Chapter altered to different POV
20/12/2017
☆☆☆☆☆

Dereks POV

"All I want is for Mila to get better and wake up." I tell her without an ounce of hesitation.

She gives me the most heart warming smile, that calm my nerves and frantic state of mind down.

"That is most certainly something I can grant you, dear. Her body has been struggling to heal and while the doctors dont know it, her wolf was struggling to stay alive. She will still need some time to heal but it shall be faster and I promise her and her wolf will wake up."

Next thing I know, her body is radiating white light. It gets so bright that It's blinding and I have to cover my face with my hands.

Suddenly waking up with a jolt and sit straight up, looking around. I'm still in his hospital room, on a very uncomfortable chair next to her bed.

It couldn't have been a dream... could it?

I look towards my mate, still in her slumber and hooked up to numerous machines. She looks like she has more color in her face but it still is such a heart breaking sight, seeing someone you love so helpless.

The guilt I have for her even being in here is high and unwavering. Had
I taken more precautions when she said she sensed someone watching her. Had I spent more time searching for her. Had I made more wolves look for her. All of which I wish I did, if it ment she wouldn't be here like this.

I'm staring at Milas body while gripping her hand tightly just willing her to wake up. Chanting in my head "Wake up, wake up, wake up."

I'm startled out of my thoughts when someone clears their throat. I didn't even realise someone had come in to her room. Looking up to see Chris with a stone cold look on his face, I'm shocked to see another behind him.

"Hey Alpha. This wolf requested to meet with you, he says he needed to make sure Mila was ok." Chris says in a low voice I wasn't sure I'd ever heard.

"You..." I growl out. My hand gripping my mates hand for comfort. After I nod at Chris, I turn to the bàśťàŕď that took Mila from me.

"I'm sorry about your mate. I hear word she's recovering slowly though. Is she going to be ok?" He asks looking nervous.

I just stare at him for a moment, surprised that he's even alive and here. Honestly, I thought if he lived he'd be half way across the country by now.

"You're alive?" I growl out, causing him to step back. "And why are you here?" I ask, my eyes darkening.

"I came to see if she got out ok after letting her out of the basement. I was keeping low but needed to know she was alright." He clears his voice clearly not sure what else to say.

"Why are you suddenly concerned anyway?" I find myself unable to resist the urge to ask, my anger mixing with confusion.

"I wanted to make sure you all got out, after all that happened. Believe it or not, I wasn't always a bad person and to see someone be tortured and treated the way she was... I hate myself for it. I'm truely sorry for my part in it all." He tells me with genuine regret in his eyes.

"Why did you help her after being the one that took her? Why would you even be apart of that śhìť anyway?" I probe.

He seems to be deep in thought for a while, staring at Mila for a moment before looking at me intensely before nodding. I felt angry at him eyeing her before his eyes met mine filled with loss.

"Ok, I'll explain but it's a bit long..." He seems to be lost in thought again for a moment before clearing his throat.

"I used to be a Beta of my old pack, one that's on the other side of the country. They were known for brutality and most of the pack civilians weren't comfortable with it, nor was I. The Alpha lost his parents to rogues so he killed any without question." He pauses to take a breath and calm himself.

"One day on patrol, I see a young lady stumbling through the forest borderline delirious from dehydration. Her clothes were dirty and torn but she was still the most beautiful being I've ever laid eyes on. Long black hair and captivating green eyes, though she was underweight and weak. None of it mattered, that young lady was my mate... Mary." He sighs with a small smile on his face.

"I knew the Alpha would kill her on sight but there was a town next to our border. So, I rented a hotel room and got her to stay there. I got her food and clothes, anything she'd need I got it. She was a born rogue but always had protection from family until they were killed. She couldn't fight or hunt and it was slowly killing her. But over time she was getting healthier and our bond was growing stronger."

He looks like he's reliving all of this as he tells me. I haven't noticed that I'm paying so much attention to his story.

"A month goes by like that and things are going well. I am even looking into packs I could put a transfer into so that we can be in one together. But one of the warriors followed me one day... watched me go to the hotel and waited for me, sadly he saw Mary saying goodbye to me. Turns out his brother was killed by rogues, so he shared our Alphas views. The next time I'm with her, the Alpha and twenty ďàmń warriors burst in. He starts spouting some shit about me being a traitor and I'm trying to get him to see that she's harmless and my mate but he hears none of it. Next thing I know, he slashes her throat with his claws so deep... Well, she was never healing from it. He killed her in front of me then kicked me from the pack, doing me a 'kindness'... I'd rather he killed me."

I didn't realise I was getting so angry by what that stupid Alpha did until a growl escaped my lips. Blake looks up with glassy eyes, but he gives me a soft smile.

"So, that's why I'm a rogue. Had I transferred packs with her, we'd be accepted due to my status. But making me a rogue after killing her, it just made me resent packs and their rules. So I went with it and used my rage to my advantage, killing wolves and taking them to the hunters."

"I'm sorry for what happened... What he did, it was beyond inexcusable and disgusting. I can understand why you don't like the concept of packs anymore." I say lowly, "But why did you end up helping Mila after taking her though?"

"She reminded me of Mary, in so many ways too. She had a strong spirit and was always kind. Even facing death, she showed no fear or weakness. Milas strength in the cell that first day, reminded me of her and made me really rethink... well everything. She would want me to help those in need not put them in danger."

I nod at his words, looking at him now all I see is regret and self loathing.

"She's possibly only alive because you let her out. You know, if you ever want some security outside a pack, I'd happily work a treaty for you to live in peace." I offer. "After paying for your crimes of course."

"That's a very tempting offer but I can't agree." He chuckles.

"You will be punished for your actions. I'll spare your life if you wish it, for sparing hers. But you aren't leaving here alone or unpunished." I say warning behind my words.

"I didn't expect otherwise." He smiles knowingly at me.

With one final look at Mila, we say our goodbyes and he leaves with a few warriors to go into the lower levels of our cells. There he will be in the hands of our guards.

As much as I appreciate him getting her out, I can't ignore that he put her there in the first place. How many wolves had he condemned over the years?

I spend the next few hours thinking over our conversation and over analyse the willingness to go quietly. It looked like he wanted to suffer for what he's done, he really looked over the life he was leading.

I eventually lay with my head on Milas bed, back to internally chanting "Wake up, wake up, wake up." I would give anything to just be able to see her smile. My chants work like counting sheep and I fall asleep fairly quickly.

I'm actually sleeping really peacefully for the first time since all of this started. At first I thought it was because of the conversation earlier, though I didn't realise I'm no longer holding Milas hand in my own.

Suddenly, I feel a warm hand stroking my cheek gently. So lightly that I open my eyes to see if I'm going crazy finally.

As soon as my eyes open, they look directly at the woman I love more than anything and I feel my heart beat out of my chest.

"Mila." I croak out before leaping onto her bed and pulling her carefully into my arms.

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