Pretty Gem 

No Song This Time

The next week was slow in her progress. Physically, mystery girl couldn’t walk even with support, her muscle mass had deteriorated, making her movements difficult. Mentally...well that was unknown. She refused to speak and no name had been offered.

Currently, she ate a little after the rest of the pack did. Introducing her to them at mealtime may have been overwhelming, so Smith set up a schedule for her to eat by herself or with a few people she knew. Brad and Luke gladly joined her except for Sundays where large gatherings for the pack took place. She would have to eat alone then if she didn’t trust them still.

Lindsey came around from time to time, glad to chat even if she never received a response.

“Alright, hun. Let's try walking again today.” Smith held out his hand, assisting her from her chair. He knew she’d struggle and it could be painful for her, but she needed to regain muscle and just eating nutritious food wasn’t going to cut it.

A little wobbly, she placed one foot in front of the other. Her bandaged hand, which represented that of a mummy’s, gripped the wall to steady herself. In her other hand was a crutch to help keep her braced leg off the floor.

They had tried two crutches, but she ended up leaning against the wall, using it as a crutch instead of the actual crutch provided.

Mystery girl bit her lip hard, pain shooting up from the pressure she put on her fingertips and the throb, that only intensified with every breath, that coursed through her body. She hobbled forward, trying her best to move, to in the least limp. Her leg shook under the pressure and Smith wondered if the therapy had come too soon. There might be other alternatives.

The less injured leg looked to be unable to handle any kind of weight. He must have grossly overestimated its strength. The tendons could rip. The muscles might be too strained and cause damage. The pressure of the walk could be too much, especially for a human - it's not like he had much experience with malnourished, injured humans. A machine might be-

With a whimper, she collapsed awkwardly against the doctor. His arm wound itself around her waist as he fully supported her weight.

“Come on, just a few more steps. You can do this.”

It was important she does this. She knew that. She had to gain her strength back quickly. Who knew what could happen...

Shaking more than before, she repositioned herself to lean against the wall instead of the doctor, keeping a foot of space between them. Then, she made a large step forward, slightly dragging her braced leg behind her.

“Don’t drag it, keep it up.” Her teeth couldn't have bit her lip any harder. A bit more pressure added and sure enough, she’d have blood. Lucky for her, she didn’t add any more pressure to her poor bottom lip. Releasing it from her clutches, she limped forward.

Meers stood a few steps away, representing the checkpoint. He leaned casually against the wall, scanning the empty hallway for any sign of an intruder. Sometimes he’d look back at her, giving a small smile, then turning away.

Standing next to him, Meers took a hold of her hand. He held it gently, kindly, and waited with her for Smith. He came running up behind her, a wheelchair at the ready. Smith took her crutch, hooking it up with the other on the wheelchair.

Plopping back down, she let out a sigh of relief. After her little therapy session, they wheeled her off to the kitchen where she made herself a sandwich.

Today, Brad joined her at the table. He walked stiffly as if he had suffered from a long car ride that had numbed his butt beyond any feeling. No smile, no ‘hello’, no wave, nothing. The chair screeched across the tiled floor.

It was an off-white color, something his guest loved to look at it. Most definitely it had no elegant design to it but still, she stared at it with awe, like she hadn’t seen something of the sort for years, if ever. If she could, she probably would trace it with her fingertips, letting the coolness seep past her wrapped skin to feel it in her bones.

“Can I ask you something?” Mid-bite, she stopped to look at him. He had no food in front of him as he didn't plan to join her for lunch, apparently.

His hands folded neatly on the table made him look calm, except for the fact his knuckles were white as snow.

She cleared her throat, preparing to speak.

“Sure.” Raspy, she coughed a little. It had been a while since she actually spoke more than just a scream, more than just hissing and growling like an animal.

Brad let his mouth hang open before a smile overtook him. The first time he had ever heard her speak and it made his sucky day just a bit brighter. Despite the lack of use of her vocal cords, her voice came out in a gentle wave, a deep kindness hidden within. His posture relaxed, the white fading from his knuckles, he sank into his chair a bit more, slouching.

Amusement twinkled in her eyes, a smirk forming on her petite rosy lips at his funny expression.

“I’d like to know your name.” As quickly as her good mood came, it vanished, like summer.

“Can…” She visibly swallowed, licking her lips as she tried to think out her question. “Can I ask you something, too?” Gently, she placed her sandwich on the plate. Her brow furrowed, fingers twitching slightly before she placed them out of view, under the table.

“Anything.”

“I’d rather not be called by my real name, so could you settle for something different?” There go her teeth again, scraping her bottom lip into oblivion.

“Sure. Whatever you feel comfortable with.” Smiling, she nodded, a little color coming to her cheeks as she lost herself in thought.

Brad drank in her image, simply observing how she tried to think of something, anything, to answer his question. Anything but the truth would do, except she gave the truth from the start and being given a fake name under these tenses didn’t seem too bad.

Still uneven, her hair fell just under her chin and unlike the first time he met her, it looked soft like a glowing feather under the light. He itched to run his hands through it but he knew it would scare her so he shrank further into his seat. His mind running all the different possibilities of how to interact with her and tossing those he felt might cause her to withdraw and distrust him.

“Ruby. Please call me Ruby.” Teeth peeked out from her lips, gleaming as she smiled. It faltered, as if timid by her public display of emotion but then it got bigger, if at all possible when Brad smiled back.

