Mates Conquer Everything, Right?

A knock on the door has Amanda and I looking at it. Maya opens it and enters the hospital room.

“Did you hear the news through the mind link?” Her face is neutral.

“Yes, three people didn’t make it. Please tell me it wasn’t someone from my family.”

Amanda looks anxiously into Maya’s eyes, and I feel uncomfortable with the two women talking about deaths so easily. I know that this is a part of their lives, but it’s still something dreadful for me.

“Parker and Rody were very brave and protected the children who weren’t in the barn. Four rogues came to them, and they fought hard, but they weren’t able to overpower them. Johanna also protected two children in her home. The old woman had a quick death, and the children were taken. But Igétas hunted them down and brought Lilly and Fred back before it was too late.”

Amanda sighs deeply and nods. “Okay, at least they were sixty years and up.”

Maya nods back and turns her focus to me.

“How are you holding up?” she asks and takes some medical instruments out of her bag to examine me.

“I’m not,” I answer, still crying a little.

“She is a little taken aback, but not in shock” Amanda answers for me in more than two syllables.

Maya takes my arm and starts to treat my wound. “Your leg was way worse than this. He didn’t bite through.”

“I burned him before he got the chance.” I whisper, and no one responds, knowing I wasn’t ready to talk about it.

“Is Oliver almost done?” I ask Amanda, and she shakes her head.

Maya gives me some local anesthetic and stitches the wound with precision. “He will come soon. Maybe in one hour.”

“I don’t want to be here for so long. I want to go to Joe and Rose.”

Maya gives me a small, understanding smile and agrees to take me home when she is done.

Amanda leans in and quietly talks. “Violet needs to speak with you about her feelings.”

“Oh, of course.” Maya says. “Maybe you’ll feel better talking to a professional psychiatrist instead? My friend, doctor Brown, can see you.”

I shake my head, “That won’t be necessary, I’ll leave for Holland as soon as possible.”

“Oh, Violet! I am going to miss you.” She hugs me, and I hug her back with my good arm. I just met her today, but she feels like family.

“I need to speak to you about my feelings about America and…” I take a deep breath, “ about what happened in the bunker.”

She pulls back and looks confused.

“I-I don’t know what came over me…” Maya listens to my story for ten minutes. I rattled on about feeling drawn to be here and my strange reaction to danger in the bunker.

Maya and Amanda were just listening to my crazy story, not saying a thing.

After I was done, I took a sip of my water, and Maya shared a look with Amanda.

They know something.

“Violet, are you sure you aren’t a wolf yourself?”

I chuckled at that: “Of course not, I am human.”

“Is it okay if I take a sample of your blood for some tests?”

“Looks like everyone wants me to bleed.” I say morbidly.

Amanda and Maya look pained, and I smile sadly. “It is okay, do your tests. I want answers, but what do you think? Am I just like you?”

I couldn’t be, I never felt different from the rest of my family.

“No, you smell human, but we have a theory.” Amanda stays quiet after that.

I start to feel irritated. “Which is...?”

They share another look, and I know they are talking through mind link.

“If I really saved your pack, you have a weird way to show your gratitude.” I cross my arms. It is a low blow, but I am starting to feel tired, and I need to know.

Maya draws blood and looks me in the eye.

“The way you described your encounter, it sounds familiar. Answer me this: Did it feel like you became twice as smart? Did your senses go into overdrive?”

I nod my head, enchanted by her voice and shocked by her understanding.

“The growls you made, did they come naturally?” Amanda adds.

“It was a surprise for me when I heard them leave my mouth.”

“Are you adopted?”

“No,” I say with certainty. “Tell me, am I becoming sick?” That could be a possibility, right?

“No, Violet, we are thinking about Luna-Courage.”

I think back to this morning when Oliver talked about werewolves stuff. “Luna, as in a female leader?”

“The mate of the Alpha, yes. But not every Luna has Luna-Courage and only comes out if the female or her pack is in danger.”

“So it is extra courage to protect?” I ask.

“Something like that, but more specific. Don’t see it as extra courage, but activated bravery to help others.”

“I am not a Luna, nor am I a werewolf.”

“We know, that’s why I’m taking some blood, and you need to talk to your parents. I don’t like to assume anything, but I think there’s more to your story than you know. We could be wrong about the Luna-Courage, and it could just be your amazing character,” She finishes and packs her things.

“I need ten minutes; then I’ll take you home. Tonight, I’ll know more about your bloodwork.” She walks out of the door.

“Oh, and Amanda, the battlefield is already cleared. You two can go outside while you wait.”

Maya disappears, and Amanda helps me off the bed, telling me that someone needs it more than me and Maya didn’t want to be rude. I like her honesty.

We go outside, and I’m hoping to see Oliver, but he isn’t there. There are about twenty men outside, all in shorts or no pants at all, like it’s natural to be naked in front of your pack.

I scan the area over, and my eyes lock with someone who is standing at the tree line. He is stark-naked and covered in scars. He looks like the rogues I encountered today. And no one seems to notice him!

This isn’t over, oh God, they missed one! And from the looks of it, he is a leader, a strong wolf. Tears spring to my eyes for the umpteenth time today.

My day isn’t improving.

Dammit.