Tammy's POV Adam's voice rings out across the room. "Everyone," Addressing his next words to me, he adds, "This is Tammy. She's going to be the nurse from now on."Murmurs spread throughout the room, with people turning to each other and whispering in hushed tones. Everyone except the man and lady sat across the table from us, who seem to be sizing me up.I shrink to me seat, the self-consciousness taking over again. I'm usually not this shy, but I get the feeling from these people that there is more to them than what meets the eye, and it fills me with discomfort. I feel a twinge of anxiety at the thought of if I'll eventually fit in, even if I won't be staying long.Adam continues, his voice firm and authoritative. "As she would be the one taking care of our sick, I expect that each and every one of you would show her as much respect as you would show me." He pauses, his eyes scanning the room. "If she needs something, provide it for her. I don't want to hear any complaints. And mo
Adam's POV I follow my father in silence out of the dining hall, through the house, and we end up at the library. "Who is she? And why did I find out about her this way? along with the rest of the pack?!" he demands, his voice echoing through the room. "Do you not have any respect for me anymore?!" I understand his reaction, but his tone suggests that I intended to keep it away from him, which is not true - or at least not completely. I also know that I and my father have never been close, even before my mom died, but I at least expect him to have some trust in me. If I didn't tell him, it's because I had a good reason not to. "She's my mate," I reply calmly. His expression changes from anger to shock. "Mate? You mean you found your mate, and you didn't even tell me?" I wonder since when it became mandatory that I report to him everything that goes on in my life. The role of alpha aside, it's starting to feel like he wants in on every detail concerning me. "I was going
Tammy's POV The sunlight filtering into the room enters my eyes immediately after I open them, causing me to groan and cover them. I had forgotten to close the windows before I went to sleep last night. I stretch my hand out, reaching for my phone on my bedside cupboard, but my hand comes in contact with an empty space. That's when everything that happened yesterday comes to memory, and I become aware of my surroundings. I had accepted Adam's request and am now living in his oddly located mansion in the woods. As I sit up, more of the events from yesterday come to mind, and the remembrance that I might not be liked by the people here, makes me feel a bit down. I try not to remain down, as I came here for a purpose that doesn't necessarily need them to like me - although a part of me wishes that they would. It's time to start counting down to the two weeks I'll stay here, starting from today. I have to go prepare myself for the day ahead. I think I'll just do some rounds and acce
Tammy's POV The smell gets stronger as we approach the rooms, but I try to control myself from reacting to it. Adam doesn't pay any more attention to me, which saddens me but also makes me feel relieved. "Where would you like to start?" he asks, his voice cutting through the uncomfortable silence that settled between us. I hesitate for a moment, considering the options. "I think I'll start with the ones who aren't too sick." That way, it would reduce the workload, and I can assess their condition effectively. Adam nods, changing his direction as he leads me there. I brace and comport myself, preparing to handle any situation I see. I won't be working with the help of anyone in my field, so I need to be able to handle everything with a clear mind and utmost maturity. We get to a door, and Adam pushes it open to give me access. I take a breath before entering, and as I do, the smell hits my nose again, but this time milder than when we just got here. In the medium-sized roo
Adam's POV I feel bad for lying to my mate. She's spending her time checking on patients who are as good as dead. She doesn't know that they're not just in an ordinary sleep, but it's the curse, and there's nothing she can do about it. I wish I could tell her everything that's going on, and it already looks like she's starting to get suspicious. I should have told her everything from the start, but I'm scared of losing her. She wouldn't have easily accepted the truth, and lying seemed to be the best option at that time. I'll tell her the truth when the time is right. 'But when would be the right time?' Thane chooses that moment to ask. I purse my lips, remaining silent, as I am unable to provide an answer to his question. 'We shouldn't keep lying to her.' 'I know. I'll tell her soon, I promise." Tammy has spent a lot more time in this room, I wonder why. It's been over thirty minutes since she went in, and she's still not out. For a simple check, she's spent enough
Tammy's POV A groan escapes my lips immediately after I wake up, my head pounding. The sun is already setting, which means I must have been out for a while. I try, but fail to remember what caused me to lose consciousness. All I am able to recall is going to the infirmary, but nothing after that, which is strange because I am sure I had done more than that. I stand up, but a the throbbing in my head increases, causing me to lose balance and fall back on the ground with a loud thud. I groan and try to pick myself from the ground. Adam comes to my aid at that moment, rushing into the room and helping me up. "Are you alright, Tammy?" Adam's voice is filled with concern as he helps me regain my footing. I nod weakly, still feeling disoriented from my sudden fall. "I don't know what happened," I mumble, rubbing my temples in an attempt to alleviate the persistent headache. "You fainted," Adam said carefully. Fainted? How did that happen? The pain in my head subsides
