There are many sounds around me as I drift in and out of unconsciousness. I hear a few shouts, the sound of a car starting, and a woman crying. I try to make sense of those voices, but cannot fathom.

"Nana," I croak out, my eyes still shut. Squinting my eyes into slits, I try to look at the person holding my hand.

Initially, I see only a blur, then my vision clears, and I see Aiden sitting beside me on a stool. His eyes are full of concern as he stares down at me.

"Where's Nana?" I ask, my throat clogging with emotion.

Finding my grip on the soft sheets beneath my fingers, I try to get up, but Aiden cups my shoulders and nudges me down.

"She's fine. Recovering. See."

He points his finger to a bed beside me, and only then do I realize we are in a hospital. Relief washes over me as I see Nana sleeping peacefully.

Suddenly, Archer comes to mind. He is dead. Emotion rises within me as I choke on my tears.

"Hey, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Aiden asks.

"He died. Archer is dead. The vampire said he is dead," I splutter, my voice almost a whisper.

"No. Thank the Lunar Goddess. He is in a coma," he says, clenching his jaw.

My eyes feel wet as I take in his words. Archer is alive. Thank you, Moon Goddess. I would never forgive myself for this. But someone has to pay for this.

Anger replaces my guilt as I think of the vampire. I assume my research findings have some use for them.

"Why?" I ask.

"I was hoping you could shed some light on it," he answers.

With my eyes closed, I inhale deeply to manage my emotions. I glance at Aiden and see him staring at me, expectantly. However, I can't put him at risk. Archer must have discovered my research. Therefore, someone attacked him. I can't let the same happen to Aiden.

"I don't know. The vampire spoke about some research. It must be the one I am working on in the laboratory," I answer, looking him in the eye.

Aiden stares me down, testing my words before nodding.

"Yes, we had our suspicions. There was an attack on Archer at your workstation. If it weren't for your kidnapping, you would have been the prime suspect. Dr. Cyrus checked your logs and verified you didn't download any data. He was relieved."

I mean, it makes sense that he knows Archer, so he has an in with the company. But the depth of his knowledge of the happenings makes no sense.

"How do you know all this?" I ask.

"Of course, I will know what is happening in my company. I am not blind," he grunts.

"Your company?"

"Yes, I am the majority shareholder. My father and Dr. Cyrus were partners," he replies.

Partners. My mentor is his business partner. I shut my eyes, feeling foolish. This is getting more complicated by the minute. Have I unknowingly tip-toed in Alpha King's circle? It is a wonder that my secret is intact.

I open my eyes, not looking at him, and my eyes focus on the table clock. It is ten in the evening. I need to know how long it's been since my last shot.

Aiden didn't ask me about my powers? My beast stirs, but I don't feel her entire strength yet. But she is closer to the surface than normal.

"How long have I been unconscious ?"

"Thursday, the thirteenth, about five in the evening," he replies.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I was captured this morning. Twenty-four hours have not passed yet, so my secret is safe for now.

"Oh. I need to report in a few hours," I say.

I need to recheck and see whether any traces are there. How did they find out? Dr. Cyrus wasn't able to see anything. If he did, I would not be in a hospital bed but in an interrogation room.

"No, you are not. The project is suspended," he says, pointedly.

"But..."

He puts a finger against my lips, shushing me. I bob my head in assent and he removes his fingers.

"Did Nana sustain any serious injuries?" I ask.

"No, she just went into shock. She's asleep right now. The doctor said she needs rest, so she is under the effects of sedatives. She threw quite a tantrum, worrying for you."

"Oh. Where are we? I mean, I know we are at the hospital, but..."

"We are in the Royal Pack hospital," he replies.

Oh no. This is not good. I am not supposed to be here. I try to move my leg slightly, testing the pain. It throbs a bit, but I think I'll manage if I don't make any sudden movements.

"Umm, can I leave?" I ask, gauging Aiden's reaction.

His eyes widen at my words, and he glares.

"Do you even know what state you were in? You fell unconscious. Being a weresap means you're nearly as delicate as a human. You can stay here until your thigh has healed," he growls.

