Chapter 61 SIXTY-ONE
Brienne woke up, and the first thing she saw was the white ceiling above her. She noticed an IV line attached to her arm and someone asleep beside her. As the memories came flooding back—being kidnapped and then rescued by Raven—she couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
Raven, hearing her little whimpers, opened his eyes and immediately embraced Brienne.
"I'm here, darling," he whispered in her ear, soothing her. Brienne scooted closer to him and buried her face in his chest, inhaling his manly scent.
"How's... How's our baby?" Brienne asked softly, her voice trembling. She was terrified of Raven's response, fearing that something might have happened to their child after everything they had endured.
"I had Sam examine you and he said our baby is fine. Our little one fought well," Raven replied, a smile breaking across his face for the first time in weeks. Brienne had been away from him for so long, and seeing his smile again brought her a sense of relief because it meant she wasn't dreaming. This is all real. Brienne gazed into his eyes, studying him.
"You've grown a beard," she said, gently tracing the facial hair along his jawline. Raven caught her hand and kissed it tenderly.
"Do you not like it?" he asked.
"I do like it," Brienne replied. "But I like you without it," she added, smiling. Raven nodded his head.
"I'll shave it then," he whispered tenderly.
"That man... he found you," Brienne said. "He told me he'd look for someone to help," she added, and Raven immediately understood what she meant.
"He did," Raven replied. "He's the one who told us where to find you. I owe him much," he added.
"Where is he? I want to thank him," Brienne said softly. Raven began stroking her hair gently.
"We'll meet him once you're feeling better, alright?" Raven said, making Brienne pout. Despite her disappointment, she understood Raven's concerns.
"Rave... how did Jasper come back to life?" Brienne asked bravely, her heart pounding in her chest. The National News reported Jasper's death, but how did he come back to life?
"His father," Raven said and paused for a moment. "His father gave him a medicine that will temporarily stop the heart from beating. It was the reason he escaped death," he added. Brienne's forehead creased.
"There were medicines capable of doing horrifying things like that?" she asked, genuinely concern and Raven nodded his head.
"R-Rave... did you know he was a wolf?" Brienne asked. Aside from the fact that Jasper was alive, Brienne was shocked to see him transformed into a wolf, just like Raven. Raven's face contorted in anger.
"No, I didn't," he said. "If I had only known earlier, I would have dealt with him our own way," he added.
"I'm sorry, darling. It's all my fault that Jasper kidnapped you. I'm sorry you and our child had to suffer," Raven said. Brienne put her hand on his face and shook her head.
"It wasn't your fault. None of this was your fault," Brienne said, her voice trembling. "If anyone was to blame, it was Jasper. He wasn’t in his right mind," she added, her eyes glistening with tears. Raven gently wrapped an arm around her, humming his favorite lullaby. The soothing melody calmed Brienne, and soon, she drifted off to sleep.
Meanwhile, in the Red Moon Pack, Jao confessed what he did to his wife, Celine. Overwhelmed by his words, Celine sobbed quietly, her face buried in his chest.
"You and our son need to leave, my love. You’re leaving this wretched place," Jao said softly, running his fingers through her hair.
"What about you, Jao?" Celine asked, her voice breaking. "You said they're going to help us, so why won't you come with us?" she added. Jao swallowed hard, brushing away her tears as he forced a smile.
"I’ll follow you," he assured her. "But I need to make sure the two of you are safe first. Besides, I don't want Derrick to get suspicious," he added. Jao was waiting for Raven's plan to be in full motion, and any day now he'll send Derrick the news about Jasper; that is going to be Jao's signal.
Brienne woke up again, but this time without Raven by her side. She slowly sat and then stood up. She drew the curtain and saw that it was already night outside. Brienne took the IV fluid bag and went out of the room.
It wasn't Raven's house, but she knew where it was. She was in his parent's house. Ravena, who had just emerged from the kitchen, noticed Brienne walking down the stairs carrying the IV fluid bag.
"Bree! Oh my god, wait," Ravena said and immediately ran towards Brienne to help her.
"Thanks, sister," she whispered.
"Is that Brienne? Oh my! You shouldn't get out of your room, sweetie. You need rest," Cecil said, eyes filled with worry. Brienne smiled at her and sat on the couch. Ravena immediately put the fluid bag on the pole they had prepared.
"I'm okay, m-mom," Brienne said shyly. "It's suffocating to stay in there," she added and bowed her head. Cecil sat next to her and patted her back.
"I'm sorry, sweetie," she said.
"Are you feeling any pain, Bree? Should we call Sam to check up on you?" Ravena asked and sat on the opposite side of the couch.
"I'm really fine, sister," she said, but then her stomach suddenly grumbled, making the three of them look at each other and burst out laughing. Cecil then stopped and stared at Brienne.
"I'm glad we weren't late, sweetie. Now, what do you want to eat?" Cecil asked and wiped the stray tear that fell from her eye. Weeks without sweet Brienne were lonely but it was especially hell for their son.
"Anything is fine with me, Mom," Brienne said. She was glad she was given a second chance to live and see the people who genuinely care about her.
Raven and Arthur arrived with few bags. Raven went with his father to buy Brienne's favorite snacks, fruits, and drinks that are also healthy for their baby. When he saw her talking to his sister, he immediately walked towards them.
"Darling, are you alright? You should have rested back in the room and waited for me. I just went out with Dad to buy food for you," he said. Brienne pouted her lips.
"That was what Mom said too, but staying there alone brings back some bad memories," she whispered. Brienne knows that she is safe now and that Jasper is gone, but she couldn't help it. Raven's face softened and put the bags on the floor. He sat next to Brienne and held her hand.
"I'm sorry you woke up without me," he said. "Have you read my letter? I left a paper on the table," he added and intertwined their fingers. Brienne sheepishly smiled because she never noticed it.
"I didn't," she answered, making Raven chuckle.
"It's alright, darling," he said. Cecil went out of the kitchen and called all of them. It was the first time they were having a meal as a complete family, and Raven would do anything to protect it.