Without a Wolf

Chapter 18: Healing

Sophia

I was stiff and sore all over. My head was slowly spinning and I couldn't feel my toes. Suddenly I thought I was in the cell and they were torturing me again.

I shot upright and opened my eyes in a panic. I wasn't in the cell, but I didn't know where I was. It wasn't my room.

A pair of large hands quickly grabbed my arms and I tried to push them away and hit them, but their grip was strong, yet not painful.

"Sophia! Babe, calm down!" a soothing voice said.

I stopped fighting and stared wild eyed at my mate. Michael was sitting next to me on a large bed with a very worried look on his face. He had a five o'clock shadow that made him look older, he looked thin like he hadn't eaten anything for a while, his hair was disshevled and I couldn't have been happier to see him.

I quickly wrapped him in a hug despite the throbs of protest from my arms. He hugged me back and squeezed me as he inhaled my scent. I couldn't stop myself from crying now. I was so happy to be with him and also relieved to be away from that cell.

"Sophia," Michael said, pulling back. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry!" I cried. "I'm so sorry!"

He growled and tightened his grip on my arms. "What did they do? Tell me!"

"I already told you!" I sobbed. "Don't make me relive it! I'm sorry about fighting against the guards! I guess I needed them after all. I'm just a weak, pathetic girl."

"No," he cooed. "No, you're not weak, or pathetic. You were incredibly strong!"

I tried to smile, but the tears probably made me look stupid. Michael smiled back and wiped away my tears. I leaned into his warm hand and then I dragged my eyes away from his to look around the room. I was lying a very soft, very large bed with dark blue covers, there was a couch and a large TV on the far wall, a door that was open showed a large bathroom, and another for a wide closet half full of clothes. Where was I?

"I-I hope you like it," Michael said nervously.

"Michael, where am I?"

"Y-you're in my room."

My mouth formed an 'o' as I looked around the room again. I didn't know Michael was such a clean guy. His floor was spotless, no clothes or random things anywhre, unlike my room. The place even smelled like vanilla and fresh linen.

"I didn't know you were a neat freak," I smiled.

He laughed. "I'm not. I just...I just wanted my room to look good for my mate."

I blushed. "Well, don't bother next time. I can't stand complete neat freaks like Tommy. My room is a complete mess."

"I know. I was there, remember?" he smirked.

I playfully slapped his arm, making him laugh and snake his arm around my waist. He laid down next to me on the bed, and we just stared at each other. It was pure bliss, until Michael's expression suddenly became serious.

"I have something to ask you, and you need to tell me the truth," he said.

I nodded. What could be so important?

"While you were kept there, did you-" he stopped and sighed, looking away from me. "Did you and Brayden-" He wasn't able to ask his question.

"Did Brayden and I...? Kiss?" I asked, trying to fill in his question.

He thought for a moment before he nodded. "And, you know...mate?"

I blushed wildly before I sat up, breaking his hold on my waist.