Waking to the soft beep, beep of what I know is a heart rate monitor, lets me know I am still alive. My head feels heavy and sore. Eyes still closed, I perform a mental assessment of myself. Besides being bone-dead tired, I'm okay and not torn limb from limb as I expected.

In fact, I was convinced I wouldn't be waking up at all. My final moments, forever to be, blissfully falling into a strange man's arms. While loving every second of how good it felt.

A frown creases my forehead at that thought. It really did feel amazing to just forget everything and fall into my wolf-mans embrace.

Was it the impending thoughts of death? Loss of blood? Or my own desires?

Part of me knows it's what I wanted. My desire towards the stranger is what scares me. I don't understand any of this, and I can't explain how I've ended up in this situation so clueless, to begin with.

The intoxicating smell swirling around me lets me know that the wolf-man from the forest is here. Opening my eyes cautiously, I find wolf-man sleeping on a chair next to the bed.

Finally, I get a good look at him, without the shroud of darkness or fear of impending death.

The wolf-mans broad shoulders and muscular form barely fit in the hospital's excuse for a chair.

He's stuffed himself awkwardly into it, and I can't help the slight smile that creeps onto my face.

His skin is tanned, and his thick eyebrows frame what I know are mesmerizing emerald eyes.

I notice scars on his right cheek, and his nose looks as though it may once have been broken, making him perfectly imperfect.

This only makes me appreciate his appearance more and wondering what happened? How did he get them? Was he badly hurt? Is he okay now?

I'm worried for this man even though I don't know him. He's beautiful even with his flaws if you can even call them that. To me, he's stunning, and it's hard to stop myself staring.

Women would fall over themselves for a night with this wolf-man.

A sense of possessiveness at the thought of him with another woman has me looking away and shaking my head. I've lost it. I have no claim or any reason to worry about what he does and has done with other skanky desperate women.

Whoa, calm down, now who has a blazing case of the green eye. Amber taunts me.

Shut it! This situation is intense enough, thanks.

Come on, Stella, calm down. He's sat here waiting for us to wake up. Not only is he sexy as hell, but he cares for us too.

My smile is back as I realize Ambers right he's sat here, likely for hours, if not longer? Waiting for me to come to. Why does he care?

Well, if he wanted us dead, we would be, so that answers that question. Amber voices the following thoughts for me.

So clearly, he doesn't want me 6ft under, but that doesn't mean he wants me for good reasons. We still need to be cautious. I reply through our mental exchange.

Okay, but I believe this is going to be a good thing, Stella.

Obviously, I reply dryly.

Peeling my eyes away from the sleeping eye candy confirms I'm in a hospital. Sitting myself up straighter, I discover my right wrist is shackled to the hospital bed—anger flares that I'm contained against my will.

Surely the doctor didn't order me to be restrained? Which can only mean it was him. I shoot the wolf-man a glare.

Damn, he's hot even when he sleeps. Amber purrs.

Ugh, Hello, did you miss that he's physically trapped us?

Well, we have run away twice. Mate wants to talk, and this will keep us here long enough to listen.

Clearly, you've switched sides. I huff.

It's as I'm trying to quietly and ineffectively remove said restraint, the man stirs. Quickly I close my eyes and play dead.

I listen as he groans while the chair creaks beneath his movements. He must have a stiff neck after sleeping like that. He sighs and sounds tired.

Guilt surges through me that I'm the reason for his discomfort. Pushing that aside, I focus on all my other senses to detect his movements.

I smell his closeness as he approaches. It's overwhelming how much this stranger affects me.

The sparks down my cheek, as his hand caresses my face, nearly blows my cover. There is no menace in his touch at all, confirming his promise not to harm me.

His hand travels down, hovering between my collar bone and the nape of my neck for a moment. I nearly cave. The desire to open my eyes and lean into his touch is almost vital.

My blankets are ripped away, causing my heart to skip a beat and pleasurable emotions to be replaced by fear. What the hell is he up to?

