CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Brian paced up and down the garden beside the clinic.

It was already morning, barely hours after he was in a life and death situation. Yet, here he was, in another life and death situation.

Because he considered the life of his mate the same as his own. And Estella was almost dead, technically. Dr. Shelby had told him it would take a miracle to keep her alive.

After all his efforts, he still did not succeed at bringing the vial early enough. Brian felt like a heavy stone was in his chest.

Hell, he had abandoned his beta, just so he could save his mate! And she was going to fucking die? This was totally unacceptable to Brian.

He had felt empty for too long to be willing to go back to it now he had felt what it was like to have a mate.

Clenching his fist suddenly, Brian turned on the heels of his shoes and stormed into the clinic. There was anger in every line of his handsome visage as he stormed into the room where Estella was still struggling to live.

He marched up the bed, plopped himself down on it and grabbed Estella's hands roughly. Dr. Shelby stared in surprise.

"Fuck it Estella. What's wrong with you? Just wake up! You can't fucking die after all I went through to find the antidote. You just can't fucking die!" Brian snapped at Estella, as if she could hear him.

He looked at her expectantly, as if expecting some magic.

"Wake up, please!" Brian's voice was no more forceful now. It was broken, pleading. Dr. Shelby stared. It was the first time he had ever seen the lycan king pleading with anyone.

But Brian did not mind. In fact, he did not even seem to notice the doctor. He continued letting out endless supplications to Estella's unconscious body.

After shaking her with no result, Brian hugged her body to his. Tears welled in his eyes.

The doctor held his breath, waiting for them for fall. They never did. Brian just sat there, holding Estella as if the warmth of his body could somehow make her conscious.

He did not look like he wanted to let go, but last, Brian sighed and got up, resignation on his face. He walked dejectedly out of the room.

"Hey there," the presence of a female outside the clinic startled Brian. She was a busty lady, with curves in all the right places on a good day.

But that day was not a good day for her. Therefore, she was not looking particularly good. In fact, she was looking haggard.

"Vivian!" Brian exclaimed silently. "Wasn't expecting you back now."

Vivian pouted. "That's a very nice welcome there. No hug?" She stretched her arms wide and leaned forward for a hug. But Brian pushed her away gently.

"You don't look very pleased to see me." Vivian observed.

"I am," Brian replied, rubbing his hair tiredly, "I'm just too tired right now."

Vivian's face instantly showed concern. "I hope the illness is not stressing you much?" She asked, looking around as if afraid someone might overhear them.

"You could say that. But it's really my–" Brian caught himself just in time. He had been about to say mate, but he knew that would just spell disaster.

He was not ready for that particular problem yet.

"And what's that wound on your face?"

She touched a finger to a thin shallow gash running from the bridge if Brian's nose to his cheekbones.

"Well, had a brush with Loki just yesternight."

The concern on Vivian's face deepened. "I must find Eve as soon as possible then. I think I will resume my search right now. Where's Ethan? I need to see him before I leave."

Guilt flickered across Brian's face for an instant. But Vivian was too slow to notice it. "He's not in the pack right now. I sent him on a mission," Brian lied.

"Send my greetings to him then. Just that my search led me near here and I thought I'd drop in before I continue on her trail." Vivian said.

"By the way, do you have any new information? It might help me greatly," Vivian asked.

Brian thought for a moment. "None really," he replied finally, "though I know for a fact now that Alpha Loki is also searching for it."

Then he remembered the video Alpha Loki had sent him the day before and added,

"Oh, and there's a lady in their pack he thinks her parents might have known where Eve was."

"That's a huge help. That could lead somewhere. I was wondering how her trail came this way," Vivian said.

She turned to leave. Brian caught the tip of her sleeves. "You have to know I really appreciate this. You can't even tell how much –"

Vivian cut him off, laughing. "What are lovers for?" She asked.

Brian watched her back with a wistful expression as she skipped gaily away.

___

Darkness.

Lots and lots of it.

She tried to move, but she could not. It seemed her body had done a disappearing act, leaving her to float helplessly in this disconcerting darkness.

Estella sighed. Or at least, she tried to, but since she had no body, she only thought about it, but didn't actually do it.

Where am I? What's this place? Am I dead? Buried perhaps, in the grave? Estella wondered to herself.

In her opinion, that would be nice. A hell lot better than being defiled by Dexter day after day. She had thought death would mean not existing, but this was okay with her too.

Anything was better than being Dexter's sex toy.

After some time, Estella realized she wasn't alone. She didn't know how she knew, but she felt there were people around her body.

Were they mourning her? She wondered. She could definitely hear someone wailing.

Nope. Not wailing. The person was raging. At her.

Just wake up! You can't fucking die after all I went through to find the antidote.

Someone found the antidote for the poison? Estella wondered. That would mean she was not dead yet. Likely unconscious.

But who would love her enough to do that? She didn't know, but the person obviously loved her enough to hug her close, and cry on her shoulders.

Once again, she could not feel it directly, but she felt it somehow.

The warmth from his body (how did she know it was a he?), the tears in his eyes, the shaking of her body.

And the love.

For the first time since her parents died, Estella felt loved. And cherished.

She started struggling against the darkness. It was laboriously slow, but struggle will she, till she can hug him and tell him it's alright.