Chapter 5

The Salutaries were hard at work trying to help Amelia. Swift hands cleaned her wound and assessed her situation, often whispering to one another. They mainly worked in silence as Amelia winced now and then, trying to hide the pain, sometimes failing miserably. She felt the poison as it spread into her bloodstream. It burnt like fire but for some reason, it gave her a sense of power. Something she had never felt before but liked, much to her surprise. Even though she still hadn’t accepted what had happened to her.

Amelia felt out of place being surrounded by so many strangers. But sat as still as she could while they assisted her. She held her hands tightly in her lap. Trying to hide the extreme pain that she is in, she hung her head and prayed that this was all a nightmare from which she would soon wake up. A nightmare that she felt would never end. One she wouldn’t wish on her worst enemy.

“Amelia?” inquired a soft familiar voice. “Is it you? Are my eyes deceiving me?”

Amelia turned to face the direction from which the voice was coming. Her eyes went as big as saucers and teared up immediately, as she saw the welcoming face she’d known all of her life.

Amelia jumped up off the cot, much to the protests of the Salutaries helping her, and into her mother’s arms, not caring who saw her break down into sobs, not caring about the searing pain as she moved. She’d found her mother and that is all that mattered at that moment. Feeling her mother’s arms around her felt unreal. She had wished for it for so long that she feared it might be a dream. She held on as tightly as she possibly could, not wanting to let go.

“What are you doing here?” questioned Amelia, surprise written all over her face, as she eventually pulled away from her mother, still holding her hands. “I thought that I’d lost you forever!” Amelia held her mother’s hand so hard that she was sure her mother was beginning to lose all feeling in it.

“It’s a long story, my love, and I promise to tell you every single word as soon as you’re all patched up. All we need to concentrate on now is getting you healed and seen to.” Lucia helped Amelia back down onto the cot. Kneeling and holding her hand as her wound was cared for. Both of them not wanting to let go for the fear of losing each other once again.

“Are you also one of them?” asked Amelia, a look of confusion on her face, her eyes holding a million questions. She noticed that her mother’s eyes shone brighter than before. “Is this where you’ve been all of this time? I looked for you but could never find you.”

“Yes, my love. This is where I’ve been. I too was bitten, just like you. Walking away from you and the human world was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Knowing that I’d never see you again almost killed me.” Lucia’s eyes glistened with tears. Sad that her daughter was fated to live a life like her, but happy to see that she was alive.

“I’m scared, Mom,” whispered Amelia softly to her mother, afraid of her uncertain future. “What is to become of me now?” Amelia had no clue as to what she now was or how she would change. All that she knew was that she had been thrown into a world that she knew nothing about. A world that would change her forever.

“I was scared too, but you’ll be okay. I promise you that. I’ll be with you every step of the way. I’ve come to accept my place here in the pack and you will too. It took me a while to adjust, but life here has been good for me. We at least get to do this together. I’m here for whatever you need.” Amelia felt some relief knowing that she at least knew someone other than Jax at the compound. She was also at peace knowing that her mother was alive and well. She thought that she’d lost her forever after not finding her for so many years. She remembered breaking down the day she received the news and a tear threatened to escape. Reliving that painful memory was just unbearable. Her heart broke into a million pieces and she was certain that it would never be whole again.

The Salutaries made quick work of cleaning and dressing Amelia’s wound. They already sensed that she was going to turn and become one of them. They confirmed that her new fate would assist her wound to heal quickly. They smiled to themselves when they saw the joy shared by Amelia and Lucia, trying to hold their tears.

Amelia continued to feel the change happening within her. Even though she should have been weak from the bite, she felt a sense of strength coursing through her. A strength she’d never felt before. It consumed her and threatened to break free.

“What will happen to me now, Mom? No one will answer that question,” asked Amelia worried about what to expect nervous as all hell. She Imagined an unbearable amount of pain as she transitioned from human to wolf and then back again. She’s seen so many werewolf movies that she felt she knew the pain she would experience. It scared her. She refused to go through the change. But did she even have a choice?

