Jail Break
“Well Ayla, I am happy to tell you that the wellthane is barely in your system nose. You may feel a bit tired still, hut your labs look great. I de wn fects on putting on some weight. I muly feel if you can gain weight and get healthier that we have a great chance of your wolf coming back. drowned in polton to keep her suppressed, but now I think once you start to acclimate and be around other wolves, the will resurface.” Brie adveitis me,
He’s been giving me discharge instructions all meaning in anticipation of my telesss to the pack house. The thought of seeing other shifters or being around sanyone trerifies me. 1 feel anxious just thinking about the anxiousness that 1 anticipate feeling when I see them and now, I feel nauseous. It most be written all over my face because Eric is quick to pick up on it.
“I will be alright Ayla. Being and others will be tough at first, but you are strong, you can do it. Cihs, Thime is pulling in now.” The thought of seeing him again has my pulse sky rocketing, but I don’t feel scared. I feel mildly excited. Or moderately enger. I can’t explain what I am feeling. He’s been so good to
Thane walks into my room and if I felt I could talk, I wouldn’t be in this moment. I am at a loss for words as I look at him. He is needly handsome in his black button–up shirt. The first few buttons are unleitoned with his sleeves rolled half up, dark jeans and messy black hair.
The shat is tight and accentuates his large muscles all over his 6–foot 4 frame. He has a dimpled smile when he sees me, and I feel my heart melting. This man smells amazing, and he is gorgeous. I can feel my face heating and I quickly look down at my hands.
“Is everything set for her release Enc?”
“Yes, alpha. I have her labs back and already instructed her on eating well to get her weight up. The wolfsbane is pretty much out of her system and I think when she acclimates to her surroundings and is around other wolves, she may even get hers back.”
“What’s your wolfs name Ayla?” Thane asks me and I feel hopeful, but also sad. I’ve been without her for so long. I quickly grab my paper and write “Aramana.”
“Bremana, that is a beautiful name for what I can only assume is a beautiful wolf. Have you shifted before Ayla?” Thane asks and I am immediately thrown back into a flashback.
One time I have shifted and that time costs me my entire family. My heartrate spikes and I start to shake. My eyes are blurry, and I can’t catch my breath. I am panicking and clawing at my blankets trying to get away. Away from what? I don’t know, but I need to get out of here. They could find me here.
“Ayla, Ayla, it is oka
okay sweetheart. Little wolf, can you hear me? You need to slow your breathing down with me. It will be okay. You don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to, but we need to get you calmed down.“.
My vision improves as I rapidly blink and I can see Thane on my bed, arms on my shoulders, leaning in so we are face to face. His earthy pine smell is comforting as I regulate my breathing and calm my nerves. I hold up one finger.
“You have shifted only once little wolf?” I nod my head “yes.”
Thane stands up and reaches his hand out for me. “When Aramana is back Bonan and he is eager to meet yours.”
I help you with shifting and acclimating. Ronan in my wolf, and
The thought puts a smile on my face, but I quickly lose it. I don’t want to get too hopeful too quickly. Hope is a luxury I haven’t been able to indulge in and I am not sure I should start now,
My thoughts are all over the place and giving me whiplash at this point. I look at his outstretched hand and back up to him, still holding his dimpled grin. I take his hand, and he proceeds to walk me from the room. “Goodbye Eric. I will keep you in the loop,” then he heads me down the hallway.
“The park house is just a short drive from here. I have your room ready with everything you may need. I have some clothes for you as well, so you won’t have to keep the clinic sweats on, but if you are comfortable in them, please do.”
He explains all of this to me, but suddenly freeze as he is opening the door. It has been at least seven years since I have been outside. Seven years since I have smelled fresh air, or seen the sky, clouds, or stars for that matter. Fam scoped to take these steps out of the building Scared that I will gain this luxury only to have it stolen from me. Scared of the unknown.
Thane must realize my inner turmoil, because he starts rubbing my arm up and down in a calming manner. “Have you been outside of that dungeon in the last year or more Ayla?” He quietly questions as I turn to him with tears in my eyes and shake my head “no.” A sudden growl emanates from him, and he
1/2
Jail Break
am sorry for my reaction. My wolf and I are just mad on your behalf, little wolf. What happened to you is horrible, arid I know this is a big step for you, hat you are stronger than you knie, You can do this.” He outstreiches his hand to me again as hover my foot over the entryway. I take a deep breath. ‘wed put my foot over the threshold.
One foot outside and then another.
I did it. I am standing outside, I can hear the binds, feel the breeze, smell the air. I turn my face up towards the sky and I smile. The sky is hetiful, and the yun feels amazing on my skin. I have missed this as much.
I look up at him, caning my neck back since there is over a foot of height difference between us, and he is smiling at me. His eyes are rediently green in the sum. “I am happy you have this moment little wolf. Nobody will take this from you again.*
Thane brings my hand up to his mouth and places a kiss on my knuckles. I quickly look down as I feel my face heat up. Thane chockles to himself and leads me to his SUV. He opens the door for me to climb in and sent belts me into place, I am shocked that an alpha can be so gentle. Especially one as big and muscular as Thane. Nothing about him screams gentle. Well, maybe his dimpled, boyish smille,
The drive to the pack house was short. Soon, we pull up to a large complex. “This is the pack house. All unmated shifters can live here, and nor mated shifters and their families live within the town we have. There are seven floors with single and multi–bedroom apartments.”
Thane pulls up and gets out of the SUV. He quickly opens my door for me, beating another shifter to the door. “It’s alright Michael. You can park the car, but Ayla here will be more comfortable with me getting her settled in at the moment. Ayla, this is Michael, he takes care of the running of things for me at the pack house.”
“Hello Ayla, it is nice to meet you. I’m like the house manager, so if there is something you need for your rooms and you don’t have it, please let me know. I have a team to keep things here running smoothly.” I look down at his outstretched band and back up to him. He is pleasant, but I don’t know him or trast him. The only shifter I currently trust is Thane. When did that happen and is that wise?
pants and produces a pad and paper.
He quickly takes his hand back sensing that I am not comfortable shaking it and reaches into the back of his pants forgot alpha; 1 have this ready for you.”
“Thank
Michael.” Thane takes the pad of paper and pencil, handing it to me. I am shocked that he took the time to talk with his staff and more so that they have this ready for me. I give Michael a quick smile and walk with Thane into the pack house. My heart is racing, but I notice as we walk into the building that it is quiet. I don’t see a single shifter around.
“I asked everyone to make themselves scarce down here to not overwhelm you when we arrived.” I look up into his eyes and give him a genuine smile. His thoughtfulness surprises me. It is like he knows my fears and is ready with answers. I know that I will have to see others, but not running straight into a crowd of shifters has me relaxing.
We enter the elevator and arrive on the seventh floor. “This whole four is extra rooms for guests. My room is the last one on the right and yours is here. I have a small apartment and your room and mine share a door. It was once a larger three–bedroom apartment, but I don’t need that much space, Don’t worry, there is a lock on the door and there is a lock on your own door, but just know that if you need me, you can use the door, knock on it, anything you need to do. You can keep it locked on your side, but 1 will keep my side unlocked for you.”
I contemplate what he is telling me about a shared door, not really having the time to think about it and how I feel about it before there is a large, firm hand placed on my lower back, and I am escorted into what is now my room,
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