Ocean's P.O.V.  

Joshua looked gaunt and haunted. Instead of an I.V bag, he had a nearly empty blood bag pumping blood in his body. He was a brave kid.

"They told me she's going to be alright." He looked desperate. I tapped into his mind this time, forcing my way in.

The images flew by rapidly and with passing moment I died a little inside. He felt sorry for Naya when he went to get the Tahoe. There was nothing romantic about his feelings for her. Just total utter respect and loyalty. 

I saw the Darkling through him. He used his hands to manipulate air and threw the car against the tree. Then everything became black. I felt my head throb, ribs retract and shoulder pop back in place. They were his lingering feelings. 

It took him a while gather to his bearings and realize Naya was missing and his hand gun was empty. She crawled over the console in the middle, out through the passenger seat to retrieve his rifle before following Naya's scent.

The Darkling was strangling Naya.

His memory jumped straight to the horrific scene knocking be back. She was withering like a little bird trying to fly without wings. Her arms stretched out by her sides, trying to grasp at anything and everything. 

Joshua staggered once then aimed at back The Darkling's head and shot him. Immediately, the robe fell in a puddle.

That was it. That's all I needed to see.

"I heard that your mom didn't come to see you." She lost her mate and now she could have lost her son. I knew if something happened to my mate I wouldn't be able to go on but his mother did. Because she loved her son. I felt those motions from her, I only wished that she started to show it before it's too late.

"She contacted me... but she didn't want to get out of the house." Agoraphobia, the humans called it. Fear of public places, in her case it was the woods that surrounded her. "She wants me to go home."

"Will you go home?" I wondered. He would stay at the Quarters if he wanted to.

"Yeah, she seemed concerned so I might as well." His demeanour didn't appear nonchalant like usual. Maybe he's finally growing up.

I nodded, satisfied with his health and wellbeing, I turned to leave.

"Alpha..." Stopping in my tracks, I turned to him. "I... I apologise. I didn't want to disrespected you. The poor girl is sick. You..." I knew he was going to speak his mind not caring about ranks. "You didn't seem to care, so when I saw her puffy eyes, I just wanted to help her. If I didn't, she would have walked to the damn airport even if it took her 72 hours." He seemed annoyed.

"What makes you say that?" I wondered. Truly, what was she thinking?

"'Cause she's stubborn and strong willed. She's also an Alpha, you would have done the same if someone treated you like that." I was too numb to feel the dig he threw at me.

"You respect her?" I was more of a statement. My mate earned the respect of the most untrusting member of my pack in a month.

"She's crazy. It's hard not to." He threw his arms out in exasperation.

My mouth twitched to one side. I wouldn't describe her crazy but he's spent more time with than I did. Jealousy and guilt bubbled in my stomach. "Take couple of days off..." He tried to brush it off. "Come back when she's better." He settled after that.

When I returned to my mate's room, I found her in the same state as I left her. I hated being away from her. I couldn't feel our connection. I didn't have reassurance of her safety, her feelings or her where about. 

Worse, her scent changed drastically. It was more human than wolf. Truth be told, it was all human and no wolf.

Nausea fizzed in my stomach. What do I do?

I needed to call LoRusso. He could help explain everything to her. I just needed for her to wake up. People came to pay their respects once they found out I gained consciousness. What surprised me even more is that half of those people came to visit my mate as well. 

It humbled me to hear the stories about their encounters with my mate. They all had kind words to say about her. She earned their respect without my involvement. 

It made me ache to go back in time and rewind the moments I walked away from our house without seeing her face in the morning or going days without speaking to her properly.

Macey visited even when I was unconscious. Their bond was staggering. I knew I should be angry about their betrayal but I didn't have the energy in me to punish them. I just wanted it to all end. I felt weak. Shame consumed me.

I used a satellite phone to call LoRusso. Told him everything. I knew he couldn't leave his pack because it would be the perfect time for an ambush. He was going to send Lea. She's been itching to see Naya. She finally got her wish.

I woke to soft whimpers the next day. I was by her side in an instance. Her heartbeat started to rise. I gently stroked her hair back, trying to coax her out of whatever night mare she was in. 

