78. Room 103
"Countess Mary, we need you!" the woman cried out, dropping on her knees in front of Mary and George.
"What's the matter, child?" Mary grabbed the woman's hand and helped her to get back on her feet. She had to ask guards for help; the woman was going into shock- she couldn't stand on her feet anymore.
"Mi-Michelle, she just returned. She's injured, it looks bad- she's asking for you. Please help her, please!" the woman cried; her words didn't make sense through the fit of hiccups and tears.
"Where?" Mary was not one to hesitate- she would do anything and everything for the ones she loved. Michelle was her oldest friend, one she could trust. Fear almost froze her senses; an attack on a werewolf ending in one injured must be the worst thing possible.
Just a few weeks ago, she and her mate were living a decent life. Of course, both had a lot of problems and unfortunate things happening, but they didn't lose hope. Finally, something good happened- they had found Eros, and to their surprise, he was mated to the most beautiful human Mary had ever met. As soon as they went down to their territory-everything went downhill. Starting with different things plotted against Eve and Eros- ending in the future Queens disappearance, pregnancy, Eros going crazy and killing whoever got in his way and now this. Mary felt like her heart might as well break her rib cage and leave her body. Her life turned from a dream come true to a nightmare. One she couldn't wake up from anymore.
"The hospital wing, nurses and doctors are taking care of her, but she was asking for your immediate visit," the woman sobbed in the guard's chest as he held her tightly pressed against his body.
"Excuse me, everyone, my best friend needs me," Mary apologized for running off and rushed to see Michelle. She ran towards the hospital wing, the wildest thoughts invading her mind. Mary no longer worried about the reasons that brought her here, the pregnant woman situation left her mind. "Please be okay, please stay strong," Mary begged her friend silently, still far away from Michelle. Even though their free pack wasn't as significant- the territory was pretty impressive. The hospital wing, located near their borders- the ones crossing with the bleeders- was a fantastic strategy to save whoever was unfortunate enough to fall in case of an attack.
Her breathing became ragged; Mary could feel her palms covered in sweat. Despite her age, she kept pushing her body over the edge to run faster, silently promising the Moon Goddess a sacrifice if she saves her friend. When Mary reached the hospital wing, she felt uneasy, especially after taking in the rather calm setting around there. She couldn't hear frantic voices of worried doctors. For a moment, she stood still, afraid to go inside. If she was lucky, her friend had been taken care of, maybe just a little scratch with a lot of blood, making the pack members freaked out. Or maybe, as much as she didn't like to think it - maybe she just lost her friend.
"Get yourself together, you old sack of potatoes," Mary whispered, taking the first step towards the hospital entrance. She was greeted by many curious eyes, most bowed, showing the respect she received as the Lord's mate. Some looked at their feet, afraid to let their gazes meet with hers. In the world where she lived, ranks were important, even for ones who chose the lives of loners. While Alphas and Betas couldn't rule over free wolves- the Royals could, and Mary was one of the last ones. Not a born Royal, as her mate, yet as soon as they shared a bed, she became one.
"Where can I find Michelle?" Mary came to her senses and questioned the staff.
Because of her emotions, she didn’t realize how demanding she sounded, forgetting politeness or understanding. One of the nurses approached her and hesitantly took her hand in hers, squeezing it lightly.
"She's resting in room 103, I can escort you there if needed," the nurse kindly offered her help.
Mary nodded her head eagerly and followed the nurse. They reached the room quite fast; the nurse made sure that her assistance wasn't needed anymore and returned to work.
"MARY!" Michelle laid on the bed, a bright smile plastered on her face. She reminded Mary of a child, who had just opened the first Christmas present.
"Michelle, you're still as old as I remember you," Mary tried to joke, seeing that her friend looked more than fine. Her right arm was wrapped in bandages and a tube with a needle attached to her left. Other than that, she seemed to be in excellent health.
"Excuse me; I'm still as gorgeous as I was years ago. You're just jealous of me. I do see the wrinkles on your face though, let's talk a little more about who's the old one," Michelle laughed, pointing at Mary's face. Her laughter became louder as Mary approached the mirror, her facial expression one of panic.
"You witch!" Mary laughed alongside her friend, seeing that the dreaded wrinkles were not appearing on her face.
"How are you feeling?" Mary turned around and approached Michelle's bed, sitting on the chair next to her. Carefully, she took Michelle's hand in hers and breathed out a heavy sigh.
"I'm fine; it's just a scratch. Thank you for the concern and thank you for finding time in your schedule to visit me in such a hurry," Michelle smiled at Mary. Both women haven't met for years; none could remember the last time when they spent some quality time together. Despite how their lives worked out, both going in different ways - the friendship never died. Mary was a Royal while Michelle was an ordinary free wolf- no rank whatsoever. Others would grow into a self-centred persona; many already had changed dramatically with positions, but not Mary. Not her. She was still the same, silly girl Michelle met years ago. The same positive, loving she-wolf who would do anything for people she cared about. Even now, when Mary had so much on her shoulders. Michelle had to make one call to see her friend just hours later, next to her hospital bed. The hospital wasn't part of her plan, but that's life- nobody knows what will happen next.