I flinch at his tone and the memories that come with remembering how my thigh sustained this injury. That horrible vampire. I shudder as I realize what would have happened if Aiden hadn't arrived at the right moment.

I would have been dead. I think Aiden senses my shudder as his harsh glare turns soft now, but his lips are set in a hard line.

Maybe I can convince him if I put logic and reason into the discussion.

"Shhh okay. What if the doctor says I can leave? What then?" I say, trying to calm him down.

He looks at me for a moment, scrutinizing me before saying, "If the doctor approves, then it's his word that is final."

"Ok, call the doctor." Aiden still looks unconvinced, but I know he's a logical man.

So, he goes along with his words and stands up, walking out the door, glancing at me before closing it behind him.

I now take time to process the surroundings. It's a big room for two beds. Nana lies on the bed beside me, sleeping, her mouth ajar. This brings a smile to my face. She's safe.

I then look at myself. I'm in a hospital gown, a sheet covering me waist down. Adjusting the sheet, I assess my wound. It's wrapped in gauze, with dried blood showing through.

I want to see the inside, but decide against it. It's better to wait for the doctor. Just as I think of the doctor, a woman in a white coat appears, followed by Aiden. I hastily cover my legs up, not wanting Aiden to see them.

She grins at me. "Hello, Aurelia. I'm Ferretey, your doctor. Well, your vitals seem normal. Let's see how your wound is faring," she says, inspecting the machines beside my bed.

I dip my head as she leans in, removing the sheet, but I clutch it to myself tightly. She scrunches her brows in confusion, trying to understand my hesitance, and I jerk my head at Aiden.

She turns to Aiden and says, "Maybe you should turn around, King."

Aiden's eyes go wide in understanding as red creeps up his neck. "Oh."

He turns around as the doctor gives me a reassuring smile before removing my sheet. My mouth turns up into a smile as I register his embarrassment.

She reaches out to my bandage and starts removing it gently. Astonishment flashes across her face as she registers my unblemished skin, with no wound in sight. Her brows raise at me. "Wow, Aurelia. You've healed fast for a weresap."

I shrug at her when Aiden exclaims, "What?"

He's still facing the door, his back to us. "Yes, King. She's healed. Slight internal injury might exist, but none that will cause her trouble."

Aiden turns around, and I drag my sheets up quickly, covering my legs. He narrows his eyes at me and says, "I want to see if it's the truth."

I sigh, shaking my head at him and adjust my covers so that they only expose the part of my prior wound. I'm certain he won't believe it until he sees it.

He looks at me in wonder. "But how? "

"Well, it looks like she's a strong weresap. Well, stronger than the usual ones, as she's healed quickly." Doctor Ferretey informs.

"Should we discharge her?" He asks, trying to make me stay longer at the hospital.

I purse my lips at his words.

"Yes. There's no point in her staying here. I'll prescribe a few vitamins, of course, but nothing to worry about."

Aiden purses his lips at first, but then his shoulders drop as he agrees with the doctor. However, his eyes light up a moment later.

"But she's not able to mind-link," he says to the doctor.

He is trying to search for a loophole and make me stay here longer. The doctor, now confused, looks at me.

"Well, yes, I have not tried it yet." I explain.

She nods at me and then thinks about something for a moment.

"Then, maybe you should try now. Try to link me," she says, looking at me patiently.

I take a deep breath and focus on her.

'Did this work, Doctor? Err Ferretey'

A smile lights up her face as she says, "Something must have been blocking her earlier, but now she can mind-link."

Her assessment was accurate. I remember the dart I felt when I stepped into Nana's room.

"Oh yes. A dart hit me."

"It must have worn off. You can go home," she smiles at me.

I grin back at her and then glance at Nana. Is she well enough to be discharged? Aiden mentioned that she was fine.

Doctor follows my gaze and then assures me.

"She's ok. We had to sedate her because her BP went high because of worry. Once she knows you're okay, I'm confident she'll be alright.

Finally, I can go home. Doubt still lingers in Aiden's gaze towards me. I sigh internally.I may have to let him know the details of what happened if he already doesn't know.

I remember him killing the vampire, so I doubt he would have gotten any information from him. I wonder if there was someone else at the place.

Word Count: 1657