SWNOVELS Chapter Seventeen
As I drove through the almost empty street of Lone Oak- It was named so because people could see only a few people and cars moving in and out of it. It was the loneliest street as far as West Vale was concerned- I occasionally stole glances at Elena; she was mumbling incoherently, and the back of my palm went to her forehead to feel her temperature.
Grimacing, I withdrew my hand and then switched on the air-conditioner to cool her heated skin.
It was getting worse at the moment, and it was beginning to terrify me. She had been fine yesterday and never showed any sign of fever. Heck, we had even argued, but no sign of her feeling this unwell.
Perhaps she was bitten, I thought to myself. My breath quickened, and with trembling hands, I brushed aside the strands of white hair covering her neck gently while searching for any mark. My tensed body relaxed, and I let out a sigh of relief as I found none.
Moreover, Elena was still trying to comprehend all that was happening, and I wasn't sure I would like to see her be a werewolf. One monster was enough in a household; having two or more would be disastrous, just like mine.
Gemma was an exception, for she was a baby and didn't know what was in store for her yet. The only thing I wished for was for her not to be like me when she became older.
I stepped more on the accelerator, and I got home in record time.
Turning off the ignition, I darted out of the car; then I moved briskly to the passenger seat. I positioned one of my arms under her legs, and the other went to support her neck. Then I hoisted her out of it.
Her hands hung around my neck loosely as I clutched her still feverish body in my hand while whispering, “You'll be fine in her ear.”
She writhed in my arms, her mouth hung open, and I watched her lips move. I strained my ears to hear what she was saying because it was very low. I couldn't hear all the words, but I could make out my name. Her eyes twitched, and they snapped open.
Grey, unfocused eyes stared at me. Her already pale skin was now paler, and her temperature kept skyrocketing. She creased her brows, and her mouth opened to say something. Instead, no words came out. She shut it before losing consciousness again.
“Mom!” I yelled, stepping into the hall. I strode towards the infirmary, which was located beside the room where the pack meeting was often held.
Kicking the door open, I gently placed her on one of the beds and lifted the curtain for light to stream in, as well as opening the windows for cool air.
Elena moaned, then tossed about on the bed, and I heard her mention my name for the umpteenth time, making me wonder what she was seeing that made her mention it.
“Mom!” I yelled again, stepping out, and this time she replied.
“It better be some great news that made you yell my name that way.” She mumbled.
I met her halfway in the living room beside the staircase, and I clutched her hands in my still trembling ones. Releasing her hand, I placed it on my chest as I wheezed.
Her brows furrowed while tapping her manicured nails on the rail. “What's the matter?”
I gripped the bannister as my brain turned hazy.
She hurried to my side as I didn't answer her. “Breathe!” She stated firmly, rubbing my back.
I inhaled deeply before letting it out slowly. After a few seconds, the panic attack vanished.
She wrinkled her upturned and tutted. “I smell human all over you, Aiden, and why do you look so distressed?”
She rested her hands on her hips, and her gaze bore into mine as she awaited my answer.
“I'm human too, mom.” I pointed out while she rolled her eyes at my assertion.
It was the truth anyway since I could blend in as human if not for the frequent urge to taste blood. I wouldn't have much trouble associating with them.
The only person who was very sociable and rarely lived on blood in us was Sparkles. She had learnt how to live without relying on blood at a very tender age. Mom and Dad had locked her up in the cellar for days when she was transitioning. The rule of a pure-blood werewolf was to kill someone to trigger the curse, and she had erroneously caused the death of one of her friends.
However it was not entirely her fault because she had warned her not to come out on that very full moon, and Lily, being the headstrong girl she was, had done otherwise. Lily had hosted a freaking party in the woods and met her demise. Sparkles had fired a poisonous dart her way, and it had slammed into a vital organ, killing her instantly.
“At least I'm part human. However, that's not why I'm here.”
Mom folded her arms across her chest while waiting for me to let her in on the reason I had called her.
“It's because of Elena. She's hurt.” I said as my eyes bored into hers. “Please, she needs help. Jensen happened,” I added.
Blinking back the tears that were forming at the back of my eyes, I tugged at my hair in frustration. I wasn't weak, but I didn't know why I was acting this way. I guessed it was because of her. She made me feel all kinds of emotions, the negative and the positive.
“Come on, lead me to her.”
Mom clutched my hands to stop me from pulling my hair off my head.
After running some checks on her, she let out a sigh, which could be one of relief or not. I could never tell what she was thinking. It looks as if she has a shield around her, stopping me from reading her thoughts. The only person who could read her so well was Sparkles. She could read everyone's thoughts, not only mom. It was a gift that was bestowed upon her by the moon goddess.
“She'll be fine.” Mom grinned, dipping the clean towel I placed on the edge of the bed in the bowl of water on the small bedside table. She squeezed the water out of it and touched it to Elena's temple.
I ceased pacing and then ambled to where she sat. I took Elena's warm hands in mine, and her eyes flickered open.
Stormy grey, uncertain eyes observed mine. Her lips parted, but no words came out.
I lifted a finger to her lips to stop her from trying to talk because I knew even if she did talk, it would be delirious.
“You should rest, dear. Aiden and I would be here watching.” Mom said.
I lifted a stray strand of white hair from her forehead and tucked it beneath her ear.
Elena jiggled her head, then winced. She let out a sigh as I covered her wandering hand with mine. I wrapped my arms around her and let her snuggle into me.
“She's beautiful.” My mom stated while scrutinizing her.
“She sure is.” I grinned, nodding.
“I'll come by to check on her later. Let me know if you notice anything weird.”
“Okay, mom, and thank you.”
“Anything for my beloved son.” She beamed.
Despite my mom favoring me in all her children, she loves us and would rather die first than see any harm come to us.
I had noticed how aggressive and protective she could be when it came to her family and the pack.
She was the definition of beauty, brain, and a virtuous woman.
My mom, being the first and the only daughter of the Duke and duchess of North Vale, had inherited scores of properties from her parents, and also their headstrong nature, so I've heard.
Before I was born, they said that the duke and duchess ruled with iron hands. Despite them being supernatural beings themselves, they never allowed any to misuse the power.
There was peace until the werewolves from East Vale began to have access to West Vale, disrupting not only the activities but began causing the death of innocent humans.
The hybrids I encountered earlier at Elena's, I had seen how bloodthirsty they were in their red-rimmed eyes. It was one of the reasons I had sent Elena out of the room before going on with them.
If she had been present, she would have been the target.
Her hands moved in mine, and I clutched them tighter while kissing the top of her head lightly.
I tugged her body closer, enjoying her warmth. The fever had gone down, and she seemed a lot better than before.
I adjusted my weight on the small bed and placed my head on the extra pillow there. As soon as I did that, I drifted off into a dreamless slumber.