Notice Me (26 page)

Lise's
POV
Jolting up to a sitting position on my bed, I gasped for air as my
hand shot up to my rapidly beating heart. It felt as though the
damn thing was about ready to leap right out of my body. There was
a sharp piercing feeling deep within my chest as I gulped down
mouthfuls of oxygen. My entire body was drenched in a cold sweat,
what the hell was that? I felt as though something was wrong...very
very wrong and that what I just experienced was way more then just
a simple nightmare.
There was a niggling feeling kept torturing my brain. It's been
hours since I last heard from him and I didn't take that to be a
good sign at all. He would've called me by now wouldn't he?
Tristan's not the type of guy to want me to die at an early age of
a panic attack over his well being, is he? I just managed to doze
off at three in the morning having spent the entire day with Max
and Sam. They kept us entertained by taking us to the movies to see
The Avengers, Snow White and the Huntsman, and Prometheus.
I get the fact that they were trying to keep Anya and I occupied
and truly appreciate their efforts, but it was simply a waste of
time and money. Not being able to focus on the plot of the movies,
I completely sat there the entire time in a zombie like state. The
only thing on my mind was Tristan and all the guys of course. I
wondered if they got to Mia? Concern filled my body the entire
night as I flipped around restlessly in my bed.
Getting pissed off with my excessive amount of moving, Anya got up
and went to sleep in the guest bedroom. How could she sleep so well
at a time like this?? Was she not worried sick about Luke or did
she just have so much faith in him to come back safely? Running my
hands through my damp hair, I stood up from my bed to go get a
drink of water. I was almost halfway down the steps when I felt an
excruciating pain deep within my stomach.
It felt almost as though I'd been shot or stabbed right in the
stomach. Not that I've ever experienced either one of those things,
but I could just imagine what it'd feel like! Tears instantly
filled my eyes and I began wheezing, desperately trying to take
deep breaths to calm myself down, but nothing seemed to work.
Almost immediately following the first bout was another wave of
unbearable tormenting pain this time right in the middle of my
chest. Losing my grip on the handle of the steps, I hunched over in
pain losing my balance as everything began to grow dark, blacking
out as I tumbled down the length of the staircase.

Chapter 38: Awake

My entire body felt extremely stiff and my joints ached like
nobody's business as I tried to stretch my arms above my head. Did
I sleep in an awkward position last night? There was something
heavy weighing down on both of my arms restricting me from lifting
it up. Cracking my eyes open slightly, I was greeted by the
brightness of lights that were on right above my head. Looking out
the white blinds I was faced with the complete darkness of
nighttime.
Where the hell am I? Oh god, have I been kidnapped? I began
panicking realizing I didn't have white blinds in my room. Trying
to raise myself up from the bed to get a better look around, I felt
movement more like a shuffling and a slight tickling sensation on
my right arm. Casting my eyes downwards I finally noticed the top
of a guy's head resting on the side of my bed. He was slumped over
facing forward in one of those hard plastic chairs. The top of his
hair was tickling my arm.
My breath caught in my throat as I let out an audible gasp. Sitting
up quickly I tried to scoot further up the bed away from whoever
this was. I managed to move all the way to the top of the bed,
pulling my knees up against my chest. I was feeling completely
vulnerable at the Moment.
Why in the hell do I have a cast on my left arm? The back of my
head began pounding painfully with a vengeance. Upon rubbing it my
hand ran itself over an orange sized lump on the upper back part of
my noggin’. Holy crap! What the hell happened to me? Where was I? I
thought shutting my eyes tightly trying to remember what happened
last.
For the life of me I was drawing a complete blank. Last thing I
remembered was worrying over Tristan and the guys. The guy laying
face down sleeping must have sensed my movements, because he sat
straight up in the chair. I was greeted by mesmerizing smoky gray
eyes that seemed to pierce right through me. Tristan stood up on
his feet, quickly making his way over to the side of the bed I was
closest to. I blinked rapidly not believing my eyes. I had to be
dreaming this couldn't be real. What's he doing here and where in
the heck am I?
