Indianna's eyes opened, and she winced at the bright light above her. She groaned and rubbed her eyes, jumping when somebody cleared their throat.
"Rise and shine, sugar."
Indianna bolted upright in bed when she heard Greyson's voice, but he appeared in front of her immediately, gently taking her wrists into his hands. She had been freed from her restraints while she was unconscious.
"Stay calm," Greyson said to her. "Don't try to run off." Suddenly, his voice was in her head. I know what you're going to do before you do, sugar.
Indianna looked at Greyson's hands on her wrists. She didn't want to feel the confusing sparks.
"Let go of me," she whispered.
Greyson gave her a warning look but did as she asked.
"Let me leave."
"How do you feel?"
"Let me go home."
"Answer the question."
"Like shit. Can I go now?"
"Doc says you can still have a seizure at any random time. You had four while you were sleeping. I don't think it's wise for you to leave."
"Let me go home, Greyson!"
"No."
"Then give me answers."
"I can't right now, not until the others get here."
"Greyson-"
"You need to stay calm, Indie. You are still at the beginning of the process, and the pain and seizures can easily start again if your heartbeat rises."
"What the hell is the process you are talking about?"
"I can't tell you that until the others get here."
Indianna ground her teeth, wanting to throttle him. "Why was I in pain?"
"I can't say yet."
"You're useless!" Indianna groaned and covered her face with her hands. "I can't be here, Greyson. I hate hospitals. I hate needles. I hate it all. I've not seen a doctor since-" Indianna stopped abruptly, her eyes scanning the medical equipment around her as she paled.
"Since the attack?"
"I don't want to think about that," she muttered and shook her head.
"Sugar," Greyson said, placing his hand on her knee. "Look at me."
Indianna sighed and looked up. She couldn't help the flutter in her stomach when she stared into his eyes. His lips twitched at the corners, knowing how she reacted to him.
"What, Greyson?"
"I'm going to give you answers soon, and you have to promise me not to freak out."
"I can't promise that, Greyson."
Greyson gritted his teeth and shook his head. "Just don't try to run. You won't get anywhere. Please, Indie."
"Am I a prisoner here, Greyson?" Indianna asked quietly.
"No."
"Are you sure?" Indianna arched an eyebrow. "It's feeling like I'm trapped in this goddamn room."
"It will all make sense once everything is explained. I promise you."
The door to the infirmary opened, and Kirstie walked in, followed by Ace, Kal, Harry, and Brooklyn. Greyson couldn't help but smirk when Indianna tensed. He loved how she was her true self around him but retreated into herself around other people. He was glad that he was the first person she had opened up to, but he also hoped she would gain some confidence eventually.
"Hi, Indianna," Brooklyn said softly. "How are you?"
Indianna looked down at her hands, picking at her nails. She hated all of the eyes on her.
"Good," she murmured.
"Hiya, Indianna," Kirstie said and smiled brightly. "I'm Greyson's older sister, Kirstie."
Indianna's eyes widened when she heard that this tall, beautiful woman was Greyson's sister, and she suddenly wanted to crawl under a rock. It was yet another person that she didn't know.
Kirstie raised an eyebrow at Indianna, smirking. "She is a quiet little thing now, isn't she?" She chuckled.
Indianna found herself going red, and Greyson squeezed Indianna's thigh, gaining her attention. She looked at him and found that she felt a lot more comfortable when she was focusing on him. She tried to forget about everybody else in the room.
"Sugar, we're going to give you answers now," Greyson said, and Indianna nodded. She wanted to cry out in relief and yell at him, "About time," but she remained silent, just staring at him expectantly.
"Indie, you know we have a connection." Greyson's hand moved to hers. The sparks that ignited at his touch were indescribable. "This connection is impossible between humans."
Indianna frowned as she processed this. "What are you saying? That you're not human?"
Greyson sighed. "We," he emphasized, "we are..." Greyson paused, staring intently at Indianna. "We-"
"For crying out loud," Kirstie huffed. "Honey, we're werewolves."
Greyson sent Kirstie a menacing glare. "Shut up, Kirstie," he hissed and turned back to Indianna, his expression softening.
"The book," Indianna murmured, "the one in the library. It..."
"It wasn't a fiction book," Greyson told her. "Not that the humans know that."
He waited for Indianna's reaction and listened carefully, hearing her heart start to beat faster. Her breathing rate started to increase. She had gone pale. Her lip quivered, and horror was starting to show on her face.
"G-Greyson," she stuttered.
"Remember when I asked you to promise to stay calm?" Greyson said slowly. "Indie, I need you not to freak out-"
Indianna scrambled back onto the bed, shaking her head frantically.
"Get away from me."
Greyson cursed under his breath and reached out to her, but she yelped.
"Stop it!"
"Indianna," Brooklyn called, her voice gentle. She wished that Indianna knew how strongly Brooklyn could relate to her. She wished she could help. She took a step forward, but her hand was still linked with Harry's, who was next to her. "Please, you don't need to be afraid."
"The wolf that attacked my parents and me-" Indianna slapped a hand over her mouth. She wanted to be sick. "Oh my god. Was that a... And last night. It was the same wolf, wasn't it?"
Greyson tensed. He so desperately wanted to lie.
"Yes."
A horrific whimper came from Indianna.
"Sugar-"
"Shut up!" she panicked. "Just shut up!"
"You wanted answers-"
"Be quiet!" she whimpered and covered her ears with her hands, squeezing her eyes shut.
"Indie." Greyson had spoken in the gentlest tone that Indianna had ever heard come out of his mouth. He took her wrists and lowered her hands, but she freaked out and tried to push him away.
"Get off me!" she squealed, but his grip remained firm. "G-Greyson!"
"Listen to me, sugar," he said sternly. "You don't need to be scared of us."
"Oh, that's great!" she said sarcastically and pulled against his hold. "It doesn't mean that I'm not!"
"I need you to calm down," he said firmly, but not even the sparks made Indianna feel better.
"Get off me!" she whimpered and kicked her feet out, hitting Greyson in the stomach. He wasn't expecting the sudden blow, and his grip loosened enough for her to yank her arms free and jump off the bed.
"Indianna!" Brooklyn cried, but Kirstie was already in front of Indianna, grabbing her arms and pinning them behind her back.
"You need to relax," Kirstie said into Indianna's ear and tightened her hold, trapping Indianna. "Chill out, girl."
"Let go of me!" Indianna yelled.
"I will, once I'm positive that you aren't going to head straight for the door."
"Indianna-"
"Don't you dare come near me, Greyson!" Indianna said hurriedly, tensing when Greyson stopped in front of her. She slumped in Kirstie's hold, knowing that she couldn't get away.
"We aren't going to hurt you."
"You're monsters!" she whimpered.
"You know that's not true," he whispered, cupping Indianna's cheek. The sparks felt good, but she tried to ignore them. I know your desires deep down.
"Get out of my head!" she snapped. "Get out!"
I know what your heart wants.
"Please!" she begged.
Sugar, you like the way I make you feel. Greyson ran his fingers up Indianna's arm, and she gulped. I know what you want.
"You don't," she whispered.
"I do," he smirked and tilted her chin up so she was looking at him. Kirstie slowly let go of Indianna and stepped back as Greyson leaned down. He wrapped his arms around her waist, supporting her. "The connection we have is one of a kind. We can talk in our minds because we are destined for each other, sugar. Soulmates."
Indianna froze when Greyson initially pressed his lips to hers, but seconds later, she found herself leaning into him. He felt safe, he was comfortable, and the sparks made her feel a way she had never felt before.
She kissed him back.