Wolf Like Me

Fatin POV (Age 12) 

The first time Leah got hurt was when Fatin was away from her. Rana had received a call during one of her daughter’s cello recitals.

“Fatin, we need to go now.” 

“But I’m due on the stage in like two minutes?” Fatin whined with a frown of confusion; her mother was normally pushing her to play not to stop. She had rehearsed for this for months now, spending all her free time with numb fingers as she worked tirelessly to get the piece perfect.

“I don’t want to worry you, she’s okay, but Leah got hit by a car earlier. It took her off her bike.” 

“What?” Fatin asked, eyes lighting up as her head whirled around, cello forgotten. 

“She’s awake, it was going slow and only clipped her, but she’s broken her arm and has some road rash and wounds. Leah will be fine but she could probably do with her mate right now at the hospital, okay?” 

“How long ago did she-” 

“Two hours. She’s had scans and they’re okay.” 

Fatin swallowed; mind numb the entire drive even as they pulled up at the hospital. The halls reeked of bleach, and her nose scrunched in fear. No hall looked different from the last, with white walls and floors, and lighting that felt far too bright against her eyes.

Rana paused outside Leah’s room, taking her daughter’s hands. “Now your instinct will tell you to get close to her and to hold her but she’s in a lot of pain right now. So, you need to fight that as much as possible for her. You can be near, and Leah may touch you, but don’t go in for a hug or hold her, okay?” 

“Okay,” Fatin whispered, eyes watering as she set her jaw.

She had never been told she couldn’t hold her mate. Even her teachers didn’t dare to separate them, it was an act that could emotionally harm soulmates.

Leah looked so small in the bed. Her arm was in a pale blue plaster that matched the colour of her eyes, her face gaunt as her brow creased in pain. Deep scarlet road rash covered what Fatin could see of her limbs, cheek, and hands, with one large gash stitched shut across her right brow. The sight weighed heavy like a stone plummeting into the depths of her stomach, making her inners twist and turn.

“Fatin, honey?” Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder, holding it tight as Fatin felt her heart crumbling. 

Swallowing she walked forward, taking a seat on the bed, careful not to move or touch her mate. The voice in her head screamed to reach out, to wrap her arms around her, and fighting it felt exhausting.

“Fatin.” Leah smiled, wincing when it hurt the cut on her brow. 

“You…” She swallowed again, throat dry with a burning need in her to hold her close. Fatin wished to pull Leah’s face to her neck and let her scent calm her. “Are you okay?” Her voice broke around the words, gritty with emotion she tried to keep from showing on her face.

“I’m fine.” 

“Do they know who hit you?” 

“No,” Leah said. “They drove off.” 

Anger seeped beneath her skin. Fatin eased her hand forward but stopped before she could grip Leah. Fighting her instinct with all the force she had as she simply rotated it, leaving her palm open and facing skyward for Leah to rest her own on should she wish. 

She did, though the touch was timid, and her mate winced as she moved.

“You can stop worrying,” Leah implored. “I’m okay, and I get two weeks off school.” 

“You like school.” 

“I like reading more and Mum said I can pick out three books.” Leah attempted to assure her with a slight smile. 

Fatin stared at the graze on her cheek, sighing in discomfort. “That’s good.” As much as she tried to keep it away the heaviness of her emotion plagued her voice and features. She was meant to be a stable protective force, yet here she was with eyes glazing over as Leah tried to comfort her.

“Fatin, Leah needs to see the doctor now, but we can come back in a bit.” 

Centring herself, Fatin managed to find the will to leave her mate: telling herself it would only be brief. Yet once she was out of the room her stomach lurched, eyes glowing. It felt odd like her body was being pulled two ways.

“Fatin-” 

“I can’t leave her.” 

Rana looked down, taking her hands once more. “You’re not, but Leah is going to be ill for a while. How about we go to the bookstore next to here and pick her out some things that will make her smile?” 

Yes, that she could do. That was helping her mate. Protecting her. 

It was far worse than when Leah had chicken pox. Her stomach felt like glass shards stabbing within her and her chest felt tight and heavy leaving her trying to catch her breath, even as she did something productive for her mate’s health such as picking out many a book. 

She filled a basket with everything she knew would help; sequels to series Leah had started, illustrated editions, books she had never heard of but had creatures or themes her mate liked. The basket got heavier the longer she spent there, chucking in a few cuddly toys and some sweets before Rana got to the till.

When they made it back to the room Fatin curled up by Leah’s feet with her own romance book, head resting on her shin as she read aloud to Leah.

Doctors sighed on their rounds, debating how best to go about separating the two for Leah’s bandage change. She still needed many of her wounds cleaned, but Fatin had snapped when they tried to move her. Then there was the issue that they couldn’t drug an alpha child like they did to settle adults.

It was eventually decided that they would get Fatin to feel like she was helping them with the process. They got her to scrub up and fitted her with a gown and small gloves, having her pass them fresh bandages while they went about cleaning the wounds.

Nurses watched on with a grin, one even crying at how sweet the two children were.

“Fatin, can you pass me the bandage in the yellow packet please?”

