Anny looked around and screwed up her nose at the antiseptic scent that seemed to permeate the hospital. “So you’ll drive me home?”
“If the doctor will release you,” Sue agreed.
Right on cue, Dr. Grace pushed the door open and strode in. He was a tall, lean man with wire-rimmed glasses and an air of authority. “How are you feeling, Ms. Conrad?”
“Well enough to go home.” Anny kept her gaze level and her voice strong, well, as strong as she could make it.
The doctor frowned at her and crossed his arms over his chest. “I think you should stay another forty-eight hours for observation. We’re still not sure what kind of infection you had or why it disappeared so suddenly.”
Anny shook her head. “I feel fine and want to go home.”
“Ms. Conrad,” the doctor began. “You died less than twenty-four hours ago. You’ve suffered quite a trauma.”
“And I’ll recover better at home,” she insisted. She had no idea why it was so imperative she get out of the hospital, but she trusted her instincts.
“It’s your choice, but I’m noting that it’s against my advisement,” Dr. Grace warned. He plucked her chart from the end of the bed and studied it before putting it back.
“So noted.” Anny sighed and relaxed slightly now that she knew she was getting out. “Thank you for everything, Doctor. Don’t think I’m not grateful for everything you’ve done, because I am.”
“I’m going to want you to check in with your family doctor. You still have quite a few stitches in that neck wound. Not to mention the other claw marks on your body.”
Anny barely noticed her other injuries. Her entire body felt as though it had been trampled, which was actually quite accurate. But she could heal just as well at home, probably better. “I’ll see my doctor,” Anny promised. Doc Jones was one of two doctors that served the community of Salvation. He’d been her physician since she was a kid.
“I’m going to write several prescriptions too.” He raised one eyebrow in question.
Anny raised her right hand. “I’ll take them. Promise.”
Dr. Grace sighed. “Then I’ll start the paperwork.” He glanced at Sue. “You’ll keep an eye on her.”
Sue nodded. “You can be certain I will.”
“Okay then, I’m done here.” He studied Anny for a long moment. “Good luck. It’s a miracle you’re alive. By all rights you should be dead. Remember that and take care of yourself. Don’t waste all my hard work.” Then he was gone.
“He’s a cheerful guy.” Sue stood and stretched her arms over her head. “But I understand where he’s coming from.”
“He’s a wonderful doctor and I’m very thankful for everything he and the rest of the staff have done for me. But it’s time for me to go home.”
The door pushed open again and Nurse Emma strode in. Anny remembered her voice from all the times she was lucid. “I heard you’ve had enough of our fine hospitality.”
Anny smiled at her. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate it,” she began.
Emma held up her hand. “Say no more. You can’t handle any more of our fine cuisine or the deluxe accommodations.”
Anny laughed and then moaned when it hurt. “Something like that.”
Emma unhooked the IV, her actions quick and competent. She removed the needle from Anny’s hand and put a bandage over the small wound. “I’m going to give you some dressings for your neck. Change them twice a day. If you see any change or redness, go directly to your doctor.” She gave Anny a serious glare. “I’m not kidding. We didn’t save your life only to lose it to another infection.”
“I promise.” Anny reached out and took the nurse’s hand. “And thank you.”
Emma smiled. “My pleasure. It’s always a satisfying feeling when a patient goes home.” She waited a beat and added, “Even if it is too soon.”
“I’m still going,” Anny told her.
“I figured that. I’ll be back in a bit with the paperwork.”
As soon as the nurse left, Anny turned to Sue. “Help me get dressed.”
Anny heaved a sigh of relief when she shuffled in through the front door of her home. Sue was right behind her with the small satchel of Anny’s belongings. “You can put the bag there.” Anny motioned to the sofa.
“No, I’ll put your things away. You don’t need to be doing anything.”
“Yes, Mother.” Anny smiled at her friend, but Sue frowned at her.
“Speaking of mothers, did you hear from your parents at all after?”
