Chapter Five

By the time Morana woke up again, there was no tube connected to her mouth. The beeping was lower than before but the pain was still there. She tried to control herself from wincing , slowly opening her eyes.

Everything was in a haze as her eyes adjusted to the light. The first thing she saw was a tall box beside her, a green line moving up and down. Looking down, Morana could see something clipping her finger and tubes were stuck in her arm.

Then, she had a looked around, noticing she was in a white room, with a thin blanket rested over her legs and stomach. Even though two sheets were under the blanket it she was freezing. Morana slowly lifted her head and winced trying to shake off the growing headache as she sat up on the bed.

Her hands fell at her sides as she felt the heavy bandages against her skin. Slowly, Morana sat back down and looked back at the tube that was around her finger. After lifting the weight up, Morana became bored of it. She leaned her head back and winced as she tried to swallow, the pain filled her throat as she leaned against the pillow.

Everything that happened before was coming back to her. Morana could remember everything that had happened as she heard the beeping quicken besides her. Silently, a tear fell from her eye as she closed her eyes, even soft movements caused her to feel the pain in her core. This wasn't a dream, that was reality. The twisted and sick reality she’d been forced to live in.

Morana couldn't remember much after the whipping, she couldn't even remember the Alpha that apparently had been here. Or was that a dream? What had he been talking about, and the other man? Morana’s hand reached to touch her head as she looked up to the white ceiling, “Oh you're up!" A cheerful voice alerted her. She turned to see a woman dressed in a pink outfit. She smiled widely as she walked towards the bed. Her light brown hair was in a pony tail wide brown eyes looked into Morana’s.

After a moment the lady looked away and hid the shock that was spreading on her face, "Do you know who you are?” Of course she knew who she was. It had been drilled in her head since she turned six. Morana leaned against the bed and pulled the blanket closer to her body. The woman nodded and then looked around the room, "Do you know your name? Or where you are at?" She asked. Slowly, Morana nodded and then shook her head. Morana opened her mouth and then closed it. As she tried to pronounce her name but all she felt was spit gather in her mouth refusing to go down her burning throat.

The woman held a hand out to Morana and grabbed a rag wiping her face and the lady scrunched her face up once Morana winced at the burning around her lips. "Alright, I'm going to call you Jane Doe for the time being okay?" She asked, Morana nodded and the lady grabbed a chart and wrote it down, "Are you in pain?" She read out loud and looked at Morana.

Morana only stared at her as though she was asking her why the trees grow leaves. The woman nodded and opened her mouth, "I’ll take that as a yes." She said and winked towards me, "Do you- this is all stupid. Listen, I know you are in pain and you're uncomfortable. Just nod your head and I can give you medicine." She said. Hesitantly, Morana allowed one nod and she smiled, "Alright then, I'm going to put you on just a little anesthesia and you should feel better." She said and walked towards the poles beside Morana’s bed. She looked at the tubes and took a needle, plugging it into one of the tubes.

Morana watched her, confused as she felt a cool burn in her arm. The woman smiled up to her, "You won't feel a thing now. I didn't give you enough to make you go back to sleep, but enough to numb the pain." She said and touched Morana’s forehead, "I'm going to get you some blankets, and when we take you off the anesthesia we will try to drink and eat something small alright? My name is Amanda. If you need anything, all you have to do is press that red button and I'll be in here." Amanda said and smiled towards her.

Amanda looked at Morana for a moment and then smiled and walked away. Morana leaned back as she listened to the soft noises beside her head, her body felt numb in a matter of minutes. Everything around her seemed to spin as she watched Amanda place another blanket on Morana. She walked out of the room without another word as she leaned against the bed.

‘Hontas?’ Morana called out, but there was no reply. Her time was spent staring at the poles around her bed. They reminded her of the metal bars that were in the wooden door of her cell. But they were much cleaner as they shined in the light. Every time Morana tried moving her body, she could see a different angle of the room. But it felt like everything was a haze as it moved slowly.

Morana’s eyes started to get tires and she slowly blinked as she looked towards the closed door. When Morana blinked and opened her eyes again, what she saw gave her hope. And standing in the door way was a large body that was slowly walking into the room. The door closed behind the body as Morana sat up in the bed.

Her eyes closed as she leaned against the pillow. Morana did not know what was going on, she didn't know where she was but strangely, she wasn't panicking and she had no idea why.

Was there really a body in the door way? Her eyes quickly went back towards it but there was no one standing there. A ringing sound filled her ear and Morana noticed she couldn't hear the beeping anymore. The only thing she could hear was the beating of her heart.

On the inside Morana was a screaming mess, looking for a chance to escape. Scared that the men from the cell were going to find her, even worse, her uncle. Someone could find her. her breathing quickened for a moment, but then it was soothed. Even though in her head was worrying, her body wasn't.

