Chapter 39 Duty

Chapter 39 Duty
The drive to the nearest hospital that Nathaniel felt was safe, was about thirty minutes away, and Erica stroked Beatrice's hair throughout the way. Even though she had lost consciousness, there was still a possibility her wolf was still conscious, but unable to process reality, so touches from people's body would still keep it conscious and if her wolf was conscious, she'd still be able to fight death.


At least, Erica hoped, though all of it felt grim. Way too grim for her to process stuff. She looked at Beatrice's face as she laid there almost lifeless. She was a beautiful she-wolf, one worthy of pageant awards if she would say so her self. But all her life, she'd spent it working and all for what? Somebody had tried to kill her for her diligence and loyalty.


Erica inhaled twice in succession, making the fact that she'd been sobbing inwardly evident to Loki who glanced at her with a smile.


"She is going to be okay," he said, pulling her towards himself.


She nodded, her mouth too heavy to reply, then she placed her head on his shoulder. Nathaniel floored the car faster than he should move, even by wolf standards.


When they reached the hospital, it seemed Nathaniel had already called them, as there were four nurses already waiting with stretchers ready to move her into the hospital. The hospital was inside a large area of land, fenced around. Beside the main hospital block was a large mansion, that one could boldly see. It was also demarcated from the hospital.


The nurses moved her upstairs in seconds and drove her from their sights.

"We should let them do their jobs," Nathaniel said. "Both of you, follow me. My lady, sorry for my impudence," he said, bowing. "The situation caught me off guard, I hope you understand that I meant no disrespect."


"This is not the time for formalities," she said, waving him off.


"I understand." he said. "It is an honor to meet you in person once more, Mr. Loki," he said shaking Loki's hand.


Erica didn't even seem remotely interested in any of this, she had a lot on her mind and she needed something to focus on. "Can I go see Beatrice now?"


"Trust me my lady, you'd only sit there for a while before it bores you out. How about you guys take a bath, eat and we can come back to see her," he suggested.


She wanted to refuse, but before she could talk, Loki interjected. "That would be most welcomed." he said.


"Okay, get in the car," he instructed and they complied.


He drove them towards the mansion and Erica couldn't help but wow internally. Unlike the castle that was a relic of the old wolves empire, this mansion was a modern design, and heavens, is it exquisite.


The small fence that demarcated it from the hospital was basically made of flowers, all of them trimmed and arranged to the last detail. They entered through a small white gate that opened automatically the moment his car reached it. Then he drove them into a garage that contained so many cars made from the human realm. As expected from a business man. Erica currently had no doubts that he owned the place.


They alighted from the car and they entered into the mansion itself. "Welcome to my very humble abode." he announced. "Your majesty, though the circumstances are not as pretty as I imagined it would be, it is an honour hosting you in my house." he said, and Erica nodded. Even though she did appreciate his humility and acknowledgement, she was not in the mood for flattery or even talking.


The interior of the house oozed this aura of false serenity. The colours and items were all dim-lit and the atmosphere in it felt a bit like the evening breeze. Erica could relate perfectly well to this, as that was how she was feeling like a false entity.


Nathaniel didn't give her time to brood. He clapped his hands and a servant appeared from a room. "Take them into the left wing," he said and then asked. "You'd want separate bedrooms right?"


"Sure," Loki said.


"No," Erica blurted.


Nathaniel looked at them suspiciously for a second before saying, "Her majesty's word is final."


The maid led them into the room and Erica held unto Loki's hand as the servant showed them the way. When they reached the bedroom, the servant bowed and left.


"How are you feeling?" Loki asked as the servant left.


"Like shit!" she replied.


"Why so, we might have just saved Beatrice from certain death."


"We are not even sure of that yet, and yet added to all that, I endangered your life and outright murdered someone in cold blood," she said.


"That was purely defense. If you hadn't killed him, he would have killed you without remorse, if I might add," he said.


"So, I should feel justified ‘cause it was a mistake?"


"No, you shouldn't lose yourself over it. I don't know a better way to say it but, I just got you back, I am not ready to lose you again."


Erica squinted, trying to understand his train of thoughts.

"Whatever happened after your parents died made you a better person. You cannot lose that to a brute."


She nodded and just stared blankly into the atmosphere. He was right, she knew that but she felt iffy about the whole thing, her entire body felt like it was just stained in gallons of thick blood. "But, I don't feel good about it." she said in a tiny tone.


"If you did, you would be a psycho path," he replied.


She nodded and exhaled. "Would you bath first?" she asked.


"No, you go first. I need to get myself together first."


She nodded and she understood how selfish she was being. He was probably going through a lot of worries too. She knew he had this high sense of duty and he probably felt responsible for everything. She stopped as she approached the bathroom, and then walked over to him.


"What?" he asked.


She stared into his eyes, before hugging him softly. "Thank you," she whispered into his ear.