Winter Rose

Chapter 13: No Rest for the Wicked

I groaned as I was once again pinned to the ground by Mimi. Her wolf stood over me triumphantly. My heat managed to set back my training a whole month and my body still ached from the traces of Wolfsbane. Jessica promised at lunch that the traces of Wolfsbane would be out of my system completely five days after my last dose. I was on day three and feeling like I was detoxing from h****n. Mimi noticed my weakness and took full advantage. No one had managed to draw blood yet so I doubted they knew I was dosing myself with poison for the last month. But they had to have known something was going on, as this was the third day I had lost over half my training battles. I felt the sluggishness in my muscles as I failed to react in time, and by the time we were done for the day I was drenched in sweat and feeling nauseous. Em was spared suspicion as they assumed she was going easy on the pups in training. But Malcolm, Steph, and Faye were still beating her way too easily. Two more days. Just two more days of feeling like s**t, and it will go back to normal. I smelled Wolfsbane and copper in the air before I registered the pain from Mimi’s teeth sinking into my shoulder. She shook her head and shifted, spitting out the remnants of my blood that got on her tongue. 

“Go to your room. Now.” Mimi commanded me, and without even shifting I ran as fast as I could, barely hearing her finish her command, “You too, Em.” I shifted as soon as I crossed the threshold to my room. Em arrived right behind me shifting as well before she sat nervously at the edge of my bed with me. We stayed silent, shaking with anticipation of what Mimi would consider appropriate punishment for our crimes. Finally, Mimi walked in and closed the door behind her. “I sent everyone else on a hunt, before they could get a whiff of what you did.” Mimi growled out. “Em, did you know what your cousin was doing?” Em hung her head in shame. 

“Yes Mimi.” She said to the carpet, unable to meet our Alpha’s stern gaze, “I did it too.” She admitted in a horrified whisper. 

“Why in Artemis’s name would you poison yourselves?!” Mimi cried out, shaking with I’m sure the urge to shake or slap us both. 

“It helped control my instincts and pain during my heat.” I said looking her in the eye, while keeping my head bowed in submission. 

“Of course it did. That’s what Wolfsbane does, it attacks your body and your wolf!” Mimi paced grinding her teeth. Oh did she want to beat us. “Where the hell did you even get it from?” She asked through gritted teeth.

“Jessica Ebony.” Em answered. 

“She said her family diluted it to help with controlling their heat and instincts.” I explained further. 

“Do you realize now why it was a bad idea to do something so reckless?” Mimi asked, “And for Artemis’s sake you better not say because you got caught, because then I would kill you both.” 

“Yes, Mimi. It was dangerous and there were lasting effects on my abilities. I won’t touch it again.” I promised. 

“I won’t touch it either.” Em, promised. “The lasting effects and detox are worse than the symptoms it helped with during my heat.” 

Mimi sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose, “You two are going to be the death of me.” She groaned, “When was your last dose?” She asked finally, taking a seat at my computer chair. She looked so much older for a minute, I didn’t answer right away. 

“The last day of my heat cycle. I’m on day three of the detox.” I answered. 

“Em, I’m assuming you are also on day three of detox?” Mimi asked. Em nodded. Mimi sighed again. “There is an antidote for Wolfsbane, that would take away the pains of the detox. I’m not going to give it to you right now though. You deserve every second of the pain from your poor decisions. Tomorrow you are going to bring home the Wolfsbane for me to dispose of, and we won’t speak of it again. Tomorrow afternoon I will give you the antidote so no one else notices. You’re lucky I’m not going to make you suffer the entire week of detox like my mother did to me.” 

Em and I stared in shock, “You mean you used Wolfsbane before?” I asked. 

“Yes, a long time ago, and like you I learned my lesson the hard way. Now you are going to spend today and tomorrow creating a folktale to share at the full moon harvest, discussing the lesson you learned to avoid Wolfsbane. Without sharing to the rest of the family what you did.” Mimi said as she headed to the door of my room. “Oh and Alex, you’re excused from training tomorrow.” 

