My Mate is a Werewolf

Chapter 7

*Victor’s POV*

 My father was pacing the hallway as we waited for news on Celina’s surgery. The bite wound was deeper than we thought and cracked her collarbone, so they were performing surgery at my father’s approval. I heard the hurried footsteps heading our way and lifted my head, seeing Celina’s parents running towards us.

 “Marcus what happened!” Mrs. Hayes shouted at my father. “Beth…” interjected Mr. Hayes. “It’s alright Richard…she has every right” my father responded. I watched the trio oddly. Yes my father was nice to humans, even helped them settle in and what not, but even humans knew to respect him and his commands. But here are Celina’s parents confronting my father, and an Alpha at that, and my father was actually allowing it. What was different between The Hayes and every other human that lives or has lived on our pack grounds?

 “The kids were training together and accidently got too close to the borders.” My father explained. “There were rogues nearby and attacked them. Amelia came to warn us while Victor protected Celina as best as he could, considering they were surrounded.” Mr. Hayes looked at me, nodding appreciatively. If only they knew it wasn’t training. If only he knew his daughter was my mate…

 “How bad are her injuries?” Mrs. Hayes questioned. My father sighed, motioning for them to sit down as he did the same. “She was bitten on her shoulder, and the pressure caused her collarbone to crack. Not a full shatter, but they need to perform emergency surgery to bolt the collarbone in place so it can heal properly.” Mrs. Hayes gasped, holding onto her husband’s hand tightly. “She wasn’t…marked was she?” she questioned afraid. “No…the bite wound was not near her marking, she’s safe” I frowned at that exchange. What do they mean she’s safe? Why is marking such a concern?

 “I’m sorry to interrupt, but why are you worried about her getting marked?” I asked the group. My father narrowed his eyes at me for a moment while the Hayes looked at each other in apprehension. My father turned his gaze towards the couple and I could’ve swore they were mind-linking at that moment. But how was that possible if they’re human? They are definitely up to something, and it’s grating my nerves that they are hiding it from me, the future Alpha of this pack.

 At that moment the doctor came out, asking for Celina’s relatives. We all stood up, giving him our full attention. “How’s my baby girl doctor?” questioned Mrs. Hayes. “We were able to stabilize her. The crack on her collarbone wasn’t too severe, so she won’t need a brace. However, she will have a cast to protect it from sudden movements. If the injury gets worse, then we’ll have to move to a full brace, which would be uncomfortable and make the healing process much longer. So no strenuous activities, no sudden movements. She will need to be here for a few days to make sure it’s healing nicely and then will be discharged.” I sighed in relief, knowing the injuries weren’t too bad.

 My wolf whimpered at the thought of her being in pain, but I needed to hide it. I couldn’t let anyone know she was my mate yet. There’s something going on between my parents and hers, and I’m going to get to the bottom of it. Her parents followed the doctor towards her room, and I wanted to follow. Hell, I wanted to be the one she would wake up to see, but I stood my ground, and I noticed my father as well.

 I averted my gaze to look at him and notice a soft expression on his face. If I knew any better I could’ve swore it was longing and…love? I looked at the Hayes, who disappeared into her room and back at my dad, whose expression became stoic again. ‘We’ll speak in my office now’ he mind-linked me before walking away. That was the strangest thing I’ve ever seen. My father would look at my mother with adoration and love, but the way he looked at Mrs. Hayes…it’s probably best not to dwell on it…for now…

 *Celina’s POV*

 Everything was hurting…my eyes felt heavy. What was that beeping noise? Why did it smell so sterile? Why was it so dark? Oh wait, my eyes are closed duh. Now if only I could open them…oh god why is it so hard to open my eyes. There’s a painful throbbing on my shoulder but why? I groaned and felt a squeeze around my hand.

 “It’s okay honey…you’re okay” I heard my mom say. My mom? Wait what? I slowly managed to open my eyes, squinting at the brightness of the room. I closed my eyes again, feeling the heaviness before opening them, adjusting to the lighting.

 “Where am I?” I asked, looking around confused. I saw my mom sitting next to me and my dad standing behind her. “You’re at the pack hospital sweetie…do you remember what happened?” asked my dad. Hospital? I frowned, not sure why I would be in the hospital. I tried to move, and yelped slightly at the sharp pain that ran from my shoulder towards the center of my chest. I looked down and noticed a cast around my shoulders. It looked kind of funny, like a shirt that was ripped way to high. It gives midriff a whole new meaning. I would’ve chuckled at that if the memories didn’t just hit me like a truck.

 “Rogues…” I said alarmed. My mom hushed me gently as my dad walked around the other side of the bed, urging me to lay back down. “Yes honey. They were rogues, but Alpha Marcus, Victor and the warriors took care of it” my dad explained. At the sound of Victor’s name I shuddered…something within me made me feel those tingles again, and I wasn’t sure why. My mom looked at me worried, pressing her hand against my forehead.

 “I remember one attacking me…I saw Victor shift and tackle him, but I blacked out before I could see what happened” I explained, rubbing my forehead from a slight headache. My parents nodded, each rubbing one of my hands. “He managed to save you while the others arrived and took care of the others” my dad added.

 “Why were rogues in our territory? That was the first time I saw one…it had an awful smell” my parents looked at each other before looking at me, and I just stared at them confused. “What do you mean he had an awful smell?” my mother questioned softly. I frowned at her question…I thought she knew what rogues smelled like? “Like rotten flesh with a hint of wet dog?” I answered in more of a question.

 “Honey…we can’t smell rogues…we’re human remember?” my father spoke, his grip tightening around my hand for a moment. “I get that dad…but when it attacked me his smell was pretty strong that even a human like myself could smell it…” I furrowed my brows together. My parents are sure acting weird….

 “Well, that’s something we can discuss when you’re home relaxing.” My mother interjected, giving my dad a familiar look of I will hurt you behind closed doors. I couldn’t help but giggle at his paled expression. The two looked at me, smiling lovingly as my mother brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “Get some rest honey. We’re going home to shower and let the others know you’re okay. We’ll bring back your favorite treat…but don’t tell the nurses” my mother whispered the last part and I couldn’t help but grin. If she’s talking about the gooey fudge brownies she makes I will die happily right now.

 “Oh…where’s Vic and Mel?” I questioned curiously. My father chuckled as my mom shook her head. “They are at the pack house. They needed to give the Alpha more information on how the attack happened so they can set up a more defensive perimeter.” My mother stood up, kissing my forehead.

 “I’ll let them know they can visit you later” she reassured me. I smiled thankfully, and nodded at them. “Thanks mom…dad…I love you guys” My mom tried to half hug me, the cast getting in the way a bit before we laughed at the antics. “We love you too sweetheart. Now get some rest okay?” my dad told me before kissing the top of my head. I nodded and waved at them as they left the room.

 It bothered me though…why could I smell the rogues, if humans aren’t supposed to?