tone with me. Instead I go still, and even Garett has the good sense to look worried. He knows I'm sensitive about my past and that I never, ever talk about it. I answer Alexander with a tone that could cut ice.

"I was raised in isolation. Sorry I don't meet your expectations." The growl in my voice is enough to put anyone off from asking more questions. Except Alex doesn't get the hint.

He nods to himself, almost in confirmation, his expression deadly calm. "Is that where your scars came from?"

I give him an ‘are you serious?' look, but keep quiet. I can't believe the audacity of this guy. First he insults my upbringing, and then he has the cheek to ask sensitive questions he has no right to ask. I decide not to answer him, he doesn't deserve a response. He hasn't earned my trust to know about my personal life. Garett, however, has no problem talking to the asshole leaning against the doorframe. Rising slowly from his crouched position in front of me, he walks menacingly towards Alexander.

"Don't talk to her like that," he says calmly, like he would when he was addressing one of his difficult customers mouthing off in the bar, but I can see the tension across his broad shoulders.

Pissing Garett off is likely going to end in someone having broken bones, none of which would be his own. I've seen it in the bar before. Like the calm before the storm, he'll be quiet and reasonable until you push his buttons a little too far. He's always been protective of me, and I'm still not used to it. It can be suffocating. I've done a pretty decent job of taking care of myself thus far. I glance down at my newly scarred legs again and pause. Perhaps a little help every now and then isn't so bad, right?

Alexander pushes away from the doorframe, giving zero fucks that an almost seven-foot shifter is bearing down on him, excuse the pun. I feel the alpha power rolling off him, and I have no idea why Alexander is beta of this pack and not alpha, because this guy is strong— possibly even stronger than me, not that he will ever know that thought crossed my mind. Coming chest to chest with Garett, they square off against each other and I feel I should step in. With a weary sigh, I stand and walk over to the two infuriating shifters, which is harder than it sounds when you have a limp and are clutching a bed sheet.

With careful movements, I take the end of the sheet, secure it under my armpit, hoping it will stay put, and stretch my arms to push on their chests, trying to separate them. Of course there is no way a female shifter is going to be able to push two fully-grown male shifters. Neither of them pay attention to me, the bastards.

"All right, boys, handbags away," I tease, trying to lighten the mood.

At this exact moment, the sheet that has been tasked with protecting my modesty betrays me, dropping to the floor and exposing every naked inch of me. Internally, I curse. Externally, I let a blank expression cross my face and try to keep my body relaxed, as if I haven't a care in the world. Shifters are used to nudity within their packs, so this shouldn't bother me. Of course, now I have the men's attention, both of whom have taken a step away from each other.

Men! I raise my eyebrow at them and place my hands on my hips. Alexander is in the process of running his eyes up and down my body, an approving smirk on his face. Garett has the decency to look embarrassed and takes his leather jacket off and hands it to me. I place it over one shoulder, but I refuse to hurry into it because Alexander is attempting to make me feel uncomfortable with his obvious perusal of my curves.

"Like what you see?" I retort before stalking back to the bed.

I may have added a bit more sway to my walk than usual, so sue me. I shrug Garett's leather jacket on, and it falls to mid-thigh. I pull it closer around me, enjoying the feel of the leather on my bare skin. Garett's scent surrounds me, a woodsy outdoors smell that makes me feel safe. I decide to keep the jacket for myself, he is going to have to fight me for it. With a small smile, I plonk myself ungracefully back on the bed, crossing one ankle over the other. Now that the situation has been defused—thanks, nudity—I look to Alexander for an explanation.

"Shifters heal better when they have physical contact with other shifters, and it works best with skin-to-skin contact. You needed to heal quickly if you wanted to escape permanent injury. It required four of our wolves to heal your injuries."

My eyes widen as I realise I must have been more seriously injured than I thought. That explains the puppy pile I woke up in the middle of.

"Why were they all male? I am not prepared to work for a pack where women are not considered equals," I insist.

I may have come from a pack that was frowned upon for its harsh methods, but I know it's not the only one that considers women unequal or only there to boost the alpha male's powerbase.