"Lise." Tristan breathed in relief as a heart breaking smile broke
the serious look on his face. "Thank god you're awake." A puzzled
expression caused me to stare at Tristan with narrowed confused
eyes. When was I asleep and for how long?
"Am I dreaming?" I questioned baffled as Tristan sat in front of me
wrapping his arms around me. "Where am I and how are you here?"
Looking around at our surroundings and down at the horrid blue and
white gown I was sporting. The wheels in my brain finally began
turning. I'm in a hospital, but how did this happen and when?
Almost like he could once again read my mind Tristan began
talking.
"You fell down the steps and broke your arm sweetheart." Tristan
informed me with sad eyes. "Hit your head pretty hard too."
Tristan's hand found it's way to my cheek. He cupped my face and
began caressing it with the inside of his thumb. Those same
familiar tingles, I've grown to love and looked forward to caused
my entire body to heat up. "You've been in a coma for a week." He
disclosed staring at me like I suffered from amnesia. This caused
me to inhale a deep breath of disbelief.
A coma; for an entire week? How is this even possible? All of a
sudden everything rushed back to me attacking me all at once. I
recalled the heart stopping nightmare, getting up to get something
to drink, and then the terrible pain that shot throughout my body
incapacitating me. Then I remembered the fall down the steps.
"Did you guys get Mia? What happened with Mia? Is everyone ok? Is
anyone hurt?" I babbled on and on before Tristan interrupted me
with a sad smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Calm down baby, everyone's ok." Tristan reassured me taking my
hand into his own. I knew he was lying though. He always tends to
look away and avoid eye contact when he doesn't want to tell me the
truth.
"You're lying." I breathed out using my good hand to turn his face
back towards mine. "Tell me what happened."
Meeting my gaze, Tristan took a deep breath. Like reliving the
memory was too painful for him. "The rogue leader was threatening
to shoot Mia." The expression on Tristan's face turned from that of
anger to one of pain as he continued. "Seeing Mia's face reminded
me so much of you. She was all bruised and battered looking, I lost
it thinking what if someone tried to do that to you?"

The look in Tristan's eyes became glossy as he
stared off into the distance. "So I charged at the rogue leader
along with Axel, Jett, and Marco. Marco reached him first tearing
into him, but the bastard was strong. We figured out he had Alpha
blood running through him." Tristan's voice didn't sound like his
own. It was lower, deeper in a way.
"Who got hurt Tristan?" I asked pleading for him to tell me.
Someone had to have gotten hurt. I don't know what the pain I felt
was, but I knew it was something serious. "I...I felt it...the pain
right here and here." I said, barely above a whisper as I took my
right hand and placed it over my stomach then moved it up to my
chest above my heart.
Tristan's eyes widened in surprise. "Is that what caused you to
fall down the steps?" He questioned with a look of understanding in
his eyes.
Nodding my head, but stopping quickly because it hurt too damn
much. I answered Tristan, "Yea, I thought it was just a nightmare
at first, but then the pain became unbearable. I was going to get
some water and blacked out."
"Mm." Tristan mumbled as he took my face into both of his hands. It
was then I noticed his midsection was a bit puffier under his
singlet, then it should of been. Reaching forward, I yanked his
singlet up to get a better look. Tristan's torso area was wrapped
up in bandages and gauze.
My eyes shot open the widest they possibly could as I ran my
fingertip over the covered wound. "You were shot." It was more of a
statement then a question.
"Yea." Tristan murmured taking my hand interlocking our fingers
together. "When Marco got a hold him, that bastard just let off two
shots. One of the shots hit me in the stomach."
My eyes welled up with tears. "You could've died!" I shouted
angrily pulling my hand away from his grip. If he died where would
that leave me? Alone! He didn't have to volunteer to go on that
mission, he could've very well stayed here with me! Am I sounding
like a selfish spoiled brat right now?
