CHAPTER 6: Free Basket

“Rina?”

I slowly opened my eyes, squinting immediately when bright light assaulted my vision.

“Hey, what happened?” 

I focused on the person sitting beside my lying form, and realized it was Maddie. 

“I got smacked,” I said, my voice hoarse. Maddie didn’t appreciate my nonchalance when she frowned.

“You have two broken ribs and a sprain in your ankle. How could you be so casual about this?”

“I’ve had worse days. You know that,” I just said and looked towards the side, curious where I was.

“You’re in the pack’s clinic,” she said, as if reading my mind. 

I sighed and lied properly on the bed, remembering only half of the happenings before I got here.

I remember getting so dizzy as Sebastian continued trying to make small talks with me. Then I just lost balance and blacked out.

I looked at Maddie and saw she was looking outside the window, looking like she was in a deep thought.

“What time is it?”

Maddie turned to me. “It’s 11 AM already.”

I immediately started standing up. 

“Hey, hey. You still have to—“ she tried making me lie back on the bed, but I pushed through.

“The head matron is going to kill me,” I said. 

I know they don’t have punishments here, but I still couldn’t help thinking otherwise. 

I’ve had this mindset for years. The fear embedded in me, making that reaction as a natural reflex. 

Old habits die hard. 

Maddie just pushed me down harder on the bed. I looked at her.

“Miss Miranda was the one who told me to come here and watch how you are doing. You are excused for the day to rest.”

I paused. My mind immediately went to what Sebastian told me. 

So, he really handled the head matron for me.

I heaved a deep breath and slumped back on the pillow. 

“What happened, Rina? D-did someone beat you up? A-are we not safe here?” 

I looked at her again, and soon as I saw the familiar curl of anxiety in her face and voice, I immediately shook my head.

“Hey, it’s okay. I just took revenge on one of the warriors that was trying to hurt me. I got what I caused. We are going to be safe here. I’ll make sure of that,” I consoled and held her hand that was already slightly shaking.

I had major beatings when we were still in the House, but I always try to make it even. But Maddie was too scared to fight back. 

She’s younger than most of us girls in the House, and I understand how she’s so much more fearful than I am. 

From the moment I saw her being delivered in the House, I immediately recognized the brokenness in her eyes. The innocence and peace inside her as a child completely shattered. 

She somehow reminded me of myself at that time; so fearful, stricken and still couldn’t grasp what that new environment she had meant.

I didn’t have anyone to protect me, so I tried being one for her.

It was like saving my younger self too.

Maddie exhaled a shaky breath and nodded her head, slightly appeased at my assurance.

I could only wish that lycans really weren’t the monsters people portray them to be.

“Did I miss anything when I slept?” I asked, trying to divert her attention from that dark thought.

“Not that much really. Just the same normal, good day.” She started smiling slowly. I could sense how her mood immediately shifted. 

“Have they been treating you well? What’s he like?” I asked.

We’ve never had the time to talk about the man who took her during the Offering since I woke up.

“He’s actually older.” She started.

“How old?”

“He’s 59.” My eyes widened and my jaw almost dropped.

“What? Are you nuts, Maddie? That’s literally the age-rage of those dirty old bastards going in and out of the House!” I couldn’t help grousing. 

Because what the hell?

Maddie just started laughing at me. 

“No, no. Listen.” I frowned and crossed my arms.

“That better make sense,” I mumbled.

“He actually took me as a rescue from the Offering. He basically just wanted to adopt me, as part of their family, to help.” My frown deepened.

She continued. “The Offering isn’t the same as it was before, Edwin said. They said that it may be true that they were still somehow scarce of the female population, but that didn’t mean they’d force themselves on us through that ceremony. They have other means to do it by now.”

“Then why continue doing that tradition?” I asked.

“Edwin told me it was also a way for their men to find their mates. It has been effective for decades, that it somehow became the purpose of the ceremony.” She shrugged.

“And the unmated ones will be taken depending on whoever wants to take them. The Vamos pack rules state that whoever takes an Offered must be responsible for them like family. In other words, we become a part of them. Which is what Edwin did, and they have been doing that tradition in their family for years to help wolves like us that didn’t have a home.”

“Then why tie us up in that pole? That didn’t seem justifiable,” I retaliated, doubting the reasons she was saying.

Yes, the man’s reasons sounded justifiable, but that didn’t mean I’d immediately believe all of it.

Maddie sighed.

“I also asked him that, and he told me that since The Offering is seen as something of savagery from the people that didn’t believe the change of its purpose, most Offered women resort to fights, changing into their wolves that causes a lot of chaos. There was one time that many died, and they didn’t want that to happen again.”

“If they just explained the so-called changes, that could have not happened. And being tied up like a sacrificial lamb wouldn’t be necessary,” I huffed out.

Maddie smiled at my irritated face.

“Well, many already proposed that, but there was this king that reigned for many years that thought instilling fear continuously would keep them the glory they’ve had for centuries. That king wanted people to continue fearing the lycans, saying it was the most effective method for them to keep the power they deserved and to keep on reigning.”

She paused and stretched her arms. I moved away when she moved further on my bed to sit properly.

