147 Manifestation II When my body volted awake , the first thing I noticed was the rough ground beneath me damp earth and scattered leaves pressing against my skin .
lot again , I thought as panic rose in my chest .
1 blinked rapidly as the towering trees around me blurred into my view .
I was in the forest again , no doubt .
I scrambled into a seating position , the dried leaves beneath me crinkling with my frantic movement .
My hands flew to my hair , clutching at the strands tightly as my fingers trembled .
My eyes darted around the clearing , trying to piece together the puzzle of how I had ended up here- again , My breathing was shallow and uneven .
Why how ? I stammered under my breath , my voice cracking with disbelief .
My chest heaved as I spun , searching for any clue that might ground me in reality .
A voice interrupted my spiralling thoughts .
Youre awake I whirled toward the sound , startled , my heart pounding like a drum .
Leaning casually against a nearby tree , his arms crossed , stood Lenny .
He had a calm , concerned , almost amused expression on his face .
* Lenny ? * I called out shakily .
What what are you doing here ? He pushed off the tree and walked over to where I was .
I could ask you the same thing , he said , offering his hand , but Im not interested in exnations right now , he added tly , cutting off any excuse I might want to give .
I stared at his outstretched hand before tentatively cing my hand on his .
My fingers felt cold and stiff as he helped me to my feet and held me for a few seconds as I swayed slightly , still disoriented .
Thest night shift patrol team found you out here , he continued in a clipped but not unkind tone .
Thankfully , they brought it to my attention before anyone else saw .
Were fortunate its still dawn and most of the pack is asleep .
You can sneak back into the pack house without questions .
His tone brooked no room for argument , so I nodded mutely .
Feeling my cheeks redden as I avoided his gaze .
Can you walk on your own ? Do you want me to hold you or carry you ? he asked .
I can walk I said quickly , although I still felt slightly dizzy .
Lets go then , he said , motioning me to follow .
< 147 Manifestation II We walked quietly but briskly , as I was desperate to avoid meeting anyone .
It would be hard to exin my mysterious state .
Just as we arrived at the pack house entrance , the door opened and Seth came out .
His gaze flickered between me and Lenny then back to me .
Without saying a word , he bowed curtly to us and then brushed past us , going his way .
Dont worry about Seth ! Lenny said quietly .
He wont say anything to anyone .
Now hurry and go to your room .
Thank you so much ! I nodded and fled into the pack house .
Back in my room , I moved with purpose .
I stripped off my dirty clothes , stuffing them into the sink to scrub away the evidence .
The earthy scent of the forest still clung to my skin , mixing with the faint metallic smell of blood from minor scratches I hadnt noticed earlier .
I washed the dirty clothes feverishly , one car trained to the door to pick up any movement .
I washed off the stains , restoring the dress to its original colour .
Throwing it into a bucket at the corner of the bathroom , I stepped into the shower .
Hot water cascaded over me , washing away the dirt and leaves and soothing my tense r but doing nothing to cleanse the confusion clouding my mind .
After washing off the worst of the grime , I wrapped myself in a soft bathrobe , my damp hair sticking to my shoulders .
I stared at my wet dress in the bucket , wondering what exnation to give on how it ended up wet .
Aftering up with a few lies , I stepped out of the bathroom .
On cue , the door to my bedroom opened and Nanny entered , carrying a steaming cup of my morning medicine .
Good morning darling , she said brightly , smiling at me briefly before moving over to the vanity table where she set the cup and turned to me , her keen eyes scanning the length of my body .
How was your night ? Did you just bathe by yourself ? Good morning to you too , Nan and I had a wonderful night , … that was a lie .
My sassy wolf Nymeris tormented me in my sleep .
And I think living here is making you think youre some sort of princess .
Like I had a maid back in the human world or at Blue Ridge bathing me .
I said , avoiding Nannys gaze as I crossed the room to sit at the vanity .
Taking the cup in my hands , I sipped slowly , pushing the bitter taste down my throat .
Sheughed and came to stand behind me , reaching for my brush and hair dryer on the vanity table .
It was the Lycan Leaders instructions .
He said he didnt want you doing anything with your hands .
The Lycan Leaders gave the instructions .
He didnt want you to use your hands .
The maids will be slightly disappointed to find youve done their work when they arrive today As if ! I winced after taking another sip .
I dont want to get spoilt .
The maids at Blue Ridge are my mothers henchmen .
Ill be getting poison ivy mixed in my bath if I ever demand that .
Weughed it off as Nanny slowly started to brush and dry my hair with practised care , just like she had always done when I was a teenager at Blue Ridge and while we still lived together in the human world .
I finished the medicine and closed my eyes for a moment , letting myself rx , but it was Sort lived and Nanny suddenly paused mid stroke .
From the mirror , I saw her nostrils ring slightly as she sniffed the air , het brows furrowing smell blood , she murmured , her voice filled with concern .
My body stiffenedd , my grip tightening on the hand of the chair I sat on as 1 imitated her previous nent .
I smell nothing I said dismissively .
Hoping she wouldnt press further , but Nanny didnt seem like she was going to relent soon .
She continued sniffing the air , ignoring my reassurance that it was nothing .
Setting the brush and the dryer aside , she gently lifted my hair from my shoulder and pushed aside the cor of my robe .
Her sharp intake of breath gave me all the confirmation I needed : she had caught me .
I had noticed a small gash on my neck that had been bleeding a wound I had intended to treat after my bath , but Nannys arrival had suspended it .
How did this happen ? How did you get this she sounded hysterical .
I scrubbed too hard while I was bathing , but Im fine , Nan … Larranged my hair back in ce .
Stop fretting over a little blood .
Im not a child .
Im 23 , And so ? You should walk around with open , bleeding gashes ? Does being 23 make you immune to pain and injuries ? What if it gets infected ? Will being an adult stop that ? She sounded like my mother .
Ill treat it , I mumbled .
Im going to ask you again ; how did you get this ? Tell me this instant , L … I inhaled and exhaled .
I woke up in the forest .
I admitted , my voice barely above a whisper .
Like yesterday .
Her eyes widened as tears welled up in them .
Without another word , she pulled me into a tight embrace , her hands cradling my head as if she could shield me from whatever was happening .
Youll be fine , my dear , she murmured , her voice breaking .
Everything will be fine .
I pulled back , slightly surprised at her reaction as I searched her eyes .
Do you know why this keeps happening ? I asked , my voice trembling with both fear and hope .
Nanny averted her gaze , her lips pressing into a thin line .
Lets get you cleaned up first , she mumbled , avoiding my question .
She hurried out of the room and came back some secondster with an emergency first aid kit .
Then she carefully began cleaning the gash on my neck before moving on to other bruises and scratches , tending to the ones on my arms and legs without meeting my gaze .
Youre killing me already .
If its something that I need to be worried about , wouldnt it be better to let me know ? Youll sleep in my room from tonight .
So , it means that whatever is happening to me doesnt have a cure ? I asked , staring at her .
She hesitated for a while before nodding .
It goes away by itself after a while .
34 TAT Mahabo Cant at least know what it is Whatever it is , I promise , Ill try to take it all in .
Just tell me ….
please … Not she shook her head , closing the first aid kit .
Im off to go see Mother .
Have a nice day With that , she walked out of my room , leaving me in the dark again .