Anny nodded. The conversation had been less than cordial. “Yeah, they weren’t happy the cops tracked them down. Once they found out I’d live, they informed me they were heading to California. They didn’t tell me exactly where.” It had hurt her even though she’d expected nothing less.
“Honestly, your parents are the most selfish people I know.” Sue went into the bedroom and Anny could hear her moving around. “When I was here to feed the cats, I noticed there were no sheets on your bed. I found them in the dryer and put them back on. I also ran the washer again. The clothes that were left in there didn’t smell very fresh. It’s all dried and put away.”
“Thank you.” Anny hadn’t even remembered she’d been in the middle of doing laundry when she was attacked.
Seymour, with Tigger close on his tail, trotted out of the bedroom. Anny held out her hand, too tired to actually bend down to greet them. No way she’d say anything to Sue, but the hour-long drive from the hospital had beat her out. Anny was stiff and her entire body ached.
“Hey, guys.”
Seymour stopped two feet from her, his feet skidding on the floor. He peered up at her and hissed. Anny frowned at his unusual behavior. Tigger came toward her and sniffed her feet before giving a confused meow. Both cats withdrew to the sofa and jumped up on it and stared at her.
“What in the world?” Anny went toward them and held out her hand. Seymour turned his back on her. Tigger sniffed and then joined his buddy.
“What is it?” Sue came out of the bedroom, one eye on Anny, the other on her watch.
“The cats. They’re not very happy with me.”
Sue snorted. “Probably because you left them alone. They’ll come around in a few days once they understand you’re in charge of the food supply again.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Still it hurt her feelings slightly. “You should get going.” Anny was ready to lie down and rest.
“I hate to leave you, but I have to get Bobby.”
“How is Bobby?” It had bothered Anny that Sue’s young son had witnessed some of what had happened. Thankfully, Sue had left him strapped in the car when she’d realized Anny wasn’t answering her door. It was Sue who’d found her. But Bobby had seen the police and ambulance arrive.
“He’s fine. It was all a big adventure to him. One of the policemen let him sit in their cruiser and turn on the siren. Bobbie was in heaven. He’ll want to see you as soon as you’re up for visitors.” Sue came toward her, wrapped her arms around Anny and gave her a gentle hug. “You need any help getting undressed?”
Anny’s eyes filled with tears. She might have self-absorbed, selfish parents, but she had the best friend in the world. “I’ll be fine. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done. You saved my life. If you hadn’t come when you did…”
Sue pulled back and waved her hand in front of her face. “Don’t get me started because I’ll never stop crying.” She touched the side of Anny’s face. “I’m just so glad I decided to come over early.” Sue sniffed. “And you’ve done so much for me over the years, I’m just happy to be able to do something for you for a change.” She glanced at her watch again. “I really have to go.”
“Go.” Anny made a shooing motion. “I’m getting undressed and going straight to bed.”
“Take your phone in with you. I’ll call you later.”
“I will,” Anny promised.
Then Sue was gone and Anny was alone with the two cats,
who were still ignoring her. When she heard Sue’s car pull away, Anny made her way into the bedroom and got a nightgown out of the dresser drawer. She sat on the side of the bed and started the laborious process of getting undressed. Thankfully, Sue had brought her a button-up blouse to wear home from the hospital so that was easy enough to remove. She wasn’t wearing a bra because there didn’t seem to be much point in bothering with one when she was going straight from her hospital bed to her one at home. When she was half-naked, she slipped the nightgown over her head.
Taking a deep breath, Anny stood, undid her slacks and let them drop to her ankles. She sat again and kicked off her shoes and pants. Leaving on her socks and underwear, she rolled under the covers that Sue had turned back, pulled them over her and sighed.
The comforting sounds of her home surrounded her—the hum of the refrigerator, the crack of the wooden structure as the evening air grew cooler. The end of the bed depressed and she turned her head enough to see both cats watching her intently. They didn’t approach her, but they did curl up at her feet.
