His Estranged Mate

Chapter 24: Slap of Truth?

CATRINA

I wake up to the pain of my aching head and the sound of a steady beep, beep, beep, echoing around me. Looking around myself, I take in the lights, the machine, an IV that's injected into my left hand. It looks like a hospital room, but not the one where I work.

How did I come here? What's this place?

Wasn't I supposed to be in Xan's house? He was telling me about how to bring back our father but I can't recollect a single thing after that.

Trying to recollect, I try to focus on the events but a sharp pain goes off in my head and I feel nauseous all of a sudden. Gasping for air, I sit up in the hospital bed, grunting in pain when my shoulder digs into the bed.

"Oh, you are awake!" whispers someone from my right side and a shocked scream leaves my throat. God!

There's a man to my right, he's sitting on a couch. Wearing a thick coat, only his face is visible. He stands up at my question and I note that he's tall and built-in his shoulders. His green eyes look at me in assessment as if he's trying to scrutinise me.

"How did I come here? Where's my brother?" I ask, panicking suddenly but for what I don't know.

"I found you at the border of my son's territory. I am Connor's father, rebenok"

He's whispering as if talking to a scared child and I realise that I probably am scared. I am confused more than scared.

"Where's Xan?" I ask and Connor's father's eyebrows rise in question.

"I don't know who you are talking about. I found you at the border of my son's territory and I have informed him. He was searching for you when you disappeared from your home. He will be here at some time."

Oh, shit!

I was supposed to go to lunch with Connor. He's searching for me? How long was I at Xan's place? How long was I asleep? Belatedly I remember that I probably didn't even lock my door, in my haste to talk to Xan and then get back home. That must have shocked Connor because I never leave my door unlocked.

How careless!

Connor's father exits out of the room, leaving me alone to deal with my thoughts and to try and recollect if I was dreaming about my step-brother or if he indeed is a real person. Lately, I think I am losing my mind. The incident with the trespasser, I don't know if there was really a trespasser in my house or if I am slowly losing my mind. Then I imagined Connor in my apartment and now this.

I try so very hard to recollect if Xan dropped me off at Connor's territory. If he didn't then how did I come here?

More importantly, why don't I remember leaving Xan's place? I just remember that I was drinking hot-chocolate with Xan. I remember the pregnant maid, I also remember that Xan told me about needing my help to bring back our father but I don't remember what it is. I don't even remember if I said good-bye to Xan.

Why can't I recall anything?

On the verge of having a mental breakdown, I am saved when Connor's father and a woman enter the room, diverting my focus to them.

They both scrutinize me as if I am a bug and somewhere I get a hint that Connor's father doesn't like me.

The woman comes forward and takes my hand in hers while smiling gently at me. I return her smile, not quite sure of what else to do.

"Hello, Catrina. I am Alyona. I am the pack healer for Alpha Connor's pack," she introduces herself and then squeezes my fingers.

"Hi, thank you for taking me in," I start but then she shakes her head making me stop.