The Choice (The Choice Series Book 1) Read online

  The next thing I knew I’m awakened by sounds of teeth snapping, growls and bodies slamming up against another. I tried to take a breath but a sharp pain on my right side makes me gasp. I looked down to assess my throbbing left leg and when I do blood starts trickling down the side of my face. I reached up to feel where it was coming from. I touched a swollen gash on my forehead. It makes me dizzy. I focused on taking shorter breaths but I can taste iron in my mouth. I can also smell cloves again. I shifted looking around for Jeremy, as another sharp pain makes me nauseous. I leaned as far as I could away from myself and vomited.

  I know Jeremy is near, I could still smell him. My eyes shoot open completely. I looked around for him but I couldn’t believe what I saw. The gray wolf is facing me his right shoulder was crimson. He snarled at me showing me his sharp teeth! The beady gray eyes from the gray wolf are disturbing. Where have I seen them before? The clover smell is back and stronger. It seems to be coming from the wolf. No way! That’s impossible.

  When I looked again it comes back to me. The eyes of the wolf are the same beady gray eyes as Jeremy’s I shook my head no, which caused more pain. In front of me is the same large black wolf I saw at the top of the incline. He is facing off with the gray wolf. His black coat is shiny. The muscles flexed as his fur rippled when he moved back and forth. His paws were huge and his legs were strong. I could see the tension in his shoulders as he was assessing the grey wolf. The grey wolf moved back and forth quickly, taunting. Almost as if playing a cat and mouse game. I could tell he was looking for a way around the black wolf. The grey wolf moved but then at the last moment changed direction and charged at me. The black wolf easily intercepted him biting down hard on his flank. The grey wolf cried out in pain as the black wolf tossed him back in the direction he had charged. The Black wolf gives a deep rumble and growl from his chest in warning. The grey wolf took one more look at me and growled before he hurried off deeper into the forest. The last thing I noticed before I pass out was the intense stare of the black wolf; his intense blue eyes with flecks of gold pierced my bright green ones. He smelled like rain after a storm, fresh and pure. I smiled and then the darkness consumed me.

  CHAPTER 2

  I stood barefoot in a meadow of flowers. I could feel the plush green grass tickle my toes. I felt the last drops of sun on my face as it started to descend into the horizon. The heavens were bursting with shades of reds, purples and oranges. The last few clouds in the sky were dancing in the wind. I looked around this paradise and was in awe at its picturesque feel. Standing in a simple white dress the wind blew the fabric around my knees. The dress swooped low in the back and I could feel my hair dance in the cool summer breeze. I felt at peace here. I closed my eyes and took a moment just to let the comfort of this place seep into my soul.

  When I opened my eyes I saw my mother standing only a few feet away. At first I thought it was my imagination conjuring her up. Until I saw her bright green eyes that stared back at me. The depth in her eyes telling me what I hoped was true. Is she really here standing in front of me? I took off towards her begging my feet to move faster. I threw my lean arms around her and buried my face into the curve of her neck. I breathed in deep, taking in the comforting smell of lavender. I have prayed so many times for the chance to see her again. As she wrapped her arms around me and squeezed my eyes filled with tears. My throat got tight and my heart whispered to never let go. Oh how I’ve missed her.

  Pulling me back away from her warmth she looked me in the eyes and said, “I love you, and I’ve missed you so much.”

  “I love you too.” I replied.

  Overcome with emotions like a cloud holding too much rain, I started to cry unable to stop them as they ran down my pink cheeks. She pulled me back into her loving embrace and gently rubbed my back. Telling me through whispers that she knew how I felt and that everything would be okay.

  I pulled away from her desperation lacing my words, “Don’t you get it mom it is not okay! You aren’t here with me and I am all alone now!”

  She looked at me with compassion in her eyes and said, “That isn’t true. I have always been here…”

  I put my hand on my hip, “You aren’t here now!”

