Forbidden Mate, Bound by Fate

Chapter 14

SYDNEY

“Really?” the nurse asked me. “I thought you already had a wolf and wanted to communicate with her.”

I hesitated for a moment before shaking my head, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible.

"No, I don't have a wolf," I lied again, hoping my voice didn't betray me.

The nurse looked at me skeptically, but she didn't press the issue. I breathed a sigh of relief as she nodded and continued to tend to my wounds.

I knew keeping Katrina a secret was essential, at least for now. Revealing her existence to anyone would only lead to more danger for both of us. I was determined to protect her, and that meant keeping her hidden from the eyes of the pack members and Alpha Gray.

I agreed with my wolf suggestion, knowing that the pack wouldn't understand. They would see Katrina as a threat or, worse, try to exploit her for their own gain. So, it was better to keep everything hidden and wait until the right moment when we were both strong enough to face them.

I closed my eyes, focusing on Katrina's faint presence. She was still weak, but I could sense her awareness and her understanding of the situation. We would wait patiently and quietly until the time was right to reveal our secret.

For now, I would keep up the charade, pretending to be just a human, a mate to Alpha Gray, without a wolf of my own. It wasn't easy, but I knew it was necessary. Katrina's safety depended on it, and I would do whatever it took to protect her.

As the nurse finished her rounds, we discussed my condition and the challenges I was facing in my recovery.

"You're making progress, Sydney, but it's slow going," she said, her expression sympathetic.

I nodded, feeling a mix of frustration and pain. "I'm still in a lot of pain and struggling to heal," I admitted.

The nurse nodded understandingly. "Given the severity of your injuries, including the fractured bone, it's not surprising that you're having a tough time recovering.”

Just then, the door swung open, and Dr. Elena, the pack's doctor, entered the room. She was a tall, imposing woman with a stern expression.

"Ah, Dr. Elena," the nurse said, nodding respectfully. "Good morning."

Dr. Elena's gaze swept over me, her eyes lingering on the various monitors and IV lines attached to my body.

"Good morning, nurse. How did she react to the medication?" The doctor asked.

The nurse smiled and handed Dr. Elena my chart. "From what I've seen so far, she's handling the medications without any issues or allergic reactions.”

Dr. Elena's expression turned critical as she scanned my chart. "I see you're making progress, but you're still far from fully recovered.”

I felt a surge of discomfort under her scrutiny. "I know, doctor. I'm trying to rest and heal as much as I can."

Dr. Elena's gaze narrowed. "I'm not sure you're taking this seriously enough, Sydney. Your injuries are severe, and you need to prioritize your recovery."

Dr. Elena's piercing gaze made me swallow my words; the unspoken accusation in her eyes was a harsh reminder of my precarious position in the pack. Rumors of me drugging and seducing Alpha Gray at his engagement party had spread like a disease, infecting every interaction I had with the pack members, but I was too weak to explain and defend myself to anyone right now.

"I promise, doctor," I said instead. "I'll do what it takes to get better.”

Dr. Elena's expression remained skeptical, but she nodded and continued her examination. "I'll check your wounds and update your treatment plan."

As she worked, I couldn't help but feel like Dr. Elena was judging me, as if she believed I was somehow less worthy of care and attention because of my status in the pack. The nurse, sensing my discomfort, offered me a reassuring smile.

"Don't mind Dr. Elena, Sydney," she whispered as she adjusted my IV. "She's just doing her job.”

I smiled back, appreciating the nurse's kindness. But as Dr. Elena finished her examination and began to dictate notes into her phone, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in for a rough road ahead.

She turned to leave without a word, her heels clicking on the floor as she walked towards the door. She didn't even bother to say goodbye or offer any words of encouragement.

As the door closed behind her, I let out a sigh of relief. The nurse, who had been quietly observing me and Doctor Elena, smiled sympathetically.

"Don't let Dr. Elena get to you," she said softly. "She's just a bit... particular."

