Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

  THE COLD AND THE QUIET

GABRIELLA'S POV

Something whizzed past me. It was fast. It felt so cold that I shivered. I turned, heart hammering in my chest, but nothing was there.

“Hello?” I called out, my voice coming out shaky. “Is anybody there?”

Silence was what I met. 

Just the distant creak of the massive door Jack had just closed behind him. I looked over my shoulder, then around the house, my eyes scanning every corner.

Still, I saw or smelled nothing.

I was probably just tired. My mind is playing tricks on me again. It had to be.

I was even pregnant…it could be just hallucination. 

I inhaled sharply and stepped through the threshold into the packhouse.

The moment I crossed the door, it was like the warmth disappeared from the air. The house was big and dark and quiet, too quiet. My shoes echoed against the marble floor as I moved, wrapping my arms tightly around myself like I wanted to protect it from something. 

The packhouse didn’t feel the same as the time when I first came here. It used to feel intimidating, yes, but now it felt cold.

Maybe it's because the Lord of the house was sick. 

I heard faint voices upstairs. Voices of Jack and Benson. Someone else too. Maybe the healer. I didn’t want to go up yet. I didn’t want to see Jax in pain again.

It physically hurt me to see him like that. 

I wandered deep into the living room instead and sank into the couch. My body sagging. I was so, so tired.

I leaned my head back and stared up at the ceiling, taking in a deep breath. My hands moved to my belly. It is still flat, still not showing, but I know it's there. A secret heartbeat beating right under my fingers. A small life. Jax’s baby.

Would he even want it? If he ever recovered… would he still be the same?

Would he still want me?

Would Jack?

I exhaled slowly, and before I knew it, tears slipped down the side of my face again. Quiet, unintended tears. I didn’t sob, didn’t shake. I just let them fall. 

Why was everything crumbling right in my face?

A door creaked above me, followed by heavy footsteps. I sniffled and wiped my cheeks quickly, standing up just as Jack came down the stairs.

His face was blank again. It was guarded. He paused at the foot of the stairs when he saw me.

“He’s stable for now,” he said, his voice low. “The healer gave him something to slow the spread.”

I nodded, not trusting my voice not to break. 

Jack looked at me like he wanted to say something else, but then he sighed and walked past me, into the kitchen.

I hesitated before following. “Jack…”

He didn’t answer.

“Thank you,” I said softly, stepping closer. “For defending me earlier.”

He stood by the counter. He didn't even bother to turn to look at me. “You didn’t need defending if you weren’t planning on running again.”

I flinched. “I wasn’t running. I told you. I just needed to talk to Hunter. About everything. About… what I am now. About What this means.”

He turned around, facing me slowly. “And you thought the best person to talk to about that was your ex? The same guy who kidnapped you?”

“He didn’t kidnap me,” I said, frowning. “He helped me.”

“Right.” Jack scoffed. “He helped by locking you in a cage and nearly getting you killed.”

“I didn’t know it would go that far!” I shot back, stepping toward him. “I thought he could help me understand this whole mate bond. I’m not like you, Jack. I didn’t grow up in this world. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing!”

Jack’s jaw clenched. He looked away, hands pressing flat against the counter. His arms trembled slightly.

“And now Jax is lying upstairs, nearly dead,” he said bitterly. “Because of Servinium. Because of a plan we didn’t make in time. Because you trusted the wrong person.”

I swallowed hard. “It’s my fault.”

He didn’t correct me.

And for some reason, that hurt more than if he had screamed.

I think he felt my hurt because of the tiny flicker of concern that showed in his eyes for a second before it vanished. 

I turned away, hugging my arms. “I’m tired, Jack. I didn’t sleep. I haven’t eaten. I don’t even know what’s happening to me.”

He looked at me for a long moment before sighing and opening the fridge. “There’s leftover pasta in the fridge. Sit.”

I blinked. “What?”

“Sit,” he repeated, softer this time. “Eat something before you pass out. I don't want you passing out on me.” He walked up to me and brushed a hair behind my ears and then moved away almost immediately.

I felt a shiver run through my spine.  

I sat without saying a word.  He handed me a plate and fork, still warm from the microwave.

We didn’t talk while I ate. But the silence felt… lighter now. Like we both agreed to put the argument on pause.

After a few minutes, he leaned against the counter again, arms folded. Watching me.

I looked up mid-bite. “What?”

“Did you feel anything strange when we got here?”

My chewing slowed. “Why?”

“Because I did,” he said flatly. “Something’s wrong. I don’t know what, but… something’s off. I can feel it.”

I set my fork down, my throat feeling dry. “I thought I imagined it.”

“You didn’t.”

The moment hung in the air.

Then a scream echoed from upstairs.

Both of us jumped up.

Jack was already running. I followed. My legs were weak but I pushed forward anyway.

We reached the top floor in seconds, following the sound to Jax’s room.

The door was open. The healer was on the floor, unconscious. Benson was crouched beside her. His eyes were wide.

Jax was gone.

The bed was empty, the sheets were soaked with blood and shredded like paper.

“Where is he?” Jack growled, rushing in.

“I—I don’t know,” Benson said. “She said he was stable, but then he woke up and just… he went feral. His eyes were black. I couldn’t stop him—he just vanished.”

I stumbled back, my body going cold.

What the—

“Gabriella,” Jack said suddenly, his voice sharp.

I turned. “What?”

“You need to stay in this room. Lock the door. Don’t come out until I get back.”

My heart dropped. “You think he’s dangerous? I want to come. I deserve to be there too.”

“I know he is, and I know you do, but you're not going anywhere, Gabriella.” Jack said, already moving. “Think about if he sees you right now… in this state…”

He didn’t finish.

I didn’t need him to.

The room spun slightly around as I struggled to grasp the situation. I leaned against the wall, my breathing shallow.

He was gone. Feral. Possibly still poisoned. And angry.

And I was carrying his child.

Goddess, please keep him safe for me. 

“Jack,” I called out weakly as he stormed away.

He didn’t look back.

Benson closed the door behind him with a quiet thud, locking me in.

The silence came back, this time, it was heavy. And the room felt cold.

Something was out there in the halls.

And it had my mate’s scent.