Chapter 9
1060 Words
Caspian's Pov
My heart raced. I didn't see it coming, nothing of such. I carried the only person that gave me hope in my arms, watching her groan in pain.
I couldn't wait for Karl to start the car or Edmund to open the door.
Her skin was hot, her breathing shallow, and her face—dammit, her face was covered in red patches that spread faster than I could process. I threw the car door open and set her down gently before slamming it shut. Rage boiled under my skin. Not at her, not even at anyone. But myself, and maybe a bit at the world.
I drove fast and my grip on the wheel was brutal. She whimpered once and I almost pulled over to hold her. But we needed to get to the hospital immediately.
The town’s hospital wasn't my thing, but I made sure to put Riley in charge—a beta from the Red moon pack. It was done in secret, I had to avoid every trace of weakness that would lead to the Red moon Pack or me, specifically.
When we got there, I burst through the doors with Nyx in my arms. The nurses took her in quickly. She was choking and her airways were tightening. I could hear it in her breath, feel it in her pulse. It was like watching her slip from my hands.
I could feel how much she was burning from inside, the way her eyes locked onto mine, silently yelling for help.
I stood out of the room, and waited long hours for Riley to take over.
I never had allergies, not even my pack members from out of town and inside the town.
Riley came out after an hour, she sighed.
“Say something.” I growled in urgency.
“She's fine, Alpha Caspian.” She said,
“The rashes eased and her breathing is calm now. But she's asleep.”
I dragged a chair into her private room and sat right beside her bed, her hand in mine. Even now, unconscious, she looked like a fight wrapped in softness. Riley walked in with a clipboard in her hand. Riley and I had known each other for years and ever since I took the pack house. She's like the others that are out of town, the ones that survived twenty years ago.
Everything was like a default. "Meant to happen, can't refuse the moon goddess for letting fate decide’ They all agreed on that, but I didn't.
“You never sit like this for your mistresses,” she said lightly. “What’s so different about this one?”
“She’s not a mistress, Riley” I snapped, standing. “Watch your mouth.”
Riley’s expression fell. Her face paled. “Apologies, Alpha. I didn’t mean that.”
“Don’t do it again,” I warned, my voice back to ice.
She nodded quickly and walked out.
I looked at Nyx again. Her fingers twitched and she stirred.
And then, slowly, her eyes fluttered open.
Silver met doe. My chest tightened. Even with the remnants of the rash still soft on her skin, her eyes stayed the same. So deep and beautiful.
“You’re awake,” I said, unable to stop the relief in my voice.
She tried to sit but I pressed her shoulder gently.
“Don’t. Just relax.”
She relaxed against the bed and looked up at the ceiling. “I didn’t know there were grains in the pasta,” she said hoarsely. “It was blended into it. I’m… sorry.”
“Don’t talk,” I murmured.
“But Edmund—”
“Nyx.” I leaned forward and placed a hand over her lips. “That’s enough.”
She blinked slowly and nodded. “Can we go back now? I feel fine already.”
I looked back and called for Riley. She answered almost immediately, rushing into the room.
“Can we leave now? Is there anything she needs?” I asked.
“Not much. She wouldn't need a drug recommendation if she's part of us…”
“What do you mean if she's part of us? Of course she is. And your soon to be Luna.”
“Oh!” Riley exclaimed, “Oh goddess! I'm so sorry. I'm really sorry Luna. Didn't realize—”
“Can we just go now?” I interrupted Riley's cleared curiosity.
She listed out everything Nyx had to avoid.
“Anything that has to do with grains should be out of the pack house completely.” She said,
I lifted Nyx into my arms and carried her back to the car. It was so dark into the night and I had to make sure she was buckled in, I started the engine and drove us home.
“I’ll personally watch everything you eat from now on,” I said, glancing at her. “Even your drinks.”
She was quiet. Then, “Why? You don’t have to—”
“Of course I do,” I cut in. “Now that the pack knows you’re allergic to grains, someone’s going to use it against you. This world isn’t kind. And neither are wolves when they think they’ve found a weakness.”
She let out a small laugh, dry and bitter. “Are you always this delusional or just naturally insecure?”
I turned to look at her. She was staring out the window, but I could still see the sharp edge in her tone.
“I’m not the one trusting people blindly after what Zade did to me,” I said before I could stop myself.
Shit.
I clenched the wheel, hating myself. “Nyx…”
“It’s fine,” she said quietly, still looking away. “Just drive.”
I hated myself for taking her back to what she probably didn't want to think of. The minute we got back to the house, Karl was waiting.
Edmund stood right by the door too. I looked everywhere and realized almost everyone was awake.
Nyx alighted and followed behind, also realizing what was going on.
“I'm fine now, Edmund.” She said and walked straight
into her room.
What about me? I didn't even get a ‘thank you’ and Edmund got acknowledged?
I chuckled, my heart racing. And me having no idea why!
- Writer
