Chapter 88

I'm in the hospital for a few days before the doctors are ready to release me. In that time, I haven't found a way to tell Marcus who I really am, even though I know deep down that Kent and Emmett are right that it's probably time.

However, I just don't know how to do it. I'm so shaken by the fire, more so than I have been by any other act of violence or criminal set up by Charles and his goons so far. A psychiatrist at the hospital has come by to talk to me a few times, and has recommended counseling.

"Of course you should see the therapist," Marcus says after her second visit, lounging in one of the chairs next to my bed. It's honestly a bit of a shock to see him like this, wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt instead of his usual jacket and tie.

"I don't know," I say, poking at the Jello cup from my lunch with a spoon. Even being a high-profile patient with unlimited Alpha family funds thrown behind my care hasn't spared me from the mundanity of hospital food, unfortunately.

"Evelyn, you're a doctor," Marcus says with mild exasperation. "Please tell me you're not one of those people who looks down their nose at therapy, especially after such a traumatic event like this. Someone tried to kill you, for god's sake."

"Of course I'm not," I say quickly. "Don't worry about that. No, it's just that I'm not sure how much a counselor could really help me. I mean…" I stop myself before I reveal that I'd have to lie about at least half of what's been going on, rendering any true therapeutic benefit fairly useless.

"What is it?" Marcus asks. His voice is gentle, non-judgmental.

"It's just that the entire story sounds so ridiculous," I say instead. "I mean, this is like something out of a bad Lifetime movie, isn't it? Family intrigue, backstabbing, multiple murder plots, an heiress trying to seize control? That kind of shit?"

Marcus barks a laugh, an unexpected sound in all the seriousness of the past few days.

"Okay, yeah, I take your point," he says. "Maybe we should get in one of the Pack's psychiatrists, instead. A human counselor might find more than some of this situation a little overwhelming and…confusing."

"The Pack has psychiatrists?" I ask with interest, abandoning my half-eaten Jello cup and focusing on his face.

"Of course we do," Marcus says. "I mean, we have wolves who are in just about all kinds of trades and professions, as a general rule. But yes, we have our own doctors and psychiatrists and nurses, and so on and so forth."

"That makes sense, actually," I acknowledge. "I guess I never really thought about it before, but you'll have your own people to serve your community. People who already have a baseline knowledge of your…well, culture?"

Marcus laughs again. "Culture is a very diplomatic way of putting it, that's for sure."

I smile at him, maybe the first genuine smile I've had in me since the fire. Marcus smiles back.

"Knock knock." Liam strides into the room, carrying a tray of coffees from a local shop down the street. He doles them out to all of us, including me. I take mine with surprise but infinite gratitude, removing the lid to sniff deeply and appreciatively at the contents.

"Liam, I love you so much for this, I might switch allegiances and marry you instead," I joke. Marcus rolls his eyes while Liam beams at me.

"I know you and your coffee addiction, my dear Doc," he says in a chipper tone. "Cafeteria coffee wasn't going to cut it for you. And I figured a cup of really good coffee might lift you out of the fog you've been in the past few days."

I look up anxiously, coffee forgotten for the moment.

"Have I been in a fog?" I ask, my voice sounding small even to my ears.

"Only a little," Liam rushes to assure me before Marcus can answer. "And it's more than understandable, Evelyn. My god, you almost died. Both of you. Or you would have, if…" He shakes his head. "Enough of that. I have good news. Evelyn: I'm here to spring you free."

"What, really?" I ask hopefully. Truth be told, I'm absolutely sick of this hospital room. I've always heard that doctors make the worst patients, and I am starting to understand why that's such a prevalent bit of wisdom. I hate being confined like this.

"Yes, really," Liam says. "Docs say you're good to go, so we're getting you out of here. Out of that hideous gown - no offense, darling - and into some nice, comfy, designer loungewear that was hand-picked by yours truly."

He waves a bag in front of my face with a grin. I sigh with relief, setting my coffee down to make grabby-grabby hands at it.

