The New World

NINE

For the first hour of our drive I am way too out of it to form the questions that I'm in dire need to ask. The mind keeps pulling me in and out of the darkness. I understand my body needs rest to heal, But fuck I need answers.

I am being gently pulled once again from my slumber. Alpha Kane voice breaks through my fog.

"Hey, come on you need to eat before your next dose." When I open my eyes I see that the sun is starting to set.

"Where are we?" I look out the truck's windows and notice a roadside diner.

" Back in the North. Barley, but still our land."

The alpha helps me out of the high off the ground truck. I can feel the skin on my belly trying to rip open. As if it is already starting to heal. Which should NOT be possible by human healing standards.

'But I am no longer human' according to Dr. Hottie.

"All good?"

"Yes thank you alpha."

I know the alpha feels the need to protect me, since technically I am still a part of his pack. However I hope he doesn't use too many resources on me.

I am going to die, but at least I will get to say goodbye to my father first. Maybe give him some kind of, I don't know hope for the future? His wife is gone. He already lost his son and soon he is going to lose his daughter. 

I'll have to make sure both uncle Ray and uncle Joe stay by his side for a while once I'm gone. Maybe I can get Alley.... Wait shit is she even still there or did she have a mate?

"I ordered you soup. It's the only thing your stomach can handle right now." Beta Clayton informs me. I was so lost in thought that I didn't even realize we are all now sitting at a booth.

There is no point in waiting for the right time to get my answers. My life has an expiration date. So I just dive in.

"How much does my father know about what happened?"

"Raven I think"

"No please I need to know, so I'm prepared."

The alpha gives his beta a nod.

"He knows you are hurt, but he doesn't know by whom. We thought it would be better for you to explain it to him." I nod my head because I think that's best too.

" Where is Alley? Did she have a.. Uh, is she going to be a shifter?"

"No. She had no mate bone this year, so she is still in the pack."

Not going to lie. I have mixed emotions about that.

I know that not every mate is like the one I was Oh so blessed' with, and I want Alley to be cured, but I also want my cousin to be fucking safe. As a room she is safer than dealing with the unknown.

"Raven." Beta Clayton grabs my attention. " I want you to know how sorry we are for what you had to go through. What they did to you is not something that is condoned is our world. Nor is it forgiven."

I don't know how to respond to that, and thankfully I don't have to. The waitress comes to our table with enough food to feed a small army.  She keeps her head down and eyes focused on the floor.

"Enjoy, alpha, beta." As soon as I am sure she is out of ear shot. Not completely sure if she is human or wolfborn, and I don't want her hearing the question that desperately needs to be answered.

" So, how long do I have before my first shift kills me?"