Chapter 17
Skye’s POV
Consciousness returned slowly, like swimming up through murky water. I forced my heavy eyelids open, blinking against the unfamiliar surroundings that gradually came into focus,
Soft light filtered through gauzy curtains, illuminating a spacious room with pale blue walls and modern furniture.
A gentle beeping sound caught my attention–medical equipment monitoring my vitals.
This wasn’t my cramped apartment above the laundromat. This wasn’t anywhere I recognized.
Memories flooded back in disjointed flashes–the parking lot, the drunken ranch hand, the searing pain as the bullet tore through my chest, and finally, Adrian’s ocean scent wrapping around me as darkness claimed me.
tried to sit up, immediately regretting the movement as fire lanced through my chest. A strangled gasp escaped my lips as I clutched at the bandages visible beneath the thin hospital gown.
I nearly tumbled from the bed.
Strong hands caught me just in time, steadying me with surprising gentleness.
“Easy there,” Adrian’s deep voice cautioned, his warm palms supporting my shoulders. “Your wound hasn’t completely healed yet.”
I hadn’t even heard him enter the room. Looking up, I found myself caught in his amber gaze, those whiskey–colored eyes filled with concern rather than the suspicion I’d expected.
“How long was I out?” My voice came out raspy from disuse.
“A full day,” he replied, carefully helping me back against the pillows. “You lost a lot of blood.”
I glanced toward the window, noticing the silver moonlight streaming in. Panic shot through me as I realized what time it must be.
“My shift at the bar!” I exclaimed, trying to rise again despite the pain. “Buck will be looking for me!”
Adrian’s hand gently pressed me back. “Your phone was damaged in the attack. Nadia took it for repairs. His lips curved in a small smile. “If you’re worried about your boss, Nadia already called him. Told him you had gastroenteritis and couldn’t make it in.”
I stared at him, disconcerted by how he’d anticipated my concern before I’d even voiced it. “How did you-
“It seemed the logical worry,” he shrugged, his expression unreadable.
My thoughts turned to my attacker, bile rising in my throat at the memory of his hands on me, his alcohol–soured breath against my face. “What about… that man?” I couldn’t bring myself to be more specific.
“You don’t need to worry about him,” Adrian stated, his tone suddenly colder, more clinical. “I’ve taken care of it.”
“Taken care of it?” I echoed warily. “You mean…”
“Made it look like a wild boar attack.” His eyes held mine steadily. “The human police won’t trace anything back to us.”
The calm, matter–of–fact way he discussed disposing of a body should have terrified me. Instead, I found myself impressed by his thoroughness, even as I recognized the danger that lurked beneath his controlled exterior.
“Thank you, I murmured, not knowing what else to say.
Silence settled between us. Just as I had observed in the bar, Adrian seemed content to watch me, studying me without demanding immediate answers.
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Chapter 17
The quiet was shattered by Nadia’s arrival, her voice carrying down the hallway before she even entered the room. She appeared in the doorway, directing a young woman behind her who carried a tray of food.
Put it on the table there,” she instructed before turning her attention to me. She tossed something soft onto the foot of my bed–a simple cotton dress in pale green. “I figured you’d prefer something loose until your wound heals completely.”
Despite her abrasive manner, I felt oddly relieved by Nadia’s presence. Her straightforward hostility was at least transparent, unlike Adrian’s unnerving calm.
“Eat, she commanded, crossing her arms as she stood beside my bed. Then we have questions. A lot of them.”
Adrian gave her a measured look. “She needs rest, Nadia. The interrogation can wait until morning.”
But- Nadia began, her expression mutinous.
Adrian’s eyes flashed with subtle authority. Whatever silent message passed between them was enough to make Nadia press her lips together in grudging acquiescence.
Rest well, Adrian told me, his voice gentling as he turned back to me. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”
As they moved toward the door, I caught Nadia rolling her eyes dramatically before shooting me one final suspicious glance.
When morning came, I woke to find an Asian woman in a white coat checking my bandages. Her nimble fingers probed the wound site with professional detachment.
Remarkable healing,” she murmured. “Almost complete tissue regeneration in just forty–eight hours.”
I stared down at my chest in shock as she removed the last bandage. Where there should have been a gaping, barely healing wound, there was only a small pink scar, already fading.
This wasn’t possible!
Without my wolf, I should heal only marginally faster than humans–not rapidly enough to recover from a gunshot wound in two days.
Before I could question the doctor, the door swung open, revealing Adrian and Nadia. The timing was too perfect to be coincidental.
Nadia wasted no time on pleasantries.
“Now you’re patched up, time to talk. Who are you really? Did Maxwell send you?” Her eyes narrowed. “What’s your purpose hiding in a backwater like Boring?”
I hesitated, weighing my options. These people had saved my life, treated my wounds. Perhaps I owed them some honesty in return.
“I belonged to Frostshadow Pack in Alaska,” I admitted finally. “I left three years ago. If possible, I’d rather you didn’t tell anyone from my former pack about
me,
“Frostshadow?” Nadia’s eyebrows rose. “That’s a major northern territory. Her tone remained skeptical. “Why would you leave?”
I met her gaze steadily. That’s personal, and not something I need to share. Believe me or don’t, but I’m telling the truth. I have nothing to do with that Alpha Maxwell.”
I shifted, testing my strength as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. “If there’s nothing else, I should go. Thank you for your help, but I’ll be leaving Boring–and Texas–as soon as possible. I won’t cause any trouble for your pack.”
“My phone?” I asked Nadia, extending my hand.
With visible reluctance, she pulled it from her pocket and returned it. I had little doubt she’d examined every contact, message, and photo on the device.
I rose carefully to my feet, relieved when my legs held firm.
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Chapter 17
Turning to Adrian, I forced a polite smile. “If you wouldn’t mind showing me the way out?
Adrian, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke. His words stopped me cold.
If you don’t belong to any park now,” he said, his deep voice filling the room, “why not join Oasisborn?”
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