The urge to scold him and cover my body back up is hard to swallow. Who does he think he is?

The wolf-mans hand runs over my leg, moving to where the gash that almost drained me of blood should be.

It feels incredible, and I have to stop myself from arching forward, my body wanting more of his touch everywhere. My fear is overruled by the desire and wants for more. My heart rate increases dramatically, my pulse starting to woosh behind my ears.

As his hand travels to the gash, I brace myself for pain, shocked when It doesn't come. Through his touch, I can feel that the wound is gone, only smooth skin remaining.

What the hell? How long have I been out? It usually would take well over two weeks for that kind of wound to heal enough to form some sort of smooth skin, if not cause a permanent scar.

We must heal faster now, Amber informs me.

What, How?

I have no idea, maybe because we finally shifted or something? She replies, still confused like me.

Someone else enters the room, snapping me from my mental conversation with my wolf.

"Brodie, your mother and sisters are here," A deep unfamiliar males voice announces. So his name is Brodie, and he has a family. Are they all beasts like us?

"I told them to wait at home," Brodie growls as a response. The vibrations of the noise penetrate my nerve endings. Waves of pleasure mixed with confusion and fear flow through my body.

I mean, come on, can a girl catch a break and hang onto some sense of rationality around this man?

His name is lovely Amber comments.

Bro-die, I try it out.

It suits him. Amber decides, and I can't help but agree.

Fitting well with his strong frame and voice. The man who changed my world in less than 5 minutes is called Brodie.

"They don't listen to anyone Brodie, you know that," the man replies.

"Take them home now, Josh," Brodie replies sharply.

"As you wish, Alpha." I hear Josh leave the room.

'Alpha.' That one word sends me into a spin; he is their leader, as I suspected.

Footsteps growing closer confirms his way back. An exasperated sigh fills the room. I can feel the weight of his gaze on me.

"Maybe you were right to run from me and my crazy family, little mate." A hand is back on my cheek, affectionately cupping my face.

It takes everything I have not to lean into him, open my eyes and ask him to explain that sentence further.

His 'little mate' causes me to swoon further. I usually refuse pet names, but like everything else about this man, I'm delighted.

A commotion outside the room draws me away from my mental musings.

"No, Joshua, you listen to me! I will see my son, and I'll see him now. If he wants me gone, he can tell me himself!" A lady bellows. I keep playing dead, not wanting to meet her yet.

Good plan, I like our mate, but his mother sounds intense. Finally, Amber says a bit more on my side.

Placing my blankets back over me, Brodie huffs, clearly frustrated.

"Mother, calm down."I hear his voice drift as he leaves the room to sort his family out. Finally alone. I can continue my attempts to get un-restrained.

I open my eyes and find myself staring into the eyes of who I assume is Joshua.

Well shit! Amber helpfully comments.

He tilts his head and chuckles at me. He's pretty cute as well.

However, I don't have any strong urges to throw myself at him. So not all wolf-men cause me to fall weak at the knees, just Brodie.

Well, at least I'm not going to have the compelling urge to throw myself at multiple supernatural males.

You could have helped me out with that one.

I'm far from all-knowing Stella; you seem to forget that I am you. I'm just another part of you.

My thoughts are also your thoughts.

Rubbing my temples, the headache pounding on my skull worsens. This is all too much. I focus on Josh, pushing Amber to the back of my crowded head.

He's tall and incredibly muscular. Not as big as Brodie and not as handsome.

Am I now ruined for other men? Destined only to my mate or whatever?

Blonde hair and grey eyes stare at me, amused. I notice Josh also has a similar tattoo to Brodies up his left arm. So it must be a wolf thing? Traditional perhaps?

All information is logged in my internal journal labeled, 'Figuring This The Fuck Out.'

"Unless you want her" he flicks his eyes to the open door behind him.

"In here questioning you. I suggest you go back to pretending" Josh arches his eyebrow at me and winks.

I return a polite smile and nod. Closing my eyes, I note, Josh also seems nice.

It appears nobody wants to tear me to shreds in the end, after all.

