Black Rose Pack

Chapter 5

Eden's POV

I slowly opened my eyes but quickly felt a headache when I tried to look around. Where was I? I tried to get up and realized I wasn't wearing the dress I had been. Instead I had on sweatpants and a t-shirt that were too big for me.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Charlie said as he walked into the room.  He was wearing sweatpants and no shirt.  His blond hair was slightly messy. How could anyone look so good?

"Okay, I guess. What happened?"

"You passed out when I was cleaning you up. Your friend Olivia found us and got you changed into some of my clothes. We decided it was best not to try and move you.  Don't worry, I slept in one of the guest bedrooms."

Then it all came back. The party and Zach, Jeremy, and Ashley. Charlie had saved me. And had we almost kissed? No, that must have been a dream.

"What happened with Zach and the others?"

His smile left his face and I could tell he was choosing his words carefully, "they are being dealt with. Don't worry, they won't try anything like this again."

I nodded and tried to stand but my body wouldn't let me. It was too weak from the attack. "Here, let me help you" Charlie said as he wrapped my arm around his shoulder and helped me get up. Once standing, I started walking on my own towards the bathroom attached to his room.

"Right, um, I'll go make some breakfast" he said awkwardly, realizing where I was going.

After I went to the bathroom, I was washing my hands when I saw what I looked like in the mirror. I didn't even recognize myself. I had a black eye, a cut in my lip, and swelling on my head. I could see some other bruises on my arms where the shirt didn't cover. I had to hold back tears as I left the bathroom and started to head downstairs.

"I'm making some eggs and coffee. There's some fruit on the counter already" Charlie said as he noticed me walk into the kitchen. I sat down at the island and started to eat. Watching him make the eggs, I couldn't help but admire how attractive he is. He didn't turn but I could see his body tense as I felt myself blush. Did he sense that I was staring at him? I looked down at my plate instead and he joined me at the island.

We finished eating and Charlie offered to take me home. We drove to my house in silence. I didn't know what to say. Thanks for saving my life again? I think I might love you?

When he pulled into my driveway and put the car in park, I decided on "thank you... again."

"You're welcome. The people in this pack don't have the right to treat you that way. You're a member of this pack. Doesn't matter if you're not a werewolf."

"Thanks for saying that but I don't see the members of this pack agreeing with you anytime soon."

"They're going to have to. Come on, I'll walk you in."

Unlocking my house, I was grateful that my mom and stepdad weren't there when we got in. I just wanted to be alone right now and I didn't know how to explain my bruises.

"Are you going to be okay? Do you want me to stay?" Charlie asked.

"I'll be fine. I'm sure you have pack duties."

"If you're sure you don't want me to stay..."

"Yeah, go. I'll be okay."

"Okay, call me if you need anything" and he handed me a piece of paper with his number on it.

"Thank you. For everything."

"You're welcome", then his face went serious and his eyes left mine. He was getting a mind link. "I've got to go" he said and rushed out.

Walking upstairs, I felt drained. So much had happened and I couldn't process it all. I decided I should take a shower to clean off any dirt still there.

I slipped off Charlie's clothes and got in the shower. As I was washing my body, I looked down and saw that the water had turned red from the dried blood. I gasped. I finally saw all of my bruises. I had them all over my body. Some of their kicks and hits had even broken skin in multiple places.

I finished my shower and threw on a pair of my sweats and crawled into bed. It was only 11 in the morning but I needed to rest.
——————————————————————————