"But I didn’t baby. I'm here. I've been here every day since we
killed the rogues. I haven't left your side and I don't plan on
leaving you ever again." Tristan promised. Staring at me with a
hurt expression, most likely from me trying to create space between
us he seemed to brush it off and continued talking. "Once I shift
I'll be fine I promise. The bullet was a through and through, it
didn't hit any vital organs." He said leaning over to brush his
lips against mine briefly. "Wolves are able to heal quickly."
Great, so he hasn't healed because he refused to leave my side so
that he could shift. Instead he preferred to suffer in pain and
heal the old fashioned human way. Don't I feel like the world's
greatest girlfriend right now? Wait a second, he said the leader
let off two shots...who the hell else was hit?

"You...you said he let off two shots." My voice
quivered, unsure if I truly wanted to hear the rest of the news.
"Who else did he shoot?" My throat felt dry and it became extremely
difficult for me to swallow. There was an empty feeling within me
and I can't even begin to explain what it meant, because I have no
clue. "Tristan, who else was shot?" I pressed urgently wanting to
know. I desperately needed to know if it was one of the other
guys.

Why did I feel it in my chest, like I was the
one who'd been shot? Tristan sat there in a daze, his slate eyes
unblinking. There's no doubt that those eyes witnessed a hideous
crime to one of his own.
"Tristan?" I asked once more, this time putting my small hand back
over the top of his large one. The tiny gesture caused him to blink
and come back to the present.
His Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed a ragged
breath. "There was so much blood Lise, I've never seen that much
blood from someone so little." Tristan sounded utterly traumatized.
"We tried so hard, so hard." His voice broke in disappointment as
he pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled. He was blaming
himself for what happened, I could just see it in his eyes. "But
the blood kept gushing out. The bullet pierced through the chest
and right into the heart. There was nothing we could do..." His
voice drifted off towards the end. He was talking in past tense
which means that whoever got shot, is no longer with us. I didn't
even realize I was crying until Tristan wrapped his arms around me
pulling me into his lap.
"Who was it?" I cried not being able to stand the suspense any
longer. Tristan's demeanor let me know he was pondering whether to
tell me or not. If I wasn't wearing this wretched gown, I'd get up
and try to leave here to find out the truth, but I'm sure no one
wants to see my bare behind running down the halls as my hospital
gown flapped open from the back.
"Mia." Tristan breathed the three letter name causing me to
instantly hunch over in pain, my heart hurt, if that even makes any
sense. It felt like a piece of me was now missing. Why? What was
supposed to be a rescue mission turned sourly into a recovery
mission. Instead of celebrating her homecoming, they had to help
bring a body home and help Alpha Perez plan his only daughter's
funeral.

Chapter 39: Spain
I was discharged from the hospital the day after I woke up
following a series of scans that were ran on my head. Guess the
doctors wanted to check for brain damage. I ended up tumbling all
the way down the steps, hitting the back of my head on the bottom
of our metal banister, hence the lump.
After receiving a clean bill of health, the hospital discharged me
and I was free to go home. My parents fussed excessively over me.
Dad insisted I be more careful next time and turn on the light when
walking down the steps in the middle of the night. Mom took off
from work for the next four days babying me not allowing me to go
to school until the lump decreased in size.
No, I didn't tell them about the real reason I fell down the steps,
the pain or the nightmare. I just didn't feel like they'd
understand. Instead, they'd probably think I'm nuts and end up
committing me to the psyche ward. Sitting at my desk, I was busy
catching up on all the schoolwork I missed these past two weeks.
Tristan's next door talking to his Dad. It was a real pain in the
ass, having to do so much at once. It's a good thing I'm not your
average student, so I was able to keep up with the work.
I demanded Tristan shifted to heal once we left the hospital. Being
a stubborn mule, he declined. I showed him who's boss though. I
told him if he didn't shift then he could forget about sneaking
into my room at night, that I'd lock my window and not to bother
coming over. Of course I didn't mean any of that since I can't
sleep without him anymore, but, he doesn't need to know that.
Needless to say he shifted that very night, completely healing
within a few hours time.