  I saw sadness in her eyes, “Just because you can’t see me doesn’t mean I am not watching over you. You are strong and beaut-”

  I held my hand up for her to stop talking. “Mom, I am not strong, I need you!” I yelled at her.

  She reached out for me pulling me closer to her body and whispered, “You are strong.” We held each other neither of us moved or spoke. It wasn’t long before I heard her breath on my ear as she gently spoke, “I have to go now but I want you to remember something.”

  I nodded giving her the go ahead. Knowing that nothing I said could make her stay. With our hands clasped together in front of our bodies she looked at me and said, “Remember that life is a choice. Peace can heal all wounds and you will forever be loved.”

  I embraced her one more time as she kissed me softly on the cheek and whispered in my ear, “I love you my little dove. Now wake up!”

  When I awoke tears were still streaming down my face. My eyes fluttered open but gravity tried to pull them back under. Once my eyes opened the intensity of the light in the room overwhelmed them. I kept blinking trying to give my eyes time to adjust to the brightness. After my eyes modified to the light and the discomfort ceased, I looked around the room to take in my surroundings.

  A purple quilt laid on top of my body was heavy and the sheets felt stiff against my legs. I rested my head on the soft pillow and laid on the plush bed that smelled lilacs. I took a moment and rubbed my thumb over the dove on my necklace. It gave me peace and like my mother said I didn’t feel alone. I could tell I was in a small cabin. I knew this due to the carved out wood framing the body of the room. A mahogany chest of drawers was located at the base of the window across the room. A cream vase filled with white roses and lilacs sat in the center of the dresser. I noticed a few pictures decorated the surface of the polished wood. One picture was of a couple surrounded by three children, two boys and one girl. They were sitting on a dock out by the lake, their feet resting in the water. The other framed picture was of a woman with a quilt wrapped around her shoulders, smiling at the camera as the man next to her looked down upon her with complete adoration. It made me smile to see them so completely happy. There was also a solid wood chair sitting next to the dresser. On the other side of the wall sat a nice leather sofa. Hanging over the arm of the brown sofa was a beautiful old wedding quilt. The stand next to the bed had a small delicate lamp with a few worn books sitting on top.

  All of a sudden I heard two women’s voices coming from outside the front door. I strained to listen. I raised my hand to my ear and cupped it trying to amplify the sound. It seemed to work. I heard one of the ladies ask, “Has there been any change yet? Has she woken up at all?”

  The other woman replied, “No she is still sleeping.”

  “When do you think she’ll wake up?” The younger of the two asked.

  “I don’t know it has already been a day. I am not sure. I guess when her mind and body have had time to rest. I’ve used all the herbs and medicines I have to help her body heal more quickly. I know she will be sore for a while; it was quite a fall she took.”

  I heard their feet shuffle near the door and then the younger voice spoke again, “I can’t believe Jeremy was chasing her through the forest. I wonder how he found Olivia. It was a good thing I called Enoc to let him know where she was.”

  “Well Enoc did promise James that he would protect her and keep her safe. How sadly ironic that he is a part of the reason she is lying in that bed. If he hadn’t scared her she wouldn’t have fallen down the hill.” The older woman remarked.

  My hand covered my mouth so I wouldn’t blurt the words out loud as I said the words through my fingers. What are they talking about, some guy name Enoc scaring me? A big black wolf scared me because I was too busy running from Jerem
y and that gray wolf.

  My thoughts returned to Jeremy and the intense fight of the black and gray wolf. My heart rate increased and adrenaline started pumping through my body. I remembered the last look the gray wolf gave me it was the same look Jeremy gave me at the spring. The same smell of cloves and those same beady eyes. Could it be possible?

  I cupped my ear again trying to hear more of what they’re saying when I heard the younger woman say, “I don’t know what she’s going to do when she sees James. I know he said that he would explain it to her but that’s a lot to take in so quickly don’t you think?”

