Chapter six: A new life

4 years ago….

The mix of vulnerability, overwhelming emotions, and the weight of my struggles, the pain of grief and loss, all seemed to cover me at once. Found myself screaming beneath the pouring rain, feeling utterly lost with no one to talk to, consumed by a sense of being used, dumped, and devoid of purpose.

As the rain came down harder, I screamed even louder, a surge of intense heat overtaking my body. Suddenly, an excruciating pain like no other coursed through me, causing me to collapse onto my knees. At that moment, the memory of my first shift flooded back to me. This sensation was similar, and as my bones began to crack, I realized that I was shifting. 

Moments later, I found myself in my wolf form, my white fur shimmering in the rain. A profound sense of redemption, joy, and happiness washed over me as I embraced my wolf identity for the second time.

Contemplating my next move, I pondered whether I should return to my pack, torn between the memories of my past human life and the allure of my wolf existence.

No, they don’t deserve me, after everything I’ve been through I’d never return to a horrific pack like the Silver Moon. They were the cause of my distress, they won’t delight in my joy.

Picking up my bag with my mouth I sprinted off into a direction. I didn’t know where I was going, but soon the rain stopped, I glanced up at the sky confused. There was a rainbow in the sky, usually, it would be in the day but never in the night.

I ran to my heart contents before finding a tree somewhere, I laid my bag and laid my head to rest contented with a smile on my face. 

I lay beneath the sprawling oak tree, its leaves rustling gently in the breeze, providing me with a comforting canopy. The world around me seemed to blur as exhaustion washed over me.

My eyelids grew heavy, and before I could summon the strength to resist, a strong hand gently cradled me, effortlessly lifting me into their arms. The sensation of being carried was both strange and oddly soothing, like a dream merging with reality.

I tried to protest, to utter a word of surprise, but my fatigue was overwhelming. My voice remained trapped within, and all I could do was surrender to the warm embrace, my body aching with weariness. As I drifted away, I felt myself slipping into a deep slumber, the world fading into obscurity.

The next day when I woke, it was with the start, my surroundings unfamiliar. The soft light filtering through a modest window revealed a small yet cozy room. I was nestled beneath a warm quilt, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air.

I blinked away the remnants of sleep, my eyes scanning the room as I began to piece together my surroundings. An initial sense of confusion gave way to mild alarm as I realized I was dressed in fresh clothes that weren’t mine. The realization set my heart racing, questions swirling in my mind. How had I come to be here? And who had dressed me?

My gaze darted to a corner of the room, where my bag lay neatly placed. Relief washed over me as I recognized my belongings. At least, it was some semblance of familiarity.

Upon contemplating my situation, the door quietly swung open, and two women entered. They both wore friendly smiles, their expressions warm and welcoming, but my fear lingered because I didn’t know them.

The first woman had a gentle demeanor, her kind eyes framed by glasses. Her dark hair was pulled back in a neat bun. The second woman was younger, with a more vibrant energy about her, and her cheerful disposition seemed to contrast with my unease. She had a warm, freckled complexion and curly red hair that added a burst of color to the room.

“Hello, dear,” the older woman began. “I’m Nurse Emma, and this is Nurse Alicia. You’re in safe hands here.”

I tried to muster a response but found my voice caught in my throat. My heart pounded as I struggled to process the situation, my wariness overshadowing the friendly introduction of these unfamiliar caregivers.

“What is your name?” They inquired, their eyes searching for any sign of truth in my response.

I stood there, considering whether it was safe to disclose my real name. My heart raced as I weighed the risks of revealing my true identity, the fear of being found overshadowing my desire to be honest. In the end, caution prevailed, and I decided to provide them with a fabricated name.

“My name’s Bella,” I spoke with a degree of uncertainty, concealing the truth, while my mind raced with the race with the weight of the secret I was determined to protect.

My skepticism weighed heavily as I managed to croak out a question, my voice trembling, “Where am I?” 