"I told you," Amber huffs, exasperated. I ignore her.

I hear footsteps approach the door.

"Oh, Brodie, she's just stunning. I'm so happy for you, son," the lady coos. Now I feel like some sort of lab rat being examined.

"Okay, you've seen her, now please, give us space. I don't know what's going on, but she's really skittish and has only shifted for the first time recently." Brodie's voice is full of aggravated confusion.

"What! How is that even possible? Where did you find her? What pack does she belong to?"

Pack? What's that.

"I don't know; she appears to be a rogue that didn't even know what she was."

A rogue? I'm just Stella who lives a boring life in Cleardale people.

"Don't jump to conclusions; she Is your mate for a reason, and she will be worthy. We just have to figure this all out," she tries to reassure him.

Worthy? I don't need to live up to anyone's standards, thank you.

Try not to judge them until we know and understand them, Amber offers.

Fine!

"I know, Mom, now please" he's annoyed at his mother's pushy behaviors; I can tell by his tone.

"I'm going, I'm going," She huffs, and I hear her heels click as she walks down the hallway. So now it's just me, Josh, and Brodie in the room.

Oh, dear.

"Thanks, Josh. Please make sure they do indeed head back." Brodie instructs.

"Yes, Alpha. She's awake, by the way. Seems she's also talented at playing dead."

Great, so he's nice but a snitch. Amber grumbles.

"Is that so" Brodie's tone turns low. Looks like I've pissed this Alpha off already.

I open my eyes to glare at Joshua, who winks at me before walking out. Even though he just dobbed me in. I'm not really angry. His loyalties are clearly with Brodie.

Taking a short breath, I turn my gaze to the wolf-man.

"It's nice to see your eyes open" Brodie moves closer, his eyes locked on mine.

I shrink away on the bed, if he touches me, all those urges to crawl into him will surge, and I need to keep my head clear.

He stops, sighing, and rubbing his face in frustration.

"How do you feel? I can imagine this is all overwhelming," he starts.

"You have no idea what I'm feeling or going through," I say sternly, surprised at how pissed off I sound.

He straightens himself, trying again to start an exchange of information.

"Okay, So what's your name?" His tone is more frustrated, but I can tell he's trying to stifle his aggravation.

I should try to be more sociable and figure this all out, but I choose to stay silent and shake my wrist to emphasize the restraint around it.

This wolf-man tied me to the bed, and I guess I'm still pissed off about that after all.

Brodie releases a soft growl of exasperation. Clearly, he's losing his calm facade.

You seem to forget we're tied to a bed in an unknown place. Try not to piss off the only guy that can help us out and let us go, eh. Amber reminds me.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, calming my frazzled state.

"I can't do this'', Brodie announces. My eyes snap open.

He can't just leave, he's just sat there waiting, and now he's going to leave. Am I really being that difficult?

My alarmed eyes and upright sitting position don't stop him from turning on his heel. Oh, crap, now I've gone and done it! Panic seizes me with the thought of him gone and me here alone, chained to a bed.

Brodie stops halfway out the door, and my heart seems to do the same. All beats on hold.

This is when I should ask him to stay or give him some sort of sign. Instead, my stubborn arse tilts my head up, making myself look strong even though I feel anything but.

His eyes meet mine, challenging me. I don't back down, staring right back defiantly. A small smile forms on his lips, and I think I see a flash of surprise cross his features before he speaks.

"Tell me, How can I begin to earn your trust or explain this situation? If you won't at least say something?" he raises his eyebrow, waiting expectantly for my reply.

I'm stunned. Brodie's right. We both have to take a leap of faith and see where it gets us. I can't run, and If I wasn't tied to this bed, It's clear I'm going to have to face whatever this is.

Running might be my favorite option, but it is not always the logical one. I know this.

He turns away again, taking my silence as his answer.

"Stella!" I yell, not wanting him to leave. He stops abruptly, and relief floods my limbs, making them turn to jelly.

