The Alpha and the Mistake

I sat down on a picnic table at the small truck stop. The cold rubber covered bench made a shiver run down my spine. I hunched up and leaned over, resting my head on my arm as I waited for nausea to pass. I replayed everything that happened this morning in my mind. A shiver of fear ran down my spine remembering how Mike and Ryder fought each other.

After a while, I lifted my head and rested my chin on my arm, feeling the loss of Mom's presence hit me deep in my soul. I had to stay positive. It wouldn't be forever, but a few days or weeks. Harry and she would join me in California. I would finish school, go to college and everything would be perfect.

"Are you alright?" A girl about my age asked, startling me.

I jumped to my feet, making me lightheaded. The girl rushed over and took my arm, steadying me. "Uh, hi, yeah I'm fine," I said offering her a smile, realizing what I must look like an accident victim with my hoodie splattered with blood. "It's not as bad as it looks, really."

She gave me a half-smile tossing her pink-streaked blonde hair out of her face. "I don't know. You looked like you're ready to fall over there a minute ago. I think you should go see somebody."

Panic hit me. I couldn't go to the hospital. It would be too easy for them to find me. "No. No hospitals. I mean...it's okay. I'm alright now."

The girl gave me a knowing smirk. "Right. Of course. I'm Kara."

Confused, I gave her a wary stare. "I'm Brook."

"Brook, I'm going to be blunt here. It's obvious you're running from something. I get it, but girl, right now you'd make a ghost seem bronzed if it stood next to you. I got a friend. She's really cool about these kinds of things. She's a nurse down at Saint Mary's Hospital and would be happy to make sure you're alright. I bet she'd even cut through all the red tape crap so you can keep your anonymity."

"Why would you do that?" I hated to admit it, I was feeling pretty bad, but why would she help me when she doesn't even know me.

"Because that's what people do or it's what they should be doing. I'd like to think if I were looking like you do now someone would stop and help me out."

I chewed my lip, not sure what to do. "How far is it?"

"Five miles southwest of here."

"Uhm alright, I'll follow you in my car." My luck had to change at some moment right?

"Actually, I think you should let me drive you there. I'll get my guy to pick up my car later."

I sighed, rubbed my forehead only to hiss in pain as I get the bump where my stitches were. "Okay, let's go."

"Great. I'm going to call my friend and tell her we're coming."

I nodded, leaning back in my seat. A wave of nausea made had me taking slow deep breaths. I did not want to throw up in front of a stranger.

"Hey Misses W. So I'm bringing in someone for you to a check-up. We need the red carpet treatment. Yep. Okay, we'll be there in a few." Kara flashed me a bright grin when she hung up and started Mom's car. "She'll have everything ready when we get there."

I admit I was a little surprised when she pulled into the large, crowded parking lot of the Hospital. Looks like my luck was indeed changing. We walked into the hospital, but instead of going to the reception or a waiting room, Kara led me through a mass of identical halls. We went into an empty examination room, and once again Kara called her friend.

We weren't waiting long when a woman, maybe mid-forties but very good looking, walked in. She looked familiar. I swore I'd seen her somewhere, but I had no idea from where. "You must be Brook," she said as she walked up to me "I'm Emily, and it's a real pleasure to meet you."

she put on a pair of latex gloves and my stomach knotted with nerves.

out if it's

can stay," I said, not sure I wanted to be alone with

be good, but I'd like to run some tests to make sure the inside looks as good, okay?" Emily took off the gloves and

hoodie when I heard them both gasp. Realizing my mistake, I

the nurse and

okay. It's really

want to

was filled with bruises of various ages and colors. Not being able to stand it any longer I pulled my shirt down. "All that's old stuff. It's no

Kara said, stopping me before I crawled

and went to move away from her, but

we're not here

was I kidding? They could so make me. I was just

course you're not," Kara spat,

them, not

wants you to go back there. Not your mother,

a breath. "You

Ryder?" Kara said with a snort and a

from Kara and get off the bed, but

freak her out." To me, she said, "Yes, Brook. I'm Ryder's mother and the Luna of Blue Crescent

to be a nightmare. "What are you

going to run some tests to see if you need any further medical treatment. Once I have the results, we'll

want to leave

medical help. I would never live it down nor do I think your family would forgive me if you got

lip, fighting tears. I had expected her to refuse,

Mountain. You will not be treated like you were

said defeated. Truth or lie, it didn't matter. I was powerless to do

tests done shall we?" She laid a hand on my shoulder. I flinched and jerked from her. She frowned but said nothing as she led me

made sure we got the results as quickly as possible. More likely Kara was

guy said as he walked into the office. I jumped startled and turned to face him. He looked about my age and height with a football player type of build. "Well hello gorgeous," he said to Kara who rolled her eyes at

started to laugh. "Really Dean? You only now met her and you're already hitting on

stared at the two, not sure

to

doesn't have to be the pants. Shir is fine by me. I'm not picky,"

Smooth. This is

with what looked like disappointment. "This