Em and I sighed in relief, that one more day of hell was all Mimi gave us as punishment. Our grandparents married young so I never figured Mimi would have tried taking the easy way out to avoid her heat symptoms. I wondered if Jessica truly was trying to help or if she was hoping I would still be weakened by the time our challenge came. I soon dismissed the idea as she knew I would still have a month to train myself back in shape after the effects of the drug wore off. I truly believe from how distant her parents were that they gave her the drugs to ‘help” her and she was just returning the favor. Hopefully, she isn’t suffering long term effects due to the Wolfsbane, and it will be a fair fight between us next month. The moon hung full in the sky and my wolf didn’t want to run under it, instead we both were content to go to bed early. Come to think of it, last month during my heat cycle when the full moon has the most pull on us we didn’t even register it passing. No drugs were not the answer, I needed to get stronger and control my instincts more. Em got up at some point and went to her room lost in her own thoughts as I ebbed in and out of consciousness. 

“Hey there you.” Theo said sliding in through my open window. 

“I didn’t leave it open for you tonight.” I said, laying in just a tank top and pajama shorts with the sheets kicked to the end of my bed as I dripped sweat. 

“I know, but I figured I could keep you company while you detox from the poison.” He said walking to my bathroom. I heard the sink run for a while until he came out and started laying cool washcloths along my skin. 

“Why didn’t you warn me?” I asked. Goddess my throat felt like it was on fire. 

“I told you it wasn’t a good idea to poison yourself, but by the time I knew the option was on your radar it was too late. Plus you wouldn’t have believed me, or thought you were tougher than Jessica and could handle the detox better than her.” He put the last washcloth over my forehead and eyes. “Your determination is one of your greatest assets Lexie” He murmured, “but it’s also your greatest downfall as you need to learn everything the hard way. Wake me when the rags need to be changed.” He said as he headed back into the bathroom. He placed a glass of water on my bedside table before laying next to me in the bed, careful not to touch my burning and aching body. “I’ll be right here.” He said softly. 

He knew me so well, it made my heart ache. He knew even though he was my mate and had seen the detox Artemis only knows how many times that I would not have believed him and we would still be here. Yet, even knowing that he still came to take care of me. I thought back on how he spent every night in my room since the challenge started up until last month. 

“When is Jessica’s heat?” I croaked out. 

“January.” He answered, “Don’t worry she won’t be doped up for the fight.” 

“That’s not it, who’s going to take care of her when her heat comes?” I asked around the fire in my throat. 

“I dunno, I suppose the maids did before I came along. They’ll do it again.” He answered, turning towards me. “Why?” 

“Because, she deserves someone to take care of her.” I whispered. 

“She’ll find someone.” He assured me, “It’s just not me, because my job is to take care of you.” He rolled onto his back, “Try to get some sleep Lexie.” 

I groaned, but soon was being swept away by the waves of sleep. I had horrifically vivid nightmares of hellfire, and hounds of fire clawing at my skin and tearing me to pieces while Jessica laughed watching the whole ordeal. My blood soon filled the river of Styx and ghouls drank it greedily as the hounds fed the remaining shreds of my body to them. I awoke screaming in fright and Theo wrapped me in his arms petting my hair muttering sweet nothings to me. I was coated in a film of sweat, and once I stopped crying Theo got up and began running water into the tub. He picked me up and placed me at the edge of the soaking tub with my feet in the water. The water was cold and felt nice against my burning skin. 

“I’m going downstairs to get ice, when the tub is almost full turn off the water.” He told me. I nodded to express my understanding. 

Theo was gone for a while, so when the water was high enough I turned it off and took it upon myself to lower my body into the cold water fully clothed. I dipped the washcloth grasped in my hand into the water and placed it over my forehead and eyes leaning my head back letting the cool porcelain of the tub chill the back of my neck. I felt the splashes of water on my face and neck as Theo dumped a bag of ice into the tub. 

“Alright, I got it from here.” I heard Mimi mumble. “You go home and get some rest Theo. Thank you.” I heard Theo’s steps leave the room and tried to mumble a ‘goodbye’ but nothing came out. “I can’t let you go to school like this.” Mimi muttered disapprovingly. “Open your mouth, so I can go help Em.” I did as I was told and she dropped something sweet on my tongue. “You’re still going to bring that damn poison home for me to dispose of you hear me?” I nodded. “Good. I’ll be back in a few to get you ready for bed.” Her steps soon faded from my room as well and I was left alone. 

