Chapter 324: Desperate Measures

Maeve's POV

I gasped for air as my eyes flew open, a bright light shining directly into my face. The sensation of oxygen being forcibly pushed into my lungs was overwhelming, the pressure almost unbearable.

There was something deep in my throat, and my body trembled as I tried to make sense of where I was and what had happened.

My mind was foggy, memories scattered like puzzle pieces. I didn't know where I was or fully understand what had happened.

Pain radiated through my body, and fear coursed through my veins as I tried to make sense of my surroundings. I reached out mentally, desperately seeking the comforting presence of my wolf.

"Katie?" I called out, hoping to hear her reassuring voice, needing her confirmation that we were still alive.

"I'm here..." Her voice came back, but it was weak, barely a whisper in my mind. "But I'm very weak. The holy water nearly killed us."

Relief flooded through me. Katie was still there. We were still alive. I tried to piece together what had happened, but everything remained blurry.

"But I'm too tired..." Katie continued, her voice fading. "I used the last of my strength to protect us."

"Rest," I told her gently. "You did good."

Through my mind, I watched as Katie lowered her head and closed her eyes.

The pressure between my throat and lungs became too much. My heart began to race frantically. I reached up to pull at the tube, but as it moved, I triggered my gag reflex. Suddenly, I couldn't breathe. I started to choke and cough.

I need to get this tube out of my body, I can't stand it.

"Oh, Goddess!" A female voice came from somewhere in the distance.

A woman rushed over and removed the tube. Finally, I could breathe on my own again. I coughed, rubbing my sore throat as I took in great gulps of natural air.

"You're okay," she said, patting my back as I hunched over the side of the bed, coughing.

She handed me a towel and a glass of water. I looked up at her, squinting. My eyes were finally adjusting to the light, and the woman's face came into focus.

"Dr. Hartwell?" My voice was raspy.

"You're awake. I'm so glad," she said with a smile.

She motioned for me to lie back down and placed a cool cloth on my forehead. I realized I was running a fever.

"Do you remember what happened?" she asked while checking my heart rate and breathing.

I try to recall the events. I only remember being at the birthday party, with Juniper handing me a drink. I was angry because she was with Louie, but I accepted it anyway. Then everything becomes blurry. But when I think about that anger, it doesn't feel genuine. I was upset, yes, but not enough to lose my mind. I won't tell Dr. Hartwell this; I don't know if she's on my side.

I slowly shook my head.

"You were injected with a large dose of holy water," she said quietly. "And as a Callisto werewolf, you're extremely sensitive to it."

The door to the clinic suddenly burst open.

"How is she? We only have about an hour until the ritual," Phoebe demanded as she rushed in.

"She's awake, but needs rest," Dr. Hartwell replied.

"We don't have time," Phoebe said through gritted teeth.

"Then prepare everything else. By the time you're done, she'll be ready," Dr. Hartwell said. "She's running a fever. I'm giving her antibiotics and checking her blood."

Phoebe glared at me as if I'd intentionally gotten poisoned.

Suddenly, memories flooded my mind. I orchestrated all of this. I convinced those rogues to inject me with something I knew I was allergic to. Katie promised to protect my cubs, and she did.

I looked away from Phoebe toward Dr. Hartwell, who instructed her, "Get Juniper ready for the ritual. We won't be long."

Juniper is here. I needed to come; this is the only way to stop this. If Juniper knew what was happening, she wouldn't want this. Her father thinks Phoebe is saving his daughter's life, not turning her into a mindless Callisto ability vessel. He doesn't know Juniper will actually die tonight too.

"I need to grab some extra things first. I'll be back to collect them both," Phoebe muttered before leaving.

With Phoebe gone, I watch Dr. Hartwell tidying her supplies. I'm in survival mode, and time is short. Escaping is my only option.

I methodically extracted the various tubes and wires from my arm. Though bereft of my enhanced faculties—with Katie dormant—months of rigorous training under Sebastian had honed my natural human capabilities. The faint cardiac monitoring from an adjacent chamber suggested Juniper's presence there.

I maintained vigilant observation of Dr. Hartwell as she moved about, organizing materials, seemingly oblivious to my clandestine activities.

Surveying the room, my attention fixated upon a wall-mounted fire extinguisher, secured by four intricate latches.

Glancing back to Dr. Hartwell, who stood engrossed in her documentation at the counter, I posed a question with feigned interest: "Why align yourself with Phoebe?"

As she delivered her measured response—carefully crafted to conceal pertinent information—I removed the intravenous line from my arm, suppressing my reaction to the sharp discomfort.

Though I had liberated my hands, I maintained their concealment beneath the blanket, grateful for the modest coverage provided by the hospital gown.

Sensing her narrative had concluded, I recognized the necessity of prolonging our exchange to sustain her distraction.

"Your intentions for Juniper are not preservation," I stated gravely. "You seek to transform her into a Callisto vessel."

Dr. Hartwell responded with nonchalant acquiescence. "Perhaps; one under Phoebe's dominion. You merely represent the sole Callisto werewolf with sufficient power to facilitate this transformation."

"Ultimately," I replied in hushed tones, "your design encompasses our collective demise."

Dr. Hartwell shrugged dismissively. "It's beyond our control now. We must simply proceed accordingly."

She placed her clipboard on the counter and began searching through a drawer with notable commotion.

Seizing the opportunity amid her distraction, I discreetly deactivated the heart monitor and removed the electrode pads from my chest.

I observed as she extracted a syringe, methodically filling it with an unidentified liquid.

Straining to discern the label, I found myself hindered without Katie's enhanced vision.

While Dr. Hartwell remained absorbed in preparing the injection, I carefully slipped from the bed and surveyed the surroundings, ensuring no witnesses who might alert her to my movement.

With utmost stealth, I approached the fire extinguisher, working to release the four securing latches. Glancing back, I saw her securing the cap on the mysterious substance before returning it to the drawer.

My pulse quickened as I frantically yet silently manipulated the latches, conscious of my rapidly diminishing opportunity before she would discover my absence.

Just as she raised the syringe to eye level, tapping it meticulously, I positioned myself behind her, fire extinguisher firmly in grasp.

As Dr. Hartwell turned toward the vacant bed, her pleasant expression transformed into unmistakable shock.

Without hesitation, I brought the fire extinguisher down forcefully upon the back of her head.