Chapter Sixty-Six

The IV was changed from the one I had to a fresh bag of saline and lupine. I felt the rush of cold fill my arm as the solution went to work, counteracting the wolfsbane. Then the doctor and nurse started in on my wounds. They weren’t healing, which is exactly what I needed them to do. Sure, I could have not made them as deep as I did, but I needed this to be believable.

“Fuck.” The doctor looked up at me and I smiled. The nurse realized that she still had on her old gloves and gown, and she quickly changed. I wanted just another level of safety, and I mentally flipped through the book of shadows I was working on memorizing. I found a spell, one that was undetectable once it settled. It sealed a room, so I looked to the bathroom door and focused on it. I had nothing that was needed for the spell, not the fire, nor the supplies, but I had to try.

I closed my eyes, held out my hand, and whispered, "Selta sealter bog forshire." I felt it settle on the bathroom door and sighed in relief.

The nurse came back to the bed, and the door flew open. The doctor and nurse turned to the door, and I screamed.

My father came in and turned to look around the room. His eyes widened when he saw me, and he took a deep breath. I watched his face settle a bit before he turned to the door and waited. Beck walked in, and two women followed him. The one that looked my age was a wolf, but the older one, the older woman, was something else.

Witch.

The word bounced around in my head, and I knew I was right. The older woman was a witch. She shuffled in, and I could hear her whisper to the younger woman. I watched as Beck and the other wolf scented the room, but I knew he would only smell me.

The pit in my stomach grew. I watched as the older woman let go of one of her many necklaces. She was prepared to release a spell on everyone in the room if they had found Ronnie, which I think they expected.

"Daddy? Why did you bring these people here? The doctor is still trying to heal my wounds.” My voice quivered with the pain. I felt the nurse move my hand under the blanket slowly, and I was confused but didn’t draw any attention to the move.

“The gamma here wanted to see that you were okay before he allowed any more food here.” I looked down and shivered. I moved the blanket and saw why the nurse covered my hand. It was still covered in my blood. I looked up at her, and she met my eyes. She gave a tiny nod, and I turned back to the group at the door.

My eyes narrowed. “You’re the reason the omegas can’t come here to give me the food my wolf needs to heal?”

Beck fumbled with his words, but the other wolf stepped in. “As Gamma of this pack, he ensured the Alpha was protected.”

I laughed. “Since when has it ever been the job of the Gamma to protect the Alpha of the pack? His entire life is dedicated to a luna who isn’t here.” I watched their reactions. Beck’s face darkened with rage but stayed blank. But her face tightened when I brought up the luna. “And who are you to step in when I was questioning the gamma?” I narrowed my eyes and stared the woman down. She looked oddly familiar.

“My name is Amara.” She straightened her shoulders. “Beck is my mate.”

“Beck’s mate… you never mentioned a mate, Beck.” I turned my head to Beck, who just nodded. I tilted my head. “Amara, you aren’t questioning why I get to question the gamma or his mate… which makes me feel like you know who I am.”

“You are the alpha’s daughter.” But her answer was too quick.

Something wasn’t right. But it was her name that was bouncing around in my mind. Amara… Amara… where have I seen that name before? I turned back to look at her, and the familiarity hit me again. I drew in a breath as the doctor got back to work, and over the scent of my blood and antiseptic, their scents hit me. She was a rogue.

I looked at my father, who was silently staring at the trio, but then something odd happened.

I heard a whisper in my ear.

“Clear your mind, girl, take in a deeper breath. Use the power gifted to you by the goddess.” My grandmother’s voice came to me, as did the feeling of her hand on my shoulder. She was guiding me to figure out something I was missing.