02

“Hey boss. Ummm could you possibly go check on Rex for me? He was at the vet this morning getting groomed and all his shots I was about to go get him before Jacob burst in.”

“Yeah, I’ll grab him and bring him with me. I was heading to the hospital anyway. Maybe they’ll have you ready by the time I arrive, and you can come with me.” I say as I turn toward the vet clinic.

“Okay, I’ve called ahead and told them you would be picking up my main man for me. I knew you wouldn’t let me down picking up my baby.”

She laughs, “Rex is a beautiful dog, and so brave. I’ll grab him and call you.”

“Thanks boss. They are taking me back for an Xray now.” I say as the radiological tech walked in. Motioning for me to follow them down the hall.

“Bye Katie.”

“Bye Boss. Thanks again. For everything”

“Alright, let's get some images of this arm and see how we can help you?” the perky blond says as we walk into the room full of equipment. She has to help me move my arm into different positions. I try not to cry out in pain. Why my wolf wouldn’t just shift and heal itself was beyond me.

She walked me back to my room, and within minutes the doctor walked in reading the x ray.

“Well Ms Katie, on a positive note, it's a clean break. The nurse will be in a few minutes to put you in a cast and a sling to stabilize it while you heal. You should heal fairly quickly but with your wolf hiding right now it could take longer than normal. There’s nothing we can do about your cheek but I do recommend ice and lots of rest. You’ve been through a major ordeal. Your wolf is hiding right now because she is traumatized. It could take some time for her to come back to you.”

My phone rang as the doctor walked out. Seeing it was Aria, I asked “Hey did you get Rex?”

I hear him bark and can’t help but laugh.That the Goddess for that dog. He was my world.

“They are releasing me in a few are you close?” i ask as the nurse walks in and starts wrapping my arm

“I always forget how quick they can get you in and out during emergencies.” I say laughing.

“Yeah, clean break. Nothing they can do for the swelling on my cheek and nose.” I shrug. “They just put the cast on my arm and a sling. I’m ready to go.”

“I am in the garage for the emergency department, I found a spot-on level a.”

“Thank Christ. I’ll be down in ten.” I say as the nurse hands me a color swatch. 

I shrug my shoulders and point at the black and she nods then starts to wrap my arm in black. She then helps me into the sling.

“Thanks.” I say as she hands me the paperwork for me to leave.

She smiles sadly at me. I know that she feels bad for me. Yet there's nothing that they can do. I’m cursed.

I make my way to the parking garage and look for Aria’s car. Smiling when I see her exactly where she said she would be. 

I opened the passenger door causing  Rex to go crazy in the back seat as I lowered myself into the seat. I tilted my head back against the seat moaning in pain. “You don’t have to ask.”I say, glancing over at Aria as I pull the seat belt over myself and buckle in.

         She shook my head, “I wasn’t going to ask anything.”

        I rolled my eyes, “You are the owner slash director of a women's abuse shelter, hell not even the first time you’ve seen me come in like this in the last three years. I know what you are wondering Aria.”

         “I wasn’t going to ask because I already know.” She said as she pulled out of the parking garage. She glanced over at me and smirked, “You're going to nail his ass to the wall and I’m going to be there to support you along the way.”

       I held my fist out to her and she bumped it laughing.

     “Fucking right I am.” I laughed as Rex put his big head between us and slobbered all over her face. “I’m okay baby, I’m okay.” I rubbed his head and looked over at her.

         “Thank you for answering, for saving my life today.”

         She shook her head, “You saved yourself, I just answered the phone.”

         I shook my head and looked out the window as she drove me to the shelter.

         “You’ll have a private room to yourself with Rex until you feel comfortable going home.” she said as we pulled up to the shelter.

         I nod before whispering, “I hate that he did this to me again. Made me a victim again. All I’ve wanted since I left was to be normal. I refuse to allow myself to enter a relationship now. It feels like he still has control.”

         She turned to me and looked me in the eye, “Then allow yourself to be happy. No one can tell you what to do or how to feel. You want to meet someone only you can allow yourself to open up and only you can tell yourself when you are ready. We will surround you with love and support you. We will never mock your crazy hair and amazing tattoos or the not-so-secret piercings you have told us about. You know Lori, Braylin and I will do anything, absolutely anything to see you happy. You aren’t a victim though, and I never want to hear you say you are. Because Katie, You are a survivor. It takes strength to walk away. It takes everything in you to stand up and face the abuser head on, you know my story, I never faced my demon. I just found out recently my brother and the man I love did. You are stronger than anyone I know.”

         I got out of the car and walked over to where she stood Rex’s leash in my hand. I wrapped my good arm around her and pulled her in close.

         “Without you guys I wouldn’t be here.” I said softly. “You are all my strength, and your friendship has built me up in ways I will never be able to explain.” I opened the back door and leashed Rex. He bounded out of the car and sniffed the ground, then started wagging his tail.

         “Hey Aria,” a male voice said from behind us.

         I turned and saw Aria’s cousin Brenton standing in the doorway of the shelter , his eyes widened, and he pushed away from the building and his long legs ate up the ground between us.

         His eyes raked over my features; he didn’t seem to notice the rather large dog standing at my feet. “What happened?” he asked, not noticing Aria beside me. 

       I narrowed my eyes and opened my mouth when Rex pushed me back and pushed himself into Brenton’s leg with his tail wagging wildly.  His tongue lapping at Brenton's hand begging for attention. I had never seen Rex react to a grown man in such a way.

Fuck maybe my wolf had been right the day we first met, maybe he was my real mate.