Chapter 3

Scarlet

Beep… beep… beep…

Argh, what's that noise?

Beep… beep… beep…

“Scarlet, Scarlet,”

Who is it? Why is it so dark? Can anyone turn on the lights? Why is no one answering? Anyone?

“Scarlet, wake up!”

Beep… beep… beep… beep… beep…

Why is the sound of beeping getting faster? What's going on? Why can't I see anything? Where am I?

“What's happening to her?” I heard a man's voice ask. Who is he? Why did he sound concerned and worried?

“She's having a seizure.” Another man replied. Who are those men, and who's having a seizure? I started to panic because I did not know what was happening.

Beep… beep… beep…

I don't know what happened again, but the beeping slowed, and somehow, it relaxed me.

“She'll be fine, don't worry,” said the owner of the second voice. “You can stay and look after her. Just make sure that you call me if anything happens.”

“Alright,” the man who owned the first voice replied, and then I heard a retreating sound of footsteps. “Scarlet, you have to wake up now. You've been sleeping for two weeks, and I have begun to worry.”

I feel sad hearing him. Is he calling me? Am I Scarlet? Because I wanted to know, I tried to open my eyes. I tried and tried as I continued failing. I didn't want to give up when I heard the man calling.

With one final try, I opened my eyes only to close them again because I felt like I was blinded by the light that welcomed me. “Scarlet!” the man exclaimed, which made me open my eyes again. This time, I did it slowly until I saw a blurry face looking down at me.

I keep on blinking until I see him. “Jonas,” I said in a hoarse voice. Why did I sound like I sang for a month nonstop? The man smiled and nodded before realizing I was Scarlet.

“Wait, I have to call someone.” Then he was out of my sight. But after a few minutes, I heard rushing footsteps before Jonas and three other men emerged from the door.

“How are you, dear?” I know his voice. He must be the man Jonas was talking to earlier.

“Fine, I think,” I replied, unsure. Other than feeling weak and slightly numb on my right shoulder, I felt fine, so I told the man about it.

“The numbness is natural since you're still recovering. But looking at your shoulder intact, you'll be as good as new after you rest,” the man replied. “I am Dr. Ackley, by the way. He is Alpha Dante and Elder Ira, and I believe you already know Jonas.” I nodded, smiling in response.

“Hello dear,” Elder Ira said,

“Hi,”

“Elder Ira, why don't we let her rest before you talk to her?” Alpha Dante said, looking at the Elder.

“She must know everything now, Alpha.” The old man replied, making Alpha Dante look at me.

“Can I have water first?” I asked. The Elder seems to want to say something, and I am curious, so I would also like to talk to him.

“Here, Scarlet.” Jonas handed me the glass of water and quickly took a sip because I felt my throat drying.

“Thank you,” I said and looked back at the Elder. “What is it that you want to tell me?”

“Forgive me if I have to do this now. I didn't want to waste any more time. I believe Jonas told you already what you are.” I looked at the transfer student before I nodded my head, although I still didn't believe the man.

“Believe him because it's the truth.” It was Alpha Dante.

“Dear, you have to go to Alaska. That is where the school that will help you hone your skills and abilities is located.”

“I don't get it,”

“You're a healer and must be there before your 18th birthday. You will be needing the other healers when you get your wolf.” I'm still confused. How do they know about me?

“Scarlet, Elder Ira has a premonition. He was the one who told me about you. He also told Alpha Dante about you being taken by a rogue; that's why we managed to save you.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused. I remembered what happened to me and about the rogue, but I didn't understand how they knew about it.

“I went in the stream because Elder Ira told me that a rogue would bring you there, heavily wounded. I waited along with Jonas for four days because Elder Ira didn’t know exactly when his premonition would happen.”

“You save me?” I asked, and they nodded.

“You're in my pack, the Forest Pack.” Alpha Dante informed me.

“I never heard anything about your pack,” I said.

“Because we keep our pack low-key. We have Elder Ira, who can have premonitions; we have Jonas, a healer. We didn't want to become targets of greedy packs,” Alpha Dante replied, “but we're not weak. We can take care of our pack whatever happens.” I believe him.

“You have a purpose, Scarlet. Something dark is lurking around every pack in the region. A menacing aura haunted me; I felt it two months ago before I saw you in my dreams. That's why I was sure you would play a great part in what is to come.”

“I have to think about this,” I replied in a low voice. It's not that I didn't want to help, but I was confused and needed time to weigh things. “Can you leave me alone for a moment?” I asked.

“I know that you're confused right now, but I hope that you consider the life of every pack member who needs your help,” Elder Ira said before he and the others excused themselves.

“I am going to leave you too, so you'll feel relaxed,” Jonas said.

“Yes, thank you,” I replied, smiling.

“I'll be outside. Call me if you need anything,” he replied, turning his back to me.

I was left in the room, and since there was a doctor and Alpha Dante said I was in his pack, I assumed I was at the pack hospital.

Healer. I am a healer. I never thought that I would be something important. Should I do what Elder Ira said or return to the Crimson Pack? If I ever come back, will they still accept me?

Then I remember how they tried to protect Madison while none tried to save me. I, who was a pack member and had no wolf, was set aside by my Alpha, Beta, and my father, who was the Gamma. Do I hold no value to them?

I understand if Alpha Xavier and Beta Jasper helped Madison. But my father—did he really not care about me at all? Maybe this is for the best. I will just accept Jonas’ suggestion and hone my skills as a healer. Thinking about it, I couldn't help but let my tears fall down my cheeks. It was painful, and I had to know that I had to leave to make my father and the pack happy. Before the day ended, I made my decision.

Since my birthday is not until next month, Elder Ira let me stay in the Forest Pack to recover. I feel okay now, and Jonas told me because I was a healer, making me recover faster than normal. He also told me that once I have my wolf, I will be able to recover quicker than the other healers since I was superior to them.

“Scarlet,” Alpha Dante said from behind me, so I turned and looked at him. I was in the pack's playground, sitting on a bench, watching the pups playing.

“Alpha,” I said and got up.

“It's okay, you can just sit.” I sat back just as he said, and he sat beside me. His eyes were on the pups when he started talking. “How are you feeling?”

“Never better,” I answered. I've been in the pack for a week and told Jonas I want to leave in two days.

“That's good to hear,” Alpha Dante said. “I wish I could tell you not to go, but I know that you have a big responsibility on your shoulders.”

“What do you mean?”

“I'm worried about you and didn't want anything to happen to you.” I was just looking at him, meeting his eyes, unable to say anything.

Alpha Dante is 28 years old, unmated, and has been the Forest Pack alpha for ten years. His father, the former alpha, died when he saved a pack member from rogue attacks.

He's strikingly handsome, and I heard from the pack members that he's kind. He is fair, just, and strong as well. “I like you, and I wish you were my mate,” he said before he touched my face and gently rubbed his thumb on the side of my lips. I saw his face slowly getting closer and felt his lips on mine. It was brief, but I could feel his sincerity.

“Alpha,” I said, meeting his gaze.

“If you and I didn't find our mates after everything, can we become each other's chosen mates?”