Skye took a breath to steady his hand and brought the scalpel to my skin.“Are you sure?”“Just do it, Skye!” I didn’t mean to snap, but I was already fighting down my trauma, and I wanted this over with before Logan came back.“Okay, okay.” The blade bit into my abdomen, opening a trail of red across the orange iodine stained skin. The pain was familiar and helped me focus on my breathing.I had chosen this. This was my choice. That thought helped me settle my panic down further, so I kept repeating it to myself like a mantra. Sky made several more overlapping incisions. Each time, the scalpel dipped further and further into the bloody cave he was opening. He moved with precision, working quickly but deliberately, brows furrowed together in concentration.“Almost there.” He murmured.A trembling breath escaped my lungs in a soundless whimper. The emotional pain was worse than the physical pain. But this was why I had requested a hysterectomy. I couldn't keep doing this. As much as I
I peeked out through my lashes at the yellow and very well lit room and groaned. "Well, well, it looks like my favorite patient is awake. How do you feel?" I tracked his voice to the chair next to the bed I lay on. Skye gave me a gentle, if not cautious, smile.“Why is…” I grimaced and licked my dry lips. “Why is my brain so fuzzy?”Skye's smile faltered. “What do you last remember, hon?”The tone of voice he used immediately put me on edge. “Why?”“Just… please.” His big hazel eyes searched my own, so I did as he asked.I furrowed my brows and hauled myself into a sitting position but then closed my eyes, trying to remember. The fuzz in my brain refused to budge, swirling around my thoughts like a lazy fog. I shook my head groggily, looking back up at Skye.“I can't think. My brain is too fuzzy.”The Healer pursed his lips and then spoke. “I had to sedate you.”My mouth popped open like a fish.“For your own safety.” He added quickly when my face morphed into a look of horror. He s
Skye kept me under observation for the remainder of the day. He had told Logan it was to make sure I didn't relapse, but I was pretty sure that he just said that so I could rest and have some peace and quiet.It was strange to be so alone outside of the basement after years of constant abuse. I had never really had free time. Never had me time. Logan had hardly let me out of his sight for the last seven months, and his presence had become stifling. So laying on the little cot in the dark, listening to the world turn around me and feeling the ripples of energy pass over and through me, I felt like I could breathe a little bit easier.Every so often, Skye came to check on me and bring me food. His energy was soothing, like chamomile tea with honey or lavender, I came to recognize it before he even knocked.But then worry started to creep into my mind. I had never had this much time to think and just be. What if they were plotting something? What if Logan and the Alpha were thinking of s
The moon stared back at me, unblinking through the window as I lay trapped under Logan's arm. “Do you remember our first shift?” I asked Silver. “The freedom and joy we felt?” A wistful sigh escaped me. “I wish we could go back to that night. Back before any of this happened” But my wolf said nothing. She had never ignored me outright before. “Silver?” I called searching within myself for a trace of her strength and love. But all I found was darkness and the taste of metal. She was gone. “Logan.” I shook the arm draped over my waist. He mumbled something but didn't wake. “Logan!” I tried again, panic edging into my voice. This time, he stirred and blearily asked. “What is it? What's wrong?” “I can't feel her. I can't feel my wolf!” Tears poured from my eyes as I clutched his arm like a lifeline. “My soul is gone.” I had lost her. I had been so wrapped up in carrying on the pretenses of this relationship facade that I hadn't noticed my wolf slowly fading away. Now she
Only to be woken again, not long after. I groaned, blinking my way to consciousness at a snail's pace. I shouldn't be so tired after having slept so much yesterday! “Come on, Silver, we need to talk to my father.” Logan shook my shoulder gently, trying to coax me into full wakefulness. My mind didn't want to connect to my body, so I felt like I was piloting a robot through a thick fog. Slowly, I moved my head off Logan's chest and sat upright rubbing my eyes. “You can go back to bed after this, baby.” Logan smoothed down my hair as he also sat up then pressed a kiss to my temple, and slid out of bed. The promise of being able to go back to sleep and the pressure of my bladder finally got me moving, though I still had trouble coordinating my limbs. I yawned, tossing the blankets off my legs and stumbling to the bathroom to pee. I didn't remember putting on the t-shirt that I wore, but I was grateful to be wearing something. I hated the way Logan's eyes trailed over my legs. I
True to his word, Logan took me outside that night to sit in the moonlight. It felt electric, like sparks running down my spine, but also soothing. I laid out in the damp grass, letting the pale light play over as much of my skin as possible. A dreamy smile crossed my lips, and a sigh escaped my lungs. This really was magical. The Moon Mother was definitely smiling down on me as I gazed up at her. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt this good. I hadn't been allowed out into direct moonlight in years and only recently began to see her through Logan's bedroom window. She was beautiful. Though the dew laden grass soaked my clothes and the night was chilly, I didn't feel the slightest bit cold. It was like moonfire was bathing me in heat. Sadly, the perfect view of the mostly full moon, just barely beginning to wane, was suddenly blocked by Logan’s head as he leaned in and kissed me. It should have been romantic, a kiss under moonlight, but with his ulterior motive… I suppre
It was another quiet, misty morning when, in the chill of the predawn air, I crept from the warmth of blankets beside Logan, intending to go for a run. I pried myself from the alpha's son's grasp and dropped lightly off the side of the bed, scuttling around to collect my discarded clothes like a thief in the night. He didn't stir, too exhausted from trying to put a pup in me. I was grateful that he slept so soundly. As swiftly as I could, I stripped out of my pj's and into a faded sweatshirt with matching pants and a pair of Silently, I crept from the room, avoiding the creaky floorboards that refused to be fixed. It was still dark out, but I had excellent night vision, so the thick surrounding blanket of shadow didn’t bother me. Making sure not to wake anyone, I snuck downstairs and outside, easing the door closed behind me. I had nearly an hour before the dawn patrol ran circuit. Plenty of time. Breathing in the cool air, I felt full of life and energy. The scent of rain that had
Just as I started to think that I was safe, thundering footsteps tramped down the hall in my direction. Panic flooded my system, and I looked around desperately for something, anything that would keep my secret. I could not allow myself to be caught. My heart raced faster as the footsteps drew nearer. What could I do? With that thought, calm slid through me, and Silver took control of my body, letting me sink into the safe embrace of her pelt. “Worry not, Little One. I have you.” With that simple reassurance, Silver removed the clothes that I had been wearing and tucked them at the bottom of the dirty clothes hamper. Then, slipping back into the overly large t-shirt that I insisted on wearing as pajamas, she padded silently into the bathroom and closed the door just in time for the bedroom door to bang open. “Logan, get up.” The Alpha snapped. “Mmph… What time is it?” Logan asked groggily. I could hear him rolling over in the bed I assumed to face the door. “It's about a quarte