The Howling Heart's Forgiveness

Chapter 65

“I can take her to the pack infirmary.” Someone argues in hushed whispers as strong arms scoop me into their embrace.

“You’re still a Rogue. It’s easier for me to take her in.” Another voice, the one the arms belongs to, retorts with a snort. It is clear to me that my deep sleep is now over as I open my eyes to find Quincy holding me and Rune glaring at him.

“How about I just walk in there myself.” I state, watching both me jump in surprise. I cling to Quincy for a moment, scared he will drop me and glare at my friend as he apologetically sets me on my feet. Looking between both men, I can see that there is a spark of rivalry brewing between them and I take a deep breath before I yell at the two idiot males that seem to be contending for my attention. Something inside me tells me that my some-what quiet life is going to become hectic now that Rune is in the picture again.

“Are you going to be joining Crescent Phoenix?” I turn to look at Rune, asking the one question I am praying he says no to.

“I plan to. Aunt Asteria already said I could join if I want. and will be joining the initiation ceremony into Crescent Phoenix with the rest of the Pine Moon wolves once she returns home.” Rune answers, a smile on his face. Taking another deep breath, I close my eyes and suppress any panic rising inside me.

“Okay.” Is all I manage to say as I walk towards the pack infirmary ignoring both Rune and Quincy as they protest in letting me walk in alone. Pushing the doors open, I step inside the building and make my way to the counter. The cool air conditioner causing me to shiver with each passing second and I curse Quincy for moving me from the Jeep without my warm blanket. Even with all the resting I have done the last two days that Quincy drove us home, I still feel the after effects of the heat.

[I want my blanket back at home.] I link my friend while I wait in line. It appears that the pack infirmary is busy today.

[Got it Bryn. If you need anything, let me know.] He replies back quickly. I assure him that if I need anything, I will let him know before closing the link. The line moves quickly but not quick enough as my body shakes from the cold air conditioner. I had wrapped my arms around myself, rubbing my hands against my skin to try and keep warm. Finally, it was my turn to be seen and I smile as I wait for the Nurse to notice me.

“Hi, take a seat over here and we wil-” The Nurse manning the front desk looks up from the computer, her eyes going wide as gaze lands on me standing before her.

“Beta Brynlee! Thank the Goddess you are home safe!” The round she-wolf waddles out from behind the desk, a look of worry mixed with relief on her face as she grabs a wheelchair from the wall and ushers me into it much to my protest. Those in the waiting room watch in shock and disbelief before welcoming me home while the Nurse pushes me past the double doors that lead to the back where treatment rooms line the wall.

Looking up at the Nurse, I notice her name card to see if I can learn her name. Luckily, her card is in the right position and I manage to see that the Nurse whisking me away is named Hilda. Hilda expertly steers the wheel chair through the hall ways, the trip smooth and effortless on her part while I peak in through the rooms. It isn’t my first time in the infirmary as I have sent many wolves here during training and visited when we were clearing away the aftermath from the attack. It is clear that with how empty the halls are that the pack is flourishing.

The halls smell clean, like bleach and disinfectant, causing me to sneeze every so often. It seems like the Omegas in charge of maintaining this building has done a good job and that I need to talk to Gale about rewarding them. Finally, Hilda turns one last hallway and a she-wolf in a lab coat emerges out from the last room on the right, her eyes zeroing on me. Her face also filled with relief as she motions for the Nurse to usher me into the room where she asks if I need help standing, to which I sheepishly admit yes to.

“Quincy linked me saying you would be coming in.” The Doctor states as she helps me from the wheel chair and onto the bed. Hilda waits by the door, tears in her eyes as she takes in my appearance.

“Can I get you anything Beta Brynlee? Some water or some food?” Hilda asks, her fingers fidgeting with her lanyard.

“I think right now we should hold off on giving our Beta food. I need to run some tests.” The Doctor interjects before I can answer.

“But-”

“No buts, Hilda. I can take care of Beta Brynlee while you return to the front desk.” Hilda’s head sinks as she is scolded by the Doctor before she reluctantly leaves to return to her post after telling me to feel better soon. It is clear that Hilda means well, but her worrying about me will just cause me to stress further.

“Sorry about that. Everyone has been in a tizzy since your abduction.” The Doctor apologizes, smiling at me as she closes the door.

“I am Jasmin Martin and, if you’d let me, I will be your Doctor for the foreseeable future.” Jasmin continues, stretching out her hand. I take it in mine, shaking her hand as I introduce myself.

“Brynlee Eclipse, and I would like that.” Jasmin thanks me as she asks me the usual questions about how I feel, and cough or fever and took my blood pressure. Once the basics were taken, she takes a seat on the rolling stool and gave me a serious look.

“Now, I can tell that something is wrong by your scent. You went through your first heat unnaturally, didn’t you.” Its not a question, but a statement and I find myself looking down at my lap. The story of my abduction comes out. How I was injected with something when I reached my cottage to waking up. From there, I explain being drugged again with a sleeping drug and then my daring escape. Jasmin listens to me, never interrupting unless its to ask a question and handing me a box of tissues when I find myself crying once again. When it came to the part of my forced heat, I freeze and think back to that day.

“How did your heat come about, Brynlee?” Jasmin prods, taking my hand in her’s.

“Viren of Onix Moon injected me with a drug. He…he rape me.” I admit. Jasmin nods and silence settles in the room. She asks if I would want to do a full lab test and after I agree to it, she asked me to take off my dress and lay on the bed. An hour of poking, prodding, x-rays and blood being drawn left me with results of some unknown drugs still in my system and an order of bed rest. As I dressed and stood to leave the pack infirmary, Jasmin asks that I come back next week to re-do the tests and make sure that I have healed properly.

Hilda is waiting for me when the door to the treatment room opens, ushering me once more into the wheel chair. I try to tell her that I can walk, but the older she-wolf wouldn’t hear any of it and so I conceded to my fate as she whisks me down the hallways once more until I find myself in the waiting room again. This time no one sits in the chairs, Hilda explaining to me that word of my return has spread and so the Doctors working today wanted to have everyone that came for medical purposes were taken care of or in a treatment room so that I can leave the infirmary without being watched. I thank her, asking her to thank the others for their consideration as Hilda helps me to stand.

With a hug from the Nurse and reassurance that she will talk to her fellow infirmary staff, I walk out of the infirmary and prepare myself to make the walk to the pack house to stay the night. I only make it five steps from the door when a pair of small arms wrap around me from the left. Surprised, I look down to find Lunette holding me, tears filling her little eyes as she looks up at me.

“I missed you Brynlee.” The eight year old whimpers out.

“We all did.” Turning to the sound of Chase’s voice, I find him, Henry and Gale watching me from the side of Gale’s truck. I didn’t think I had any more tears left to cry, but as Lunette and I walk towards her father and brothers, I find myself walking into Gale’s open arm as silent tears fall.

“We have a room for you ready at the house. Asteria, the pups and I won’t allow you to be alone when you’ve been through so much.” Gale whispers, patting my back as the pups lean into me. I should have known better that they wouldn’t let me be alone. Warmth from their love fills me and I realize why I formed a familial bond with the D’Artagnons. It’s because they are my family.

“Can we go home then?” I ask, looking up at the man who took on the role of my father over a year ago smile down at me.

“Of course Bryn. Lets go home and get you healing.”