Chapter 2

Mercedes held her breath when the attention of the three werewolves was on her now. She was in the spotlight, but she was not afraid. But she was still cautious, but deep down she believed that these wolves killing her would be the best thing that would happen to her, rather than living on the run for the rest of her life. Initially, she thought starting a new life would be easy, but in a few moments, a realization dawned on her. Like that man who chased her, her past would be on her tail, following her everywhere she went. So she stood her ground. Running was clearly not the solution, so she had to face whatever came on her head-on.

I mean, what could be worse than what she has had to face in the past few days till now?

The three wolves analyzed her but never approached her. They looked much calmer than before and none threatening. Even she could not understand how they were not doing anything but just staring at her. The gush of wind blew, and their thick fur moved along with it. Mercedes envied how unmoved they were. That the cold was not affecting them as it was hers.

Simultaneously, they too retreated to the shadows. Mercedes was left standing alone, and she sighed in exhaustion. She found herself back on the ground with a loud groan. All the adrenaline in her system began to vanish, leaving her body frail. Her body was freezing and numb. Her mouth was dry, and she desperately needed even a drop of water. The exhaustion weighed on her body and she was unable to move. She stayed down and marveled at the night sky littered with stars. She thought of counting them, but she didn't even have the strength for that. Everything was taking a toll on her, and she needed to rest. Her eyes eventually became heavy and she gave in. There was nothing she could do. She had nowhere to go anyway, so she spent the night on the forest floor all alone. She didn't even care about what could happen at that time.

Mercedes cracked her eyes open. The sun welcomed her to another day. She stood down for a second to assess where she was along with trying to remember the events prior. It all came rushing and hit her like a ton of bricks. She quickly sat up, but she was no longer on the forest grounds. She was in a hospital bed, or she assumed it was a hospital by seeing hospital-related charts on the wall. Fear consumed her when she saw herself in a hospital gown and out of the clothes she had on. She was confused, and she had questions that needed answers. She carefully got down from the bed and headed for the door.

But she was too weak, and she fell forward, on her knees. The door opened, and she saw long slender legs, clad in gladiator sandals. She looked up and saw a woman a little bit older than her in a white coat, black bobbed hair, piercing blue eyes that creased on the corners, and the brightest smile anyone has ever given her. The surprises never ended. It was one thing after another.

" Hey there. "I see that you are already awake." Mercedes willed all the strength she had and stood up to the women's height. She was on the downside. The woman was taller than her. She did not say a thing, not really knowing what to say to a stranger or doctor.

" Oh, I'm sorry," she giggled. " Where are my manners? "My name is Crystal Perez. "Doctor Perez," she clarified, offering her hand for a handshake. Mercedes took a second and linked their palms together, not wanting to be rude to the first person to talk to her with a smile on their faces. " Uh... I-I Mercedes," she responded. She was also amazed by how beautiful the woman in front of her was. Her silky black hair, small button nose, and long elegant neck. She started to feel insecure. She hadn't even showered for days, and she surely had a bird's nest for hair. She inwardly groaned and cringed, imagining her awful appearance.

" Alright, Mercedes. "How are you feeling now?" she asked, helping her back on the bed and laying her down.

" Like I have been run over by a truck over and over again." She was not going to say that out loud, but it just came out. Crystal smiled. " I feel you." She examined her, and she silently jotted something on her clipboard. She was very focused on what she was doing, but Mercedes interrupted her. " I'm sorry Doctor... Crystal, but can you tell me where I am?"

Crystal paused and looked at her. " You are in a clinic. "You were found in the forest, and you were brought to me for treatment." Crystal made sure to answer as cryptically as she could. She could not afford to let it slip that she was in the White Claw Pack clinic. She saw that Mercedes was going to keep asking questions, so she quickly decided to divert her attention.

" You were in pretty terrible shape when they found you. Barely breathing and your heart rate was low," she informed her, scanning her expression to try and read her. But she was blank. Her eyes were just empty, and she could not figure out what she was thinking. Crystal wanted to inquire about the scars that marred her body, but she felt that she would be overstepping, or maybe it was a sensitive topic.

" Thank you for saving me. "You shouldn't have, but thank you," Mercedes said to her, leaving her confused. She was wondering if Mercedes wanted to die. Was she suicidal? She was told to try and gather as much intel she could about who Mercedes was and what she was doing outside pack borders being chased by a rogue. Crystal just had to find out anything that could help. She really felt sorry for Mercedes. She looked so young by she was already looking lifeless. The scars attested to her struggles.

" No need to thank me. "I must save lives," she smiled tenderly and placed her hand on Mercedes's, and extended her support. A strange emotion went through Marcedes. She was experiencing new things. She had just met a person who was nothing but sweet to her, and it almost felt unreal. Everyone saw her as nothing and just treated her like shit. It was strange for a person to talk to her for longer than a minute.

" What happened out there, Mercedes? "Why were you in that state?" she asked with her tone laced with worry if only her mother treated as half as Crystal treated her in the last couple of minutes. But there was no use in thinking about it now. " I-I don't know," she replied in a daze. " I had a long day, and I was trying to get away from something, but... someone followed me." I had to run into the woods. I-I-saw something that I won't ever forget. I didn't know it was possible in real life. "Last night's events were a bit hazy," she concluded. Mercedes purposefully left out the part of seeing a human turn into a werewolf because who in the world would believe that? She still couldn't believe it herself.

She was afraid if she said it, they would immediately send her to the psychiatric ward for evaluation. So she couldn't risk that. She would keep that fact to herself. " Did you see that person's face?"

Mercedes shook her head. " No, no, I didn't get a good look at his face, but there was one thing that stuck out. He had a big scar-like he had been attacked by an animal. " Without realizing it, Mercedes was disclosing what had happened to Crystal. Crystal listened tentatively to what she had to say. She surmised that it was a rogue werewolf who followed and tried to hurt her. She was rescued by the border patrol.

She smiled. " Well, I am glad that nothing happened to you. All we have to do now is get you patched up and good to go. "Do you have any place to go after here?" Mercedes went quiet. She didn't want to tell Crystal that she did not have anything or anywhere to go. Crystal looked at her expectantly to tell her something and she decided to lie.

" Yes. I am going to... my aunt's house upstate. She is expecting me in a few days. " Crystal saw through Mercedes's lie, but she did not say anything just so she would not make her more uncomfortable than she already was. " Okay then. I'll prescribe you some painkillers for the pain you are feeling. And if you want to, you can continue taking rest. I have to go make some rounds, but I will send someone with food for you.

Mercedes nodded her head in appreciation and laid back comfortably on the bed. She closed her eyes with a small smile on her face. Whatever comes from now on, she will deal with it later. For now, she will just enjoy the small peaceful time in her life before it becomes all chaotic.