Satisfied that all was well in her world, Anny closed her eyes and slept.
Gator walked into the main house where the rest of them were sitting down to eat. He’d gone into town earlier for fuel and groceries and had ended up being later than they’d expected. “I’ve got some news, and it’s not good.”
Armand straightened in his seat and gave Gator his full attention, as did everyone else.
“What is it?” Jacque asked.
Gator pulled out his chair and dropped into it. “A woman was attacked by a wolf last Saturday.”
Gwen gasped and paled. Jacque reached out to her immediately and pulled her onto his lap. Armand knew she had to be thinking about her own attack.
“Merde,” Cole whispered. He got up from the table and stalked into the kitchen.
“Fuck,” Louis muttered.
Armand agreed with both of them. This wasn’t good. “Who was it?”
Gator shrugged. “I don’t know. I didn’t want to ask too many questions. Seems her friend found her and they airlifted her to the nearest hospital.”
Anny popped into his head, but he immediately dismissed the possibility. There was no reason for her to be targeted, and she wasn’t the usual human type to attract any of the wolves from the Louisiana pack. And that was who it had to be. They all knew it. One of them had probably hung out in the local bar and followed a woman home. That was more their style. He’d done the right thing by leaving Anny alone.
“She’s not dead?” Jacque asked.
Gator shook his head. “They’re not sure if she’s going to make it, but they’re hopeful.” He glanced up as Cole plunked a plate full of dinner in front of him and inclined his head in thanks.
“What are they up to?” Jacque rested his elbows on the table.
Armand thought about the situation and the panic it would cause in town. “Maybe they weren’t trying to kill her, just maul her. Start a panic around town so the residents will start shooting at any wolves they see.”
Jacque nodded. “You’re probably right. We’ll have to be more careful when we shift. And we’ll have to start patrolling more heavily. They’re back and they’re making a statement.” He tightened his hold around his mate. “They must know that Gwen survived the attack on her.”
Armand knew what that meant. They all did. Their former pack would be after her and them. That meant all-out war. As much as he missed her, Armand was relieved that Anny wasn’t caught in the middle of it.
Chapter Nine
Anny woke feeling better than she had in days. She opened her eyes and had to close them again. Everything looked sharper and brighter. That strange phenomenon had started while she was in the hospital, along with a few others, which was the main reason she’d wanted to come home.
She had no idea what was happening to her, but her body was changing in some deep, fundamental way. It wasn’t just that she was healing at a much faster rate than she should, there was something else going on with her, something she didn’t understand.
She pushed herself up to a seated position and rested her back against the headboard. The bedroom looked the same as it always had. Same simple furniture, same cheerful yellow paint on the wall. Yet, it all seemed more vibrant. Some might say it was due to the fact she’d almost died, had died for a few minutes. But Anny knew it was something more.
Her hearing had also improved dramatically. She closed her eyes and sighed, remembering that first moment in the hospital when she’d realized she could hear a conversation a nurse and doctor were having. At first, she’d assumed they were standing next to her. When she’d opened her eyes in the hospital bed, she was alone. The doctor and nurse weren’t even outside her door because she’d heard the nurse’s shoes squeaking as she’d walked the length of the hallway to Anny’s room.
It seemed as though the entire world had the volume turned up on high.
The noise had continually bombarded her, giving her a headache and making her wonder if she was losing her mind. She’d tried to block it, building a barrier in her mind. She’d been shocked when it had actually worked. Since then, she’d been able to control it much better.
Anny heard a low chirping sound and knew it was Seymour. She opened her eyes and smiled at her furry friend. “Hey, buddy.” When she reached her hand out, the cat’s hackles rose.
Her smile faded and she frowned. “What is wrong with you?” She left her hand extended and waited for Seymour to come to her, which he did reluctantly. “I don’t understand what’s gotten into you.”