"You can have it after you shower," Liam says. "The nurse will be in shortly to help dress your burns. You can have a lovely hot - well, probably more like tepid - shower and get all cleaned up, then slip into these and we'll be on our way."

"Where are we going?" I ask, suddenly realizing that I have no idea where I'm meant to live now. My villa has been compromised, so I can't return there. And, even if the mansion is liveable again, I'm not sure I can face it.

"Don't worry," Marcus says, obviously reading the tension in my voice. "We're not going back to the mansion. It's not ready yet, for one thing, and for another, I'd never ask you to go back there until you're ready."

"So, where are we going then?" I ask as my shoulders slump in relief at this news.

"To a hotel," Marcus answers, hauling himself out of his chair and taking a swig of coffee at the same time. He nods appreciatively to Liam, holding up the cup, then turns back to me.

"We've got the best security possible in place, I promise. And, what's more, I'm going to be staying in your room with you."

I almost choke on my coffee at that.

"Won't that cause a huge scandal?" I ask. "I thought we just talked about what a huge scandal that would be. The scandal of the century, you called it."

"Scandals be damned," Marcus waves a dismissive hand. "I'll sleep on the pull out couch - we're getting a suite, obviously - but I don't really give a damn about rumors or scandals anymore. Neither does my mother or father. Your safety is what's important."

Liam nods. "Trust us, Evelyn. We're going to take care of you, we promise."

The hotel suite is gorgeous, though I expected nothing less. Marcus gets me settled before leaving to attend a few meetings.

"There are four guards posted right outside the door," he assures me. "And we're on one of the top floors. No one can get in or out of here without us knowing, not even Charles. Unless he's found a way to turn into Spider-Man and crawl up the face of the building, which I very much doubt."

He kisses my forehead and leaves me. At a loss of what to do with myself, I flick on the TV and surf through channels aimlessly, my mind wandering.

There's a knock at the door, and I tense. But it's only the Alpha who pokes his head inside and asks for permission to enter.

"Please, do come in," I say, meaning it. I turn off the TV and gesture to an empty armchair. The Alpha settles himself and looks at me for a long, quiet moment.

"I'm so sorry about everything, Nicole," he says. "Have you spoken to Marcus yet? About who you really are?"

"Not yet," I admit reluctantly. "I'm trying to figure out how to approach it."

The Alpha nods in understanding. "I also have some news for you," he says.

"What is it?"

"It's about your family." His lips twitch upward in a smile that he can't quite contain. "Your father has officially served your stepmother with divorce papers, and she's putting the house on the market, because she can't afford it herself."

"Oh, wow," I say. "Are you serious?"

"Indeed," the Alpha says, sounding satisfied. "Your stepsister has completely lost her marbles over it. She had a screaming match with a clerk on Fifth Avenue when her card was declined and had to be escorted out by security."

I laugh aloud, the first genuine laugh I've had in me for a long time.

"How on earth did you find out about that?" I ask.

"It's been the hottest society gossip for the past few days," the Alpha grins. "I thought it might cheer you up to hear it. I have no idea what your stepmother and stepsister are going to do next, but things aren't looking up for them."

"What about Brodie?" I ask.

"Your stepbrother?" the Alpha asks. "No one has really heard from him. I gather that his school fees have been pre-paid, so he's likely safe for the rest of his term abroad. He's going to have to get a job, though."

"He'll hate that," I grin. "But this is really great news, Emmett. I'm sorry to sound so petty, but it's a relief in so many ways, hearing that these people have finally had the steam taken out of them. Maybe they can vanish and become obscure, instead of remaining a thorn in my side."

"I certainly hope so," the Alpha says with sincerity. "And they shouldn't pose much of a threat to you anymore, which only makes it even safer for you to tell Marcus who you really are."

"You're right," I say, biting my lip. "I know you're right. And I'll find a way to do it. Soon. I promise."

The Alpha nods at me kindly.

"That's all I ask," he says.