Recovery

Logan crumpled another piece of paper and repeated his sketch. It was a rendition of Wolf City, one he practiced whenever he was idle. Emily lay on the bed across from where he sat. he studied her small face nestled between the pillows. She had woken once when the pack doctor had checked her head for any outside damage, and fallen right back to sleep. The doctor said she didn’t have a concussion, and the toll of the past few days might have been finally catching up to her.
The terror that enveloped him, when he found her covered in blood returned. The stupid girl should’ve just stayed in the pack, why did she leave without informing anyone? He was lucky the refugee had seen her leaving. He could only imagine what would happen if…
His wolf stirred. He didn’t want to think about it anymore. He crumbled the new sketch in his hand and tossed it. rabid’s eyes followed the sheet till it stopped near the door, then he looked up at Logan but lowered his head shortly after as both had been used to the bed since Emily was placed in it. the dog’s newfound loyalty was admirable.
Emily roused and muttered unintelligible words. Then rolled away from him, continuing her murmurings. He edged towards her, to make sure she was okay.
“spandex..Logan to…rescue.” Spandex Logan? He held back a chuckle and sat delicately on the bed. Her dark hair covered her face as she mumbled on. Absentmindedly, he brushed them away. Her lashes fluttered open and brown eyes gazed up at him.
“hi there,” she said, her voice sounding sleep-filled, like the morning he gave her Rabid, why he remembered it was beyond him.
“Did you have a nice nap?”
“yeah, but if I was told I’d wake up to you, I would’ve done it earlier.”
Logan moved to the bedside table and retrieved two tablets from a bottle. He handed those to her with a glass of water. Silently she took them.
“Now that I’m certain that you be dying on me, what the hell were you thinking leaving Wolf’s City?”
“I had to see Brooke. She said she was going to stop by at the house, I didn’t want her in any danger.”
“so the smart option was to put you in danger- you could told one of the others! Or at least me.” He was going to give the guards on patrol shit. How could one, barely even a werewolf chit slip by them without their notice?
“I tried to find you, but you weren’t in your office.” That was true. And no one knew your whereabouts.” That was true, and even if he wasn’t at the library, he would’ve still found a way to avoid being in the same vicinity as her. he let out a sigh.
“Did you tell her anything about us?”
her cheeks colored. “no, nothing about the wolves.”
“I know you're new here Em.” The nickname rolled off his tongue easily. “but we have a strict no-human rule. It is why Wolfcity exists. To protect our kind and the humans.”
“How does that work?”
“it has worked since before I was born, it’ll continue to work long after I’m dead.”
“how long is that?” she countered.
“Long.” Her mouth tightened into a thin line. He sighed again, and with every passing minute he felt like a disgruntled old man. “the mixing of our worlds results in incidents like yesterday. The man who died? He had a family waiting for him., one he can’t get back to anymore.” And if they could not solve their wolfhunter problem quickly they would have more humans dead.
“I’m sorry.” He heard a sniffle come from her, dear God hope she wasn’t going to cry. Rabid jumped in her lap and licked at her face. she hugged him tightly and Logan wished he could join in. Surprised he shook the thought from his head. He needed to get away from her.
“Your family has been waiting for you, it's unfair if I hog you all to myself.” He gripped his notepad tightly. “I’m glad you’re okay Em.”
Her tear-stained face looked up at him and pursued him to the library.


Emily’s mother and brother burst into the room, making a beeline for her. her mother hugged her and Rabid.
“oh thank God, and thank you.” She said to the dog. “Bruce told us about how he helped you. I am so happy you’re safe. Never leave without my permission or I'll kill you okay?”
She had never had her mom fuss over her that way, a laugh bubbled forth. Sam petted Rabid. He looked away from her but she could tell he was grateful she was okay too. She had been so close to losing him, to losing everything, there was nothing better than a life-flashing experience to get a new perspective on things. She grabbed onto his hand and squeezed.
“I’m sorry.” He croaked out. “I’ve wanted to apologize since our first match it just never felt like the right time- and now…I could’ve lost you.”
“I’m sorry too.” Their mom glanced at both siblings confused and shook her head. Emily was glad she wasn’t pressing to know the problem. She pulled out their father’s journal from her wide skirt.
“your father’s journal. I wanted to give it to you- but things have been crazy. I think you should read it.”
“guess I’ll go last,” Sam said drily.
“you could read it now.” Emily offered, she didn’t want her brother to get upset again.
“No, it’s fine. If he was writing, he would write to you first, you should read it.” he smiled at her, convincing her.
Emily nodded. As she hugged her mother and held her brother’s hand, fear and anticipation fought for room in her chest.