A Wolf's Claim

CHAPTER 26

*Stella*

As we were driving away from town, I started feeling really dizzy and weak. I wasn't sure if it was because of my adrenaline, but I felt weird. I went to take a deep breath, when an agonizing pain erupted from my torso. I gasped, yelping lightly, and gripped the door handle. I squeezed as hard as I could, as sweat began dripping down my entire body. I felt my stomach becoming drenched, and I peered under my sweater to find my shirt soaked in blood.

"Stella? What's wrong?" Jace asked, his eyes darting at me every few seconds in between driving.

"Uhm..." I muttered, feeling my body fall forward.

"Stella!" Jace shouted, and my vision went dark.

I woke up in a bedroom with cream walls and dark wood floors, reminding me of the house I toured with Jace. Glancing around the room, I noticed some familiar furniture. I stopped looking around when my eyes landed on the door frame, where Jace was standing watching me with a look of sympathy. My lips pulled into a brief smile, as he walked into the room and sat at the end of the bed next to my feet.

Every time I inhale, I feel something rub against my stomach and back. I curiously lift the blanket and find my entire torso wrapped in a bandage, with small blood stains. I choke for a minute at the pain, the memory of what happened. Zara tried to kill me...

"You have some wounds on your stomach and back," Jace gently announced, "They're not too deep, but will take some time to heal."

"I'm sorry, Jace... I thought I was fine... it must have been the adrenaline." I sighed, wincing at the pain from exhaling quickly.

"It's okay, don't apologize for that. Don't apologize for any of this, Stella. None of it is your fault. If anything, I should be the one apologizing." Jace groaned, shaking his head.

"You saved me, again. I don't think you need to apologize either." I giggled, watching him smirk in response.

"Can I get you anything?" He asked, concealing his grin.

"Water would be great." I smiled, watching him walk towards the door instantly.

"I'll be right back." He said, leaving the room.

This room wasn't quite as big as the last one, but it had a fireplace in it. That's a bonus! I was surprised to see the room almost fully decorated already, when we were looking at this house just the other day. I was curious to see what he did with the rest of the house, and how they plan to expand it.

I couldn't help but think about Tex, wondering what happened to him. Where did he go? Why did he leave his dad, and what does that mean for him? Edgar seemed like he was a crazed mad man, out of his freaking mind. Would he attack his own son? I'd also like to know what changed Tex's mind, because not too long ago he was acting just as crazy as his father.

I had a lot of questions I wanted to ask Tex and never got the chance to ask them. I'm left wondering about it instead. I can't help but worry about him, although I know Jace would hate me for feeling that.

Jace returned with a tall glass of ice water, with a straw. I smiled, as he held the cup for me and directed the straw towards my mouth. I could barely move with the pain that consumed my entire torso, so the straw was an amazing idea. Jace set the cup down on the stand next to the bed, while I laid my head back against the pillow. Jace rests his hand on my leg, and soon the pain started to diminish.

"How do you do that?" I asked, staring at him in amazement.

"Do what?" Jace asked, his smile melting my heart.

"Take away my pain?" I asked again, marveling at his greatness.

"I can do many things, especially when I'm with you. There's something about you that brings out abilities in myself I didn't even know I had." Jace chuckled, and when his eyes connected with mine a surge of excitement shot through me.

"That's weird... I'm not even a werewolf." I murmured, pondering the thought of me making him stronger.

"You're my mate, Stella. Human, werewolf, vampire, you're my mate, and you will help me to become better, as I'll help you too." Jace remarked with a casual shrug.

"I'm glad I can help you too." I smiled.

Jace smirked, but before he could respond, Sienna and Adam entered the room. Sienna had a hopeful smile on her face, while she slowly approached the bed I was lying on. Adam followed closely behind her, nodding to Jace. Sienna held a small bosquet of flowers in her hands. They're wildflowers too, my favorite. She set them in a vase and put them next to me on the stand beside the bed. They're beautiful, a flower in almost every color.

"Thank you." I smiled, smelling the fragrance that the flowers provided.

"It's my pleasure." Sienna smiled, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"We'll be right back," Jace announced, leaving the room with Adam.

"The boys have some stuff to take care of," Sienna mentioned, sitting on the other side of the bed next to me. "How are you feeling?"

"Better..." I muttered, cringing with the memories.

"You really held your own against Zara," Sienna turned toward me, "I've never heard of a human surviving a werewolf attack."

"How often do you attack humans?" I asked, raising a brow.

"Never, unless we have to. It's just wild, because normally a werewolf's strength can nullify a human effortlessly." Sienna mentioned, shaking her head in disbelief.

"I got lucky, I guess." I shrugged, but pondered the thought myself.

"Yeah, you also stabbed her in the eye!" Sienna snorted, amused by my actions.

"I feel bad for doing that..." I murmured, looking towards the door that Jace walked out of.

"Why? She'll heal, she'll be fine. Plus, she was going to kill you." Sienna exclaimed, shocked at my response.

"I just wanted to get along." I shrugged again, feeling insecure about the whole situation.

"Well, it takes two to tango, no matter the dance." Sienna shrugged, "Zara was old school in her beliefs, but she can still learn from her mistakes. She was banished, but Jace would allow her back if she apologized and made things right with you."

"Do you think she would do that?" I asked, hopeful.

"Zara? Admit her mistakes and own up to them? HA! That's doubtful," Sienna sarcastically chuckled, "But hey, weirder things have happened."

I felt a wave of guilt wash over me, as I couldn't help but feel like I wrecked their family... their pack. Sienna doesn't seem too heartbroken about it, but she's also a spitfire. Why do I feel responsible for separating Jace and his mother? This is all happening so fast, I don't know what to do or what to say. My life has done a complete one-eighty, and I feel like I'm standing at the center clueless and alone.

"How about a hot bath?" Sienna asked, winking, walking toward the bathroom across the room.

"That sounds nice." I smiled, nodding.

Sienna stocked the bathroom with towels and clean clothes for me, while she ran the water. I sat up and felt my wounded skin tugging, pulling and tearing. I winced, clenching the sheets on the bed so tight, I was creating a little ball of material in my fists. A light whimper left my lips, as my feet touched the ground. Sienna came sprinting from the bathroom, reaching my side in seconds. She gripped my arm with one hand, and tossed her other arm around my back. Helping me into the bathroom.

Sienna didn't think a thing of it, she started helping me strip off my clothes and easing me into the tub. There was something about Sienna that I knew I could trust. I didn't have to question it, and I was thankful for that. She got me situated in the tub, with everything in arms reach; soap, shampoo, and even a razor blade with shaving cream.

"I'll be right outside if you need anything, I'll leave the door unlocked just in case." Sienna smiled, exiting the bathroom.

I sighed with relief, this felt amazing to my battered body. The soap stung my wounds a little, but the serenity was much stronger. I laid my head back against the back of the tub, allowing my body to float in the soapy water. Closing my eyes, I felt my body fall into a relaxed state, one that soothed my shattered nerves.