Mate

Four

Picture to the top/side is Julian. Played by Bernardo Velasco.

~~~

I drifted into consciousness, hearing the beep of a monitor. I didn't open my eyes yet, but the backs of my eyelids were pink, which told me it was rather bright in the room I was in. I heard voices speaking.

"She's my mate. She's strong - I can sense it! Why isn't she awake yet?!" A strained voice spoke, as if the man who was talking was putting all his energy into not shouting.

"I don't know, Alpha. I am sincerely sorry I can't do anything more," another voice spoke, higher and more feminine, but I was almost certain it wasn't a girl.

I heard a door shut and footsteps before someone rested their hand on my arm. Sparks shot up my arm and I couldn't help but shiver.

"Please wake up, Aspen," a smooth voice spoke. I am awake. "I know we haven't known each other for long and I know you're probably going to be traumatized after what happened yesterday, but... I just want to see your eyes. I want to hear your voice - I bet it's even better than I imagined."

My heart melted when he chuckled quietly. I slowly opened my eyes and squeezed them shut again at the overwhelming amount of white light in the room. Unintentionally, a soft groan escaped my mouth and I moved my hands to rub my eyes, causing the person's hand to fall from it's position on my arm.

I sat up and winced at the pain in my lower back and hands, opening my eyes to see Julian staring at me with wide eyes.

"You're awake," he told me.

No, really? I hadn't noticed. I didn't answer as I examined my bandaged hands. There were spots of blood on the once perfectly cleaned, white gauze and I frowned deeply. Isn't that great? My most valuable tools, injured.

"Where am I?" I murmured lowly, looking at Julian and knowing he'd heard me. He was staring at me in awe.

"At the hospital," he stated. Yeah, your pack hospital. I wanted to say.

Instead, I told him: "I have to go home."

"You can't go!" He flipped, gripping my arm suddenly. I stared at him with my jaw on the ground it fell so low. His eyes were pitch black. I swallowed.

"Just get the doctor to give me my papers so I can leave," I said. "Please." I looked at his hand.

After a moment, he let go of me and stood to get the doctor. I watched him go.

Julian is a lycan. He's an alpha wolf, and somehow I'm his mate. I can't be his mate! People like him and people like me don't mix! Ever!

After a few minutes of waiting, a young man around 24 walked in with a smile.

"Lu- Aspen," he corrected himself. I raised a brow at him. "You're up, I see."

"I am," I stated.

"You can go home, if you wish. However, I must go over a few things with you now that you are awake." I nodded an 'ok'.

He came over to me with his clipboard and a pencil and asked, "what's the last thing you remember?"

"A wolf coming up to me," I stated. It was the truth. And, besides, it's not like he's not going to believe me.

"I... See," he wrote something down. "And why was this wolf coming up to you?"

"He saved me from the men who tried to kidnap me," I stated matter-of-factly.

This went on for a few more minutes before he changed the topic, handing me a bottle of pills, which I inspected. Fast-healing pain killers. Too bad I won't be needing them. I looked back up at the doctor as he explained my injuries and how I was lucky I didn't need many stitches and that I didn't have a head injury.

He told me how and when I needed to change the bandages around my hands and torso, also mentioning that I needed to come see him again in a week for a checkup on my condition. Though I won't be returning.

"Ok, cool. Can I go home now?" I questioned.

"Of course," he stated and bowed his head to me before making a face and quickly rushing out of the room, muttering about fetching Julian.

I sighed and waiting for Julian to come in to take me home.