The progress was slow, often waiting and persuading her to be calm and to reassure her everything would be okay. When they finished, the sun had risen, releasing stray light all throughout the house.

“Now, let's go to the kitchen. Darz, clear the house out so we don't have people surrounding the poor girl at every turn.” The man nodded before sprinting down the corridor to clear their path. Most should already be heading to work or school, but some tended to loiter about.

“After you eat, we’ll show you to your room, you don’t necessarily need to be in the hospital wing anymore if that’s making you uncomfortable. Though, you will be required to visit me in the afternoon, preferably before lunch. Also, at the moment, I do have you on some pain meds.” The doctor stopped her wheelchair so he could kneel down by her side. “They will help you while you heal. I promise. You just need three doses a day, preferably after each meal and if you feel like you need it, I can up the dosage. Sound good?” Smith smiled and continued to walk down the hallway. He knew he wouldn't receive a response but he hoped she would simply agree to go along with it.

“My name is Brad, by the way. That's Dr. Smith. He is the uncle to Luke and the adoptive father of Lilac. I’m sure you’ll meet her in the near future. Darz and Meers will be guarding you while you are here. If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask them. If someone bothers you, just let them know. We’re gonna make sure you can heal properly.” Brad smiled at her but she only stared for a moment before looking forward again.

Her indifferent composure easily broke when frightened but he could only tell his words had shocked her by her eyes. They lit up for only a fraction of a second before they dulled into a dark but mystifying amber.

It was the first time he had been able to really look at her eyes.

Interesting.

“What kind of fruit or vegetable would you like, hun? We need to introduce food slowly, that way you don’t hurt.” Smith held open the door where a number of foods were neatly organized. Reaching forward, she nudged her chair inch by inch until she grasped onto a drawer labeled fruits.

Pulling it open, she grabbed an apple and sniffed at it. Darz snorted at her strange behavior and received a nasty glare from Brad in return. Smith watched intently, not commenting or making a face at her animalistic behavior, the wheels in his head obviously turning.

Satisfied with the apple, she held it close to her chest.

“Would you like to wash it first?” Smith turned on the nearby sink and held out his hand for the apple. She shook her head.

“What about with bottled water?” Brad grabbed one from the still opened fridge before handing it to her. This time, she nodded.

While she washed it, doing her best to not spill the water all over the counter, Smith pulled them aside to speak for a moment.

“She won't eat unless she checks the ingredients. She’ll need to make herself food until she trusts us enough.” The doctor paused for a moment, lowering his voice even further, “I will only keep her on the minimal dosage for the pain meds.”

“What if she needs a bigger dose?” Brad hissed at the doctor, not liking the possibility of her being in pain.

“No, she won’t want it and I won’t force her. Adding more will most likely lead her to be a bit lucid, she needs to be aware. It’ll let her trust us and if she does ask for more, then, of course, I’ll up the dosage.” Grabbing Brad’s shoulder, Smith leaned in close, nearly making their noses touch. “As far as I’m concerned, they tried to drug her, Brad. They may have succeeded, which is why she checks everything we handed to her.”

Once they nodded in agreement, they broke apart their little huddle to see her watching them, munching on her apple. Suspicion filled her eyes, scanning their faces with extreme and practiced focus to try and decipher the deceit, the guilt, they hid. Except, they showed no sign of deception or guilt. They met her gaze evenly, filled with concern.

They wheeled her from the room while she nibbled on her apple in bliss. Brad bit his tongue and tried to keep his temper intact, but seeing her so happy to eat even an apple made him think of everything she had possibly gone through.

“I'm going to have to pick you up and carry you up to the third floor, okay? That's where your room is.” Brad crouched by her chair waiting for confirmation. She shook her head.

“She can stay down here, Brad. When she is ready then we can take her up.” Smith waved them back to the east wing, defusing the situation quickly lest she think they were trying to force her. When she returned to her bed, tucked in with plenty of blankets, still savoring the apple, all three stepped outside.

Luke and Meers were already waiting for them.

“We will start a therapy program. It will help her gain her physical strength.” Smith spoke first. The idea sounded good in getting her on her feet again but it could only help her physically.

“We’ve been tracking but we seem to be going all over the place.” Luke’s report hit Brad hard but it had not been surprising. The Loupas covered their tracks.

“Darz, get some rest. I'll take over until dinner.” Brad waved them off, hoping for a chance to get some type of identification from her.

At his order, everyone dispersed. Brad reentered the room and sat by her bed, staring up at the ceiling.

“I’ve been visiting you all week, you know. You gave us all quite the scare when we first found you. I’m glad your up and kicking.” She didn't ignore him if her intense stare was anything to go by. She just finished off her apple and listened to him speak.

“Do you know what we are?” She shook her head. A response, even if non-verbal.

“We call ourselves Loupas but werewolf is fine too if you're more familiar with the term. You were being chased by them and some human hunters. Can you tell me why?” She let her gaze wander elsewhere, no longer interested in the change of the topic.

“Sorry. We can discuss that whenever you want or never. Whichever is fine by me.” Liar. “I’m in charge here, I run operations if you will. Luke, the doctor’s nephew, is… uh, a… second in charge. Basically, my right hand.” Brad continued to talk on and on about his pack members, substituting the terms with something she might find more friendly, until he saw her eyes drifting closed. She tried to blink them awake but they closed on their own accord eventually.

Smiling, he left the room to clean himself up lest Lindsey come back with the wrath of a thousand scornful women.