CIAN
The first thing I was aware of was pain. Not the sharp kind that meant something was broken. This was deeper. Duller. Like my entire body had been wrung out and left to dry in the sun. My throat felt like I'd swallowed gravel and ash.
I opened my eyes.
White ceiling. Fluorescent lights. The sterile smell of a healing ward that meant nothing good. My body was bandaged from neck to wrist, and whatever they'd slathered under the wrappings smelled like burnt herbs and bad decisions.
I tried to sit up. Immediately regretted it. Every muscle screamed. I fell back against the pillows hard enough to jar something loose in my chest, and I coughed. I even tasted blood.
"Easy, Alpha." That was Dr. Maren's voice. She appeared in my line of sight, moving fast. "You need to stay still."
"What happened?" The words came out scraped raw.
