Chapter V

The kicks and stomps didn't faze Ellean anymore. She was used to it. Ellean was 17 now. Today was a bad day. Ellean hadn't gotten breakfast to the table when Alpha Ben thought she should have. So he had let his guards loose on her.

A soft yelp escapes her lips when Ellean feels a foot come down on her back. Then, a sharp crack is heard before she passes out.

When Ellean comes to, she looks around. The white room reminds her of a hospital room. But she was pretty sure the Alpha hadn't sent her to the hospital.

Hearing a noise, Ellean's head turns towards the door. Her eyes widen when she spies Doctor Elisa coming through the door.

Elisa smiles at Ellean, her fingers poking and prodding. When she's finished, Elisa sits beside Ellean to sign.

"How are you feeling? Any pain?"

Ellean shakes her head, lifts her heavy arms to sign back.

"What happened, and why can't I move my legs?"

Elisa hesitates for a long moment before closing her eyes. Sighing, she signs.

"I'm sorry, Ellean, but you won't be able to walk anymore. They broke your spine, and now you will be in a wheelchair."

Ellean blinks, then tears roll down her cheeks. Never to be able to walk again. That was a death sentence to her.

Her fingers fly as she signs to Elisa.

"Will the Alpha kick me out now that I can no longer walk?"

Elisa shakes her head.

"No, they will keep you here. The pack is fixing the kitchen up so that you can keep doing the meals."

Ellean looks down at her hands and nods. She wasn't surprised. After all, Ellean was the slave they counted on to make the meals. But, of course, the Black River Clan could afford to hire a cook and maids. But why would they when they had Ellean at their beck and call?

Ellean laid her head back; there wasn't any need to cry. After all, nobody cared what happened to her. The whole pack would probably have a celebration had she died.

Lifting her hand, Ellean rubs her eyes. She was stuck now. There was no way out for her. The thought of dying sounded pretty good right about now.

A soft touch to her shoulder startled Ellean. Dropping her hand, she glanced at the Doctor.

Elisa smiled and signed.

"It'll be ok, you will get some rest, and I will make sure you get enough to eat to get back on track."

Ellean nodded her head. She knew this wasn't going to be easy. Tears slipped once more down her face. She would never know what it would be like to have a mate or have children. Life looked pretty bleak right about now. Then, turning her head to face the wall, Ellean slipped into sleep.

Feeling someone shake her, Ellean awoke with a start. Blinking sleepily, she smiles when she sees Elisa bending over her. Reading Elisa's lips carefully.

"Are you hungry? I have some food for you."

Ellean nods, blushing when her stomach lets out a loud rumble. Elisa chuckles as she helps Ellean sit up, fluffy the pillow up behind her back. Soon a tray of food was placed in front of Ellean; her eyes widened looking at the pile of food. It's been a long time since she had so much food. Picking up a fork, Ellean slowly nibbles on the food. Since she never was allowed to eat a lot, it didn't take much food to fill Ellean's stomach.

Pushing the tray away, Ellean looks up at Elisa's worried face.

"You need to eat more."

Ellean shakes her head, pushing the tray back again.

"I can't; I am already full. I'm used to not eating more than this. It'll be fine, I promise."

Elisa sighs, pinching the skin between her eyes. What was she going to do with this youngling? Elisa couldn't control what the pack did to Ellean. All Elisa could do was protect Ellean the best she could and hope for the best.

Elisa got up leaving Ellean alone to her thoughts. Ellean sighed staring up at the ceiling. She felt helpless and alone. All she had was her thoughts. And silence. That got to her sometimes. Not being able to hear anything. Ellean sometimes wondered how the birds sounded when they sang. Or how the wolves sounded when they howled. Ellean fists curled up as she took long deep breaths. Why was she the one deaf? Why did she have to suffer endless pain? No answer came to her as she drifted off to sleep.