SIENNA
When I woke up, the scent of antiseptic told me I was back in the hospital. My eyes burned when I opened them due to the brightness. The curtains were quickly drawn shut, and the Alpha's scent filled my nostrils. I became instantly more alert, more sober now.
I looked around, and there he was, near the window, arms crossed in front of his muscular chest. Oh heavens, why couldn't I stop seeing something sexual in that male? Damn! An Alpha was dangerous for an unclaimed female, without a mark. Damn it!
Alpha Theron started walking toward me calmly, and I swallowed hard, feeling my throat even drier.
"What happened?" I asked, after all, I couldn't remember anything beyond challenging him when he tried to play dumb and then... darkness. He wouldn't have attacked me, would he? I didn't feel any pain anywhere and… he wouldn't have brought me to the hospital if he meant to hurt me.
"You haven't fully recovered. I believe the spike in your blood pressure was too much, and your body collapsed," he answered calmly, still walking toward me. He stopped beside my bed and leaned toward me, placing one arm above my head and resting his hand on the mattress, beside my face. "How do you feel?"
I cleared my throat.
"Suffocated," I replied in a low, almost raspy voice. He raised one eyebrow, and I saw a ghost of a smile appear at the corner of his lips, but it was gone in a flash. I thought he'd understand and step back, but instead, he came even closer. "Alpha, please… I need a little more space."
He looked at me a little longer, for what felt like an eternity, and then stepped back quickly, returning to his cold and distant gaze.
"You'll spend the night here. In the morning, you'll be taken to your new 'home'. You'll spend the weekend resting, adapting, but on Monday, Sienna, you'll work with me. Fainting or not."
His words weren't kind, and his tone even less so. Alpha Theron walked past me toward the door, opened it, and left without even looking at me. Bastard! He knew he was being a jerk to me! I had been attacked and was still fragile. But hell, better that than being hurt again by Adrian or Vivienne.
Remembering those two left a bitter taste in my mouth. Remembering that I had spent the last few years of my life tied to that male was infuriating, revolting! Madly in love like an idiot, then I became his mate and acted like a maid. I thought I was his wife, but to him, I was nothing more than a servant. Adrian Voss—one day, he would pay!
I rested my head on the pillow and allowed myself to lie there, thinking a bit more about what my new life in that pack would be like. Theron Valken was known for being awful, mean, cruel. Yes, I could see an energy in him capable of making heads bow to his will with ease, but after everything I had been through, I'd have to disagree with the rumors: Alpha Theron was indeed strong and imposing, but he seemed fair to me. A bit unpleasant, I'd say, but still… he saved me when I was at my worst. One way or another, he offered me a hand instead of hitting me with claws.
Being who I was, how I was raised, it was hard for me to lower my head. An Alpha was still beneath me. However, that Alpha had earned my respect. And wherever I could help, I would. I owed him a great debt.
I spent the rest of the day being cared for by nurses, eating bland—but well-prepared—food, and sleeping. I kept dozing off, and by the next day, I felt much better. I imagined the Beta would take me to what would be my new home, but I was startled to see the Alpha himself there.
The females around were staring at him, whispering, giggling, and he, right in the middle of it all, seemed completely unaware of what was happening around him. His eyes locked on mine, those impressive green eyes glowing like precious stones. I felt that he wasn't the only one paying attention to me. Of course, what could I expect? Besides being a foreigner, to them, I was dealing directly with the Alpha—something that wasn't common in any pack. I filled my lungs with air and offered a small, polite smile to the Alpha.
"Good morning—"
"Let's go, I don't have time to waste," the Alpha said, turning his back, and I pressed my lips together. Well then, if he didn't have time, why didn't he send another pack member to handle this? "Fix your attitude, Sienna."
That was a warning. What, was he reading my mind now? I exhaled and walked behind him in silence. He, on the other hand, said nothing more, walking with long strides, and I almost had to run to keep up.
By the time we arrived at what looked like a small complex, I was panting! Alpha Theron opened the door of a small yellow house—very neat—with white doors. He didn't enter but stood by the door, waiting for me to go in. A gentleman, wasn't he? I offered a fake smile and passed by him. I heard the door close behind me.
Once alone there, I felt the Alpha's presence like never before. We were, once again, alone in an enclosed space. He was behind me. I turned and nearly collided with the Alpha's strong body. I looked up, and his pupils were dilated and… there was a hint of red in them. His wolf.