Chapter 49: Peace?

**Alice’s Point of view**


"But where did this old woman come from? You're not going to make me believe that it's a coincidence?" Says Simon, slumped in the chair next to Elliot's bed.
"No, it's not a coincidence since she 'saw' him with her gift."
"And she didn't ask you for anything in return?"
"No, she said that I did something or that I will do something, it was not clear, and that it is enough payment. Honestly, I didn't understand everything and I don't care. All I know is that Elliot's condition has improved and that's all that matters."
"Yes he's not having trouble breathing anymore, that's a good sign." Says Owen, silent until then. "Thank you, Alice."
Elliot wriggled slightly. "Alice."
The three of us stand up. "Elliot! I'm here! Elliot?"
But his face remains impassive.
"I don't understand. The witch told you it would take effect pretty quickly." Simon says. 
"Maybe we don't have the same notion of 'pretty quickly'." Says Owen. "She didn't tell you anything else?"
I shake my head. Someone knocks on the door and I stand up quickly, causing an ache to resurface in my chest, Elliot's pain. 
Alpha Mark and Luna Lily enter with a doctor who takes forever to take Elliot's vitals. He looks at one of the machines and frowns.
"What's wrong?" Luna Lily asks in a concerned tone.
"His condition has certainly improved, but he seems to be slipping further and further into a coma. I don't understand why. I'm going to talk to my colleagues to see what protocol to put in place." 
"I'm sure it's her fault!" Alpha Mark spits, pointing at me. "Tell me what you gave to my son!"
I mumble. "These symptoms are consistent with scarlet silver poisoning. I prepared the potion as directed and it worked since he's breathing normally."
"Then why isn't he waking up?"  
"I don't know."
"You don't know? You've read all these books and you're a biology student, right? So why doesn't he wake up?"
"I don't know, I'm not a witch."
"Well, if you're no longer useful, my guards will take you home." 
What? Go away? I can't leave. I can't leave Elliot. 
He turns to leave the room but I call him back. 
"I can't leave. I've missed something and I'm going to find what."
He opens his mouth to protest but Luna Lily cuts him off. "We talked about this Mark. She's staying."
He sighs, giving up on his idea.
"Alpha, we're going to do more blood tests, more examination. We'll find out." A doctor says, lowering his head.
"You better."
They finally leave, leaving me alone with Owen and Simon. Immediately, I return to Elliot's side, soothing his pain once again.
The three of us remain silent and Simon can't stand to just stay here without doing anything. I tell him that he can join Sam and Melanie at the secret library to help them in their search and he leaves immediately. 
Owen doesn't seem very comfortable to be here but I don't care, I prefer to curl up against Elliot, praying to the Moon Goddess to wake him up.
"Uh. Alice?"
I slowly raise my head to him. He looks everywhere but in my direction, lips pursed. He hesitates and I'm about to tease him but I hold back.
He exhales. "How is he?"
I know exactly who he's referring to but decide not to make it easy on him.
"Who?"
He looks at me angrily, jaw clenched. "You know who."
"No, I don't."
He sighs again and closes his eyes.
I straighten up slightly, eyebrows furrowed. "Why can’t you say his name?" 
He answers me in a whisper. "It's too hard." He pauses. "I don't know what to do, Alice."
I huff. "Tell me about it. I still don't know what I'm doing here."
"I know you don't want your mate either. But you couldn't ask for a better person than Elliot."
"You are the one telling me this? When you've rejected the most adorable person in the whole world?" I shake my head. "At least I gave Elliot a chance. You rejected Sam when you don't even know him." 
He opens his mouth to speak but I cut him off. "And don't tell me it's because he's a Blue or because he's a man. You were scared, that's all." He tries to interrupt me again. "Relax, dude. I'm not going to hold it against you. But you obviously regret your decision. There's still time before the full moon. It's not too late."
He smiled fondly, tilting his head to the side.
"What?" I ask.
"That's funny. Elliot told me the exact same thing."
I raise my eyebrow. "Really? Then we must be right."
He lowers his head. "Maybe. I don't know what to do."
"Maybe you could cancel your rejection? That would give you a little more time to figure things out. Maybe you could go talk to him too."
"Maybe. But that doesn't mean I'm gay!"
I shake my head. "Have you ever been attracted to a girl?" He doesn't answer. "What about a man?" He remains silent. "You have your answer. So be grateful that the Moon Goddess gave you the perfect man for you." 
He seems to think and nods. "Thank you, Alice. You're not as, well, as I thought."
"And you're not the idiot I thought you were."
"Peace?" He asks with a smile.
I nod, smiling back. "Peace."
"Good. I'm going to get something to eat and drink. De you want something?"
"Yes please. Get me the same as you."
He nods and stands up.
"Owen?"
He stops, hand on the door handle, and turns around.
"I lied. I know why I'm here. "
"Why?"
"Because I simply can't do otherwise."