Chapter Nineteen - The healing

She had wanted to stay, to enjoy Adam’s company to the fullest. But he had to work, he had his duties as an Alpha to tend to. So Talia made herself comfortable in her own bedroom, pacing back and forth as her mind worked a thousand thoughts a minuet.

The whole mate thing made her giddy, made her feel light as a feather, like she could fly away at any second. But there were also these other thoughts lingering in the back of her mind, the dark and twisted memories of her last day.

What had had happened to the wolf that had attacked her? No, not attacked – destroyed. And why was Noah there in the first place? She couldn’t shake away the memory of his eyes, the sadness and regret. Did he know what was going to happen to her? And what happened to him after? She made a mental note to ask Ariel the next time the two of them met up.

Sighing out loud Talia fell back on the bed, feeling how the mattress shifted under her. It was the same bed she had woken up in almost a decade ago, drenched in sweat and her mind completely blank. Things had certainly changed a lot since then.

***Flashback***
Her entire body was shaking, sweat dousing her entire being and the bed she laid on. She could sense the presence of someone else. Feel how the sun shone through the window, sending the last rays of sun to warm her. The light was shifting, from light to dark. She could sense it even with her eyes closed. She was there, present in mind and body. But she couldn’t open her eyes. Couldn’t get her body to listen to her. It stirred and moved, trembling, shaking at its own will. Now and then she could pick up voiced. Two, maybe three. There was a female. She sounded like a worried mother. Was it her own mother? No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t pull forward an image. Her mind failed her. Her mind was blank.

It was scary. Not being able to remember anything. It was all black in her mind, no memory of anything or anyone popped into her mind. It was a dark and hallow space, giving her peace and quiet while her body was working. Healing. It was wearing her out, keeping her in a state between awake and asleep. She could feel the touch, hear the voices. But she couldn’t get her body to listen. Couldn’t get it to function in the way she wanted to. It was like the wiring between mind and body was fried and temporary shut down.

But finally. When the sun had set, and the silver light of the moon filled her room she regained control. Her eyes opened. Her body was no longer trembling. Her heart was beating slow and steady.

“Where am I?” Her throat was dry, her lips cracked from the lack of hydration. There was a movement by her side, it made her move a little, create some distance between her and the unknown figure. “You’re awake” A male voice spoke. She knew the voice, had heard it when she was lost to the world.

“Looks like it” She answered. “Now, where am I? Who are you?” She crossed her arms over her chest, hugging the covers closer to her body. “I’m Adam. How much do you remember?” The man moved even close, letting the light from the moon shine upon his face and hair. He was friendly looking, with a soft smile on his lips and caring eyes. His appearance made her relax, he made her feel safe.

“I…” She raced through her mind. Black. She tried again. More black. Panic was rising in her when she felt his hand on top of hers, just the single touch made her calm down. It was familiar. It was safe. “Nothing” She mumbled. “That’s okay. I’m here to help you” The man gave her hand a small squeeze. “I was warned about this. You’ve been in an accident, and it appears you’re suffering from amnesia” He explained calmly, his voice bringing her some comfort. He cared for her wellbeing, so much she knew.

“What kind of accident? Why am I here? Where is here” Questions kept coming, she couldn’t keep herself from it. She worried at the same time as she felt safe. Not being able to remember was scary. “I’ll explain everything soon Talia. But I don’t want to overwhelm you. You just woke up, and you must be starving” On queue her stomach grumbled, making her blush.

“I’ll find you a midnight snack and fresh water. And when you’ve eaten and rested up, I promise all your questions will be answered. Does that sound like a deal?” She nodded slowly. She needed food and water. Her body felt weak without proper nutrition. “Can I ask you one more question?” He nodded slowly. “Talia – that’s my name?” Even her name had disappeared from her mind. “Yes. Talia Bell” Adam answered with a smile. “Talia Bell” She echoed, feeling relief spread through her body. She had a name. She wasn’t a nameless nobody.
–
After some well tasting food and a good night’s rest Talia woke the next morning feeling slightly better. Adam was still sitting by her bed, watching over her like a protector. “Good morning” She yawned and stretched in the bed. It was so comfortable she could have stayed there the entire day. But she knew she couldn’t.

The sun rising was urging her to rise with it, to move around and get acquainted with her new surroundings. Or old. She honestly didn’t know. Adam hadn’t answered many of her questions before she fell asleep, not wanting to overdo it and overflow her brain with too much at once. He was being considerate; it was very nice of him. But she also wondered, who was he to her? And who was she to him? She’d have to ask him once she got the chance.

“Morning” Adam yawned from the chair. He had fallen asleep watching her chest rise and fall. For the last week he had been mostly confined to this room, only taking breaks when Xavier popped by, or when Monica forced him out to go for a run. She would stay by Talia’s side while he took a break, letting his wolf stretch out and feel the last of summer drift away as August had turned to September in the blink of an eye.

“You know, you didn’t have to sleep in the chair” Talia smiled. There were a couple of things she knew on instinct, and that was that she wasn’t a little child who needed to be watched over. And that she could handle herself. She didn’t know why, there was just this feeling in her body, like she was something more than just a skeleton with flesh and blood.

“I know. But I wanted to make sure you rested well. The past week have been a lot” Adam stretched his arms over his head, making the bones crack as he loosened the tension in his body. “And – the chair isn’t as bad as it looks” He forced forward a smile. ‘Liar’ Damir said in his mind, making him ban the wolf to another part of his brain.

“How do you feel about breakfast? Monica has been up since the crack of dawn preparing a feast” Adam chuckled. He could her the woman work down in the kitchen, humming to herself as she made breakfast. “Monica? Is that the woman I heard talking while I was, you know, partially gone?” Talia asked with curiosity. “You heard her?” Adam was surprised.
He’d heard about people in comas being able to feel and hear, but he hadn’t considered that a possibility for Talia. “Yeah. In a way. I couldn’t make out the words, it was more like a mumble. But her voice felt warm and safe” Talia admitted, making Adam smile. “That’s Monica. And she is as warm and safe as her voice” He rose from the chair, offering a hand to Talia. “How about you come meet her and see for yourself?”

Talia smiled and took his hand, letting him guide her out of the room and down to the kitchen where a symphony of scents hit her nose, making her mouth water. She couldn’t tell what she was smelling, but it all smelled delicious. “Adam. Do you know my parents?” Talia asked as they walked into the dining part of the house. “In a way” Adam answered, his body going tense. “Can you tell me about them?” Talia asked. “I will. One day” Adam answered. He would explain everything for her one day. But not today.