I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thanks for being kind to me," I said, smiling at the nurse who was taking care of me. “You already know my name, but you haven't told me your name.”

"I'm Jocelyn," the nurse replied, smiling. "It's nice to meet you again, Sydney."

As Jocelyn began to gather her things, I asked her, "How long have you been working here?”

Jocelyn paused, her expression thoughtful. "About five years now. But I have to say, I've seen you around before."

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "Really? Where?”

Jocelyn's smile grew wider. "We actually studied at the same university. I used to see you on campus sometimes. You always seemed so kind and friendly."

I was surprised but also grateful for Jocelyn's words. "That's really nice of you to say," I replied. "I'm glad to know that someone here remembers me fondly."

Jocelyn nodded, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "I think you're a kind person, Sydney. And I'm happy to be taking care of you.”

I'm not sure if Nurse Jocelyn was aware of the accusations against me, but her kindness and warmth were soothing my aching heart. Unlike many others in the pack, including Alpha Gray, she treated me with dignity and compassion, never making me feel like an outcast. Her care and gentle demeanor were a welcome respite, and I felt genuinely grateful for her kindness.

As Jocelyn left the room, I felt a sense of gratitude toward her. She was the first person in the pack to show me genuine kindness, and it gave me hope that maybe, just maybe, things would get better.

As the door closed behind Jocelyn, I closed my eyes and focused on connecting with Katrina, my wolf. Even though I was receiving treatment and care in the hospital, Katrina's presence still felt weak and fragile.

"Katrina?" I whispered, reaching out to her in my mind. "Can you hear me?"

There was a faint response, a gentle stirring in the corner of my consciousness. I sensed Katrina's presence, but it was muffled, like she was hiding behind a veil of pain and exhaustion.

"I'm here," Katrina whispered back, her voice barely audible. "But I'm struggling, Sydney. The silver collar is suffocating me, draining my strength.”

I felt a surge of despair, knowing that we were both suffering because of the collar. "I know, Katrina. I'm trying to find a way to get it off, but it's not easy."

Katrina's response was laced with desperation. "I don't know how much longer I can hold on, Sydney. I feel like I'm on the verge of dying."

I felt a pang of fear, knowing that Katrina's life force was tied to mine. "Don't say that, Katrina. We'll find a way to get through this. We just need to—"

But Katrina interrupted me, her voice cracking with emotion. "You know what I need, Sydney. You know what would heal us.”

I hesitated, knowing that she was right. Katrina needed our mate, the one person who could channel their combined strength and love to heal her. But that was impossible. We were both trapped in this situation, and I didn't know how to escape.

"Katrina, I... I don't know what to do," I admitted, feeling helpless.

Katrina's response was a faint whisper, barely audible. "I know, Sydney. Me neither."

The weight of our situation crushed me, and I felt Katrina's pain echoing through our bond. We both knew that Alpha Gray's actions, his choice of Alexis as his mate, were a betrayal that cut deep.

The physical pain from the silver collar and the pack's brutality was bad enough, but this... this was a different kind of agony. It was a soul-deep wound that threatened to consume us both.

I understood now why some rejected mates chose to end their lives. The suffering was unbearable, the pain a constant reminder that we weren't good enough, that we weren't loved or wanted.

Katrina's presence grew weaker, and I felt her slipping away from me. "Sydney... I don't know how much longer I can hold on, but I promise I will try with all the little strength I have to survive," she whispered.

My heart raced with fear that this might be the last time I'd hear her soft voice. I was desperate to keep her awake, to savor the sound of her words.

"Don't give up, Katrina,” I pleaded. “Trust me, I will find a way to get through this.”

But even as I spoke, I felt the darkness closing in around us. The pain and the betrayal had opened a wound that might never heal.

"Katrina, stay with me," I begged, feeling her presence fading. "Please, don't leave me. I have waited for you for so long. I will die if you leave me."

There was a faint response, a whispered promise to hold on. But I knew it was a fragile thread, one that could snap at any moment. And when it did, I wasn't sure if we'd survive the fall.