“But Edwin told me that King Titus is trying to change as many rules as he thought necessary. It’s hard to break centuries of tradition, Rina. But King Titus is smart and powerful enough to do it. Edwin trusts him, and I trust him too.”

Something inside me stirred in her words about the king. I could hear Jia purring at the back of my head, but I kept my face as is.

I looked at Maddie who was now lying on the pillow as I leaned on the headboard of the bed.

She looked so relaxed and calm.

“You know very well how dangerous it is to trust someone that easily. And they’ve done so many bad things.”

Maddie closed her eyes and scooched closer to me like she normally does. 

“Always so tight and critical,” she chuckled, and I frowned. She opened her eyes, making me see that gentle green pair of eyes she had.

“But people change, Rina. And I could sense I could trust Edwin and his family. They are an elite clan in Vamos, and they’ve been treating me like one of them since I came in.”

She raised the ends of her yellow skirt. “You see how nice my dress is? Linda, Edwin’s wife, also gave me some of her rings.”

My eyes went to the sapphire ring in her finger. 

She smiled brightly and giggled while looking at it. I didn’t notice that the last time we saw each other.

I sighed. 

“Fine, so you’re now really part of their family as their daughter? Don’t they have children of their own so they took you? And you’re too old to be still a kid on adoption.”

Maddie sat up from the bed and laughed. I smiled.

“Well, they initially thought they could use some help since Linda is sick, and she wanted a girl to take care of her. They have one son. And…” 

“And?” I asked when she paused. 

“Edwin wanted me to meet him and get to know him,” she said, evading my watchful eyes.

“Do you like him?” Maddie’s response was immediate.

“No, I don’t!” She blushed.

“Your face doesn’t look like you don’t like him.” I raised a brow at her.

“So he wants you to be his son’s girlfriend instead?” I added, to which Maddie frowned at me with a little pout.

“No. I’m still helping them with Linda. Edwin just doesn’t want me to feel like I was just their servant, that’s all.”

I continued staring at Maddie for a little while, trying to tease her, but at the same time watching how genuine her reactions were to the new people around her.

And from what I could gather, it appeared that she’s truly happy.

“Sabrina Ringwood.”

A man who was wearing a white coat suddenly approached us and called my name.

Both Maddie and I sat properly on the bed as he approached.

“How are you feeling?” He asked, meeting my eyes. 

He was much older than the rest of the lycan men I’ve met since we came here. 

It must be the gentle atmosphere he brought around that made me much calm and comfortable, despite him being a stranger. 

“I feel good,” I said. He immediately nodded and smiled.

“That’s great. By the way, I am Ben. One of the pack healers.” I nodded. 

It immediately made sense why I felt comfortable with him. I’ve always been comfortable with healers around.

I just like the warmth around them. It reminded me of home.

“Thank you… Sir. I feel much better now,” I said as I stared at him. Oddly comfortable and appreciative of his presence.

He smiled. “Oh, I didn’t have much to do since you quickly healed on your own. Your wolf must be taking care of you properly. And she must be strong.” 

Maddie and I looked at each other, knowing well how Jia hasn’t been the one anyone could call ‘strong’. 

For years, we have been fed with such a small amount of food and we were overworked, plus the beatings. So our wolves weren’t that strong to begin with. 

And before we met the king, Jia hadn’t been active, the reason why I never tried changing into wolf form after I changed a couple of times before. 

I realized she was just too weak and I’d eventually just throw her off at the back of my consciousness too much if I pushed it.

So hearing the healer say that was something I didn’t anticipate. 

“Are you sure? I usually take two or three days to a week to heal,” I asked. 

“Hmm, that is quite long even for a non-lycan wolf,” Ben thought to himself. 

“But after examining you this morning, I’ve seen all your wounds dissipate, even your broken bones are completely healed.”

I tried feeling my chest and indeed I didn’t feel the same strikes of pain I felt before.

“If that’s not your wolf sustaining you, then it must be your mate. Matebonds can do that. They sustain and help each other. Do you have a mate, Miss Ringwood?”

I froze on my spot. 

I could feel Maddie turning to me as the doctor waited for my answer.

I looked away from him. 

“N-No. I guess my wolf had just found its strength after resting. Thank you.”

I got up from the bed and adjusted my shirt. I kept my cool as Maddie and the doctor continued watching me.

I could hear Jia purring inside my head, liking the idea that her mate had just helped her. 

‘Go to him after this and say thank you.’ I immediately frowned at her words.

‘No,’ I replied and turned my attention back to the two in front of me.

“Thank you, Sir. We should go,” I said and gestured for Maddie to follow. 

But the healer stopped me and handed me a basket full of fruits and bottles.

“You’re welcome, dear. But take these vitamins and fruits with you. Despite your fast healing, you are close to being malnourished. Please do take care of your health, Miss Ringwood.”

I took the basket, surprised. 

“Wow, does everyone get free vitamins and food from the infirmary all the time?” Maddie asked enthusiastically.

I looked at the doctor, also surprised at how well the pack has organized all these for their people. 

The healer chuckled. 

“No, but we do give out free medicines for injured werewolves that self-healing can not sustain. Someone just really bought those vitamins and fruits for you, Miss Ringwood. Are you sure you don’t have a mate?”

I shook my head.