What About Now?

Chapter 11 - "I'm Just Me"

I wake up with a jolt, spitting up water and coughing violently.

Electricity courses through my veins, the source coming from my back soothingly being rubbed. My body automatically relaxes under the comforting touch.

"Are you alright princess?" Levi  worriedly gazes into my eyes.

"I'm fine," I mutter tiredly and pull my hand away from his touch.

I glance down sadly towards my hands and recall the frightening vision, my wolf's translucent eyes.

I shake my head fearfully. Pegasus is right; my powers are turning on me.

My hands ball into fists. I shudder just remembering the water encompassing my trapped form. However, I also remember Pegasus's truthful words echo through my mind.

It's been your protector your whole life, and you seek to exterminate it.

Levi interlaces his fingers through mine, causing my stiff form to loosen. He proceeds to squeeze my hand tightly, as if making sure I won't pull away.

"What happened to you back there?" he questions vehemently, anger lacing his tone at the memory.

"Are you asking me, or commanding me?" I retort indignantly, trying to pull my hand out of his grasp.

I continue to tug against his hand but only accomplish to make him frown and tighten his hold on me.

The doctor decides to walk in at that moment causing my hand to go lax against Levi's and turn to glance at his approaching form. He smiles as he advances toward me. His green eyes are comforting and the freckles running across his face make him seem incredibly young.

He bows his head towards Levi and then does the same towards me.

Levi follows my confused gaze towards his and growls viciously. He proceeds to stand up and block his sight from mine, snarling threateningly. I attempt to look over his shoulder but find it futile when my aching limbs immediately drag me back down.

I can't help but feel bad for the poor guy, briefly being able to see his legs tremble.

"My prince, I am here to check the princess's vitals and then speak to the both of you," he says cautiously.

"Do it quickly then Collins," he mutters irritably. 

Levi moves to sit by my side, eyes slowly changing back to his own as Collins gathers the necessary equipment. While he's busy preparing I take the opportunity to study the room and frown as I do so.

There isn't a single shred of vivacity in this room, I conclude, assessing the dull room. Everything from the walls to the appliances consist of the same color, white. It's depressing and quickly makes me shudder at the thought of having to stay here any longer.

I've never seen this place on my tour with Diana, I ponder silently.

"This is the pack's hospital room, we're in the east wing," Levi explains glancing at my confused expression.

I nod in understanding without sparing a glance towards his direction, causing a snarl to leave his lips.

If Doctor Collins wasn't here right now I'd give him a piece of my mind but for now I think it's just best if I ignore him. 

When I'm done being checked over, which includes the constant growls leaving Levi's lips for "holding on too long," Collins grabs his clipboard.  He looks it over carefully.  His green eyes raise to glance at the prince, as if mind linking him. I turn towards Levi and watch him nod somberly. Finally, both their  gazes turn to me.

"It could have been worse," he says sadly, staring at the prince.

"Is she fine though? I don't want any more episodes like this," Levi responds in a deadly tone.

"It seems her body hasn't been receiving the proper amount of nutrition for some time. Therefore lacking in her necessary vitamins and minerals, and ultimately causing her body to malfunction, " he explains sadly looking from the prince towards me.

I keep my head lowered feeling the shame swiftly settle over me. Everything Levi said is true, I realize despondently. I really wasn't taking care of myself.

"Princess, have you hunted in your wolf form lately?" He patiently waits for me to answer his question, scrutinizing my hunched form carefully.

Levi follows his gaze and stares into my eyes. If I was answering to Doctor Collins solely I'd lie without giving it a second thought, but lying to Levi is different. For some reason it hurts to lie to him. When he looks at me like that I get the feeling that he can see through my soul, like he knows me better than I know myself.

"No I haven't," I answer truthfully and nervously clasp my hands together.

"Then if I am correct her wolf is weakened as well." 

"What am I supposed to do then?" Levi questions, taking my hands in his own.

"I will be giving Diana the princess's  meal plan for the next couple of months to help her regain her strength, but I urge her to take it slowly. Her body is in a very fragile state right now; therefore it is impertinent that she takes things at her own pace. However, if another episode occurs bring her back to the hospital wing. Other then that she is free to leave." 

Doctor Collins privately speaks with Levi before swiftly exiting the room.

I would yell at them for being so rude. They barely included me in their conversation which is so blatantly about me, but I don't.

Honestly, I feel terrible about myself. I knew I was in bad shape, but I didn't think it was this bad.

"He says you were very fortunate that your body sustained itself this far," Levi says closing the door. He motions to sit on the hospital bed with me.

"Fortunate huh? I always seem to be fortunate just to make it out in the nick of time," I mutter sadly.

It seems that my life has been all about luck lately.

I was fortunate enough to escape Alpha Merrick's clutches, fortunate enough to escape the rogues trying to kill my mom and I, and fortunate enough to survive the water's attack in my terrifying dream. However, one day my luck is going to run out, and I may not be so fortunate to survive.

My hands begin to tremble at the thought of all the adversity I've faced throughout my life. There have always been others set out to kill me, but I never thought I would be the one to end my life, and the truth is, I'm scared. I feel so alone in this world. I'm not this amazing kick ass rogue that I pretend to be. I'm just me; plain old Kailani Everly Haines.

I feel a slight nudge break me away from my grim thoughts. Levi lifts my chin upwards. I gaze into his strikingly dark eyes and relish in his electrifying touch. He lowers his hands and encircles my waist tightly. He moves closer and keeps his lips pressed against my forehead, inhaling  my sweet scent.

"Listen to me. You are not leaving, especially not me. You are the most important person in my life Kailani. You are under my protection now. No one will ever hurt you again. You have my word as the prince and soon to be king of the werewolf kingdom," he says somberly.

I smile at the gesture and willingly interlace my hands through his.

"Wait a second, how do you know my name?" I mumble speechlessly and swiftly pull away from his hold.

I stare at him cautiously as billions of questions swirl through my eyes, the most prominent being, does he know?