The Alpha Sunshine

Hearing voices? (Excerpt)

Lucille woke with a jolt. She felt bile rise in her throat, and quickly covered her mouth with her hand. She swallowed hesitantly, confused. When she felt the rise in her stomach again, she tripped out of bed. That's how Thad found her, naked and retching in their bathroom.

Thaddeus was worrying over her like an anxious mother. He felt like he had a reason to. She was throwing up so violently, she had to be sick. He sat on the edge of the bathtub, holding her hair and stroking her back lightly. When she finally stopped an hour later, he picked her up and placed her in bed. He brushed her tears away lightly, smiling down at her.

"It's all right, precious. You're okay. I'll get you some medicine."

Just the sound of his voice soothed her, lulling her to sleep. Why was she so ill?

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Thaddeus had spoken with the pack doctor as soon as her eyes had closed. He had never been so anxious, standing out in the hall. He nervously shifted his weight from foot to foot, gulping. What if she had cancer or something? Oh shit. He was really freaked now. He was snapped out of his thoughts by a door closing quietly.

"It's a good thing you came to me so quickly. I took a blood sample from her, and it's strange. Her blood cells are clumping, and forming into something I've never seen before. I'm going to call an associate to observe it as well."

The good doctor's words were urgent, and Thad felt the world falling away.

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Lucille felt her eyes shutter. She could also feel her heartbeat, and feel the blood rushing to her heart. Wait...she could hear every word being spoken, and could even hear distant zooming. That couldn't be right. The closest highway was miles away. She squinted. She opened her right eye, and quickly shut it. The light was blinding, and startled her senses. She didn't feel sick anymore, just different. She opened her eyes this time, much slower. She could see tiny dust particles floating in the air. She felt a weight against the bed, as if someone was sleeping.

She turned, and caught blonde out of the corner of her eye. It was him. He looked like an angel when he slept. A beautiful, fallen angel. She thought she dreamt him. As of he felt her eyes on him, he looked up. His breathe caught sharply.

If Thaddeus thought she was beautiful before-damn. He had watched her for the past few days while she slept. Although he was terrified, he couldn't help but be mesmerized. Her once pale skin was almost translucent. Her big blue eyes were so clear, he felt them peering into his soul. Her long blonde curls were the most vibrant shade of blonde he had ever seen. She was pretty before.

Now, in her sleep, she was stunning. The most gorgeous creature he had ever laid eyes on. And now here she sat, staring at him with her big doe-like eyes. He didn't want to scare her. So he stared back.

Lulu was confused. Why didn't he reach for her? She thought he was handsome before, before...whatever happened to her. She could see so much sharper than before. She could count his eyelashes, could see the little scar that cut through his left eyebrow, and could even see the little freckle that hugged his bottom lip. He was...so...delicious. She watched as his eyebrows pulled down, and she pulled hers down in turn.

"Lu..? Babe? Are you all right?"

She closed her eyes at the sound of his voice. She hadn't heard it in so long. It sounded deep, and rough. Husky. It made her shiver. She couldn't remember it being like this...was it? Did she ever feel the amazement of him? The chill of knowing that she was his lover? His? She shivered again. And then she heard another voice. One inside her head.

"Mate. Ours. We got it good. Just look at him. Scrumptious. Mmm."

And she didn't feel scared. The voice didn't frighten her, although it probably should. Was she crazy? She was hearing voices, now. The voice growled.

"Excuse you. We are NOT crazy. If you must know, I've been dormant for too long. Well, princess. It's been forever. I couldn't wait any longer. When I felt the mate bond, I knew it was our time."

Lucille raised a hand to her head. Oh No. She was losing her mind. She looked at Thad a bit hysterically.

"Thad! I'm hearing voices! Make them stop!"

He frowned. Voices? He knew she was changing. He was still confused. If she was a shifter, she would have exhibited signs since she hit puberty. Wouldn't she have...?

"Thad!" she shouted at him. Her eye color flickered, and his suspicions were confirmed. He placed both hands on the sides of her head, and looked her in the eye.

"Mine. You hear me? Submit. Mine."

Her pupils widened, and then she blinked slowly.

"What'd you do? It stopped..." Her voice was quiet and scared. He smiled softly, and kissed her on the forehead.

"Honey, you're a shifter. I don't know much about much, but I do know about wolves. We're going to get through this, okay?"

She nodded, still lost. She was a shifter?

"Obviously. Look, I know you're new to this, but I've been here since you were born."

Since she was born? That couldn't be right. She had never heard it before...

Thad stood abruptly, and smiled down at her. She noticed the deep under eye circles and ratchet smell, but didn't say anything. She knew he cared about her.

"I'm going to get the doctor. Stay here, okay?" He bent down, and pressed his lips to hers. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, and he pulled away. "I love you."

She kept her eyes closed, wanting to feel her lips on his. She opened her eyes when he said he loved her. The voice purred, loving his love.

"I love you too." He smiled, clearly satisfied with her answer. He disappeared through the door, and down the hall. She felt kind of sleepy again.