“Ruby. I like that. A pretty gem you are.” He gave her a mischievous wink, watching for a negative reaction to his playfulness. She didn’t give one but gave him an irritated glower at his playoff her name.

Hungry himself, Brad picked a few fruits from her plate, despite her hands slapping at his in defense. He easily popped the grapes into his mouth, enjoying the sudden playful air around them.

Her face flushed at his flirty compliment, her cheeks puffing out in agitation as he ate some of her food. Ruby tried to straighten out her face – become indifferent - but the twitch of her lips showed what she tried to hide. She was enjoying the exchange as much as he was.

“Alpha, Beta Luke wishes to speak with you.” A young child came burling through the kitchen, stopping by Brad’s side in a hurry.

Ruby stiffened at the boy’s sudden presence, a fright taking hold of her from the bang in his steps and his loud voice like the intrusion had snapped her back into reality. The atmosphere became dense once more as she kept her head down and continued to eat, only picking at her food.

“Francais, be a bit more careful lest we frighten Ruby here.” Her name rolled off his tongue like sweet honey. The wolf in him purred at the sound, eyeing Ruby.

Despite the man in Brad, he doubted he could resist the wolf’s urge to reach for her, to be able to give her the simplest of touches without her instinctual need to pull back. Something dwelled in the deepest part of his soul that just made her so alluring.

The way she smiled at him just moments before showed a small piece behind her wall, something he was instantly more curious about. He agreed with his wolf’s desires, wanting nothing more than to hold her. He wanted to knock on her door and receive an answer, hopefully, one that would allow him past the threshold.

There was no doubt in him at the point. She was his Last Purpose. She had to be. While there was always room for error and at any time, their free will could have them spiraling different paths and further from each other, he just hoped she played into his life, he desperately hoped it led to him being able to wake with her peacefully beside him.

It would hopefully happen… if she consented and that would only happen if she could ever trust enough to open up.

Francis bowed his head apologetically her way before escorting Brad to where Luke currently was. His beta paced nervously on the deck, hands behind his back in a stiff manner.

Once he caught sight of his good friend, Luke snapped to attention like a coiled panther, ready to strike.

“Luke?”

“We’ve found a new lead heading north to where a small cult has established themselves. They settled only a few miles of our border. Best bet is that she came from there.” Trackers and warriors were gathered behind him, all waiting for the next order.

As badly as he wanted to, and Brad really wanted to, he knew he shouldn’t authorize an attack. Ruby may have been there, maybe not. Time, and her cooperation would tell.

“Watch them closely. Keep it tight on the borders and double patrols. No one in or out without us knowing. Understood?” Saluting him, Luke turned to address the gathered group. Brad left his friend to do what he did best. Stalk, hunt, and kill.

Ruby headed back to her room as soon as she had finished her meal. She washed the plates to the best of her ability before leaving them out to dry. Tired already, she climbed from her wheelchair onto her bed. Awkwardly, she laid on her side, her brace leg sitting on top of her good one. The metal pieces bit into her leg, irritating her.

“Ah, Miss.” A nurse, blonde hair, blue eyes, came strolling in. Ruby had never seen her before. Sitting up so she didn’t feel as vulnerable, she watched the young lady clutch the clipboard to her chest.

Her… medical team, if that’s what one could call it, had been consistent with Dr. Smith, Lilac, and Lindsey. She knew nothing of the young nurse in front of her and if she was being bluntly honest, had no interest in learning anything.

“I’m very sorry to bother you but the rest of the pack wanted to know if you are Brad’s Last Purpose?” Ruby blinked, once, twice, and then a third time. She had no idea what she had meant.

As for being a “Last Purpose of Brad’s”, Ruby only hoped it meant he needed to help her and nothing like…

No, better not ask questions.

“Dalia!” Meers came bursting through the door. The young nurse, Dalia, jumped at the sound of her name. “You know you can’t be in here without explicit permission from Brad.”

Bowing her head, she ran from the room. Brad came in right behind the bodyguard, eyes darting around the room. When they landed on her, they softened.

“Are you alright, Ruby?” Her name rolled off his tongue like he was delighted to say it.

Meers perked up at the name, looking to Brad out of the corner of his eye in understanding.

“Yes.” Her small but audible tone held a fright that seemed to be stuck in her throat.

“I’m sorry to have left you alone. Luke needed to give me a report.” Brad collapsed in the chair beside her, breathing a sigh of relief.

Meers bowed his head, heading back to finish his meal.

“It's okay.” Ruby shuffled her way back to lying on the bed. Brad kept quiet, letting her enjoy the comfortable silence that surrounded them. She fell asleep again, allowing Brad to get close to her.

Gently, he ran a hand through her hair. At first, she stirred, and he froze, scared she would wake up. Instead, she settled further into the pillow, sighing in content.

He continued to lightly scratch and massage her scalp, locks of milky chocolate hair glided over his fingers easily like water. It tickled his skin softly and her scent filled his nose. Feminine honey. A rich delicacy.

Brad never enjoyed honey, finding it too rich for his tastes, but this scent wired his brain to its addictiveness, beckoning him into the calmness and peace that came with it. Laying his head next to her, he left his hand in her hair, not really holding her, but just being there. He let her soft breath lull him into his own daydreams.

He was too close… He knew that.