Insight

Elder Joshua arrived at Elkin’s office that afternoon with one question in mind. How was Eve? The doctor had been seeing her for a couple weeks before she’d gone missing. If anyone could help explain the deterioration of the Luna’s health, it would be Elkin.

He was the most experienced and skilled doctor on the range. He’d been the family physician to the Dolans for many years. After Flint injured Elijah’s spine, Elkin had refused to be Flint’s doctor.

Flint accepted this but when Eve fell pregnant and the Alpha power began to effect her; the Alpha had to swallow his pride and get Elkin to take Eve on as a patient. Elkin had three appointments with the Luna before her abduction, and Joshua wanted to know everything about those visits.

Elkin heard the buzzing of the doorbell and when he answered it, he wasn’t at all surprised to see Joshua. Elkin held the door open so the old man could roll into the lobby in his wheel chair. The doctor looked him over briefly.

The elder’s white hair was short and thinning. He was growing a beard now, though it was short and kempt. His metal rimmed glasses sat on his nose, giving him the appearance of someone studious. Elkin gestured for him to follow, before returning to the desk in the next room.

“You know why I’m here.” Joshua stated openly.

“You came for Luna Eve’s records. Do you have the-”

Elkin was cut off as Joshua handed him a sheet of paper. Flint had signed it, releasing Eve’s medical records to Joshua.

“Alright.” He reached into the filing cabinet behind him. “Last time I saw the Luna she was seven months along.”

The elder took the file from him, opening it. He began scanning the pages with curious eyes.

“She’s nearly ten months along now. I didn’t get the chance to do an ultrasound on her before she was taken. We had one scheduled for the next week.” Elkin informed him.

“So, she hasn’t had an ultrasound in five months...” He sighed.

“Correct.” The doctor nodded.

“Tell me about the power. At what rate was it effecting her?” Joshua probed.

“Twice as fast as it effected Selena. Eve was already on an all meat diet, just weeks into her pregnancy.” Elkin answered.

“What state would she be in now?” He asked.

“It’s difficult to say. Most bloodlines die out when they have too much power. Like Skylar Adams, Eve’s uncle. He’s infertile. Most of the time, if having a pup would threaten the mother, the pup simply can’t be conceived.” He rubbed his brow.

“I know it’s not an exact science, Elkin. Take a guess and I’ll treat it as an estimation.” Joshua pointed to the computer on the desk. “Flint sent a picture of Luna Eve to your email. Look at it and take a guess.”

Elkin opened his email and examined the single photo. Eve was standing in front of a bonfire, staring at the flames. The doctor could see the roundness of her stomach, as well as her thin face and arms. He shook his head and exited out of the picture.

“She’s thin. Whatever she’s eating isn’t enough. It isn’t giving her everything she needs. The pup is growing very well. Her stomach is larger than I expected. But Eve is seems to be losing weight in her limbs and face. She needs more vitamins.” Elkin eventually responded.

“Could it be the power?” The elder probed.

“It could be. Like I said, it’s hard to know what the Alpha power is doing to her. I would say, from the picture of her, that she seems like she’s still strong. However, I can’t tell you how much longer that’ll be the case.” He replied.

“Do you think she can carry the pup to term? Like Selena did with Flint?” Joshua closed the folder in his lap.

“Honestly, no. I don’t think so. She still has over a month left in her pregnancy and she looks thin. She’s not getting enough vitamins. She doesn’t seem to be resting well, judging from the circles under her eyes. The power that she’s carrying is sucking out whatever strength she has left.” Elkin spoke bluntly. “She may be able to carry the pup out of sheer willpower, but she definitely won’t be able to birth it. That would take an extreme amount of strength and the pup’s power will take that from her.”

Joshua listened to the speech sadly. The elder had hoped that Eve was well enough to bring her home. He had hoped the ‘temporary solution’ that Eve was staying with Bastian to obtain, could be unnecessary. No, the winter jade vine was needed. Not only to bind the pup’s power during Eve’s pregnancy, but also to simply be born.

Elkin’s phone beeped. He picked it up and read over the screen with furrowed brows.

“What is it?” Joshua asked.

“The solution Bastian has... Flint thinks he found it’s name.” He murmured before typing on his computer.

“And?” The elder scoffed.

“Creeping sedum tea. He said he’s waiting on the rogues to get back to him. He couldn’t find any information on it in the athenaeum, just the name.” Elkin continued typing. "I think I've heard of it before, but I don't know where."

"Find it. We'll need the tea or the vine to get her back." Joshua turned to leave.

"Wait." Elkin looked at him. "I was going to ask if you wanted me to take another look at your scans..."

The elder turned the wheelchair back toward the man. Being paralyzed had taken a toll on Joshua. Not just on his mental health, but on the stability of his wolf. Joshua wasn't able to shift forms anymore. His animal was trapped in his mind, just like he felt trapped in his chair.

"You've seen my back half a dozen times. Do you expect to find something different than before?" He responded stiffly.

"Not really, but there is always the chance something will improve. Your body is trying to heal itself constantly." Elkin answered.

"If it was going to heal, it would have." Joshua scoffed.

"True. But it never hurts to check." The doctor stood.

"One more time, Elkin. Just one." He stated.

"Sure, Joshua. Just one more scan." He nodded.