Alexander shakes his head, a smile on his lips as he does so. "Nothing of the sort. Our gamma is a female, and the alpha's wife has just as much authority as he does. They are a true mated pair, so their power levels are equal."

I raise my eyebrows at this.

Mated pairs are uncommon, and the chance of finding the one you are destined to be with is rare. You don't see it often, especially when about fifty years back, the rate of these pairings dropped even further. Some theorised that because our numbers had dwindled so much through hunters, the chances of meeting our true mate had dropped even further. It is said that once you accept the mate bond, you are equal in power and can access the other's strengths.

Alexander clears his throat, bringing me back to the conversation at hand.

"No one was forced to help heal you. We asked for volunteers, and there were quite a few who offered. Although, I think the prospect of spending the night with a beautiful naked woman helped." He ends this last part with a smile that makes me feel a bit flustered.

I lean back on the bed, the leather jacket rising up my thighs, and I can feel the eyes of both men in the room on me. It's quite a sensual feeling, the worn leather brushing my naked skin, the only barrier between the heated gaze of two very good-looking men watching my every move.

"So what happens next?" I ask, startling both guys.

Alexander gets a contemplative look on his face, and I know exactly where his thoughts have gone.

"Mind out of the gutter, Alexander," I scold, but I say it lightly so as to take the sting out of my words.

This pack has helped me, hell, they might have even saved my life, whether I like it or not. I owe them. Owing a wolf pack and not paying up never ends well for the debtor, whether that debt is money or a favour. I'm not well off—I work as a nurse, for heaven's sake—but I have some savings I managed to ‘acquire' when I left my old pack, so if it is money they want, I may be able to cough some up. It is the favours I am more worried about. Although, with Garett here, I doubt he will allow them to demand anything too serious.

"Call me Alex," he says. "I hate being called Alexander. Besides, before I explain anything, the alpha wants to see you."

Those six words send shivers down my spine, and not the good type of shivers. These are caused by fear. The alpha wants to see you. My breathing picks up as memories engulf me.

Darkness surrounds me. Some people are afraid of darkness, but when it's all you know, it becomes comforting. Harsh artificial light fills the room, causing me to hiss with pain and cover my eyes with my dirty hands.

"The alpha wants to see you. "

I dread these words. Nothing good ever happens when he wants to see me. I stumble to my feet, my legs shaking from lack of use. I try to exercise in this dark cell they call a room, but if I make too much noise, they come check on me, which I try to avoid. They don't train me anymore, not since I tried to escape. No point training someone who won't do as they're ordered.

I take a few steps forward, squinting against the light, and glance at my pale hand. I'm so thin that my bones are protruding from my skin, and you can tell I haven't been out in the sunshine for too long. My nails are dirty and chipped. He won't be pleased. He likes the women of the pack to look presentable and neat. Seen but not heard.

The guy who was sent to get me shoves me, and I stumble into the wall. I think he just meant to push me along, but the lack of food and sunlight has made me weak. I glare at him, and he has the decency to look nervous. I see my reputation still precedes me. Straightening up as much as I can, I step out into the hallway to meet the alpha.

Tearing myself from the memories, I become aware of someone calling my name. My eyes refocus, and I find myself staring into Garett's caring eyes, grounding me to the here and now. He must have been the one calling my name.

"Ari, you're safe here. The alpha won't hurt you." Alex's voice reaches me, and I look over Garett's shoulder to see he has moved away from the wall and is standing behind Garett.

He turns to look at Garett, his voice turning harsh, revealing his anger. "What the hell happened in her previous pack that going to see the alpha would make her react like this?"

"She'll be okay in a minute. Look at her eyes, she is back now. When she's ready to talk, she will," Garett replies. His eyes hold sadness as he watches me, but right now, I can't comprehend the meaning behind it.

I pull away from Garett and groan. When I arrived in the U.S. and my flashbacks first started, Tori forced me to see one of the supernatural doctors in the city. They say I have post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, where something will trigger me and send me back in my memories. Thankfully, it doesn't happen often, but I always feel like crap afterwards. I don't have time to deal with my many issues right now. I need to pull up my big girl panties and go face the alpha.

"Right, someone get me some clothes. Let's go see the big guy."