– Owen, can you describe the nurse we are about to interview.
– I barely saw her. You know Connor, he doesn't like feeling trapped in a room with a lot of people. Liam and I left Sevana's room as soon as her friend arrived. I can only tell you that she is slightly taller than Sevana.
– Um, that's not difficult. Our alpha female is as tall as three apples.
– Yes, but she is fierce. It is better to avoid upsetting her.
For sure. From her 160 cm, you could think her harmless. She’s the most powerful fatel I’ve ever seen and she rescued us. I owe her a debt and I hope to pay it off by saving her friend, if she is really in danger.
– You surely remember other things.
– As Nate told us, she has blond hair, but I have no idea how long they were, they were tied in buns, and green eyes. She had pale skin. That, I remember well, because she had a bruise on her temple and it stood out a lot on her white skin.
–OK. A distinctive sign that would distinguish her?
– Sorry, I don't remember anything more. You know I hate hospitals, too many smells for me. It annoys my panther and puts it on edge.
I nod my head. I totally understand. Of all of us, Owen has the sharpest smell, so the fumes of chemical drugs and detergents are a real sensory attack for him.
– No worries, we'll do with it. We will ask to speak to her at reception. The receptionist will bring her to us. It will be simpler than searching the whole hospital. We have just to say that we are her family not to arouse the mistrust of the personnel. She’s part of a pack after all.
– OK, we do it like that.
Chapter 4
Ashley
This day is endless, a real torture. In addition to my delay this morning which forced me to expend crazy energy, leaving me tired, several patients conditions deteriorated without warning, which makes us bitterly regret all the absence de Sevana, forcing me to run from one room to another to provide vital first aid which, unfortunately, did not save everyone. One of the patients died despite my desperate attempts to keep him alive while waiting for the doctor, also overwhelmed, to intervene. This is not the first time that I have been helpless in face of a patient’s illness, but it always lowers my morale, despite the detachment I take from them. I cannot remain indifferent to the distress of the family when they are told that the loved one is gone. And finally, of course I had the daily visit from Greg, who only made my day worse. Since the Black Wolf attack, Peter sends a member of the pack every day to make sure I'm okay, and his daddy-hen side is starting to weigh heavily on me. Especially since the conversation always takes place in the same way, even if I love Greg.
– Hi Ashley.
– Greg. Everything is OK, no attack, you can go back and report.
As usual, he laughs at my frustration. We have known each other since I joined the pack and he is, after Peter, my favorite animorph.
– Don't take it like that. Peter cares about you and doesn't want anything to happen to you.
– You realize that you repeat the same thing to me every day. You are a lieutenant, not a nanny. You have nothing better to do than supervise me?
– It's part of my job. I have to watch over the pack and you're a Treat member so I'm watching over you. And it's always a pleasure to see your dazzling smile.
If I were a metamorph, I would groan by showing him the fangs. It would be useless, but it would relieve me.
– OK, OK, I'm giving up. As you can see, I'm fine. You can tell Peter.
– See you tomorrow Ash. Watch out.
I sigh in spite. I'm going to have to talk to the alpha again, but I doubt he will take my complaint into account and since I promised never to manipulate him or the members of the pack, I can not allay his fears.
I barely took a few steps in the hospital when I hear my name through the loudspeakers.
– Ashley Peterson is asked at the front desk. Ashley Peterson.
What happens again? Maybe Greg forgot to tell me something? I hasten to go to the reception, but don't see anyone I know. There are only two men in the hall, seeming to be waiting for someone. Looking at it, one of them seems familiar to me. I must have seen him before, but I can't remember where. The second clearly draws my attention. A tall, muscular blond. Exactly how I like them. Too bad he is a metamorph. I frequent them enough to know that you should never date them, unless you want to be heartbroken, at a minimum. First, because I have things to hide and it's complicated with a man who smells lies at a kilometer, and secondly, because many people wait for their soul mates to make a living and i prefer to avoid myself disillusionment. It’s the first time I’m sorry for the rule I’ve set myself. I would have liked to lick this golden skin by the sun. The two animorphs walk towards me with a determined step, interrupting my contemplation, and the blond speaks.
– Miss Peterson?
– Yes it's me. What can I do for you?
Where have I ever seen the comrade of this appetizing specimen? Maybe a reunion between packs? Weird. Generally, I don't show myself very much, too risky, although Peter chooses his allies carefully.
– Can we speak to you in private?
That's it, I remember him! The last time, he left Sevana's room with another, leaving me alone with this Connor and the other mountain of muscles. I turn to him suddenly, abandoning the beautiful golden eyes of the blond.
– You! What did you do with Sevana?
I raised my voice without even wanting to, drawing the attention of Alice, the receptionist, to our group.
– Is everything all right Ashley?
– Yes, it's ok Alice.
She continues to observe us with curiosity while picking up her phone. I hope she doesn't call security or I will never have answers to my questions . Now, I want to see Sevana again. The enticing animorph must also worry about the intervention of a third person, because he takes me by the arm manu militari and leads me aside without rushing me, but without leaving me the choice either.
– Could you turn the sound down, please? We’d like to discuss a delicate matter with you. No need to draw attention to us more than reason.