Staying true to his word, Tristan hasn't left my side for more than
a few hours at a time since we left the hospital. The only time he
spent away was when he needed to run patrols. It's been two full
weeks since Mia died. The empty feeling inside of me seemed to have
dulled a bit, but not by much. No one could really explain what
this feeling was, not even Mr. or Mrs. Evans.
"Hey, I came over straight after school to see if you needed help
packing." Anya's voice drifted from the hallway as she made her way
into my room. Looking up from my worksheet, I gave her a happy
grin. Have I ever told you guys just how much I love my best
friend?
"I knew there's a reason why I keep you around!" I joked playfully
while continuing on with answering the questions on the paper. A
pair of socks hit me in the back right between my shoulder blades.
"Hey!" I cried in mock outrage. "Easy on the cripple here!" I
shouted trying to raise my broken cast arm for show.
"You're lucky I have bad aim, I was trying to pelt at that growth
on the back of your head!" She shouted with an evil laugh. "Damn
that thing's ugly." Never mind what I just said about loving my
best friend, I take it back, I take it all back! Laughter filled
the room as I burst into a fit of giggles with her.
I haven't felt happy like this in what feels like forever. The
mood's been so morbid and depressing around here, with good reason
though. What are we packing for, you ask? We've been invited to
attend a memorial service Alpha Perez and his wife are having in
honor of Mia. Yes my friends, we're flying to Spain for the
weekend. Leaving tonight and returning on Sunday. Bet you're all
wondering how I got my parents to agree to me spending the weekend
away?
Well, Mr. and Mrs. Evans finagled my parents into believing they
were taking us kids away for the weekend to their cabin in the
woods. My parents wouldn't let me go if they knew I was flying
halfway around the world. Attending the memorial would be Mr. and
Mrs. Evans, Tristan, myself, Luke, Anya, Troy, Andre, Axel, and
Jett. Mr. Evans was leaving Jewel's Dad temporarily in charge of
the pack for the weekend.
Shoving the last of my things into my roll away luggage, I zippered
it up with my good hand and grabbed the handle to stand it up. Anya
the dear that she is, helped me pack before heading over to Luke's
place. She's gotten so close with Luke's little sister five year
old sister Leia, so she went over to spend some time with her
before we leave. Can you tell Luke's parents have a scary obsession
with the movie Star Wars? I'm sure that if they had a third child
it would be named Chewbacca!
As I struggled with one arm to carefully try and roll my suitcase
down the steps, my savior came to the rescue. Dashing up the steps
two at a time Tristan gave me a warning glare, "I told you I'd be
right back and not to attempt this!" He lectured grabbing the
suitcase from my hands.
I grinned at him cheesily knowing he wasn't really angry at me,
just at the fact of me pulling the heavy suitcase down step by
step, hehe. "I had it." I retorted jokingly, knowing darn well that
I didn't. I was only on the fourth step from the top of the
staircase!
Tristan turned around and gave me a look, the one of question with
a raised eyebrow as if saying 'Did you really?' I could only laugh
in response. Seems like once I got in a good mood and the first fit
of giggles hit, it was hard for me to stop my playfulness.
"Hey there Lisey-piecey, glad to see you're up and about." Troy
said walking over to grab me into a bear hug. "Gave us quite a
scare there."
"Yea, sorry." I answered hugging him tightly in return. I was glad
to see that he was back in one piece and that none of the guys got
hurt. I even went as far as giving Andre a hug.
Walking up to Axel and Jett, I leaned over and gave them a one arm
hug also, "Hey guys, I'm happy that you're all ok."
They both gave me a smile, Axel practically picked me up off the
ground with his embrace. "Thank goodness you're ok." He breathed
out with relief.
After all the formalities we got into two separate cars. Axel and
Jett rode in Troy's car with him and Andre while Tristan drove Mr.
and Mrs. Evans, myself, Luke and Anya. It was Saturday morning when
we landed in Spain. Jetlag is going to be a total bitch! The
memorial is going to be held this afternoon, luckily we all slept
on the plane.