Nurse Emma began to respond, her word trailing off after just a syllable, “How can you not know you’re at, Silver cr-”

But before she could continue, Nurse Alicia nudged her gently and took over, her tone reassuring,” You’re at Silver Creek pack, dear. We found you outside on the ground, cold and shivering with no clothes. We couldn’t leave you like that, so we brought you here to help.”

The revelation hit me with a sudden realization. Silver Creek was the second biggest pack, the only one that rivaled my very own, Silver Moon. It was a revelation that left me with a mix of emotions, from astonishing to an underlying sense of vulnerability, given the unfamiliarity of my surroundings.

Their explanation brought a mixture of relief and confusion. The fragmented words of Nurse Emma had piqued my curiosity, but the thought of being found in such a vulnerable state left me feeling vulnerable and bewildered.

Nurse Emma and Nurse Alicia exchanged a concerned glance, their curiosity evident as they continued to inquire about my situation. Nurse Emma gently asked, “Do you remember where you are from, dear? And what were you doing outside the Silver Creek pack border so late at night with no clothes?”

I bit my lip, fully aware of the answers to their questions, but the fear of what might happen if I divulged the truth kept me silent. A shiver of apprehension ran through me, and I couldn’t help but imagine the consequences of speaking up. The idea of being brought back to whatever circumstances had led me with dread.

Nurse Emma and Nurse Alicia, sensing my reticence, exchanged another understanding look, their compassion evident in their eyes. Without pressing further, they simply nodded and continued with their gentle care, offering a sense of security that, for now, outweighed my fear of disclosure.

Nurse Alicia, recognizing my hesitation, spoke softly, “It’s alright, dear. We understand you might be scared or not to talk about it. Just know that we are here to help you, and we’ll do our best to make sure you’re safe and comfortable.”

Nurse Emma cleared her throat gently before sharing, “We ran some tests to make sure you were alright, dear. It was important to ensure your well-being after we found you in such a state.”

I couldn’t help but look at them in shock, my eyebrows furrowing as I stammered, “You…. Did you run tests on me without asking? What kind of tests?”

Nurse Alicia responded with a reassuring smile, “I understand you might be surprised, but it was all to make sure you’re okay. Please, forgive us if we didn’t ask first. We were only concerned for your health.”

Nurse Emma continued,” You were burning up last night with a high fever, dear. But today, you’re doing perfectly fine. It seems your condition has improved, and that’s a good sign.”

Their explanation put my mind somewhat at ease, though I was still taken aback by the sudden medical attention I had received. I nodded in understanding, slowly beginning to accept their good intentions.

Nurse Emma and Nurse Alicia exchanged another glance, their expression filled with gentle curiosity and concern. Nurse Emma spoke softly, “We noticed something quite unusual. You have the scent of a wolf, but it’s not associated with any particular pack or that of a rogue. Can you tell us more about this?”

Nurse Alicia broke the silence, her tone compassionate, “You must be hungry, dear. There’s breakfast downstairs, and once you’ve had a meal, you and your baby are free to go.”

I blinked in astonishment, “Baby? What baby?”

Nurse Emma’s words hit me like a bolt of lightning, and I could feel my eyes widening in disbelief as she gently placed a hand on my shoulder. Her voice was filled with tenderness as she delivered the unexpected news; “you didn’t know? You’re with child.”

I instinctively placed my hand on my stomach, the realization settling in slowly. When I turned to look at my reflection in the glass, I was taken aback by the dramatic transformation.

My once dark brown hair had turned a stunning snow white, and my tanned skin had become pale and ethereal. My hazel eyes had shifted to mesmerizing silver, and the change was astonishing. I appeared like a goddess.

The revelation sent a shock wave through me, rendering me speechless. My mind raced to comprehend the unexpected news.

The discovery of my pregnancy added an entirely new layer of complexity to my situation, one that I hadn’t been prepared for, and it left me both amazed and anxious about what lay ahead.