  Her voice sounds familiar to me. I didn’t hear a response but I could imagine her nodding her head in agreement. I was completely confused, what is going on? I felt like my head was spinning. Who is James and why does he think he has to explain anything to me? Out of habit my hand reached up to my collarbone to touch the curve of the olive branch resting there. I instantly felt my body calm down but my mind wouldn’t stop asking questions. Who are these people? Who is Jeremy and why did he want me? Where am I and why am I not in a hospital?

  Moving slowly I struggled to lift the heavy down purple quilt away from my body. Purple and yellow bruises decorate my arms and legs with a few scratches that had already started to scab over. My left leg was wrapped up from the ankle to knee. The bandage was tight and my leg was stiff. I could feel the pulse through the white bandage. I thought back to when I got the gash in my leg. An involuntary shiver ran through my body. It was then I noticed I was wearing nothing but my black underwear. My chest and ribs were tightly wrapped. I reached up and wiped my hair back from my eyes and accidently touched a very tender spot and winced. I noticed a glass of water on the nightstand next to the bed and suddenly my throat was parched. When I tried to sit up and reach for the glass my head suddenly swam. I got nauseous and started to dry heave. I cried out in pain. The door to the cabin flew open and two women came running in. I assumed they were the two who were standing outside the door talking. With a stunned expression I recognized the first woman right away. I only recognized the older woman from the pictures on the dresser. How is that possible?

  “Amber…” I whispered.

  I tried to say more but all that came out were dry incoherent words. I wanted to ask her so many questions but my throat was dry and I needed the water. I pointed to the water on the nightstand. The older woman was closer and she reached out grabbing the water. She picked it up and carefully helped me take a drink. It was rough like cotton and I started to cough. After I was done coughing and the pain in my side has eased I drank the rest. The cold water hit my hollow stomach.

  The older lady excused herself, “I am going to get some more water. My name is Ruth, it is such a pleasure to meet you Olivia.”

  Her shiny gray hair framed her petite face. She had stunning hazel eyes. They were filled with knowledge and kindness. She smelled like lilacs. She must be letting me stay in her room. You know how you meet some people and you just know you’re going to be great friends. That’s how I felt about Ruth.

  As she walked away I looked over at Amber and with a raspy voice asked, “What are you doing here? What am I doing here? Shouldn’t I be in a hospital?”

  She looked at me, “I received a call saying that you were hurt and that I needed to come.”

  Yeah, I think to myself but, “Who called you?”

  “I can’t tell you.” She stuttered, “But you’ll know soon enough I promise.”

  I wanted to make her tell me but I could see anxiety reflecting in her tense body. After all she was looking everywhere but at me. I decided to let it go… for now.

  “I need you to tell me soon. It isn’t like you to keep secrets from me.”

  She nodded and I smiled trying to ease the awkwardness that was written plainly across her face. Her long brown hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun. Amber had always been beautiful. I smile recognizing her blue cookie monster t-shirt and blue jeans she had on. Amber had always been a t-shirt girl. Her big brown doe like eyes stared at me like I might disappear. I reached out to her and she reached back. As soon as we touched her wall collapsed and mine crumbled. Amber wrapped her ivory arms around my neck and we held each other. I was so happy to see her here and her familiar smell of cotton candy.

  She leaned back wrinkling her nose and said, “No offense but you stink, you need a bath.”

  “Ha! I know I’ve been busy can’t you tell?” She laughed and I made small hiccupping sounds.

  “Hey could you help me to the bathroom I need to pee.”

  She laughed and said, “I’ll help you to the bathroom, just wait until Ruth gets back. She wanted to check your bandages.” I nodded even though I thought I’d burst.

  Amber ran into the bathroom and turned on the water. She ran her fingers under the faucet as water poured over them and into the claw tub. “Hey Amber could you make it a little hot?” I shouted.

  “Uh, no I was going to make it cold.” She giggled while sarcasm dripped from her voice.