"My name Is Stella" I release the breathe I was holding, hoping he'll come back and we can talk.

"Stel-la," Brodie repeats my name, playing with it on his tongue.

I fight the smile, trying to creep back on my face.

"Where are you from?" he turns, walking back into the room, and heads towards his chair.

Okay, good, he's not leaving. Maybe after we talk, he'll unbuckle my wrist, and I can go home a little wiser.

"Cleardale," a feeling that this won't be good enough surfaces. Brodie sighs as he retakes his seat. Green eyes penetrate my brown, and I shuffle, feeling vulnerable again.

"Which Pack?" he looks at me pointedly, putting me on edge. My stomach plummets to the floor.

I'm screwed; what's a pack? I don't have a group or any information about one.

Does he mean that wolf-people life together in like communities or in forest caves? Packs are a wolf thing, and we are werewolves, so that would make sense, but I know nothing about this. I can't lie my way through this.

I'm just plain old, soon to be divorced Stella, who didn't know she was supernatural until yesterday. Assuming today is Friday, that is?

"I don't understand what you mean by a pack, sorry." I look to the ceiling for support, but not even Amber can help me with this. Honesty is all I have, and I'll see where that gets me.

"Okay, so you're a rogue?" he almost sounds angry. My annoyance rises at his attitude. What the hell does he want from me?

"Whats a rogue?" I ask through gritted teeth, trying to control my raging emotions.

He rubs his forehead looking away from me. I can feel a mix of confusion and frustration radiating off him.

''Tell him we didn't know anything," Amber suggests.

I decide to listen, hating how vulnerable, exposed, and clueless I feel. I turn my body to face Brodie's, trying to look as genuine as I possibly can.

"Look, until I saw you shift, as you call it. I had no idea I was even one of whatever we are, okay." My voice breaks and unwanted tears fill my eyes.

Brodie snaps his eyes back to me, alarm filling his features as he sees my real emotions laid bare.

Guilt consumes his features, and he moves from the chair to my side on the bed, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

He really does care, but why?

He can give us answers Stella, we just need to let our guard down long enough to get them. Amber replies softly.

"That's why you ran from me?" Brodie asks and rubs my shoulder, coaxing me to stay open with him.

I nod, wiping the treacherous trails of liquid from my cheeks. Brodie's hand moves from my shoulder, covering my other cheek. Using his thumb, he catches a tear wiping it away.

I can't help it when my head leans into his hand. The gentle buzzing of his touch seems to grow, taking the edge off my headache.

"It'll be okay little Mate, we'll figure it out," He gives me a sympathetic smile and slowly drops his hand from my face.

"My name is Stella," I sniffle.

Cry and be sassy at the same time. It's genuinely admirable behavior. Amber sarcastically comments. I shove her to the back of my head on a huff.

"How are you doing?" Brodie asks; all traces of anger and frustration are gone.

"Better than I thought I would. I heal faster now, it appears. I lift the blanket to confirm the perfect skin, where a substantial gaping gash should be.

It's still freaking me out, and I trace the faint, almost invisible line on my thigh, amazed.

"Once you shift for the first time, your wolf abilities kick in" Brodie stares at my leg, and I see his hand move an inch towards it before he stops himself.

The desire to touch each other is mutual then.

"Who attacked you last night?" his chest rumbles as he tries to restrain a growl.

"You didn't see?" for some reason, I'd assumed he'd been following me the whole time.

"No." His eyes shoot to mine in concern, and was that guilt? Does he blame himself for not being there?

"I only smelt you by the creek. I've been searching that creek ever since I first lost you" he's searching my face again for answers, what answers I don't know.

"Lost me?" I frown, confused. He says it like I'm his to lose. I don't even know him.

"Yes, the night we finally found each other, and you ran" His eyes turn accusing and almost hurt?

Finally, found each other? Okay, now most girls would dream of a line like that, but I'm here to tell you the reality of it is way harder to comprehend.

Be nice! We need him to let us go, remember! Amber once again reminds me I'm screwed.