I'll never be able to fly coach again after being spoiled with the
wonderful amenities of being in first class. It was positively
great. Arriving at what I can only described as an over the top
mansion deep within the woods, we were greeted by Alpha Perez and
Rico. I couldn't help but wonder where his Luna, Mia's Mom is?
Shouldn't a Luna be at her Alpha's side in a situation like
this?
Both stood out front with grief stricken eyes. It was obvious by
the dark purplish color bags that plagued their skin that neither
of them has gotten any rest these past two weeks. Mia was buried a
week after they returned from the mission. Just their pack members
were permitted to attend the funeral to mourn the loss of their
Alpha's only daughter.
Getting out of the SUV, my eyes were immediately drawn to an area
where three black marble tombstones were mounted from the ground.
Two were the same size while one was noticeably smaller. The area
was surrounded by a beautiful garden of purple orchids and a bunch
of white fold out chairs sat off to the side.
I froze in the spot where I stood, this is probably where the
memorial will take place I thought to myself as Tristan entwined
our fingers together. He stopped right next to me, looking over to
see what caught my attention. Gasping at the beauty, but sadness of
it all my eyes roamed down to the names scripted on the side by
side headstones.
The first one read In loving memory of Mariah Rosalyn Perez, the
second one read In a far better place Nina Mariah Perez, and the
smallest one read Heaven's Angel, taken too soon Analia Nina Perez.
Anybody else find it strange, my name's Annalise and that tombstone
says Analia? Maybe I'm just being extremely paranoid. I
automatically assumed Mia was short for Mariah, but who were Nina
and Analia? Why was Mia and this Analia named after her and what
did she pass away from?
My heart felt as though it had a slight contraction with the way it
squeezed in my chest causing me to inhale deeply. What the heck is
going on with these strange feelings I’m having? Did I develop some
sort of heart condition recently? A possible heart murmur? Leading
us inside, Alpha Perez had Rico give us a grand tour of the entire
house. He introduced us to everyone we ran into and then showed us
up to our guest rooms to unpack and rest for a bit before the
memorial.
After changing out of our outfits into something more appropriate
for the memorial, Anya and I made our way into Tristan and Luke's
room. The four of us made our way downstairs and outside to the
memorial site where we witnessed one of the most heartbreaking
things I've ever seen in my entire life. I could instantly tell who
it was from the back. He was wearing a black t-shirt and a pair of
dark jeans hunched over in front of Mia's grave sobbing
uncontrollably.
Just hearing his gasps for air as he wailed endlessly caused the
tears to automatically fill my eyes. My heart went out to him for
the loss of his one true love. Marco was on one knee crouched down
holding a bouquet of tiger lilies in his right hand as he held onto
the top of Mia's tombstone with his left one for support.
Not being able to hold the tears back any longer, I allowed them to
spill out of my eyes and down my cheeks. There are no words of
sympathy one can possibly say to make things better, none at
all.
Giving Tristan's hand a small tug I looked up into his eyes
basically asking for permission for what I was about to do. He
looked down at me with understanding as I leaned up and whispered
in his ear. "Can I go give him a hug and my condolences?"
Nodding his head and giving me a slight proud smile, Tristan leaned
down and pecked my lips softly. "I think that would be a very nice
thing for you to do."
Stepping away from the group, I made my way over to Marco and
hesitated a bit when I came to a stop directly behind him. My hand
reached out slowly to grab a hold of his shoulder, mid way there it
froze. I was trying to think of what I could possibly say.
Before I could even open my mouth, Marco's head spun around and his
bloodshot chocolatey eyes bore into my own. Throwing down the
flowers, he stood up quickly and swooping me into a tight hug
murmuring, "Mia, mi amor regrisaste por mi."
Oh no, I thought as he sobbed into my hair. I took Spanish for four
years, this is not good, not good at all. Direct translation of
what Marco said to me was
, 'Mia, my love
you came back for me.'
What the hell am I supposed to
say to that?