The Pet🐾 (Completed)

Chapter 29

Ashley

Before the guards left, they told me about how Roman had fought—how he had challenged all the rogues so fiercely that hardly anyone got hurt. He was so heroic, so selfless. I had never known this side of him, and it felt... comforting, learning it now. The last guard gave me a small, reassuring smile before closing the door, leaving me alone with Roman and my thoughts.

I listened to the beeping of the heart monitor, the steady hum of his breathing. I closed my eyes and rested my head on his arm. Why is this happening to me? Why am I reacting this way? I felt myself drifting into the rhythm of his breathing.

The door opened, breaking my reverie. Jared stepped in, and not far behind him was Jasper. Jared carried a long, corked bottle tied with twine. Carefully, he poured a murky red liquid flecked with black spots into a cup.

"This is a quick-healing potion," he explained. "Give him some every twelve hours. The nurses don't believe in potions, but desperate times call for desperate measures." He handed the cup to me.

I sniffed the liquid and gagged at the horrid scent. "What's in this?" I asked, holding the cup to Roman's mouth.

"You could ask the witch who made it," Jasper said, "but she's long gone. Witches migrate, and we haven't had one for weeks."

Witches are real too? My mind raced. What else is real in this world?

I tilted Roman's head back and poured a little of the potion into his mouth. Once done, I set the cup aside. He looked so peaceful, even unconscious.

Jared knelt beside me. "Listen," he said softly, "the pack needs someone strong and level-headed to guide them while he heals. You need to be that person. Strong for this new family you've found."

"I don't even know how to take care of a dog, let alone a whole pack," I admitted. "That's way out of my league!"

Jared placed his hand over mine. "How about I help you? I'll help you be strong for them. You don't have to do this alone." His eyes were sincere, unwavering.

I nodded. "Okay." I glanced at Roman, then back at Jared. These two really cared for me—I couldn't afford to lose them like I lost my mother.

Jasper checked his watch and nodded toward Jared. "Lunch should be ready in half an hour. I'll walk you back to the pack house," Jared said, taking my hand.

I followed, Jared in front, Jasper behind. Something about Jasper doesn't feel right... My gut twisted. What if he had brought the rogues? Could he bring more? Maybe that's what the dream was warning me about.

We walked in silence through the woods and approached the pack house. The faint remnants of blood reminded me of the chaos earlier, but there were no bodies. I had time to think about what I would say when I faced the pack.

Inside, people were still entering the dining room. They moved aside for me, but I waited until everyone was settled before speaking.

"Um, hello," I called out, waving to get their attention. "I want to answer any questions you have as best I can. If you have something to ask, feel free to speak up."

A man immediately stood. "Where's the Alpha?"

My heart dropped. I staggered slightly but took a deep breath. "He's healing right now from massive blood loss due to a large gash on his back. Hopefully, he will recover in time."

I might not know how to run a pack yet, but I knew how to speak to people. The man nodded, satisfied. Then a woman rose.

"And who will run the pack while he's away?" she asked. "You've just arrived. You don't know how it works here."

I straightened, meeting every pair of eyes in the room. "I will run the pack, with assistance from Jared and, hopefully, everyone else. Yes, I am new here. Yes, I don't know everything yet. But neither did any of you when you first joined. I am willing to learn—if someone is willing to teach me."

The pack nodded, murmuring agreement. The woman sat back down, smiling faintly.

"Now... who's hungry for lunch?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Several kids raised their hands, adults nodded in acknowledgment. Jared stepped up and smiled at me. "Go get it started—just like Alpha Roman would." He gently nudged me toward the buffet.

I moved quickly, grabbing a sandwich and some chips, still uneasy under all the eyes watching me. Returning to the table, I popped a chip in my mouth and smiled. Some of the pack chuckled and began filling their plates.

Sophia had grabbed a sandwich and some fruit, and she moved to sit next to me. She glanced at Jasper, then settled in. Jasper shook his head at her choice and took the other seat.

My left side felt empty and cold, like a ghost occupied the space where Roman should have been.