chapter 14

Mira’s POV

The world felt hazy, like I was stuck underwater. I fought to open my eyes, but they were heavy, pulling me back into the dark, but somewhere above me, voices drifted in and out.

"Is she dead?" Someone asked coldly, making me wonder who it belonged to. But then, everyone wished me dead which wasn't surprising.

I even wished desperately for it.

"Goddess! Navier! I told you she wasn't ready for this level of training, but you wouldn't listen. Are you trying to kill her?"

An angry voice, laced with concern, shouted. "Let's just get her to the hospital, dammit."

"Let's wake her up with a bucket of water," a third voice suggested.

I couldn't identify the voices except for second, which was Ethan's, as my mind was still foggy. Before I could process anything else, a sudden splash of cold water jolted me awake.

As I became more aware of my surroundings, I looked down and saw that my clothes were wet, and Navier was holding an empty bucket, standing a few steps away.

My heart sank, and tears filled my eyes. My own mate found me passed out… and his first instinct was to treat me like a rogue, dousing me with cold water?

Ethan crouched down beside me, his worried eyes searching mine. "Mira, are you okay?" he murmured softly.

"Yes," I forced a shaky nod, as I shivered from the wind assaulting my already drenched body.

"Get up. We're going to the hospital. Come," he ordered, walking towards me.

I managed to stand on my feet, even though I was shaking uncontrollably, but when I tried to force my legs to walk, I couldn't. I had no strength to take even the tiniest step, and I ended up falling back on my behind.

"Goddess," Navier muttered, and the next thing I knew, I was in his arms.

For a second, I saw a flash of regret cross his eyes, but he masked it immediately. And somehow, that was enough for me to forgive him. Enough to soften the ache in my chest, enough to let me close my eyes and feel safe in his arms.

***

Everything around me was white when I opened my eyes. The bright light hurt, making me squint. I moved my head, looking around at the funny-smelling room with a big, soft bed under me. My hand felt heavy; I looked down and saw Hen holding onto it.

"Hey there," she whispered, eyes wide with relief. "You scared me."

I formed a soundless 'Hi' before glancing around the room to see I was in the hospital, with an IV fluid in my arm.

"How could you push yourself like that?" Hen snapped, her voice trembling with frustration. "Mira, you passed out from exhaustion."

I didn't answer. I didn't have the heart to tell her how often I wished it would all just… stop. But today, I saw a beacon of hope in Navier.

"I'm sorry," I signed, forcing a smile. "Guess I forgot how my body doesn't function like a regular werewolf."

Hen frowned at me, looking half confused, half concerned. "I don't understand what you are saying, but I do know you're not allowed to work in the kitchen or train again until you're better. In fact, from now on, I will take over your duties in the kitchen." She paused, taking a deep breath.

“You know I graduated from school today. I didn't wait for the party, it's a joke. So, I came here straight to celebrate with you, only to hear that you were sick. I couldn't believe it." She rambled on, her eyes glistening with excitement and worry.

I couldn't help but let out soundless laughter. Was she happy to take on more work, or just glad school was finally over?

“It’s okay, you don't have to take on my workload. I'll start work as soon as I am discharged from here." I signed, but my words were lost on her as she continued to instruct me on how to take good care of my body.

“Don't thank me; you're my friend." Hen declared, and I groaned. Damn my useless throat.

A sudden argument outside the door made us both pause.

“That’s probably the doctor and the Alpha," Hen said, tilting her head toward the noise. “Sounds like they’re arguing about you."

My stomach twisted. What were they saying? Was something wrong? Before I could ask, the door opened. Navier and Dr. Rose walked in.

“Mira,” she said with a gentle smile. “Feeling dizzy? Lightheaded?”

I shook my head and signed, “I’m okay." But my eyes flicked to Navier, unable to help myself.

He was still here, my heart fluttered foolishly. Navier was starting to care for me because today's incident scared him and he realized how he couldn't be without me?

G"ood,” Rose said, glancing at her clipboard. “Now, when was the last time you ate?”

Before I could respond, Hen cut in. “Oh! She eats! We work in the kitchen, so there’s always food around. I’m sure she grabbed something during her morning shifts… right, Mira?" She trailed off, looking at me expectantly.

I lowered my gaze.

No. Not today. Not yesterday. Not even the day before.

"Mira!" Navier cut in. “Answer the damned question."

I raised my head and held up three fingers before signing to Rose. “It's been three days."

“What!”

I watched as their faces morphed from anger to horror and pity all at once.

And as the wheels in Navier's head turned in calculations. “That means the last time you ate was the day of the mating ceremony? The day I brought you here?" He asked, his jaw clenched in anger.

“Yes,” I nodded.

“Fuck, Mira! Do you want to kill yourself? Is that what this is?" Navier snapped, his voice in-between anger and fear.

I flinched. Tears welled up in my eyes. No. I wasn’t trying to die. But I wasn’t trying to live either, not until now.

I wanted to sign, "I’m not starving on purpose. It’s all because of you and your stupid mistress that I barely have the time or the peace to sit down and eat. And now you're making it my fault to want to end my life, when it's all because of you!" But I didn't.

Call me stupid, but I never want Navier to be sad, blame himself, or hate me.

“She’s severely dehydrated and exhausted," Rose said quietly, removing the now-empty IV fluid bag and the needle from my arms. “The IV helped. I’ll send you home with some vitamins and light meds; make sure you use them and rest."

Immediately after Dr. Rose left, Darius instructed Carrie to leave. He quietly picked me up and carried me back to the pack house. He laid me on the bed like I might break.

"Get some rest. I'll have the maids send in your dinner," he murmured, his eyes filled with concern, as he left.

His loving words rang in my ears like music. My heart jumped. My stomach fluttered. Was he finally accepting me?

Was this the start of our mate bond acceptance?

I giggled softly into my pillow, hugging it close.

Thank you, Moon goddess.

I signed in appreciation, ignoring the uneasiness that crept up my spine as I heard the sounds of footsteps approaching my door.

Eagerly, I stood up expecting to see Darius or the maids with my food, but when the door opened, my blood ran cold.

It wasn’t them, it was the devil in flesh.