There was no worry in her chest, no rushing heart anymore. Just warmness and a strange lightness. Morana closed her eyes once more, very slowly she rolled her head, opening her eyes to see a very handsome man beside her bed. At first all she could do was stare at him. His mouth was opened, but no words fell from his shocked expression. Perfect white teeth showed as his tongue rested inside of his mouth until he closed his plump lips. He had short black hair that looked as if it had been ruffled multiple times, the dark hair seemed to outline his strong face.

His hazel eyes stared down at Morana and for a moment she I felt as if she could get lost in his hazel eyes.

Morana tried to remember colors as she watched so many colors swim in his eyes. He was much taller than her uncle or any other man she’d met, and he had a wide chest and large arms. He was what Morana had thought an Alpha would look like, the only part of him that didn't match up were the flowers in his hand.

They were ripped from the root, the only way Morana knew was because of the dirt that some still had roots on. The roots were small, but she could see the white stems. The Alpha had on a black cloth jacket that showed a white shirt. He looked comfortable in his jeans as he set the flowers on a swaying stand.

Slowly, he sat down beside Morana and just watched her, after a moment she forced her eyes away from his. What is he staring at? She thought as she looked at the metal pole, sing her horrible reflection in them, ‘Oh right. Me.’ She was convinced she looked absolutely horrible.

Morana blinked away the worries as she leaned back on the bed and turned towards him. "I'm Alpha Brandon." The man said, offering his hand, she looked at his hand and then back to him. He swallowed loudly and placed the hand down, "I wanted to personally apologize-" He started to say but growled, "I want to-" He stopped again as canines extended from his mouth.

His body shook as a growl fell from his lips, "I'm sorry." He said after a moment. His hazel eyes turned light as he looked as he looked down at Morana, "I am so, so very sorry." His eyes glowed and were almost a pure blue, but slowly that started to dim.

Brandon waited for her to say something, but Morana only looked up at him. After a moment she reached out and touched his hand. Morana could feel her heart flutter but nothing more as she gave his hand a small squeeze and released him. Brandon however looked as if he had just gotten the biggest prize, a smile fell on his lips and then fell off when he looked at her, "You didn't feel that?" He asked, Morana slowly shook her head and lifted her arm, "Well, when you are off the drugs, you should try to do that again." Brandon said and smiled towards her.

Without thinking Morana nodded as well as he looked around the room, "Is there anyone you would like me to call? I saw that you were marked, I could call your mate if you-" her head quickly shook. she winced in pain as she shook her head and looked at him with wide eyes. Alpha Brandon watched and nodded. He sat down with Morana for a while more until he shifted in his seat, "I should let you rest." He said as he looked at her.

Morana’s eyes found his as she shook her head. She knew she shouldn't feel like this, but something told her it would be okay. He hadn't killed her yet, and if he did Morana only hoped her death would be quick.

But, even knowing the consequences didn’t stop her as she grabbed the side of his shirt before he could move. Morana hid her face from his shocked hazel eyes as she held onto the white fabric, "Alright I'll stay." Brandon said and grabbed a hold of her hand.

Only then did Morana feel the zap, the warm sensation. With the anesthesia slowly wearing off Morana could now feel the comfortable sensation when she touched him. She could smell his musky scent clearer than before. It smelled wonderful as she took in another deep scent letting out a soft sight.

She heard him chuckle as he leaned against the bed. Morana looked towards him and then she realized why she felt some comfort with him, "You're my mate." Brandon said the words and she soon realized it was true.

Brandon's smirk lifted the side of his face as he held Morana’s hand. There was happiness in his eyes and rage, without the pain medicine to give her faith she took her hand back and closed her eyes. ‘My Mate? I have a mate? Why do I have a mate? What do I do with a mate? Why did he ask me if I had a mate if he was my mate? Why does he smell do good? What should I do?’ Questions ran through her head as she tried to keep her eyes away from her mate.

Morana only knew a few things about mates, they were supposed to be your soulmate, your other half. She didn’t need that, she needed Hontas, maybe she knew what they were supposed to do at this moment. One question outweighed the others; if he wasn't her mate would he have saved her, or killed her? Slowly, Morana looked over to him and their eyes met, she as convinced then that he would have killed her. Even though she felt comfortable with him, Morana was fearful of the large man.

Brandon’s hand was the size of her face, he could kill her in a second if he wanted to. The two sat in the room in uncomfortable silence till he slowly to speak, "Do you know where you are at? My pack is named the Black Forest." Brandon said.

Morana’s eyes widen slowly, Grace had spoken about the vicious packs and how their name started with the word black. Black meant dangerous, darkness, black, just like her old pack that had let her be abused. Black was the one word she didn't expect her mate to say.

Morana slowly scooted away from Brandon and winced in pain as she looked at the other wall. The tension grew as the heart monitor continued to beep loudly beside her, before Brandon had arrived Amanda gave her the rundown of the room when she was placing blankets on her, she told Morana what she needed to know, and not needed to know.

