Page 55 of His Fated Luna

Chapter 20

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu

Rose's POV

I woke up much later in the pack clinic, my eyes landing first on Auntie Hilda, then on my father. They both sat beside my bed, their eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Auntie Hilda abruptly stood up.

“Oh, my baby!” she cried, clutching my hand. “I’m so glad you’re safe!”

The woman who had devoted her life to looking after me began sobbing uncontrollably. I hadn’t meant to, but tears welled up in my own eyes as well.

“Dr. Danvers said don’t do or say anything to trigger another panic attack,” my father said sternly, gripping Hilda’s shoulders and pulling her back slightly. “Get ahold of yourself, Hilda. Be strong for Rose.”

I sat up gingerly, feeling as if my limbs were weighed down by stones. A strange sensation wrapped around my wrists, and I looked down to see straps securing my arms to the bed.

“You were sedated,” dad explained quietly. “You thrashed around a few times in your sleep. We were afraid you might hurt yourself.”

“I…I was just so scared,” I admitted, my breath shaky. “But I’m…I feel safe now.”

I turned my gaze to my father.

Dad moved closer, wrapping me in a strong embrace.

“Listen, Rose, this is really important,” he said. “I wouldn’t ask you this unless it was for your safety. How many people were in that shack with you? The place had been doused with sage to mask any scents—that’s why we couldn’t track you.”

My stomach churned. “Whoever kidnapped me had enough time to cover my scent and trail to the shack from the road,” I muttered bitterly, swallowing the lump in my throat.

My head throbbed, most likely from the sedatives.

Dad nodded grimly, taking my small hand in his large, calloused one. “But Aiden followed your trail after they found you. Inside the shack, they picked up two scents—but there was only one scent on you. The only person in there was the man that touched you. He…well, between Aiden and Jake, there wasn’t much left of him,” he finished, satisfaction in his voice.

My eyes widened. “They killed him?”

Dad nodded curtly.

“Good.” I leaned back against my pillow, my voice steady. “He was a rapist, Dad. Oh, goddess… He said…he said they all stop struggling eventually…”

I barely got the words out before it hit me like a wave—I was back there again, trapped, helpless. The memory sucked me under, my body turning ice-cold, my breathing erratic.

“Rose, honey, calm down. He’s not here anymore. He’s gone,” Dad’s voice called to me, but it sounded so far away.

“He wasn’t alone…” I gasped, panic gripping my chest. “Ray, Bobbin, and…and… Boss,” I choked out, my body beginning to shake uncontrollably.

“Boss?” Dad’s tone sharpened. “There was a third person?”

I tried to respond, but I couldn’t stop gasping for air. It felt like I was drowning, the room closing in around me. What if they came back for me?

“Ezra, she’s in no position to be questioned!” Auntie Hilda scolded. “I’m getting Dr. Danvers!”

“Boss,” My voice trembled as I fought through the terror. “A werewolf! K-k-k-k-k…” My teeth chattered violently.

“Stop upsetting the patient! Out! Out! I told you she wasn’t to be disturbed!” Dr. Danvers’s furious voice cut through my panic. “Sedate the patient!”

No! I had to tell them. They had to know. What if they kidnapped someone else?

I struggled against the restraints, lifting my upper body off the bed. Strong hands gripped my shoulders, pushing me down. I fought wildly, desperate to get the words out. More hands pressed me down, and then—sharp pain in my forearm. A needle.