After a few minutes my wolf stretched her legs and stood, her fur that had faded was once again it’s oil black and I felt her power fill me. I’m sorry. I told her. She pushed her body against mine and I ran my fingers in her thick fur. Slowly the heat faded from my body and I became cold, starting to shiver from the ice bath. I tried getting up, but slipped back down. Mimi must have heard the splash because she came in and helped me get out. She dried me with a towel before helping me out of the wet pajamas and into a dry set. Wordlessly she tucked me back into bed with a kiss on my forehead before another loud splash had her scurrying out of my room. I could hear the pack howling in the distance as they celebrated their harvest from the full moon. 

I awoke to a pounding headache and my eyes ached from the light, but my body felt back to normal. I chugged the glass of water Theo had placed on my bedside table and went downstairs to eat. Snores echoed throughout the house as everyone slept off the hunt. I ate in silence and took my normal pain meds, before changing into workout gear and heading out for my morning run. I was out of breath after two and half miles of jogging in my human form. By the time my wolf form arrived at the normal meeting place I was running half an hour behind. 

You look better. Theo thought to me. Sorry, I ran into your grandma while I got ice since she was getting it for Em who apparently wasn’t in much better shape. She insisted on taking over.

It’s okay. I answered him. Thank you though, for all you did.

It’s no big deal. Like I said it’s my job to take care of you. And when the time comes I know you’ll take care of me as well. Now let’s get you back into shape so you can win this fight next month. 

My wolf yipped happily as I picked up my pace trailing him along the property line. We returned with just enough time for me to shower and get dressed before he would be picking us up. He drove down the driveway in a minivan I hadn’t seen before. I opened the door and found his brother and cousin sitting in the middle row. “Mom made me start driving them to middleschool while you were- um-incapacitated, she sent me with her vehicle so I can drive you guys to school too.” 

“Awh you're the soccer mom.” I smiled at him. 

“Shut up and get in.” He growled. I laughed. 

By the time we arrived at school my pain medication had kicked in and I was back to feeling one hundred percent. I put the remainder of the Wolfsbane in the bottom compartment of my lunch box after lunch before tucking the lunch box in my backpack to make sure it got to Mimi. Jessica was no longer outright vicious to me, she even stopped trying to start rumors, and just ignored me for the most part. The first trimester was nearing an end as we started to prepare for our final exams and Thanksgiving. I was grabbing my book for French when I was slammed into the lockers with my arms pinned behind my back. I smelled familiar cologne and kicked back with all my might. I heard my captor groan as I turned around to find Roger gripping his groin with a tight grimace on his face. 

“You’re going to regret that, bitch.” He sneered at me. 

“Hey! What the f**k man?!” Xander came running from down the hall and slammed Roger in a locker. “You need to leave Alex the f**k alone she isn’t who you think she is.” 

“Oh how wrong you are. She isn’t the person you think she is.” Roger said, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. His eyes locked onto mine, “Isn’t that right Kristina?” He spat my old name like it was toxic. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. My name is Alexandria.” I tried to remain calm. Em wasn’t back from her class yet, and I wanted to keep this contained before she returned. 

“Still being a lying w***e I see. Well, you’ll get what’s coming to you soon enough.” He said as he walked away, and I breathed a sigh of relief. 

“Are you okay?” Theo said, pushing Xander out of the way. 

“Yeah. Where did you come from?” I asked him, I was sure he wasn’t there a minute ago. 

“I came as soon as I knew something was wrong.” He answered, “You’re sure you're fine?” 

“Yes, you overbearing male.” 

“What happened?” He demanded, turning on Xander. 

“That freak from the party was pushing her around.” Xander answered. Theo turned to me and I nodded. 

“Alright. We should get you home. Where’s Em?” Theo asked me.

“Why what’s wrong?” Em said, she approached looking flushed and her lips were slightly swollen, most likely thanks to Tony who had his arm wrapped around her shoulders. 

“Alex’s stalker attacked her. You two should go home. Text your grandfather.” Theo explained. “Go to class like normal, I’m sure we will be called to the office shortly.” He looked at me. 

“I’m fine.” I said before he could ask. “I’ll see you in a bit.” I said, closing my locker and heading to class. Lying to my mate was hard. I was not fine. I was the farthest thing from fine. My anxiety rose through the roof as I walked to class checking around every corner, using all of my enhanced senses at once looking for Roger to come at me again. By the time I reached my class I was trembling and had to take deep breaths to calm myself before walking in. I spent the next twenty minutes of class in a fog.