It didn't take her long to come around. Her heartbeat started to decrease, grey eyes fluttered open slowly. My body sagged with relief. The lights were dim, allowing her open her eyes fully.

She stared at me with a perplexed look.

What if she lost her memories?

Fear grappled my senses. What if that's what The Darkling aimed to do?

She fisted the front of my shirt immediately. "Is he alive?" She looked frantic. "Is Joshua alive?"

"Yes, yes. Why?" She fell back on the bed. That was not what I expected from her the instance she woke up. With a relieved sigh, she replied.

"I tried to lure that... person away from Josh or he would have killed him." She was still feisty as ever.

"WHY would you do that?" It made me angry to think she would put herself in harms away.

"Because that's what we are supposed to do. Protect." She remarked with a stunned look. Like she couldn't believe I'd say that. "He's also a friend who I put in harm's way, so it was my responsibility." Trying to sit up, she winced. My hands immediately reached to help her get up. Josh was right. She was somewhat right, she's crazy impulsive.

"You can't put your life in danger like Naya." It sounded like I was scolding her. "It's reckless."

"Again, did I know this was going to happen." She was in shock. She kept trying to get up and off the bed. "I need to go home. I need... I... wait, what are you doing here?" Touching her soothed me but unfortunately, my touch didn't seem to soothe her at all. Hurt attacked my chest.

"Naya, you've been hurt. Just lay down and I'll get the doctor. Stop trashing around." She finally looked around, taking in her surroundings. She squinted, relaxing slightly.

Adeya, she's awake.

She came almost instantly. They've briefly met before therefore she remained calm throughout the whole post check-up process. I stuck around even though I didn't have to. I wasn't leaving her without talking to her. Wasn't willing to make the same mistake again.

"Three days, THREE DAYS? My family must be freaking out." Once again she tried to get out of bed. It stung to know she didn't think of me as family. Why would she? I didn't give her any reasons to.

"Aaron spoke to them while we both were unconscious. They know about the accident and they are on their way here. They should be here by the end of the week." I explained. I wanted to touch her but it would calm her. Frustrated, I ran my hands through my hair.

"I need to talk to you." I exclaimed out of the blue. She was strong. She could handle the truth. Maybe it wasn't the right time for me to speak to her. She just woke up from an attack. I should give her more time but it would be giving myself another way out. She perked up at my confession. Her beautiful face filled with curiosity. "Maybe after you eat or feel better-"

"My wolf is gone. I realised it when that son of a bitch was torturing me. What the hell are we going to do about that?" Her expression filled with anger. The calmness about her wolf being gone somewhat scared me. It was the calm before the storm. Just like when she told me to get out before she made arrangement to leave.

Exasperated, I sat down on the bed facing her, took her by the shoulders to steady her. "Just listen to me for once." I was losing patience quickly. 

Things have escalated well beyond its measures. One of my hands left her shoulder, making its way towards her cheeks. She leaned away from me looking confused. Another pang of hurt crossed my chest. Again, I deserved it.

"Just say it Ocean." There was venom in her voice when she pronounced my name.

"I need you to not say anything until I finish." I used my Command on her but she seemed oblivious to it. My Goddess her wolf was truly gone. Taking a dee breath, I took a moment to compartmentalise. "The guy that attacked you. He wasn't a hunter."

"I gathered-" She stopped when I stared at her, annoyed. Taking a deep breath, she settled.

"He was the one who..." I stood, pacing the length of the room. "He has powers. Powers than can be manipulated in ways no one knows about. He blends in with the humans so I personally think he's one of the leaders of a hunters' group..." I knew I was skipping but I didn't know where to start from. "Point is. He... right now... has a lot of hunters backing him up. So, he is behind all these attacks. On my pack and on Red Mount pack."

Her Alpha personality was still there. Logistics and knowledge before advice and outbursts. She listened keenly.

"He is trying to hurt you because of me." I took a deep breath and shot the arrow. "It's because we killed his lover centuries ago."

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Yup you heard right, centuries ago. What do you guys think about the fact that he can't feel any connection to her anymore? Comment below and don't forget to vote xoxo.