Finally, the cat began to purr and she rubbed behind his ears. Maybe the cat sensed there was something different about her. Because it was more than simply enhanced vision and hearing. Anny was also hearing voices. No, not voices, a voice. Not often, just the occasional moment.
It was the same voice she’d heard when she thought she was dying. The one that promised her life if she accepted a wolf inside her.
Anny wasn’t sure what was a dream and what was reality. Maybe the entire thing had been a hallucination brought on by all the drugs they’d pumped into her and her near-death experience.
She didn’t know what to believe.
Tigger chose that moment to pounce. He jumped onto her lap and muscled Seymour out of the way. “Hey, none of that.” She reached for Tigger, but he hissed and batted at her hand, scratching her. “Hey.” She yanked her hand back and glared at her cat. “If you’re going to be like that you can take yourself off the bed.”
She reached for Seymour and buried her face in his soft, black fur. Her entire life had been changed in a split second and there was no going back. Whatever was going on with her, the wolf attack had changed who she was as a person, the physical changes just added to it.
Tigger meowed and tentatively butted his head against her arm as if asking for forgiveness. She relented and petted him. “We okay?”
Tigger licked at the wound on her hand and she sighed. “I forgive you.” She sat in bed for a long time, unable to find the energy or ambition to actually move. Finally, a pressing need for the bathroom drove her to get up.
She put both cats aside and slid her legs over the side of the bed. The room spun for a moment before settling. She really needed to eat something. She’d only planned on a short nap when she lay down, but according to the clock on the nightstand, she’d slept the night away.
Gathering her strength, she pushed upward until she was standing. “So far, so good,” she muttered. She slowly made her way to the bathroom and flicked on the light. She had to blink several times before she could actually see. At this rate, she’d have to start wearing sunglasses in the house.
She stared at her reflection. Same straight brown hair, same blue eyes, same lips and nose. She didn’t look any different on the outside. Except for her scars.
Anny bunched her nightgown up until her torso was exposed. There were several long claw marks on her belly. They were healing nicely and the redn
ess was almost gone. Amazing. Her skin was mottled with yellow and purple blotches as though they were well over a week old instead of just days.
She let the nightgown drop and stared at the white bandage on her neck. It was cowardly of her, but she really didn’t want to look at the savage bite marks on her skin. She hadn’t seen them yet. The nurses had been changing her bandage for her.
But it was time to see the damage.
Anny picked at the corner of the tape and peeled it back, taking her time. She’d had enough pain to last her a lifetime. The bandage came away and she winced. She’d be wearing the sign of her wolf attack for the rest of her life.
She touched one of the scars and shuddered. Surprisingly enough, it didn’t hurt all that much. In fact, it looked a hell of a lot better than she’d expected. From what the doctor and nurses had said, she’d expected it to be a lot worse.
She leaned inward, studying the wound. No, it looked really good. Too good. No way could she have healed this quickly. Yet she had.
There was only a little redness and some of the scars had already begun to fade to white. She rubbed the area and several stitches fell away as though her body was pushing them out. “Wow.” She grabbed a facecloth, wet it and carefully cleaned her skin, removing the remaining stitches, the adhesive from the tape and remnants of the antiseptic cream they used at the hospital.
Like the rest of her body, the bruises looked much older. She’d always been a slow healer, bruises lasting for several weeks. Now it seemed that wasn’t the case anymore.
Anny tossed the cloth in the sink and turned to the shower. That was what she needed. She’s been living with sponge baths in the hospital and that was no way to feel clean. She started the water and pulled off her clothes.
Sweat broke out all over her body. She knew she was pushing herself, but she wanted to be clean. She stepped beneath the hot spray and almost cried it felt so good. As much as she wanted to linger, she knew it wouldn’t be smart. What little energy she had could give out at any time. The last thing she wanted was to fall and end up back in hospital because she broke something.
Wolf in Her Bed: Salvation Pack, Book 2 Page 9