6. Was this all a coincidence?

Best friends, Alpha Nicholas and Beta Dave, peered at the unconscious orange-haired woman on the bed.

Dave leaned toward Nicholas. “Are you sure keeping her close will make things easier?” he asked with concern.

Ignoring his question, Nicholas turned to the doctor. “How long before she wakes?”

“Considering the wound was caused by wolfsbane, it might take a week or more,” the doctor said. “Her body is weak, and her wolf is not in good condition. We have to be patient.”

Nicholas fixed his eyes back on the beauty he had rescued from the dark forest, the very same woman who’d abruptly proposed to him at the pub. Just like the night before, she was magnificent, and he felt drawn to her. Her features were unique, especially her eyes. He couldn’t forget their distinct fiery orange flecked with silver. He had seen many women throughout his life, but had never crossed paths with any like her. She had the power to captivate with a mere glance.

But was it simply a regular attraction for him? Or was it because she was the first woman he could get close to in a thousand years?

Contemplating, he shook his head and left the room.

Dave followed. “Alpha, this girl doesn’t seem right to me.”

Nicholas paused, turning his gaze to his beta. “Did you run a background check on her as I asked?”

Dave sighed but nodded. “I did. Her parents were the alpha and luna of the Night Walker Pack, but they died in a rogue attack the day she was born. Her uncle and aunt took over as Alpha and Luna and raised her as their own… at least until their real daughter, Olivia, showed up. Things got messy after that and really messy recently.”

“Messy how?” Nicholas asked.

“Turns out Olivia was her crush’s mate. Rumor has it that she couldn’t take it and attacked Olivia in the alpha’s quarter. Their alpha then demoted her to an omega, and they say she turned on him and the luna after that, too. I mean, want to talk about impulsive. What loyalty can you expect from someone like that?”

“You know the situation, Dave,” he said, his tone deep and as cold as ice.

Dave inhaled deeply. “I do, Alpha. But—”

“There is no room for ‘buts.’ We’re not in a position to question her loyalty or aggressive character. We’re in a hurry to make a decision, and... she’s the one.”

Dave lowered his eyes. “Yes, Alpha.”

****

Beep... beep... beep…

The machine’s incessant noise irritated Scarlett’s eardrums. Her nose scrunched, and her face wrinkled in annoyance.

Whispers tried to break through her hazy consciousness, and slowly, she heard them form words. “This is astounding. How did she heal in just forty-eight hours?” asked a male voice. “It should have taken at least a week, maybe longer. But two days? I’ve never seen this before, Alpha.”

“How long before she wakes?” asked another male voice. It seemed familiar, but Scarlett couldn’t quite place it.

“Considering her progress so far, it could be any time now.”

‘Ulva,’ Scarlett weakly called for her wolf. ‘Are you there?’

‘I am.’

‘What happened? How did we end up here?’

‘We were attacked by rogues and hit with wolfsbane. I don’t know exactly where we are, but it seems we’re in good hands for now,’ Ulva said, sounding uncertain.

‘For now?’

‘I’ve been up since last night, keeping an eye around. They don’t seem to have any intention of hurting us, but I’m not sure why they are taking care of us either. I don’t know what they get out of it.’

‘Hmm... Got it. Are you all right now? I was worried when I lost connection with you.’

‘I’m fine. It was the wolfsbane. It made me too weak, but we have healed already… very quickly, and I feel stronger!’ Ulva said, jumping up and down in Scarlett’s mind to display her point.

‘Good for us then.’ Scarlett smiled and slowly opened her eyes, then fluttered her lids to adjust to the bright light.

“You’re awake. How are you feeling?”

Scarlett turned her head to see a man in a white doctor’s coat. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice still weak.

“You healed quite quickly. Do you have any idea how?” the doctor asked.

Scarlett thought for a moment and then shook her head. “My wolf informed me about that. She also said she feels stronger than before.”

“Excellent. That sounds like good news indeed,” the doctor said. “However, we still need to run a few checkups to make sure everything’s fine.”

“All right.” Scarlett tried to sit up, and a nurse helped her. The moment the nurse moved away, she looked in front of her bed and gasped at the figure there. ‘What is he doing here?’ she asked Ulva, alarmed.

‘Oh, I didn’t mention him? He saved us that night,’ Ulva said matter-of-factly.

Scarlett gave her the equivalent of an internal eye roll. ‘Seriously, Ulva? You forgot that?’

Ulva shrugged, and Scarlett shifted her concentration back to the man, who looked even more ravishing than he had at the pub.

They locked eyes, but didn’t speak. Then he simply turned and left the room, followed by the doctor. A nurse remained behind.

‘This is so embarrassing!’ Scarlett said to Ulva.

‘Which part?’ Ulva yawned. ‘That he saved us and watched you naked, or that you were willing to be naked in front of him, knowing he’s George’s uncle?’

‘Cute, Ulva,’ Scarlett replied, narrowing her eyes in annoyance. ‘You blocked me, and I did what I thought was right, so don’t blame me.’

‘I’m not blaming you, Scar.’ Ulva sighed, yawning again. ‘‘I’ve been awake since last night, keeping watch. Now, it’s time for me to sleep. Will you be fine alone?’

‘Yes. Go to sleep.’

Ulva fell asleep within seconds, and the nurse brought Scarlett a hearty meal. While she ate, her mind went back to the rogue attack. She couldn’t believe they dared attack her at the Lycan border, or that her mysterious pub man defeated them.

She turned her gaze to the closed door. Before she lost consciousness, she thought she was hallucinating, but it turned out to be true. He had brought her here.

Scarlett looked around the room. It didn’t look like a hospital but a luxurious bedroom, even larger than her room in the alpha’s quarter. But why? Why would he help her, and why to such a degree?