Tammy's POV "There's something I have to tell you."I sit up straighter, all my attention fixed on him. My heart thumps in anticipation of what he has to say. "I don't want to discuss anything in here, can we go for a walk instead?" I propose.I've been indoors all day - aside from the incident period - and I think some natural breeze on my skin would do me much good. "Alright then," he goes outside to wait for me, giving me privacy to change.I slip out of bed and put on a pair of slippers. I don't change my clothes, as I am shaking with anticipation and I don't want to delay things any further. We walk in silence, the tension palpable. He leads me to a clearing where a tree has been cut, and then takes a sit, encouraging me to do so too. "So, what did you bring me out here to talk about?" I ask, unable to control myself any longer. "There's something - a lot of things, actually - that I kept away from you," he takes a deep breath. "I know everything I'm about to say might soun
Tammy's POVHis words resound in my head, and I hold my hands against my ears to block it out. It can't be true. I didn't leave my job in the city, to come waste my time chasing an illusion. He's probably not telling the truth about this one. Yeah, that's it. "They are all under the influence of-" Adam starts, but Eric interrupts him."Adam!" Eric calls from a distance, cutting off Adam's statement. 'They are all under the influence of what?'Eric rushes over to us, sweat glistening on his skin. "Adam, Tammy! A few of the patients are awake!" he announces merrily. Adam stands up from his sitting position, his eyes wide with surprise. "Don't play with me, Eric."Eric holds up his hands. "I swear, they woke up this evening. It came as a surprise to everyone too.""But how?" Adam wonders aloud and glances at me briefly before they both go quiet. They seem to be engaged in a conversation, without uttering a word. I wonder how that's even possible. Eric shrugs before he speaks. "I do
Alexander's POV A muffled groan escapes me as I pull at the chains binding my wrists, the cold metal biting into my skin. It's futile. No one has heard me in twenty years - I doubt today will be any different. Footsteps echo through the cave. Then, a familiar sound. "Tch tch tch." My captor clicks his tongue as he steps into the dim light. "What have I told you about making noise, Alex?" I don't respond. How can I, when I've lost my voice? He chuckles, low and cruel. "Oh, that's right. You can't speak."He moves closer, stretching out his hand. The moment his fingers hover near my skin, the searing pain begins. I should be used to it by now, but the agony never dulls. My mouth opens in a silent scream. "You know, I should have grown bored of this by now," he muses, watching me writhe. "But it still pleases me. Why is that, Alexan?" I glare at him, hatred burning in my eyes. It only amuses him. "How pitiful. The mighty Alpha of skyline pack... reduced to this. And yo
Third person's POV "Arabella!" Freya's voice cut through the stillness of the woods.'Where has she gone now?' her mother thought, pushing into the forest, searching for her daughter. Her eyes darted between the towering trees, searching for her daughter. The girl always wandered off, and Freya always had to go looking for her. A sharp squeal rang out behind her, followed by the sound of laughter. Freya spun around, heart lurching. "Arabella, come back! It’s just a bug; it won’t hurt you!""No, go away! You're gross!" The voice was closer now, high-pitched and teasing.A second later, Arabella came barreling through the trees, her black curls bouncing with each step. She crashed into Freya’s legs, giggling, until she glanced up and saw the stern set of her mother’s jaw. Freya folded her arms. "What have I said about you running off into the woods?"Arabella’s laughter died. She clasped her hands in front of her, eyes cast downward. "Not to go too far."A rustling came from the
Unknown person's POV I have been observing the girl Adam brought here - Tammy - for a while now, and none of them even suspect a thing. She isn't just a normal girl, no matter how much she tries to deny it. That night in the meeting, when she first arrived, I sensed something off about her. Something different. Her scent burned hot in my nose, too intense, too unnatural. At first, I thought it was just my heightened senses playing tricks on me. But when I saw her up close again, I knew it wasn’t. Even the people who woke up from the curse-induced sleep testified that they had seen her doing something to them. I can't believe that even when Adam was there to witness it firsthand, he still didn't try to investigate her properly. And when he eventually did, he convinced himself she was a Wanderer. He proves to be a fool at times. I'm incredibly glad that I've gotten somewhat close to them and I was able to get access to the book on Wanderers. And I'm also relieved that he wa
