Luna

Chapter 29

Compassion (n.)

1. Sympathetic pity and concern for the suffering of others.

For so long, while going through what I went through, I wished someone - anybody would show me some sympathy. The only problem was that those who knew were the very same that were causing the pain and suffering.

"How are they?" I ask the lead physician, Dr. Kenneth. Like the warriors at the border, he and his team were very reluctant to treat the women and children. It's a direct violation of their Alphas' order, and a part of me feels guilty for putting them against him. But for now, I've managed to reassure them that if there's a bone to pick, he'll have to deal with me.

He nods his head ever so slightly and lets out a sigh. "They're dehydrated for the most part. Most of the women are weak and will require more treatment than others, and we will have to wait and see how their wolves are later. The children are another issue," he says as he rubs the back of his neck, looking a little defeated. "The boys are fit and healthy, for the exception of a handful, and the girls... They're malnourished and dehydrated, for the exception of the pup you healed. They seem to have been deprived of vitamin D as well, which isn't that hard to get as long as you're frequently outdoors. I just... I don't underst-"

"I do," I interrupt, and he gives me a quizzical look. For a doctor in his position, he sure is naive. "They were probably not allowed to go outdoors. The women... their mothers - they may have been slaves or treated as slaves by the pack and their mates. The girls and that handful of little boys were most probably locked up and treated as runts. The weakest of the pack."

He looks at me knowingly, and I sense an apology coming my way, but a quick shake of the head and nod towards the women moves the conversation back to the original topic. His reaction is a trend that's becoming a norm within this pack. I don't know why or how, but most seem to be showing me more compassion for the past few weeks. I've even received a few hellos in passing, which has taken me aback for the most part, but I'm getting used to it.

"So how many will be discharged today?" I need to make the appropriate accommodation requirements, and as such, I need to know how many will be getting out today.

"Eight women will be discharged, five boys, and the one girl."

"So how many are staying?" Matthew asks as he makes his way towards us. He's been listening to our conversation while conferring with one of the nurses, and when he was done, he slowly made his way towards us. Dr. Kenneth seemed to be surprised by his arrival though. He must not have been paying particular attention to his surroundings.

"Five women - three of which are teens, three boys, and five girls," he responds, and Matthew grunts in disgust. It's not directed to the group, but towards how they were treated from wherever they've come from. So far, I've only managed to ascertain bits and pieces from Isla in between her treatments, and from what I've heard, they were treated horribly.

The doctor soon dismissed himself, and I'm left with a rather angry looking Matthew. "Are you okay?" I ask, and he looks at me like I've just asked the most ridiculous question in the world.

"Are you!?" he snaps back but quickly composes himself and his emotions. With a sigh, he adds, "I don't get why anyone would treat their mates and pups like this," and I scoff.

"Really?" I ask with a sad smile. "There's evil in this world which we will never fully understand, Matt. It's just how the world works." Shrugging, I let out a sigh and add, "My past... my history, their lives... We are proof of the evil that's in this world. Just be glad you never had to experience it first-hand."