Broken Love

Broken Love: Chapter 2

There was something licking my face. A soft groan left my lips and I blearily forced my eyes open. A sudden bark made me jump and then a smile touched my lips. 

"Bray," I breathed.  

The golden retriever wagged his tail before jumping up on the bed with me. I laughed and hugged him around the neck. Bray nuzzled my face with his nose before giving me another slobbery lick with his tongue. 

"Bray!" I protested but couldn't stop myself from laughing. 

"He's been waiting for you to wake up." I froze and looked up to see Kaiden leaning against the doorjamb. His gaze was soft as he watched me. "So have I." 

"Well I'm up," I said, trying to sit up on the bed. A sudden sharp pain ran up my side and I whimpered. 

Kaiden was immediately at my side and he helped me to sit up. I tried to ignore the sparks that flew wherever he touched me.  

As soon as I was situated I took a look around and realized that I was in the infirmary. I'd only been here once before when I was thirteen and I'd broken my ankle.  

"How long was I out?" I asked as I absently ran my fingers through Bray's fur. 

"You were out for the rest of the night and all morning," Kaiden answered. "According to the doctor you lost a lot of blood from that wound." 

"Oh," I said stupidly.  

An amused smile touched Kaiden's lips before his expression turned solemn. "I haven't properly thanked you for saving my life yet," he said.  

"You don't have to," I said, a blush starting to form on my cheeks.  

"Yes, I do," Kaiden said firmly. "I would've died last night if you hadn't saved me. I'm in your debt, Ryleigh." 

"I was just doing my duty," I mumbled. 

"You're a Defender?" Kaiden asked, his eyes widening. 

Defenders of the pack were the ones who stayed back to protected the children and women. You could move through the ranks of being a Defender to become a member of the Guard who protected anyone and everyone that had a close relation to the current Alpha. 

"I'm a Striker," I corrected, causing Kaiden's eyes to look like they were about to fall out of his head. 

Unlike Defenders, Strikers were in the front line of attack. We were known as the Warriors of the pack. It was rare to see a female in the ranks since women usually had children to care for and didn't have time for the rigorous training required. 

"Damn," Kaiden breathed. "Strong and beautiful." 

My cheeks reddened further and I buried my face in Bray's fur. "Is my brother here?" I finally asked. 

"I told him to go home and get some sleep," Kaiden said, rubbing the back of his neck. "The guy looked like he was about to fall over." 

I swung my legs over the bed with the full intention of getting up but my vision clouded and I would've fallen off the mattress if it wasn't for Kaiden's arms.  

"Whoa, I don't think it's a good idea for you to be walking around right now," Kaiden said.  

"I don't care," I said, trying to stop everything from swimming around. "If I know my brother he's not going to rest easy until I show him I'm alive. And Nikkole's probably worried sick." 

"Fine, but the doctor has to take a look at you first." Kaiden's voice was firm.  

When Adam finished looking me over he reluctantly gave me the ok to leave after making me take a couple of pain-killers. Kaiden handed me a spare pair of sweats and a t-shirt. Once I was done changing, I was out the door.