Ten days had passed by the time she opened her eyes to find a distorted image of the sky above her, better and more visible than before, but still undefined. Her eyesight was still badly damaged, although better than before.
There were murmurs around her, she couldn’t identify what they were saying and that smell.
Rather, those smells, it wasn’t just one. She sat bolt upright feeling every bone in her body crunch and a wave of pain run through her that made her lose her strength. Arms encircled her waist and someone sat behind her thus leaning her back on the male chest.
The sweet scent that she had felt that time reached her nose and she raised her head in a futile attempt to see who it was.
-Quiet ma, do not make an effort- Nicolas caressed the arms of the little woman and kissed the crown of the head. An innate happiness invaded him and the fragrance it gave off made him want to be by his side for as long as he could.
-Ma, are you okay?- she heard another voice and a fuzzy figure stood before her.
The wolf raised her hand trying to touch him.
Alan grabbed her and sat on the edge of the bed. He brought her slender fingers to his cheek, which was beginning to moisten, and let the faint heat caress his skin. A sensation that she enjoyed like no other.
-Alan, ma, I’m Alan, one of your puppies-
She put her other hand on his face, feeling, memorizing what his son was like until she smiled.
Alan couldn’t contain a sob and lunged to hug her lap, which took her by surprise. The boy had never shown such a degree of emotion for anyone. Perhaps because of his closest brothers, but his body yearned to be next to that stranger who was now his mother, as the most primitive feeling. He stirred in satisfaction when her hand stroked his tousled hair.
-And I Noa- the bed sank next to her and she looked at the smaller figure that seemed to jump uneasily for her attention.
She repeated the same procedure with his other puppy and smiled again, drawing him to his chest, burying his nose in the hair, assimilating the charming scent of that little person.
She turned her face to Nicolas who admired all the emotional scene of his brothers.
-My name is Nicolas, ma- he kissed her temple and wrapped his arm around the slim neck gently sticking her closer to him- I’m happy you’re well- It wasn’t so sentimental but it wasn’t the time to be strong. Like his brothers, a tear ran down his cheek, mixing with the tangle of his mother’s dark hair.
After so many years in captivity, being threatened, her greatest happiness had been fulfilled. Get back together with your children.
After endless minutes the three of them released her although she remained leaning on the support that the wolf’s body offered her.
-We have two more brothers, but for certain reasons they did not want to come to see you- Alan began to speak- One is Rodrigo, he is the oldest of us all- she felt nostalgic, clearly remembering her first swollen belly- He was in the care of our father so it is better to give him time to assimilate the idea-
She imagined it.
-The other is our little sister- she had had a puppy, she adored girls- Her name is Catalina. She is a bit reluctant to the idea that her mother is alive. The change has been very strong for her, so like our older brother it is better to wait-
She leaned down and touched his hand. She knew her husband must have poisoned their brains over the years. Noa brought him a glass of water and put it in his hands, then stroking her skin.
-Ma, you are so thin-
She smiled slightly trying to dispel the atmosphere of concern.
The four of them heard the door open. The wolf’s body tensed and she tried to come back. All her alarms were ringing in her head. Alpha. Nicolas’s hands held her in place.
-Calm down ma, calm down. Do not be afraid-
Alpha, she mentally repeated through clenched teeth and an unpleasant tremor. Hades stared at the familiar scene he had broken up and felt somewhat dejected. A family of his own was something he wanted for a long time and his hopes were increasingly distant, but looking at him differently, he had won one, not from his blood but under his care.
-Puppies I have things to talk about with their mother, I need privacy-
The three brothers refused, looking at each other. They had no intention of leaving her alone now that they could be together. Big mistake, the scent of Hades grew stronger in the room and the four of them stiffened. Nicolas wrapped an arm around his mother’s waist and began to run her backwards as he got next to her.
-I said get out- Hades said calmly but with a deep, imposing voice, he was not used to shouting and it would not be the first time he did.
Alan and Noa reluctantly got out of bed and walked past the wolf.
-Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to her, I just need her to know the situation before something happens again- he stressed the last part in commemoration of the attack on his body.
Nicolas untangled her arms when Hades arched an eyebrow, expecting him to just obey.
-Ma, he is Hades- he thought the introductions were necessary- You can be sure, he will not touch you, it was the alpha that with his pack helped us to rescue you and has been taking care of you until now-
He watched her squeeze the edge of the sheet until her knuckles turned white but she nodded and smiled at her to make him understand that she understood.
-I’ll be close here- Nicolas reluctantly turned around and stopped in front of the alpha that was several inches above him -I am no longer a puppy, and I will not hesitate to defend her if something happens-
Hades was unfazed by his words. He took two steps and got so close that Nicolas could hear his breathing.
-And I hope I don’t have to remember who you belong to now- It was almost a murmur but the child’s blood ran cold- Your brothers are waiting for you-
When the door was closed he studied the gaunt woman on the bed, who after several days and constant doses of blood no longer looked like an undead. He leaned closer and smelled her fear in the air.
After almost killing him, She was scared of him, ironic.
He moved to the side of the bed and cupped her chin between his fingers and lifted it to collide with beautiful purple eyes with a fuzzy iris. A shame. Cesar had mentioned that it would take a little longer for her senses to fully recover, or almost all.
-First of all, I want to know your name.
Her skin felt cold and the dry swallow moved the muscles in her throat.
-I will not beat you or subdue you, I am not your husband, but I am the new alpha of your pack, so I demand to know your name- he spoke slowly and without aggressiveness.
Her lips trembled and parted, releasing the first bit of air.
-Ne… Nebr…- Hades waited for her to say it, he didn’t want to force her. Sounds came out harsh and choppy.
He ran his finger caressing the overly soft skin on her chin. An action he found himself enjoying as he waited for her to speak.
-Nebr … Nebr … aska-
-Nebraska- Hades smiled pleased- Beautiful name, for a queen-