Tammy's POV I sit up, intrigued by what he has to say. "It happened when I was seven," Adam begins, his voice quieter now. "Around the time the curse started and my mom died. I can't seem to remember the details, but I remember thinking about the ashes on every tree. I decided I liked the color grey that day. I couldn't like the color of the ashes because of the sad memories attached to it... so I picked the color closest to it.""Shouldn't that have been white?" I tease, a soft laugh escaping me. He chuckles. "Grey's probably felt more like me. A dull, heavy nothingness."His words settle between us, and I frown. Something about his story doesn’t sit right with me. "All those things happened at once?" I ask, my brows furrowing. "That's three questions, Tammy," he points out, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. "And to answer your illegal question - I don't know. My memories from that time are a blur. I only remember what came after.""That seems odd, don't you think?"He ex
Tammy's POV "What do you mean you can't find the key, Ophelia?" Adam's voice booms, vibrating through the thick, wooden door. He's asked her that, for might be the hundredth time, this morning. I'd woken to the sound of Adam's escalating shouts. Ophelia had so conveniently misplaced the key - my room key! And of course, there's no spare one around, because the keys were in a bundle.I fight to hold in a laugh as Adam's face flushes red, his frustration radiating off him. He's definitely tired of being trapped with me for so long. I don't blame him. After hours of forced proximity and a pretense of casual conversations, due to Ophelia's ingenious plan. We tried our best to make things less tense between us, but that has worn thin. And now, it's either Adam leaves, or we see how long we can ignore the obvious tension lingering between us. "Ophelia!" Adam roars, his fist slamming against the door again. "Find that key right now, or I swear you won't like what happens when I get out
Tammy's POV We've watched two more movies - romance and action - and I'm already starting to feel sleepy. Like she read my mind, Ophelia stands up with a yawn. "I think I'm gonna sleep now." She comes over and gives me a brief hug. "Good night, Tammy. It was so nice that you could join us." I wonder if I even had a choice.Eric, who had fallen asleep in the middle of the second movie, stirs awake. "Has the movie ended already?" He asks, and we both laugh. "Yeah," Ophelia answers. "I was just about to head back to my room.""I'll come with you," Eric says, rubbing his eyes as he stands. "Good night Tammy. Adam," he nods at his brother before they both leave the room. This movie night was more relaxing than I expected - well, if I ignore the uncomfortable moments with Adam. At some point during the movie, I’d unintentionally leaned into him, and the brief eye contact we shared felt like it lasted too long. He didn't seem to mind. But I, on the other hand, was freaking out inside.
Tammy's POV The chill of the night air seems to seep into my bones, a contrast to the heat that was pulsing through me moments before. "Forget we've ever been together," my words to Adam echo in my mind, leaving a bitter aftertaste. I watch Adam's retreating back, the broad line of his shoulders disappearing into the darkness, and a hollow ache settles in my chest. His kiss still lingers on my lips. I didn't intend to make him leave like that. Well, I did, but not in that way. I had expected things to go... smoother, to say the least.I almost regret telling him to pretend. Almost.'Liar.'The word claws its way up my throat, but I swallow it down. I know I'm not fooling anyone, especially not myself. The kiss, the way my body had responded on its own accord, even the way I’d melted into him, was a betrayal of my carefully constructed walls, of my determination to leave, and of my fear. I knew that after having a night together, he would begin to think that he had finally gotten
Adam's POV "Forget that we had sex." Her skin becomes darker, and it's noticeable even in the dim light. She clears her throat. "And uhm... also forget what happened after."I don't have to ask her what she means, understanding that she is referring to her loss of consciousness. I don't think it's something she should be ashamed of, though. But I don't tell her this, knowing that she wouldn't care to hear it. After all, she just demanded I forget everything, like it didn't mean anything to her. "Why?" I ask her. If I'm to do as she says - although it is impossible - I would have to get a good reason. It isn't just her experience; it is mine too. And it's like she's taking away my right to feel happy about being with my mate. She turns, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Why do you need an explanation?"I stand, like the seat suddenly became too hot for me. "Don't you think I deserve one? After all, you are my-" I stop myself, the word "mate" catching in my throat. I know that she
Adam's POVThe sound of Eric's booming laughter resonates through the woods. "It's not funny, Eric," I mumble, rubbing the back of my neck. His laughing fit dies down, but a glint of amusement remains in his eyes. "Wait," he chuckles. "Come again. You mean she slept off while having sex with you?" "Yes," I breathe. My response sends him into another wave of laughter, and I instantly regret telling him. "Wow. I knew you sucked, but this is a whole new level."I ignore his jests. I know what happened to Tammy wasn't normal, I just know it. "She came into my room, begging me to have sex with her, and when it happened, she fainted." I pause. "Do you think that's normal?"The grin on Eric's lips vanishes, an unreadable look taking its place. "She came to you? I thought you went to her. I mean, isn't that the werewolf thing to do? Especially with the full moon's heat?"I sigh. "I know, and that's why I'm worried. Why would she do that, and then lose consciousness?""Do you think it's