Chapter 6

HAYLEY

Once the alpha and Tom exit the room, I take a moment to absorb my surroundings. There's no need for me to run. They're clueless about my secret. As long as it stays hidden, I'll be safe.

This thought brings a slight sense of relief.

I replay the pack doctor's words in my mind. He thinks I have short-term memory loss. I don't, but if they continue to believe that, I won't have to spill all my secrets.

My mind wanders to my “mate”. Since I've lost my wolf, I can't confirm if we're true mates. But there's this pull towards him, a feeling that I can trust him, no matter what.

Even though I'm human, the mate bond still affects me. But I need to keep my distance. I can't risk getting hurt again.

The way he looked at me—his eyes filled with sadness, yet also, I think, adoration.

I saw the pain on his face when I recoiled, and for some reason, it hurt me to see him like that.

Before I was imprisoned, I used to read all the time. I wasn't allowed to go to school because of my father, so I taught myself.

My speech and reading skills aren't the best, but I can understand what people are saying.

I'm sure I can't read anymore. It's been so long since I've seen words on a page.

I learned about mates from books. Normally, parents teach you about this, but my father isn't the nurturing type, especially when it comes to mates.

Mates are the one person you can trust in this world. They would never hurt you. So maybe I could trust him…

My thoughts are interrupted when the alpha enters. I lower my head in submission, not wanting him to think I'm challenging his wolf.

“Hayley, you don't need to bow to me. I've told you this,” he says, his voice gruff yet… gentle?

“I'm sorry,” I reply, my gaze locked on his deep brown eyes. I feel like if I stared long enough, I could see the whole world in them.

“Don't apologize, it's okay,” he responds. His words confuse me, and a frown creases my forehead.

I've always thought alphas were ruthless and cruel, but here he is, telling me not to apologize.

“My name is Jax. I'm the alpha of Midnight Rose Pack.” He pauses. “Do you remember how old you are, Hayley?”

The way he says my name makes my heart flutter.

The heart monitor speeds up, its loud beeping echoing in the room. A small smile tugs at his lips.

Trying to calm down, I simply reply, “I'm nineteen.”

“I see. I'm twenty-four,” he responds.

The age difference doesn't bother me, and it doesn't seem to bother him either. That's a… relief? “I'm going to help move you to a place where you'll be more comfortable,” he says.

I nod in response.

He doesn't move. Just stares at me. Gathering his courage, he asks, “Can I come close to you?” After a few seconds, I nod.

He walks over to me and pulls back the duvet. I realize I'm still in the same shirt I've worn for the past twelve years.

Jax’s scent fills my nostrils as he approaches. It’s a strong, woodsy, intoxicatingly masculine smell.

He gently slides one hand under my knees and the other behind my back, wrapping it around my waist.

He lifts me with ease. He turns and starts walking toward the door. My hands rest in my lap. I don’t know what to do with them.

As we're leaving, the pack doctor hands Jax a small white box, saying, “Here you go, Alpha.”

Jax thanks him. The pack doctor turns to me and says, “I’ll come over tomorrow to check on your vitals, and see if anything needs to change.”

I nod and thank him.

The pack doctor nods at Jax and we leave the pack hospital. Jax warns me that the sunlight might be a bit bright.

Despite his warning, the sun's rays hit my eyes, so I turn and bury my face in Jax’s chest to shield myself from the light. A low purr rumbles from Jax.

Embarrassed, I pull away.

As Jax carries me, I take in my surroundings. It's beautiful. Colorful flowers and playful pups running around.

I notice some of the pack members staring at me. Feeling self-conscious, I turn away.

I look up at Jax and see him walking with his head held high, seemingly proud to be with me.

Jax leads me into what appears to be the pack house. Alphas stay in the pack house until their luna is pregnant with their first pup, then they move into a private home.

He takes me up a flight of stairs and down a long corridor until we stand in front of double doors.

He shifts the hand under my legs to open one of the doors, then places his hand back under my legs. He quietly shuts the door with his heel.

I scan the bedroom for any danger but find none.

A king bed sits in the middle of the left wall, neatly made, with bedside tables on either side.

A red carpet covers most of the floor, and a few pictures are scattered around the room. I'm in awe of the room's size, its stark contrast to my cell.

I figure this must be Jax’s bedroom. He seems comfortable and at ease here.

He walks over to the bed and gently places me on the end, sitting me up. He steps back, giving me space, though I'm not sure if he wants to.

