Chapter 40

**ARIA**

I was talking with Rosalie and all of a sudden... nothing. I stretch and slowly open my eyes, I don’t know how long I slept but I had the best night of my life. Rosalie is sitting at the foot of my bed and when she sees that I am awake, she rushes to her phone.

“What happened?” I ask her in a sleepy voice.

“You passed out.”

“I was out for how long?”

“Two days.”

“Two days?!” I ask her as I straighten up. “No wonder I feel so rested.”

Adam walks through the door and runs over to me to kiss me. As he hugs me I try to get out of his embrace. When he notices, he lets go but holds my hands in his.

“We were all very worried. The doctor is coming to check you out. I’m texting Austin to let him know, you’re awake.”

He pulls out his phone and starts typing a message.

“I don’t get it. Why did I sleep so long?” I ask them worriedly.

“Your body is getting used to the change. Since you’ve been marked by two werewolves, you’re becoming one too.” Rosalie explains. “How do you feel?”

“Honestly, great. I was a little disoriented at first but I feel really well rested and hungry as hell.” I answer her and at the same time my stomach is rumbling.

“Ok I’ll go make you something.” She tells me with a chuckle before walking out of the room.

Her phone tucked away in her pocket, Adam turns his attention back to me and takes my face in his hands.

“When I saw you passed out.... for a moment...I thought....”

“Hey I’m fine.” I cut him off with reassurance.

“Seriously. I honestly don’t feel any difference. Just really hungry.”

“OK.” He kisses me briefly on the lips. “But tell me if there’s anything. You know I’m here for you.”

“I know that.”

There’s a knock on the door and Rosalie and a woman in her forties walks in, I assume it’s the doctor since she’s wearing a white scrubs.
We are left alone her and me.

“How are you feeling Aria?” She asks me as she takes my blood pressure.

“I’m doing great. I’m just really hungry.”

“You can eat as soon as we’re done.” She examines me. “Everything looks normal but I’d like to take a blood sample to be sure.” She pauses. “Do you feel a change in yourself?”

“Honestly not at all.” I frown. “What am I supposed to be feeling?”

She places a rubber band on my arm and prepares a syringe. “You should feel your wolf, hear it and feel its cravings.”

She pricks me and I watch the blood fill the tube. “I’m not normal is that it?”

She stifles a laugh as she withdraws the syringe. “Did you seriously just ask me that question? You are normal. You’re human and I don’t know any more normal than that.” She closes the tube. “Everyone is different, your body may take longer to adjust that’s all. Don’t panic.”

“Okay. So what should I do?”

“Nothing at all. Just let go and go with what you feel like. And come to me if there’s anything.”

I nod and she walks out of the room once she has gathered her things.

Rosalie then enters with a tray of food. I devour its contents at an alarming rate. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so fast and so much. I stop because the tray is empty or I would continue. When Rosalie leaves me alone, I take the opportunity to call my father back. He was worried and just wanted to make sure everything was okay and he asked me what exactly Adam, Austin and I were so I told him the truth: we are together, a trouple. I had a long silence as an answer and he finally said that what mattered was my happiness. Even though he took it pretty well, I’m sure Cassius’ reaction won’t be the same.

No sooner do I get off the phone with my dad, than I get a call coming in on video from Austin.

“Hey babe!” He greets me.

“Hi! How are you?”

“Wait a minute you’re the one asking me how I’m doing when you’re the one who was unconscious for two days.”

I giggle. “What do you want me to say? Even unconscious I’m worried about you.”

“I’m fine.” He looks down, scratching the back of his neck. “I got the answer from the Council.”

“And... are you going to tell me what their answer was or do I have to pull your leg?” I ask him, frowning and mostly dead with worry.

“I’m suspended from my duties.”

“What?! Wait, they can do that? I mean honestly, we’re not talking about a position as a company president. A pack can suspend its alpha and have a what...an interim alpha of sorts?”

“I didn’t think that was possible, but apparently they can do that. I’m going to hit the road tomorrow to join you. They’d rather I didn’t stick around until the situation is resolved.”

“Who’s going to take over for you?”

“David. He’s my beta so it makes sense.”

“Pfff that’s pretty convenient if you ask me. Do you really think it’s just a coincidence? I mean all this and he just happens to be the one taking your place. Aagh, it pisses me off I swear! Why does everything have to be so complicated?! I don’t know, we couldn’t be happy for us, shit!”

“Wow, I think you’re really pissed off. Anyway your nasty temper is still intact. ”

“Well, thanks. It’s always a pleasure to talk to you.”

“It’s okay, I was just kidding.”

“I’m just sick of it is all! Doesn’t it piss you off? Honestly... is it too much to ask to have a little enthusiasm for us? You’re the Alpha... You should have the right to make decisions, especially when it comes to your personal life.”

“That’s not how it works. A pack is not an absolute monarchy." He pauses with a frown. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes everything is fine! I got bitten by two werewolves and apparently I should be starting to feel something by now but nothing has changed! I must have something wrong with me.”

“Wow wow go back a bit. There’s nothing wrong with you. Aria, just give your body time to adjust.”

“That’s what everyone told me.” I pout like a child. I don’t know what’s happening to me I feel a lot of different things all at the same time. “I think I’m going to rest for a while. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay? I love you.”

“Yeah. Love you gorgeous.”