Differences Aside, ?

Chapter Three

"That is a concern," I replied thoughtfully, "I'll send in a group to check as soon as possible."

"It's not too much of a concern Alpha King, but I think checking the bomb itself would be helpful."

Most of the people occupying the hospital had left, the sun slowly setting over the horizon.  A family member for each victim had been contacted hours ago and the visits had already been made. And since visiting hours had ended ages ago, the waiting room and hallways were eerily empty of people.

"Are you sure that that's all of the victims?" I prodded, an uneasy feeling tickling at my chest.

The doctor paused, "Well... Not really." I raised an eyebrow at the doctor,

"It's my duty as their king Dr Kingston, I don't care if this cuts into your private time." I warned, the silent command in my voice slipping out naturally.

"Of course Alpha," He answered, his voice strained. "But before we go in, I must tell you. She's human. She must have been in the area at the time-"

A human. No wonder he didn't want me to know.

"The guards that collected the wounded didn't realise that she wasn't a wolf until she was brought here. They were in a hurry to get all of the wounded out of the area." He admitted sheepishly,

"And her injuries?"

"Eh... I would say that she is extremely lucky that the bomb was sent as a warning, and not intending to kill anyone. Otherwise, she would have died on the spot.  However, she was brought here quite quickly, but none of our doctors has been able to treat her yet. As you know Alpha King, the humans are disposable, my doctors decided it would be more beneficial to treat the wolves before treating her." Dr Kingston answered, trying to make his voice sound much stronger and confident than it actually was.

"So, she has received no treatment?" I raised an eyebrow, not particularly caring about another disposable human.

He shook his head,

"And the chances of her surviving?" 

"Very, very slim Alpha King. I doubt she would even make it through the night?" The doctor said, taking another glance at his clipboard.

"Has her family been identified about this?" I doubted, 

"We haven't had the time yet, we identified her as Elora Reed, one of the workers at the garment factory. Her Blood Identification showed that both of her brothers work in the mine, I doubt they would even be able to visit her at the moment. We'll alert them of her passing, I can guarantee that at least." Kingston faltered, most likely lying.

"If you're still interested my king, you can still see her. I just don't think it would be worth it. It wouldn't surprise me if we walked in and she was already dead." He offered, I could tell that he really didn't have the time to waste taking me back over to another room. But that wasn't my problem.

My wolf was on edge, tickling the back of my mind, telling me that I should. I didn't understand his motives, but regardless,

I sighed, "It is my duty, Dr Kingston. I promised to visit each and every patient affected by the bombing, and I take those things very seriously. I promise that I will take my leave immediately after.

He bowed his head in submission, "Of course, Alpha King."

Not another word was too be spoken. I was lead back down the corridor until the very end where we reached a set of stairs. Down we went, the pristine, white colouring had faded into a unpainted grey the further down we went.

I sent the doctor a look, and he cowered beneath my glare,

"You must understand my King, that we didn't have the room to accommodate her. The only spare room was down here, where we keep most of our supplies." He whimpered.

I rolled my eyes, I didn't particularly care. But Dr Kingston had been quite disrespectful throughout my visit, that was unacceptable.

When we reached the bottom, we walked through aisles of medical equipment until a door came into view.

"Are you sure Alpha?" The doctor asked one last time.

"I would recommend you stop disrespecting me Dr Kingston. You yourself doubt that she will be awake, I don't know why you refuse me," I snarled.

I didn't wait for his response, choosing instead to place a hand on the door and push it open. As soon as it opened, I was hit with the strong scent of vanilla and freshly fallen rain. It was so powerful I almost fell.

I staggered back, my eyes laid on the girl lying on the bed. Long black hair, it flowed out onto the pillow, surrounding her like a halo. Pale skin, skin that looked as if she had never seen the sun, sucked of all life, a colour I rarely saw.

Mate! Go to mate!

My wolf excitedly chanted in my mind, that was my mate. The words chanted in my head, I was starstruck by her beauty, enchanted even, until I remembered the doctors words.

My mate was here, she was here finally, and she was dying. She could already be dead.

I noticed the bruises first, decorating her neck in blue and purple. The blood hadn't even been cleaned off her, clumping her hair together and soaking her clothes. Her wounds were still open, the dried blood likely staining her skin. Her clothes were ripped to shreds, I tried not to look, I couldn't stand it.

"Mate," I choked out, a sob escaping from my mouth.

I tentatively stepped towards her, grasping her tiny hand in mine. Another sob came out, my heart was painfully seizing up.

I turned back to the doctor, "Get the royal suite ready. Mind link a nurse, run up there yourself, I don't care. Know that you will be severely punished for putting your Luna Queen's life in danger," I spat angrily, my eyes blurred from the tears that were now freely falling.

He nodded fearfully, his entire frame shaking. I turned back to my mate, she wasn't hooked up to any sort of wires or IV's, simply lying on the bed. I easily slid my hands under her small frame, letting her head rest against my chest. I could already feel the blood seeping through my shirt, not that I cared. I placed a light kiss on her forehead, more to put myself at ease, the pain in my head and my heart not becoming any easier.

She couldn't be dead, I told myself. She couldn't be. I would have felt it, felt the everlasting pain of my soul ripping apart, the pain of my heart splitting apart, never to recover.

I didn't feel that yet, at least not as bad as it would be if she was dead.

I lingered for a moment, trying to savour the feeling of my mate in my arms. But then reality hit,

"I'm taking her to the prepared royal suite," I growled, "Any interference will end in your death, you're already on thin ice."

-----------------------------------------------------

Whoop whoop chapter three!

So, a POV from our main man Maddox, what are we thinking? We're really starting to get into it an I'm so excited!

Remember to vote and comment!

I'll see you in the next chapter,

Eryn