"Of course, I wouldn't miss an opportunity to see you- no matter how busy I am or how stupidly full that damn schedule is. Besides- you told me that you have a problem and need my help, how could I not drop everything and rush here? You've helped so much around the Kingdom, you've supported so many of my decisions, and helped Balthazar. I owe you my life- this is not the time for one to be ungrateful, no matter how busy I am or not. Shall we speak here, or should I take you somewhere quieter? We all know that walls tend to have ears, but are these the ones we wouldn't need to fear? How bad is it?" Mary leaned closer to her friend, the last questions leaving her lips like mere whispers.
"I think it's better if we go to my house. The doctor said that I'm good to go, but they have to remove systems, and I wanted to wait for your arrival. It would have been a shame to go home when you were coming here- it would get you more worried if you didn’t find me here. My grandson is on his way to take us both back to my house." She smiled, reaching for a staff call button.
After a minute, a kind-looking nurse joined them. She took out all the systems from Michelle's arm and patched her up, announcing that she may leave until the next check-up. The grandson arrived when Mary was helping her friend get out of bed.
"Here, grandma, let me help you," he rushed to Michelle's side, supporting her body weight on his. Mary eyed him suspiciously, something in her screamed that there were way too many things wrong with this young man. She sniffed the air; even his scent was somewhat familiar, but Mary couldn't remember where she knew it. The man was in his early thirties, tall and muscular- a handsome young male. What made Mary worried was the aura of trouble around him- his whole being screamed danger. She shrugged the feeling off, deciding to avoid any unnecessary drama in the hospital. She would ask her friend a couple of questions about the young man later on. The grandson wasn't much of a talker; he silently greeted Mary, never offering a handshake, or introducing himself. The only time he spoke was when Michelle asked him various questions. She warned Mary that her grandson was a rather closed persona, so Mary didn't dare ask any questions or assume anything before she got her answers.
He helped Michelle to get inside the house and then rushed away, promising to come over and check on her later. Mary got the hint. He would hang around Michelle only when she's gone.
"Michelle, mind if I ask you something about your grandson?" Mary couldn't hold herself back anymore; she had to know why the man acted so secretive and why he seemed so familiar.
"Go on, love," Michelle smiled, motioning that Mary should close the door and sit on the sofa in front of her.
"This will sound weird, I know, but I can't get rid of this feeling. As much as I try, I just can't. Even though today was technically the first day I met your grandson, he seems oddly familiar. I swear I've seen or scented him somewhere. Please, don't think that I'm crazy, despite how crazy I sound," Mary sighed, rubbing her temples as the woman tried to pull similarities of facts together.
"I know from which pack territory you came, Mary." Michelle tried to hide her disappointment behind a fake smile.
"Don't avoid my question, please. I know- I sound like a madwoman, but I have to know. The pack territory I came from, has no importance in this situation," Mary stood up, walking back and forth in the tiny living room.
"Oh, but it has. My grandson was imprisoned there for quite some while. He missed the birth of his child because of that bitch, Luna. I hate that pack, and so does he; therefore, we avoid bringing that topic up. He managed to escape; I'm sure that's where you caught his scent. Please, no more questions. It had been difficult for our family to face the things he had to go through. Let's talk about the issue, shall we?" She folded her arms in her lap, watching her friend's frantic behaviour.
"Yes, yes, of course, I'm sorry," Mary froze on the spot. She gathered all her will power to keep quiet and listen.
If the grandson had escaped, he might be the one who took Eve. But he is Michelle's family; She knew them all too well to assume that the young man could do it. But what if he did? What if he knew where the future Queen was hidden?
"I have a human, pregnant from the shifter. I'm worried, Mary. The poor girl looks like she's dying; each day, the fetus is taking more and more from her. That woman can barely stand, I won't talk about any activities, and the father can't be near her."
"But why are you worried? I'm sure you're taking great care of her, there have been plenty of humans to give birth to shifter babies," Mary tried to reassure her friend. So far, it wasn't even half as bad as Michelle told Mary over the phone.
"The blood moon is coming, Mary. The child is growing too fast, I've never seen anything like that. For two weeks, the pregnancy went okay, she had a tiny baby bump, but the day I called for your help, she woke up with the belly of a seven-month pregnant human. I'm afraid of the cravings to come, and if she gives birth near that damned moon phase, she..." Michelle hid her face behind her palms, tears streamed down her face like tiny waterfalls. She knew that she had to hold the woman's identity a secret, at least until the baby is one, but it was hard. Looking into her best friend's eyes and not telling her that she knew where Eve was- broke her. Mary kept quiet while Michelle cried. She had enough of carrying this burden alone; she wanted to share her fears and help from the only woman she trusted when the baby would come.
"She might give birth any other day, Michelle. If the pregnancy progresses at such speed, it means only one of two things- the baby is strong, or there's something wrong with it. The father can't find out, we don't need a raging wolf," Mary sat next to Michelle, placing her hand on the woman's back.
"Did you hear the main issue? I know I'll get her through the labour, and the baby will be alright, but because of that phase, I'm scared that..."
Mary cut off Michelle.
"The baby or the mother will die, that's how it goes, everyone knows that. Giving birth under the blood moon means that the child will come into this world in the blood- eye for an eye, teeth for teeth, and blood for blood. You have to get some nurses and head straight for that human, explain everything, get her to the hospital and perform a damn emergency C-section, but under no circumstances do not allow her to go into labour under that damned moon. Should I come with you? Will you need my help?"