Finally, after what felt like forever the loudspeaker rang out as the secretary announced, “Will Alexandria Rose, Emily Rose, and Theodore Winter report to the office please?” I sighed in relief, barely registering the reactions of my peers who assumed I was in trouble. I walked to the office and Ms. White greeted us with a smile, “Sorry it’s so late in the day, your guardian’s just now called saying you had to leave for dentist appointments. I hope you make it in time, now you sign yourselves out here.” She passed me the form first, “But make sure to bring a note with you tomorrow and a signed absence form from your guardians.” 

“Got it. Thank you Ms. White.” I said, passing the form to Em who filled it out and passed it to Theo. I took the absence forms from Ms. White as we exited the building. 

“I’ll pick everyone up from Middle school later, just getting you two home safe is my top priority.” Theo explained. Em and I nodded. I clutched my seat so hard I felt my nails digging into the stitching. 

Theo stopped the van in the driveway and we could hear the alphas yelling at one another. Theo jumped from the van first and the three of us bolted into the house. 

“What is going on?” I asked. 

“We should be the ones asking you that, since you are the ones who brought hunters here!” Susan turned on me. 

“We don’t know for sure they are hunters.” I said, but my grandpa only shook his head. “Papaw?” I asked. 

“My friend got back to me. The Smiths are members.” Papaw answered. “I assume they planted Carl in your mother’s life to confirm we were wolves, before beginning the hunt.” I felt the blood drain from my face. It made sense the more I thought about it and Carl pushing me to date Roger, the way he abused mom and I. I thought he was just an asshole, but I was so wrong. I did this. I put my pack and my mate into danger by exposing the truth. I stumbled into the nearest chair. Numbness took over me as I accepted full responsibility. 

“Alex. It’s not your fault. They drove you to expose yourself. This was their plan and years in the making. It’s not your fault. We should have vetted Carl more, his friend made sure he wasn’t associated with hunters.” Papaw said sitting across from me. 

“Yes, but if I would have just kept control of myself, of my emotions. If, if I hadn’t changed. They wouldn’t have known.” I started to cry. 

“Honey, we already did something to raise their suspicions.” Papaw said, tears starting to glisten in his eyes. “You were protecting your mother, no one is going to blame you for that.” He shot a glare at Susan who lowered her head in guilt. “We are going to figure this out.” Papaw promised. 

“Theo, it’s time for you to pick up the kids from middle school. Get the Rose kids too, we are going to act like everything is normal until we form our plan.” Susan said to him, “Alex, go with him.” I nodded as I followed Theo out the door, and we got in the van. 

“Your parents hate me now.” I sighed. 

“No they don’t. Like your grandpa said this isn’t your fault. My parents are just upset like I was that our pack is in danger. But we will figure this out.” He held my hand as we drove to pick up the others. 

“Where’s Em?” Malcolm asked as he and Steph climbed into the back. 

“Oh um, she had to leave school early.” I told him. 

“Is she okay?” Steph asked. 

“Yeah, just forgot about a dentist appointment.” I smiled reassuringly. 

Papaw will explain when we get home, just stop asking questions until then. I pleaded in their minds, Act normal for the Winter kids. And do not mention Em’s dentist appointment was two months ago. 

I understand. They both replied. I settled back in my seat, we dropped off Henry and Charlie, Theo promised he would be back soon, before heading back home. 

“What’s going on?” Steph asked as soon as we left the Winter pack house. 

“Roger and his family are hunters. We’re coming up with a plan of attack.” I answered. 

“I always hated that slimy bastard.” Malcolm growled. 

“Language!” I snapped at him. 

“If your stupid ex is coming to kill me after his friend killed mom. I can say whatever the f**k I want.” Malcolm screamed jumping out of the car and running into the house. It took a minute for me to realize he referred to his dad as Roger’s friend. Not dad. I’d been such a selfish sister, worrying about the challenge and not how he was doing with the fact that his father killed our mother. The hollow pit in my stomach grew and my heart ached at the mess I made. As family I knew Malcolm could forgive me, but I also knew he must be hurting knowing he’s related to that monster. Related to a hunter.

I wished for a moment that I had never been born. If I weren’t alive my mother would still be here, she wouldn’t have settled for Carl. Guilt immediately overwhelmed me as without me there would be no Malcolm. I can’t change the past, but I can help us build a better future, I reminded myself.