“Nothing at first. You will start feeling stronger than ever before. Your senses will heighten - smell, taste, and hearing. You will be taken into the pack as an Omega where your training will begin. You will then work your way up the ranks, depending on how well you do as a fighter and pack member. You will soon learn to embrace your wolf form during your first turning.” Amelia swallowed hard, her heart beating out of her chest. Fear showed in her body language and on her face, as she clenched her hands at her side.

“Will I need to learn how to fight as well?” inquired Amelia, who almost regretted asking as her mother had just confirmed it. “You of all people know that it is not in my nature, Mother.” Amelia was not looking forward to being forced into fighting. She’d always been the peacemaker among her friends.

“Yes, but you don’t need to stress about that now. All of the wolves are kind and our Alpha will quickly put them in check should they step out of line.” Amelia never thought of herself as a fighter, but a fire inside of her had been lit, and she suddenly felt that she might enjoy it. Adrenaline began to course through her body. It felt quite electric.

“What will happen when I transition, Mom?” Asked Amelia as she looked down at her fiddling hands. “Will it be as painful as in the movies?” Her mother smiled and sat next to Amelia on the cot. She explained that the first few transitions were painful, but that it would get easier the more she did it. It would soon become second nature to her. Her wolf self would be as important as her human one.

Lucia decided to change the subject for Amelia to calm down and to take her mind off of her fears of turning. “Jax seems to have taken a liking to you. He will surely take you under his wing and make sure that you have all of the support that you need. He’s one of the good guys around here, always looking out for what’s best for the pack. The best Second out of all of the neighboring packs.” Lucia was relieved that Jax had found Amelia when he did and brought her to the pack as quickly as he had.

Amelia couldn’t help but get giddy when her mother mentioned Jax. His good looks and warm nature made a good first impression on her and she realized that she would love to spend more time in his company. And with this thought, a goofy smile appeared on her face.

“I think I like Jax,” confided Amelia, “there’s just something special about him… other than the fact that he’s lovely to look at.” Her mother let out a little giggle at Amelia’s confession, having seen that Jax had a soft spot for Amelia too. Amelia immediately blushed. She loved having her mother back in her life to share these private mother-and-daughter moments with.

“He seems extremely protective over you. I’ve never seen him so concerned about another new wolf. He usually keeps his distance when it comes to female members of the pack and hasn’t even found his mate yet.” Lucia’s heart was happy that Jax was so concerned about Amelia grateful that he found her when he did. She shuddered at the thought of what might have happened had he not shown up and scared the rogue wolf away. Rogues are ruthless and only have one thing on their mind…kill. No matter if you are human or wolf. They were fearless and attacked at the first opportunity they saw.

All bandaged up and lovingly attended to by the Salutaries, Amelia was ready to leave their building. She was filled with dread about going outside and being exposed to the rest of the pack, who already had mixed feelings about her. Her mother offered to show her around as a way of making her feel more at ease, as she could see how uncomfortable Amelia looked. She could see her visibly trembling and took hold of her hand to calm her down. Something she’d done with Amelia since she was a little child. And it worked every time. Even now.

They were about to leave when Jax showed up to check in on Amelia. Concern showed all over his face. He felt protective over her, even though they had only just met. He just couldn’t seem to think of anything else but her for the last few hours. She had consumed his every thought and crawled into his heart. He had no way of stopping it or controlling it. It was as if he was constantly drawn to her, both physically and mentally. This feeling confused him and made him feel giddy all at the same time. His actions were so different from the normal Jax.

“How are things going here?” asked Jax casually, as he briskly made his way toward Amelia and Lucia.

“She’s all bandaged up and ready to go, but we’ll need to check up on her tomorrow. Her dressing will need to be changed and we’ll need to keep a keen eye on her bite. The last thing we want is for it to become infected.” Amelia felt tender on the spot where she was bitten. She knew she would for quite a while, her bite was much worse than she’d first imagined. She silently wished that Jax had done more damage to the rogue wolf. Made him feel the pain that she now was. But she somehow knew that Jax would still take his revenge on the rogue. He’s promised just as much.

It was time to face the pack. Amelia wasn’t ready for it.