Chapter 3 Chapter Three

ANNA'S POV

The large man in front of me stiffened, blue eyes mirroring his sons, widened as that word dropped from his mouth. I tried to part from the boy who clung tightly to me but it was impossible. I was shocked by the strength in his little arms. He didn't want to let go and he was making it very loud and clear.

"I've told you before.... I'm not your mama" I whispered in a gentle little voice and tried to get him down again. His father recovered from his shock and tried to forcefully pull him out of my hold.

"That is not how to handle a child" I scolded him angrily. He may be rough in all aspects of his life but when it comes to a child, he had to some gentility.

"Who the fuck are you to tell me how to handle a child" he roared at me and I rolled my eyes. I was no expert when it came to children but I knew damn well they were to be treated with ease and he could lose the swear words around him as well.

"He's not going to go with you if you keep acting like a brute" clearly the child was mistaken. Maybe the trauma from the attack and that's why he had me confused. He needed gentle coaxing to tell him otherwise and maybe, he'll stop clinging to me.

"Come on Leo" I said softly and set him down now. His hands left my neck but it latched onto the shirt I had on.

"Take Leo back to his room" he commanded the other male in the room. Leo let out a shriek and hugged my legs tighter. I glared at the alpha who just ruined our progress. He just had to go and yell and make him unwilling now.

"Don't you realize you're making things worse" I snarled.

He took a step towards me holding my eyes. I didn't back down. I wasn't scared and it wasn't because of the mate bond sizzling between us...i was mostly annoyed by the male...

'Or his lack of knowledge that we are his mate' my wolf quizzed but I ignored her. It has nothing to do with that. Granted, it hurt a bit but I was a rogue. I wasn't about to give up my lifestyle to become a pack wolf especially with someone I despised.

"Alpha....i think the shock of the incident is what's causing him to react like this....and he's even speaking now. If we force them apart it could become a worse situation for Leo"

I was surprised by the healers words. Leo didn't speak in the past? What a poor child. I can imagine how difficult and sad he must have been.

"He'll have to adapt. He can't have grown attached to her"

"She saved his life"

"Doesn't matter he..."

"Is there anything we can do to make him let go?" I cut the alpha off. I didn't miss the angry growl or glare he sent my way. The healer looked white as a ghost as his eyes darted frantically between me and the alpha but when the fuming male said nothing, the healer went ahead to speak.

"Ripping his away from you could make him hysterical and there's a worse chance he won't want to speak again....this is the first time in years" the healer added.

"Don't tell the rogue things about my son" the male behind me snapped.

Again, I rolled my eyes at him. If I was needed to help, I'll need to know what I'm dealing with.

"Please continue" I said disregarding him. The healer shifted nervously and spoke again.

"I suggest we allow him hold onto you for now, when the shock wears off, he should be back to normal. If he doesn't cling to you again, you can go" that means I'll have to stay here for a while.

I wasn't comfortable with the idea of being here longer than necessary for so many reasons.

"How long will this take?" I queried.

"I'm not sure, it could be a few days but it could also be longer"

"How long?" I asked again.

"A couple of months"

"No way" the alpha and I shouted together. Leo let out a shriek and I wrapped my hand around him. He calmed under my gentle patting. He lifted his hands, indicating he wanted to be picked up. Unable to resist his cute features and hopeful eyes, I picked him up into my arms again. Leo nuzzled his face into my neck  and I rocked him.

When I looked up, all eyes were on me. I noticed a hint of softness in his blue orbs but that hardened immediately our eyes met.

"A rogue cannot be in my pack" I scoffed. Like I wanted to be here either.

"You have to think of something else to help him. I cannot stay in this pack" I said in a steady voice.

"I can't think of anything else that won't cause him more trauma. This is for the boys good" and while I thought of his safety, I couldn't risk mine. I couldn't stay at a place for a long time. The threatening darkness looking over me, the questions that needed answers.

The fear that if I settled at a place for too long, the terrors of my past were going to catch up with me and put people into danger.

"I'm afraid I cannot stay here. You have to work something out to help him" I saw the panicked look in his eyes.

"Please...think about the child you saved" I shook my head. It's for the same reason that I could not be here. I have no memories and I have no idea what could be after me but I sensed it was evil. It would corrupt this pack.

"Don't beg her to stay. She's not needed here. Once we get Leo from her arms without a ruckus, then have her off my land immediately. Your only reason for standing here alive is because you saved my son. Rouges ought to be killed"

Again, I ignored him knowing it'll only infuriate him.

"It'll hopefully be only for a short while please" the healer begged again much to the annoyance of the male still behind me.

"Elderman..." his voice was a warning to the man.

"How does this even work? What does his mother have to say? Surely she won't be comfortable with her son calling another woman mother?" A sudden chill came over the room as soon as the words left my mouth.

The silence choked the room and even the sound of a single breath could not be heard. I felt the heat between us diessapitate as he walked away and the door slammed shut.

"I'll.... I'll go after him" the second male hurriedly exited and it was just the doctor and I.

"His mother passed away at his birth" he explained with sad eyes.

"Oh" I mumbled. He must have loved her if he reacted that way. My heart clenched and I felt strange emotions. The boy had really been exposed to a lot at his tender age.

"He hasn't spoken a word in years...Please. The alpha is a handful but the boy needs you"

Learning of the absence of his mother softened my heart. Maybe I could stay here for a little while to help and then I'll be on my way.

"I have one condition"

"What?"

"The alpha has to ask me himself"