Six

It might have been a bit too overwhelming for Whisper's taste, but the food was one hundred times better than the food at the hospital. She had what was called Alfredo with garlic bread and a Caesar salad. Zane had the same pasta but some kind of other salad with a weird tasting dressing. Afterwards, they shared a piece of chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. By the time both cleared all the plates, Whisper had the fullest stomach in all her life.

The girl knew Zane watched her throughout the entire meal, but couldn't help the enthusiasm and hurried movements. His blue eyes were constantly on the dark haired girl, watching her reactions to every bite she took. His mouth was always curved upwards in a slight smile while he ate his own food. Whisper found she liked his smile and didn't want it to go away ever again.

Zane paid for the food then turned to Whisper. "Would you like to go on a walk?"

"Where?"

He shrugged. "Just for fun?"

Whisper hesitated because she had never walked around for "fun" nor had ever thought walking could be fun. "How do you walk for fun?"

Zane laughed and stood up, coming around the table to grab her hand. "Let me have the pleasure of showing you, Whisper." Those blue eyes glinted playfully and she couldn't help but let him lead her out of the restaurant and onto the sidewalk. Again, Whisper couldn't believe how much the world had changed since she last saw it all.

"Zane?" He looked down at her and raised his brows. "Where are we?"

"I would say in a city but I'm guessing you want specifics?"

"I'm asking, how far are we the forest?"

Zane thought for a moment, and Whisper thought he looked somewhat confused. "Not far. Your hospital is only a couple blocks." He waited a moment then added, "The only pack in that forest is mine. I own the whole forest."

Her eyes widened and she stopped in her tracks. "Pack?" He nodded, watching her carefully. Whisper's heart pounded in her chest. "So, you're right," she murmured, speaking to her wolf, not the male beside her.

'I told you, he has a wolf. He can protect you, get you out of that place.'

"Whisper?" he whispered, concerned for her in that her eyes had glazed over.

"I thought it wasn't possible," she breathed.

'Ask him, Whisper. Let him guide you into the forest and show you his wolf. Let him lead you into the forest so I can show myself.'

"Whisper!" Zane said a bit louder, grabbing her shoulders, slightly shaking her.

She looked up at him, finally focusing on his words. "What?"

"What are you talking about?" At her confused expression he explained, "You said something about being right and something not being possible."

"I'm sorry." She took a step back and blushed. "I shouldn't have done that."

"No," he hurried. "It's fine! Don't stop!"

Whisper shook her head. "No, I should."

Zane tilted his head. "Have you ever tried just using your mind to talk to her?"

"What?"

"Your wolf? Instead of speaking aloud, use your mind."

Surprise was evident on her beautiful face and she couldn't believe he had guessed what she was doing so easily and wasn't at all making fun of her. 'I told you, he's just like you!'

"My mind?" she asked softly.

Zane nodded and smiled, stepping towards her again. "Whatever you want to say to her, just say it in your head like you would your thoughts. You don't have to say it out loud for her to hear you."

'Try it!'

Whisper close her eyes for a moment and do as she's told. 'Can you hear me?'

A blur of colors and emotions from the wolf answered her question. 'Yes! Yes! Yes!'

She smiled and thought maybe I wouldn't have to be hurt by the stick for talking to myself anymore. If I can talk to my wolf with just my mind, I won't get the pain of acting like a lunatic!

"Whisper?" she heard Zane's soft voice and opened her eyes. At the look of joy in her green eyes, he gestured down the sidewalk. "Ready to move on?"

Whisper nodded and began walking again. "How did you know?"

"Your eyes and from experience," he said and had them turn left. "When you are focusing on thoughts or something inside yourself, your eyes glaze over and you don't notice the world around you. It happens with all of us."

"Who is us?"

"We are called werewolves, but honestly, most of us like just wolves." He smiled at her again. "You're a wolf, Whisper. Just like me."

"I'm human," she replied in confusion.

"No, Whisper. You're a wolf, because if you weren't I wouldn't be here talking to you about this."

"Why?"

"Tell me, how do other people react to you saying there's a wolf in your head who can speak?" Her silence made him give her a sympathetic smile. "I am not like the other people you've been around. I am a wolf and I know exactly what you're going through."

"You look human to me, though. Just like me," she observed.

He chuckled. "One day, Whisper, I'll show you the truth. One day, when you trust me enough to take you into the forest and show you the world you're supposed to be a part of."

She had no time to stop herself when she blurted out, "But I want to see now!"

His blue eyes softened. "I know. And I want to show you, but time is short and I'm not ready to take you with me yet."

"Why not?" she pouted.

"Because I haven't released you from the hospital for good yet," he said with finality.

'Told you!'

"You're releasing me?"

He shrugged and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Technically speaking, I'm going to sue the place for the treatment they're giving you and the other patients. But in easier terms, yes, I'm going to release you and take you home with me."

"Home?"

Zane nodded. "To my place. I think you'd like it."

Whisper grabbed his elbow by the sleeve and stopped in her tracks. Zane looked at her and she said, "How long will it take for you to release me?"

"I'm not sure. It isn't going to be easy."

"Why?"

He looked away, for once nervous to answer a question of hers. When he looked back, she thought Zane was frightened. "Because even though you're an adult whom I'm sure can take care of yourself, someone else holds your reins."

She looked away this time. "I hoped that you didn't know…that it wasn't true…"

"Whisper—"

"It's fine," Whisper breathed and nearly choked on her tears. "I'll be fine…"

Zane stepped up to her and cupped her face, making her green eyes lock with his blue ones. "What did he do to you?"

"He didn't—"

"Don't lie to me!" he hissed.

Whisper bit her lip and nodded. "Okay, I won't lie. But I can't say the words out loud either." She swallowed the lump in her throat. "It's too hard."

Zane nodded. "Good enough. Now, listen to me." She focused in on his words as he said, "First, I'm going to find a way to release you and make sure I have full authority over what you do when you're free. When I do, I'm going to put it into action, starting with him. He will hand me the papers concerning your life willingly or not, then come for you. If he dares to fight me afterwards or come after you, I will kill him. My friend Anton is working for a good case against the hospital. Once that is complete, we're suing them. All the patients will be taken care of and sent to either their families or a better facility."

"What about me?" Whisper asked hesitantly.

"You don't belong in a Psych ward, Whisper!" he hissed, shaking his head. "You're not crazy or mentally ill."

"But my hallucinations—"

"I'm going to take you to someone who can help you without causing any harm. He has dealt with many cases, and is a very kind man. I trust only him. He won't hurt you or hit you. He will only be the best doctor you will ever see." Leaning down, Zane kissed her head softly. "And I will be right beside you every step of the way."

Whisper swallowed again, feeling his words run deep. She was scared he would lose in this fight, scared she'd live in that place for the rest of her life, scared Zane would end up hurt or worse. She was terrified of ever confronting her past enemies in reality, not just her hallucinations…