Chapter 55
The nurse called Kathy’s name, her voice slicing through the low murmur of the waiting room. Kathy rose from her seat, her hands trembling slightly as she gathered her things. Heart hammering, she started after the nurse, her steps echoing against the polished floor. The corridor ahead seemed to stretch endlessly, each fluorescent light humming softly above them.
With every step, Kathy felt fear and nervousness coiling tighter inside her. She kept her gaze fixed on the nurse’s crisp white uniform, as if it were a lifeline pulling her forward through the uncertainty. The hallway was quiet except for the occasional shuffle of footsteps—another nurse passed them by, nodding politely, but Kathy barely noticed.
Soon, she and her nurse reached a closed door at the end of the hall. In one smooth motion, the nurse opened it, holding it gently for Kathy to enter. The room beyond was bright and unfamiliar, and as the door swung shut behind her, Kathy’s anxiety sharpened, but so did a quiet hope that, whatever waited inside, she was one step closer to answers.
“What brings you here, Kathy?” asked the nurse
“Um…. I want to know if I am pregnant or not because I vomit and having mood swing earlier,” said Kathy.
“We can do blood work to confirm it, even do an ultrasound. Let me check your blood and temperature but the doctor come in,”
“Okay. What is the doctor's name?”
“It’s Dr. Kath Stone, she is a great doctor, you won’t have to worry about everything plus she will answer any question you have,”
“That good, thank you,”
Kathy settled into the stiff hospital chair, trying to steady her breathing while the nurse wrapped a blood pressure cuff around her arm. The machine hummed quietly as the nurse took a reading, then gently placed a thermometer under Kathy’s tongue. After jotting the results in the chart, the nurse glanced up and asked, “Have you had any headaches or dizziness lately?” Kathy nodded, replying honestly, “Yes, I’ve felt lightheaded a few times, and I’ve had some vomit in the afternoon.” The nurse made a note and continued with a few more questions, her tone calm and reassuring.
But all at once, a sharp pain seized Kathy’s chest, and her heart began to race uncontrollably. She gasped, clutching at her shirt, unable to ignore the pounding in her chest. The nurse immediately noticed and hurried over, her concern evident as she leaned in, ready to assist Kathy at a moment’s notice.
“What wrong?” asked the nurse
"I feel like my heart is going to leap out of my chest," Kathy said breathlessly.
Kathy’s mind flashed to Anthony—her feelings for him always complicated, but now the pain in her chest made everything worse. Reluctantly, she knew she would have to face him again, despite how much she disliked the situation.
Desperate for relief, Kathy’s eyes darted to the sink. She pushed herself up and staggered over, turning on the faucet. As water pooled in her palm, she focused, bending the stream until the surface shimmered like a mirror. The nurse, witnessing this unnatural display, gasped and collapsed to the floor in shock, unable to comprehend what she was seeing.
In the rippling reflection, Kathy saw a scene unfold: Miles protectively shielding Sarah behind his back, while Anthony swayed unsteadily, as if drunk, struggling to steady himself. The vision left Kathy with more questions and a growing sense of urgency.
Kathy has to get to him as she ran out of the room and didn’t want to take the elevator so she took the stairs toward the first door. As she got into the main hobby, and ran out of the door to see Theo leaning on the wall smoking a cigarette. Theo sees Kathy came out of the hospital holding her chest and out of breath.
“Kathy what is going on?”
“It’s Anthony something is happening to him I can feel it,”
“I don’t know where he is at. He went running with Miles and Sarah. But I see that Anthony is acting odd, I must get to him right now,” Kathy said urgently, glancing around in panic. Theo flicked his cigarette aside, straightening as worry creased his brow. “Let cut through the wood and hope that we can find them on time—they usually pass through there on their way back,” he suggested, ready to help her find Anthony as quickly as possible.
Kathy didn't hesitate—she plunged into the woods with Theo on her heels, her breath ragged but determined. Suddenly, an idea sparked in her mind. She skidded to a stop and dug frantically through her bag, her fingers closing around a strand of Anthony’s hair she’d tucked inside of her bag. Kneeling by a small puddle, Kathy summoned her waterpower, letting a thin stream swirl and dance above her palm. In the opening of the wood, Miles keeps Sarah behind him as Anthony is still in his wolf form growls at them, Kathy doesn’t have no choice but to get in front of them blocked Anthony from them.
“Miles, what is going on here?” asked Kathy
“We were drinking water from the pond over there, then suddenly Alpha Anthony started acting not himself. The only time I see this is when men go into a rut. Kathy, you can’t smell it because you’re not a wolf, but other unmated females can,” explains Miles, his voice tense as he kept Sarah shielded behind him. The urgency in his tone made it clear that Anthony’s behavior was unlike anything he had witnessed before, and the situation was quickly escalating. Kathy’s concern deepened, realizing that her lack of wolf's senses put her at a disadvantage, but her determination to help Anthony only grew stronger.
As guards emerged from the wood with Lycan Frances, a blow landed on Anthony's neck, and he sank to the ground, overcome with sleep. Slowly, his body reverted to human form, and the guard gently covered Anthony with a blanket. After getting dressed, Miles and Sarah went with the others to the kingdom, but the pain persisted, and Theo saw Kathy's hand return to her chest as she struggled to breathe. Sarah and Miles rushed to her, as she fell on her knee, their faces etched with concern.
“Kathy what wrong?” said Sarah
“I felt it before while at the hospital, a strange sensation I can’t explain,” said Kathy, her voice filled with confusion.
“You are bonded with Alpha Anthony, you must feel his emotions, we need to get you inside,”
“Alright. Where are they bringing Anthony?” asked Kathy.
“They probably take him somewhere until his rut is over,”
Kathy tried to stand, but the pain in her chest intensified with every step she attempted. Before she could collapse, Theo swiftly scooped her into his arms, cradling her gently as she let her head rest against his chest, seeking comfort in his steady presence. Inside, the guards carefully escorted Anthony to a secluded room, making sure he would be safe from harming himself or anyone else during his rut. Meanwhile, Theo settled Kathy onto the couch, making sure she could rest, while Sarah hovered close by, worry etched across her face.