A Second Chance

~CATRIONA~

I opened my eyes to the sharp, sterile scent of the hospital.

The antiseptic smell hit me first, but it was the eyes staring back at me that sent chills down my spine.

He stood there, towering and imposing, with icy blue eyes that seemed to pierce right through me.

His chiseled features were both handsome and terrifying, framed by dark hair that fell just above his shoulders.

My soul quivered, trying not to meet his gaze.

"Ah---" I groaned softly, pushing myself up despite the dull pain throbbing in my head.

'Where am I?' I thought, taking in my surroundings.

'Could this be hell?' My breath hitched at the sight of the figure still standing before me.

'Why is it that I'm obviously dead but had to come back here, next to this demon?' I wondered inwardly, not daring to utter a word in his presence.

As he moved an inch closer, instinct kicked in.

"Don't touch me!" I resisted, but his ice-cold fingers ruthlessly dug into my wrist, as if peeling my skin.

The pain was overwhelming... The corner of my eyes prickled with hot tears.

"Why... Why me... Alpha Albrecht... Why does it have to be me...?" I subconsciously asked.

"Because you will always be mine!!" His deep, hoarse voice felt like chains imprisoning my soul.

Hearing the same answer he'd given me on the day I was killed, everything went blank...

Twenty minutes later...

My eyelids fluttered open again, and I squinted against the harsh, white light.

I blinked, trying to orient myself.

"Ms Catriona, you're awake," a gentle voice said. I turned my head and saw Dr. Langdon, the pack doctor, standing next to my bed.

He was a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard, and warm brown eyes that exuded a sense of calmness.

The white coat he wore was impeccably clean. I let out a sigh of relief until I noticed the figure beside him.

It was still Alpha Albrecht Conrad!

He wore a fitted black shirt that accentuated his muscular build, giving him an aura of raw power and dominance.

The stern expression on his face showed no trace of humanity or mercy.

Yet, in the next second, I tensed up again, my hands trembling. A strong sense of distress spread all over my body.

"How are you feeling?" Dr. Langdon asked, intentionally not paying attention to my terror.

I swallowed hard. I needed to stay calm, to play this right. Whatever is happening, I just need to play along.

"I... I have a headache," I managed to say, my voice shaking.

"That's expected after what happened," Dr Langdon said sympathetically. "You were in an accident."

'Accident?! What accident?' I thought, my eyes popped out in shock.

My memory was foggy, but I remembered the year 2021. The chaos, the bloodshed, the day Alpha Albrecht killed me.

But now, it is different. Everything seems... different now and old.

"You need to rest and regain your strength. We'll monitor you closely." Dr. Langdon checked my vitals, speaking in a soothing tone.

As he spoke, my mind whirled with thoughts of what exactly was going on.

'Could this be an afterlife?' I thought. 'Is this some kind of sick joke? Why am I back here? Back to where I thought I'd finally escaped with my death!'

Looking around the room, my sight caught something shocking. The calendar on the wall showed the year 2012.

'2012?!' I howled in my head. 'I had been transported back in time?!' I wailed inwardly.

Dr. Langdon finished his examination and turned to Alpha Albrecht. "She should rest now. We'll keep an eye on her condition."

Alpha Albrecht nodded, then glanced at the doctor, signaling him to step out of the room.

The moment the doctor was gone, I let out a shaky breath, my heart pounding against my ribcage.

I took a moment to process everything. The stark white room, the beeping machines, the undeniable reality of the year 2012 staring back at me.

How was this possible? Was it a hallucination? I had a second chance, but at what cost? I had no idea.

Suddenly, my gaze locked with the Alpha.

'He's still here. What does he want from me now?' I whimpered.

Alpha Albrecht moved closer, and I forced myself to meet his eyes.

"Alpha Albrecht," I greeted, my voice steadying.

As he pushed further, he lowered his upper body and tightened his arm around my waist as I was akin to a pillow.

"Still trying to escape?"

Next to my ears whispered the voice that gave me the creeps. Out of survival instincts, I shook my head.

"No, Alpha," I replied, but I was unsure whether he believed me.

He glanced at me for a moment and then looked down, giving me little kisses on my lips, chin and neck...

The heavy, hot breath buried in my neck gave me warning signs all over my body. I was like a deer who'd been bitten by a predator. I didn't dare move an inch.

After what seemed like forever, he finally let me loose. Alpha Albrecht watched me, his eyes darting.

"If you need anything, let me know," he said, his tone almost kind but It sent a shiver down my spine.

I couldn't trust him. Not after what I knew he would do to me in the future. But for now, I had to go on with the show.

"Thank you, Alpha," I said, lowering my eyes respectfully.

"See you at the pack house then." He uttered, turning to leave.

It wasn't until I heard the sound of the door shutting that I allowed my nerves to relax. I could finally reflect on my current situation.

I slowly stood up and walked to the restroom, to stare at my reflection.

The girl in the mirror was a ghost of herself. Pale lips, gnawed raw, trembled as she tried to steady her breathing.

Mascara smeared across my cheeks in dark streaks, evidence of tears and sweat.

Horrific bruises and hickeys marred my skin, each mark a silent testament to the pain I had endured in the hands of Alpha Albrecht.

I couldn't believe this was how I looked at only 21.

I pressed my palms against the cold sink, gripping the edges until my knuckles turned white.

My breath came in shallow, ragged gasps. My chest tightened as if the walls were closing in.

"Why?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Why have I returned to nine years in the past?"