She could hear Brandon shift around in his chair, the sound of the leather expanding and squishing filled the room, "Did I do something wrong?" He asked in a hurt voice. Very slowly Morana turned towards him, "If you want space, I can leave. I'll never push you into anything you don't want to. Even if that is talking to me." He said even though he didn’t look too pleased about the last part. Brandon seemed so clueless as he scratched the back of his head.

"The nurse says she can't speak." A voice said belonging to a man in a white coat, as he walked in. He bowed quickly towards Brandon, "Alpha."

"Dr. Linn." Brandon replied but squinted his eyes ever so slightly as the man walked towards Morana. "Amanda says that she's been calling you Jane Doe." Dr. Linn said and offered a hand towards her, "I’m Dr. Linn the Black Forest's pack doctor." He said and smiled towards Morana.

Looking at his hand, she slowly looked at Brandon. He gave an encouraging nod her way, so she did what she had done to Brandon. She wrapped her palm around the back of Dr. Linn's hand and held it as she stared up at him. Dr. Linn looked taken back as he looked over to Brandon who softly growled.

He quickly moved his hand from hers rather quickly. Morana tilted her head to the side looking at her hand, wondering why she didn't feel the sensation that she’d felt with Brandon. Was that a mate thing? she closed her eyes and groaned softly at the pain that was starting to soar in her body, "The medicine is almost completely out of your system. I would like to see if you can eat on your own and swallow fluids. But, first can you open your mouth very wide for you?" He asked.

Morana nodded and opened her mouth softly trying not to upset the wounds. But Dr. Linn didn't seem to mind as he pulled her mouth completely open and shoved something under her tongue. Pain shot through her face as she tried to touch the wounds at the edge of her lips. Whatever was in her mouth was gone now and Dr Linn was stepping away from the bed.

He threw something black in the trash and turned towards Morana, "It looks like the bruising and swelling at the back of your throat has started to reduce” he said, taking a glance on the make on her shoulder "Did you want to be marked by him?" He asked. She shook her head, Morana never wanted to be marked again, she could remember the pain she felt when the men took their marks away.

Brandon seemed more relaxed as he looked at her. He watched her the same way she’d watched the blue sky the first day she’d escaped. But even though his face held nothing but admiration, Morana still felt scared of him.

Amanda walked into the room a minute later carrying a white bowl. Amanda blushed slightly as she looked at Brandon and bowed her head, “Alpha.” She said in a low voice. Morana looked towards her confused, Amanda didn't sound like that earlier.

She moved the top of Morana’s bed more up as Amanda brought the food towards her and opened the lid, "I have chicken noodle soup for you. We can try the noodles at the end." Amanda said in a caring voice. But Morana caught herself looking at Brandon and then towards her. "Have you contacted her mate yet Alpha? I'm sure he will be very grateful you stayed by her side. But I can watch her for now." She said in a soothing voice.

Brandon looked at the nurse than at her as he nodded. "Thank you nurse Amanda." Brandon said and walked away from the end of the bed, "I have some business to take care of, unless you want me to stay." He said and looked at Morana. Brandon’s eyes were pleading but she looked instead at the food and shook her head. Brandon nodded and then walked towards the door leaving the room. He looked disappointed when he looked back at her, Morana touched her hand, tilting her head. Mate.

"You are one lucky woman." Amanda said as she blew on the hot soup, "Having the Alpha in this room with you alone." She gushed out. She brought the spoon to Morana’s lips and held a napkin to her lips as she tried to swallow the broth, "Too bad he never found his mate. They say if you don't find your mate by the time you're twenty, you'll never get one. He was crushed when turned twenty, but he occupied himself with some un-mated females." Amanda said and sighed as she looked down at her ring, "My mate is his beta." She said and smiled towards the door, "When he found me, he made such a big scene. So many mates do that, they want to show off their love, I wonder what the Alpha would have done." Amanda rambled as she fed Morana soup and held the napkin to her lips.

She tried to concentrate on the liquid in her mouth and not her rambling. But then she realized her mate was untrue to her. Morana looked at Amanda with wide eyes, she had a smile and seemed happy. How could someone be happy with a mate like him. That man, who- she closed her eyes and shook away the memories. She ate in silence as the last part of her rambling seemed to settle in her head. If what Amanda said was true, then was Brandon keeping her a secret? Did he not want her as his mate? Maybe that was why he wouldn't tell the doctor or the nurse that she was his mate, maybe he was embarrassed. Truthfully, Morana would have been embarrassed of herself too if she was in Brandon’s place, she looked at the mark on her shoulder and scowled in annoyance as she turned back to look at Amanda who was touching her hair. Only then did she take notice that her long curls had been cut off, all that was left was scattered chops of hair reaching her neck. Morana looked at her shabby hair sorrowfully, “I can fix this for you” Amanda said and for the first time since she woke up Morana smiled nodding eagerly.