  Ruth got back setting a glass of ice cold water in my hands. I drank it all enjoying the way it coated my throat and made my tongue tingle. Ruth took the empty glass from my hands and set it on the night stand next to the bed. I looked over to see Amber add a few salts to the tub.

  Ruth interrupted my thoughts and asked me, “Is it okay if I look at your bandages?”

  I watched her move to the side of my leg.

  “Yes. Have you been taking care of me?”

  She nodded her head up and down, “Yes I have.”

  I looked up at her, “Thank you Ruth for doing that for me.”

  I could tell she was pleased by my compliment, “It was no problem, I am glad I could help. I am going to start with your leg first, okay?”

  I just nod as she carefully unwinds the white bandage from my leg. Pieces of herbs rested on my leg underneath the bandages. “Ruth what kinds of herbs are those?”

  She pointed to each individual herb, “That one is orangeroot it will help fight off infection. That is alovera to help with the pain; it will also help your leg heal faster.”

  “What about that smell?”

  “Oh, I used some onion to wipe the wound down because it helps with swelling but most of that smell is you my dear.” She chuckled to herself while I laughed not pegging her for the bold type.

  “How did you learn how to do all this?”

  I watched her as she pulled the bandages all the way off and took the herbs off one by one then dropped the dirty rags and used plants in the trash. Then she answered, “I learned from my mother who learned from hers. I guess you could say it’s a gift that runs in the family.”

  Ruth finished with the rest of the herbs and I thanked her again. Amber finally came back in the room and grabbed the chair from next to the dresser and set it by the bed. Ruth finished and started touching around my swollen leg. Amber also quietly inspected my injuries. Once the herbs were all removed I noticed stitches in my leg. It actually looked really good, I thought, considering it had only been a day since I had fallen down the hill.

  “Did you sew me up Ruth?” I ran my fingers along the stitches counting from one to eight.

  She nodded, “Yes you needed eight stitches.”

  Ruth asked Amber, “Can you help me unwind the bandages from around her chest and ribs.”

  Amber stood and said, “No problem.”

  They slowly started to unwind the wrap. They got my ribs unwrapped first and started working on removing the bandages around my chest. With only a few more strips to go, the front door burst open and some man I didn’t know came walking in.

  Just as he started to say “Ru-,” he stopped.

  His bright blue eyes with flecks of gold met mine and I couldn’t breathe. His eyes seemed familiar to me but I couldn’t remember why. It was as if the room just filled with an electric current and the hair on my arms stood at attention. He was the most striking man I had ever seen. His hair was as black as midnight. I
wanted to reach out and grab one of his curls and twirl it around my finger, just to see if it looked as soft as I thought. I started to raise my hand towards him. I stopped when he raised one eyebrow as if asking a question. I made myself drop it to my side

  I heard Amber quietly whisper, “Olivia, breathe.”

  I involuntarily took a breath. I knew I was staring but I couldn’t seem to look away. He seemed to realize the effect he was having on me. He gave me a half a smile enhancing his two dimples.

  “Yummy.” I said. Then I thought crap did I say that out loud?

  I turned my head to look at Amber my eyes wide. Asking a question without words, oh gosh did I just say that out loud? I saw her mouth turn up and she smiled at me nodding her head yes. I then raised my eyebrow at her mouthing the words, “He is so freaking hot!”

  I then remembered that I was practically bare, I glanced at him as I quickly pulled the sheets up to my chin. I turned my head away before it turned a bright shade of red. The pressure on my side increased and I give out a small cry. He took a step towards me and reached out as if to help but then quickly dropped his hand back down to his side. He seemed to be struggling with what he should do.

  He was still staring when Ruth finally coughed and suggested, “Enoc could you come back in a bit, when we’re done with Olivia?”

  He nodded and then stepped through the door closing it quickly behind him. I could still see the light blue t-shirt clinging around his broad shoulders and chest. I thought to myself so that’s Enoc my protector. Heck he can protect me anytime. I’ve never had anything like that ever happen to me before. It was as if some invincible electric current was pulling us together.