Phoenix

Chapter 14

Darnell's POV:

 I woke up with a bad headache. I felt groggy and tired. I blinked a few times before getting a good look at the room I was in. I was in my old room! The room I used in Bethany's pack! How did I get here?! They....They didn't find me....Did they...?

 At that moment, a soft knock sounded on the door, which opened right after. Bethany came walking in, carrying a tray and wearing a small smile on her pretty face. I could feel my skin burning from all the emotions I had running through me. Fear, guilt, nervousness, anxiousness....I will say there were a couple positive emotions, I suppose...Love, relief, joy, hope...I didn't know what to say or do. I just laid there, staring at her.

 "I brought you some soup...Loraina helped me make it. I hope you like it..." Bethany said softly, setting the tray down on the bedside table. "Here, let me help you sit up." I slowly nodded and allowed her to lift me. She frowned. "You're so light...You were here maybe two weeks...You couldn't have lost this much weight that quickly..."

 I looked away from her. Why...? Why did this have to happen to me...? Why not somebody else?! Someone who can handle these things better than I can!

 "Darnell...Look at me, please..." I didn't look at her. She sighed before putting her hand on my face and turning my head so our gazes met. "I don't know what you are or why you left. I don't know why you've lost so much weight or become so weak and tired. But I don't care. What I do know, is that you are my mate and that is what matters most. I will spend the rest of my days taking care of you if I have to."

 "But why...?" I asked quietly. My voice was hoarse and my throat felt scratchy.

 "Why...?" Bethany chuckled a little, before taking my hand in hers and holding it up. "Because I love you, Darnell. I love you more than I love ballet! And you know how much I love ballet." I do know how much she loves it...It's her passion...

 I shook my head. "I don't understand....You know I'm not one of you...Why don't you just reject me and get it over with?! Why do you torture me like this?!" I exclaimed. I could feel tears threatening to come, but I held them back.

 "Reject you?! Darnell, why on earth, why in the name of all things good would I reject you?!" Bethany stared at me like I was crazy.

 "Because I'm not a wolf. I am not one of you! Don't you get it?! Your kind hates those who aren't like them. And I am one of those who isn't like them."

 "That might be true, Darnell," a husky voice spoke up. I turned quickly, to see Beta Luke and Miss Amelia standing in the doorway. The Beta had his arm around his mate in a protective manner. "That might be true. But that doesn't mean we hate you."

 "Sometimes, I suppose, we just don't like what we don't understand...Sometimes it's hard to understand others...But we don't hate you. We think your special and unique." Miss Amelia replied, as she and the Beta walked inside the room.

 I shook my head and scoffed. "Being special and unique is nothing but trouble when it comes to being me. It's what got me abandoned!"

 "What do you mean?" Miss Amelia asked, frowning. Bethany looked at me in shock and sympathy. I could see a bit of anger in hers eyes, but I knew it wasn't directed at me. Beta Luke remained expressionless.

 "Darnell..." I looked up at Bethany, her brown eyes shining. "I know this is hard for you...You don't have to tell us if you don't want to...We will wait until you're ready..." 

 I gave her a small, grateful smile and nodded slowly. Beta Luke cleared his throat and I looked up at him. "Take your time, Darnell. But I think we all want to know one thing." he stated.

 I looked down, knowing exactly what he was thinking. They want to know what I am. I hope Bethany was telling the truth....

 "What are you, Darnell?" Beta Luke's voice rang through my ears.

 "I think we'd all like to know that." a new voice spoke up. I looked up to see Alpha Marcus, Luna Loraina, Gamma Kyle, and Miss Cara standing there in the doorway.

 Bethany looked up at them before looking at me. She gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "They won't hurt you....I promise, I won't let that happen..."

 I nodded slowly, gulping as I slowly brought my gaze to meet those of the newcomers. "I-I'll tell you what I am....I just hope that you don't think of me as a threat...I swear to you, I mean no harm..."

 "Go on." Gamma Kyle nodded for me to continue. His gaze looked a little less wary than before. 

 I looked up at Bethany, who gave me a reassuring smile. She squeezed my hand and continued to hold it tight. I nodded and took a deep breath. "I am a Phoenix."