The Tormented Mate
Chapter 5

Emily’s POV

My head is pounding but it is nothing I am not used to. However, I am not used to waking up and feeling warmth beside me. I open my eyes to see my mate next to me sound asleep. ‘Where am I?’ I think to myself. I try to slip out of bed but realize I have an IV in my arm and when looking around realize I am in the hospital. I hear he beeps of the heart monitor and everything from last night comes bounding back into my head. Curiously, I gently start to rub my arm along my mates’ arm. ‘I don’t even know his name yet and already I feel an unbreakable bond with him’ I smiled to myself. He stirs and a smile forms on his face.

Wrapping me in his arms he speaks ever so softly to me. “You’re awake beautiful. I am so happy to see those gorgeous eyes sparkling again.”

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Almost 2 days now.”

“2 days! My parents are probably freaking out.” I say and start to attempt to get out of the hospital bed.

Pulling me back towards him he says “Don’t worry about your parents, I have already called them, and they are on the way here. Besides unless you take that IV out yourself, you’re not going anywhere.”

Sliding off the bed he looks at me. “I’ll go get the nurse so she can remove your IV. I am sure you wouldn’t mind a trip to the bathroom.”

As he leaves the room a smile forms on my face. ‘Is this actually real? Have I finally found my mate? This does not seem real. Last night I was sure after my slip up of telling Zach he was not pleasing me was bound to get me killed. Now I wake up in the arms of my mate.’ The thoughts racing through my mind are finally happy and warm thoughts instead of all the dread and cold thoughts I usually have.

The door swings open and a nurse walks in. “I hear you’re ready to take out that IV and have a little personal time?”

“Yes, please!” I beam at her.

She gently takes out my IV and unhooks me from the heart monitor. Curious to where my mate is, I look at her. “Do you happen to know the name of my rescuer?”

“Of course, dear, we all do. He is the Alpha of our pack. His name is Braxton. You are in the pack hospital of the Midnight Moon pack.” She smiles down at me.

“The Alpha?!” I squeak at her.

“Yes dear. He has been the Alpha of our pack for a few years now. He went to the cafeteria to get you some food. I am sure he will be back shortly. This is the first time he has left your side since he brought you in. You are unhooked now. I will give you some privacy. I’m glad you are feeling better.” She says and walks out the door.

Staring in the mirror in the bathroom I finally see the bruise on my cheek and see how swollen my eye is. I am in a standard hospital gown that only ties in the back. I am starting to wish I had clothes to change into. I am relived this hospital room has a shower and even some complimentary shampoo and soap. I turn on the shower after peeing and feel so much better when the hot water touches my skin. The shampoo smells of dull roses and the soap is unscented. but I just feel better in general with washing myself. I step out of the shower and while drying off I hear Braxton come back into the room. I put on a clean hospital gown and step out of the bathroom into the room. The smell of bacon immediately hits me.

“Soooo Alpha Braxton. I just wanted to tell you I am extremely thankful for you saving me last night.” I say with my head slightly bowed.

Still with his back turned to me while preparing our plates he turns around. He immediately pulls my chin up so our eyes meet. “Don’t ever bow to me. You are my mate. There was no hesitation in saving you, Emily.”

“How did you know my name?” I ask curiously.

“When the nurses dressed you in the hospital gown, they found your wallet. I was able to replace your parents information in your phone. Which you should probably put a passcode on by the way.”

Speaking to him silently. “I wasn’t allowed to have a password on my phone while with Zack.”

In a growling tone he looks right at me. “You don’t ever have to worry about him again. He would be stupid to come near you now.”

I have never tasted food so good. My mother is an amazing cook do not get me wrong. I am just thinking with being in the proximity of my mate it makes everything so much better. Braxton brought me bacon, eggs, French toast, a latte and a fresh cup of fruit. I ate every bit. I guess being asleep for almost 2 full days does that to someone. After breakfast I lean back into Braxton’s arms and we are watching T.V. when the hospital door swings open.

“Thank God you are okay.” My mom rushes over to me and grabs me in a tight hug.

My dad reaches my side and grabs my hand. “Why didn’t you tell us what was going on with Zack, I would have protected you.” He starts to tear up.

Hugging my mom back and grasping my father’s hand. “He threatened to kill me or one of you if I told anyone. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if one of you were hurt because of me.”

After the tears and many hugs, I introduce my parents to Braxton and my dad thanks him at least 100 times. I explain to my parents that Braxton is my mate and that I will be joining his pack. The broad smile that shows on Braxton’s face at my words ignites sparks in my heart. My parents leave to check into the pack hotel that is by the hospital and Braxton and I are left alone again.

“I am happy to hear that you want to join my pack” Braxton tells me as he k****s me on the forehead.

I snuggle into him. “I have been searching for a pack for a long time and my mate. I just got lucky enough to replace them both in one.”

Zach’s POV

I wake up with a pounding headache. Emily is gone and my bedroom door is torn off the hinges. I can barely remember what happened. ‘Did I hear a growl come from her rescuer? I could have sworn I saw claws.’ Standing up I walk over to my door to investigate some more. When I pick up my door, I see claw marks on the other side. ‘I knew I saw claw marks. What took Emily?’ I have heard stories about supernatural creatures but never believed them. My father told me one when he took me hunting at the age of 12. We came across a deer that had claw marks through it. But there is no way this is true. ‘Could Emily really have been taken by a…. Werewolf?’ Whatever took her I was determined to replace her. She was my property, and no one is going to keep her from me.