“Do you want a bath to clean off?” he asks. Unsure if it's a trap, I stay silent, just looking at him.

When I was locked up, their idea of a bath was to hose you down every three months with ice-cold water, then shove the hose down your throat, choking you.

“Just watch what I do, and I’ll be right outside if you need me,” he assures me, trying to soothe my racing mind.

I haven’t taken a real bath since I was seven. I had to learn to do it myself because no one else would help me. I give him a timid nod in response.

He returns my nod with a small smile and helps me to my feet. I follow him through a door connected to his bedroom.

Behind the door is a pristine white bathroom. A huge tub sits on the left side, and a shower is tucked into the right corner.

A toilet is hidden behind the bathtub, and a sink is situated a few feet from the shower, beneath an open window that overlooks the pack fields and forest.

I hover near the entrance while Jax moves to the tub. He stands to the side as he turns the knobs to start the water, allowing me to see what he’s doing. Watching him with wary eyes, I slowly approach.

He straightens up, towering over me, but I don’t feel as frightened as I thought I would. I’ve dreamed of being around other people for years, and now I finally have what I wanted.

It feels... strange. Unnatural.

He turns back to the tub to check the water temperature. Once he adjusts the taps and the bath is filled, he tells me he’s going to fetch some towels and a change of clothes for me.

I nod in response, and he leaves the bathroom, heading into the bedroom.

I stand there awkwardly, unsure of what to do with myself.

I don’t move until he returns with the items he promised.

He sets them on the counter next to the sink and walks over to me.

“I’ll be right outside, okay?” he asks. I nod in response.

“Just call out if you need anything,” he adds.

I nod again, and he exits the room. I quickly strip off my clothes, eager to be rid of Luke's T-shirt, and climb into the bath.

I haven’t felt this sensation in years. Warmth. All my thoughts and worries dissolve, and I allow myself to relax.

I lie back and let the water envelop me. A sigh slips from my lips as I gaze out the window, watching birds soar above the trees.

After about thirty minutes, I remember the reason for this bath.

I reach for a random bottle and hope I’m using it correctly. I squeeze a bit into my hands and work it into my scalp.

I lean back into the now murky water and rinse the product out. I repeat the process with another random bottle.

Once my hair is clean, I grab the last random bottle and pour some into my hands, scrubbing away any lingering dirt on my skin.

After rinsing off the soap, I carefully stand up, making sure not to slip. I step out of the tub and wrap the towel Jax provided around my body.

I walk over to the mirror, the sound of my wet footsteps echoing off the tiles. Once I’m in front of it, I can’t help but stare at my reflection. I haven’t seen myself in twelve years.

I look so different.

Bones jutting out everywhere, pale, hollowed skin, gaunt cheeks, long, lifeless hair, and vacant eyes staring back at me.

The only thing that’s remained the same all these years is the smattering of freckles across my nose and cheeks.

Once I’m done examining myself, I drop the towel onto the floor and reach for the fresh clothes on the counter.

I first grab the T-shirt and gently pull it over my head. Then, I reach for the shorts and slip them on.

Jax must have heard that I was finished, as he knocks on the door and asks, “Can I come in?”

I respond with a quiet “yes.”

He enters and immediately freezes. We both stare at each other, completely captivated.

Eventually, a blush creeps across my face and spreads down my body, causing me to look away.

Jax senses the shift in the atmosphere and shuffles awkwardly. To break the tension, he asks, “Can I brush your hair?”

I nod once. He opens the drawer next to him and retrieves a brush and a small bottle.

“This is oil,” he explains, waving the bottle back and forth. “It’ll help soften your hair and make it less painful when I brush it.” I nod in understanding.

Gently, Jax says, “Follow me.” And I do just that. He leads me back into his spacious bedroom and seats me on the edge of his bed. He positions himself behind me, so I’m nestled between his legs.

I hear the pop of a bottle cap and the sound of him pouring a small amount onto his rough, yet skilled hands. He gently runs his fingers through my hair, coating each strand with oil.

He then reaches for the brush and starts at the ends of my incredibly long hair, working his way up.

It takes him about twenty minutes to completely detangle my hair.

At first, I was incredibly tense, flinching every time I heard a knot being pulled, afraid he would hurt me, but as time went on, he was nothing but gentle.

My eyes close on their own, and I welcome the relaxation. It’s then that I realize that I trust my mate, whom I’ve just met…