Fatin nodded, passing it across and braving the sight of them wiping Leah’s bloody arm. When her mate started crying, she began telling her random stories about things that occurred before she had met Leah. Hoping the distraction would take her mind off the pain as she handed over the next bandage.

They managed to get Leah’s dressings changed but ended up having to speak to their parents about the fact Fatin was displaying signs they needed to be wary of.

“I’ve spoken to Maryann and the doctors; we all think it would be best if you stay with them just for the next week whilst Leah heals. They have the guest room set up for you and I will be over when possible.” 

“I can stay?” 

“Fatin, we never expected you to be apart. You’re mates. It’s needed, it’s why you’re so uncomfortable right now. Believe me, your father went mad when I fell down the stairs when you were young. Took a month off work and we both know he stops for no one.” Rana smiled. 

“You’re okay with me staying there?” 

“Fine. But you listen to the Rilke’s rules. You’re in bed when they say and you’d better help with the washing up, alright?” 

“Yes.” 

“And your cello goes with you.” 

Fatin groaned. 

“You know Leah loves it when you play.” 

With a huff she relented. 

She spent the entire week doting on her mate much to Maryann and Kurt’s amusement. 

The first day Leah was tearful, crying especially when she had her bandages changed. Fatin scooped out a bowl of ice cream straight after, bringing it to Leah and feeding her it spoon by spoon when it hurt to lift her arms.

“You have chocolate on your lip,” Fatin laughed.

“Can you get it?”

Fatin swiped her thumb across her lip and chin, averting her eyes when she suddenly felt this need to kiss Leah’s cheek. That was a definite no. The idea made her splutter and blush as she buried the spoon into the ice cream again.

Each night she helped Leah get comfy and propped her up with pillows, often opting to sleep curled up on her mate’s feet so that she didn’t hurt her accidentally during the night.

Mornings Maryann would wake them with a laugh, looking at the alpha clinging onto Leah’s calves like a koala.

Fatin made her meals, often burning things because she couldn’t cook for shit. She tied up her hair and painted her mate’s nails. Spent hours on end each day simply turning the pages of Leah’s book for her as she read, a film on in the background that Fatin paid little attention to. 

Most of all she knew she never wanted to see Leah in this much pain again. 

Whilst her mate was sick, she became more vulnerable. Fatin felt her on edge disposition with a shudder in her back. 

Even after weeks of recovery; she feels off, timid, and small. Leah takes to hiding out much like she does with the school toilet, however now she finds more places that seem far more obscure.

There’s the forest in the park, the small space in Fatin’s huge closet under all her clothes, the space under a small desk in the art room, and the footwell in Fatin’s mum’s car to name but a few. 

It’s the week of her cast removal when she figures out why. 

The omega had an emotional week, one where she cried far more than usual. Her cast removal was scary, even Fatin winced as she watched on though the doctor assured them both that Leah would feel no pain.

When Fatin headed over after school, she couldn't find her until Maryann told her to check the shed. 

Sure enough, Leah was sitting there between a hoe and a broom behind two massive sacks of compost: eyes barely visible in the pitch black. 

“Leah?” 

“I’m fine.” 

“I can see that, but maybe we should watch some television instead of sitting out here? It’s cold.” 

“No. I’m happy here. It’s safe.” 

“A broom could decapitate you at any point,” Fatin noted. 

“Fatin, don’t. I’m happy here. Please go.” Leah’s eyes blazed gold, sending an unhappy Fatin back into the house. 

“She’s nesting,” Maryann stated, seeing Fatin’s worry. 

“What?” 

“Omegas nest. When they feel worried, when everything’s too much, or even later in life like when they’re carrying a pup. It’s natural for us to hide, to protect ourselves or our child.” 

“Why is she scared?” 

“The cast removal put her on edge then Kurt made a joke last night while we were watching a house renovation show that we should move. Even though he clarified after that we would never part the two of you, she seems to be set on not leaving the shed in hopes that if we do leave- we may forget her.” 

Fatin frowned. “You’re leaving?” 

“No. We would never part the two of you for anything. If we ever did move it would be to a bigger house in this town, likely closer to you because Leah does better when you’re near. She’s such an anxious omega, gets it from my side of the family. I nested often when I was pregnant with her.” 

“Will she come out?” 

“After a while, maybe go reassure her and bring her some cookies. She’ll listen to you more so than us.” 

With a sigh, Fatin trudged out there with an arm full of confectionary.

“I’m not moving,” Leah said.

“Not even for a cookie?” Fatin dangled one in front of her face.

“I’m not in the mood.”

“Can we just go inside? Your mum said she would never part us.”

“I’m not taking the risk.”

“What if I play for you?”

“Play what?”

“Whatever you want, I will try and learn it.”

“The music from Zelda?”

“If there’s sheet music, I can learn it.”

Leah paused, debating whether or not moving out from her nest was worth the risk. “What flavour are the cookies?”

“Vanilla with white choc chips.”

“And you promise to play for me?”

“For as long as you want.”

“Okay,” Leah relented with a sigh. She wrapped her arms around Fatin, then nuzzled her nose against her neck.

“Are we going to move?”

“I just want to hug you for a bit.”