"Oh, sorry about that, I freaked out" I shrug semi- apologetically.

"I think I was attacked by what did you say they were called again? A rogue? It was alone and looked kind of scruffy." I muse.

Brodies loud growl makes me jump and move away from him. He stands clenching his fists, an attempt to control his temper?

He notices my retreat and softens his features.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. Male wolves are very protective over their mates, Alphas even more so." He called us mates again, and he's protective? Over me?

"Oh, so we are mates? So that's why I feel this way?" I need someone other than Amber to tell me.

"Yes," Is all he replies.

Great time not elaborate.

"What does being mates mean?" My voice is small, but I know he can still hear me.

I know the definition of mate or mating. It is the action of animals coming together to breed or co-populate.

Werewolves are at least half-human, if not more? So what that means for us isn't black and white, not to me anyway. I need him to explain what this means, what's going on between us.

We lock eyes, both filled with uncertainty and a hint of hope.

He rubs his temples and looks away from me. The air grows thick between us, and I worry I've pushed him too far, then finally. He let out a sigh and speaks.

"To our kind, a mate is the equivalent of what you'd call a soul mate. Your destined for each other and when you find your mate." He pauses, taking a deep breath.

"It's meant to be one of the happiest days of your life as a werewolf." Were both looking anywhere but at each other.

If I thought the air was thick before, now it is suffocating. Soul mate? Holy crap, that's a lot to take in. The strangest mix of jumping for joy and running for the hills rolls through me like a tidal wave.

I know it's my turn to say something, and guilt fills me as I process his words.

"I'm sure I'm not what you were expecting" the memory of his mother's words sounds through my head.

"I imagine an Alpha finding their mate is a big deal?" I ask as I'm only guessing how this all works.

"It is," he replies while looking at the floor.

Well, so much for answers, Amber huffs.

I think we should give him time on this one.

Oh, getting a soft spot now, are we? Amber teases.

Instead of a strong all knowledgeable she-wolf, Brodies got me confused, unwilling, and very much lacking in wolf knowledge. Now he tells me I'm meant to be his soul mate? This situation sucks for both of us.

Doesn't matter, Stella, we can learn, and we are more than capable. Amber encourages.

I've gone from ordinary human life to one filled with supernatural creatures, not to mention figuring out I am one myself in less than a week. I still half expect to wake up in a padded cell at any moment.

"Stella?" Brodie tilts his head, studying me. He must have said something while I was deep in thought.

"Sorry I missed that; what did you say?" his phone rings in his hand, and he answers it, giving me an apologetic gesture.

"Hi, this had better be important," he grumbles.

I can't hear the person on the other end, but watching Brodie's body language tells me it is indeed essential. I can already read his moods and postures. The extent that I know this man already frightens me.

"Okay, I'm on my way" He hangs up, and the panic bubbles up into my chest again. I can barely breathe as he grabs his jacket, clearly leaving me. I want to ask him to stay or take me with him instead. My mouth opens and closes uselessly, no sounds escaping.

"I'm sorry, Stella, I have to go; I'll have someone collect you and bring you to the main house once the doctor clears you. Then we can talk more." He walks towards the exit again in a hurry.

"Wait!" I yell, hating my panicky voice. Finally, he turns, "Can you at least take this thing off now?"I plead desperately, wriggling my arm and the handcuff around my wrist.

He gives me a sympathetic look, and my stomach plummets. He's not taking it off.

"I'm sorry, I can't risk you running off again" He at least has the decency to look ashamed as he walks out, leaving me still chained to the hospital bed.

"You can't just leave me here shackled to this bed!" I shriek, but he doesn't come back. This time I can't stop the tears that fall down my face.

Okay, he's an arsehole for restraining us. Amber offers, trying to make me laugh.

I lean back into my pillow aggressively, wiping the tears from my face with my free hand. Turning my face into the pillow, I let the soft fabrics stifle my sobs as the emotions I've hidden from burst out of me at last.

***********************Authors Note: How I imagine Brodie.**************************