Fate’s Curse, Hate’s Kiss

Chapter 4

An incessant beeping sounds out. I open my eyes and instantly regret it as I'm blinded by the fluorescent lights above me.

Where am I?

I screw my eyes shut to shield them from the harsh light whilst I try to work out the last thing I remember. I gasp and bolt upright as I remember the rogue attack. Panic grips my heart as I try to escape but hands pin me down.

“Calm down, Miss Jackson, you are in the hospital, you are safe,” a female voice soothes.

I still at her words. Sucking in deep, calming breaths as I squint to take in my surroundings. The whitewashed walls, clinical scent and heart monitor make me think I am in the hospital and the nurses holding me down confirm my suspicions. I am safe.

“The doctor will be here in a moment to explain everything, just try to relax, you've been through quite an ordeal,” she smiles down at me sympathetically and loosens her grip on me.

I take stock of my injuries. My arm is bloody but the bite doesn't seem as bad as I expected, which is odd. If the rogue was trying to kill me he could have easily bitten through my weak human arm like it was a carrot. My back feels stiff and my ankle throbs as well as my head but otherwise I don’t feel too bad. An IV drip is feeding fluid into my hand and I try to read the label on the IV bag that hangs from the metal stand but my vision is still a little blurry.

“Miss Jackson, I'm glad to see you're awake,” a middle-aged man with short dark hair and kind brown eyes says as he enters the room carrying a clipboard. He wears a white doctor's coat and has a stethoscope around his neck. This must be the doctor that the nurse said was coming to explain the situation to me.

“What happened?” I ask him as the nurses leave the room to give us some space.

“The short story is you were bitten by a rogue, and whilst the actual bite is nothing. We have sent your blood off to the lab to try and identify the virus and have given you a broad-spectrum antivirus. The fact you are now awake is a good sign but we just don’t know if there will be any long-term effects. How do you feel? Can you sense your wolf?” he asks.

“I don’t have my wolf yet,” I admit and my mind reels at the thought of being infected by some unknown virus. The doctor checks the file in his hands and nods.

“Ah, yes, I see. You are not quite seventeen yet. It’s normal that your wolf hasn't woken yet. Well in that case I see no reason for you to remain here. Your vitals are all looking good so as soon as that IV is done you may go home,” he smiles.

“Thank you, Doctor. Do you know how I got here?” I ask.

“Yes, you were very lucky that one of the pack guardians was patrolling the area and got to you just in time. I'm sure he can fill you in on the rest of the details,” the Doctor motions behind me with a smile.

I follow his gaze, turning in my bed and my eyes land on a towering figure with a commanding presence that leaves no doubt about his role as a guardian.

How had I not noticed him here until now?

Guardians are legendary wolves, sworn to protect alpha bloodlines. They typically reside along the borders of our packland, patrolling for rogues trying to cross into our territory. I must have been close to the edge of our land if he was nearby.

“Thank you,” I nod respectfully at the guardian and he steps forward, bowing his head slightly in return.

“It was my honour, Princess,” he says and now he's closer I see how young he is. He can’t be much older than twenty.

Usually, I hate being called Princess but when he says it it sends a shiver through me. It may be because when he calls me Princess he is saying it with respect and not using it as a mockery like Niall and the others at school do.

“The nurses will bring you some clothes to change into. You should clean up that arm before you leave too,” the doctor says, turning to leave.

“Thanks again,” I call as he retreats.

I notice a glass of water on the side table and I reach over to get it with a pained hiss as my back seizes up.

“Here,” the guardian says, picking up the glass and guiding the straw to my lips. I suck down the cold liquid greedily, letting it soothe my dry throat.

“Thanks,” I breathe once I've drained the entire glass, “What is your name? I will make sure the Alpha knows that you saved me,”

“I am Guardian Joel. Thank you but I have already spoken with the Alpha and informed him of your admittal here. I have been instructed to remain by your side until you are safely back home,” he says proudly.

“Oh, well thank you, but I'm sure that's not necessary. You probably want to get back to your patrol,”

“Actually, no. It gets kind of lonely out there, it's nice to be indoors and around people for a while,” he admits and I wonder how often he gets to leave the border and interact with the pack.

“Then take a seat and stay as long as you like,” I smile and motion to one of the seats beside my bed.

“Thank you, Princess,” he bows his head to me again and sits in the chair closest to me.

“Call me Freya,” I correct him.

“Freya,” he nods.

The nurse enters the room carrying a bundle of clothes and some medical supplies to clean up my arm and bandage it.

“Do you want me to treat your arm or can you do it yourself?” she asks as she places the items on my bed. Her beeper goes off and she pulls the small device from her waistband. “Sorry, I’m needed elsewhere, I’ll be back as soon as I can,” she says before dashing back out of the room.

I pick up the packet of antiseptic wipes and attempt to open one but my arm twinges with pain when I try to rip the package.

“Allow me,” Joel says, taking the packet from me and opening it, his nose wrinkles at the scent of the strong antiseptic and I expect him to hand me the wipe but he doesn't. Instead, he gently takes hold of my arm and begins to wipe over my wound.

I flinch at the sting and he looks at me apologetically. His touch is so tender as he cleans my arm and applies the ointment before wrapping the bandage around my injured arm. He then helps me to sit forward and turn, giving him access to my back so he can apply the ointment to the grazes there. Thankfully I'm wearing an open-back hospital gown so I can keep some dignity with my breast covered.

“Why are you being so kind to me?” I ask as his fingers gently smooth each scratch with the cream. No one has ever treated me this tenderly apart from Nanny Gwen and my father.

“I would have thought everyone treats you this way, you are the pack princess after all,” he says softly.

“They don’t,” I snort a laugh, “the title just makes me a target,” I admit.

“Who gave you the black eye? I thought it was done by the rogues but the doctor said it was at least a day old,”

“A group of girls at school ambushed me, they were trying to impress my stepbrother,” I sigh.

“He is impressed by them hurting you?” Joel asks with a slight growl in his tone and his fingers go still on my back.

“He hates me,” I shrug.

Joel is quiet for a moment before he leans in close behind me, “If someone hates you, there is always someone else who will love you,” he whispers into my ear and my cheeks heat with a blush.

“Am I interrupting?” Niall's angry voice startles me and I flinch away from Joel.