Chapter 6

ALLISON

Both our heads snapped toward the door to meet the new visitors, or rather, the audience.

Three figures framed the doorway; The Leader, Lacey, and Dr. Miyuki, the head of the clinic. It was the greying, diminutive doctor who had spoken. She stood beside the Leader, one hand tucked into her pristine white lab coat, a stethoscope draped around her neck. Her silver hair, the only betrayal of her fifty-plus years, was cropped into a sharp bob that barely brushed her slender shoulders.

Her dark eyes glinted with mischief, and the cheeky grin plastered on her face made me want to crawl into a hole and die. Dr. Miyuki was the one person who knew the depth of my pathetic feelings for Damien, and the one person who never hesitated to roast me for them.

She stepped forward, prowling to the edge of my bed and placing a cool hand on my forehead.

“Are you running a fever? You’re red as a beet.”

My face only grew hotter at her words.

“I’m fine,” I snapped, slapping her hand away. I hated the way my voice cracked, betraying me.

“You sure?” She leaned forward, her grin stretching into a knowing smirk. “You’re just recovering; it wouldn’t be strange to run a fever. Or is that blush because of something else? Maybe a certain someone?”

Her eyes darted to Damien, then back to me with the subtlety of a sledgehammer. I was fairly certain steam was about to shoot out of my ears.

“Stop teasing her, Miyu,” the Leader finally interjected, walking up to us and placing a calming hand on the doctor’s shoulder. “It’s not nice.”

Her lips formed a pout as she glanced back at him. “But she’s so fun to tease. And look at them, they look so cute together.” She turned back to us, gesturing vaguely. “See? He hasn’t let go of her hand this whole time.”

My eyes fell to my right hand, still firmly encased in Damien’s warm grip.

In an instant, we both snatched our hands away as if burned. Damien scrambled back from the bed, his eyes fixed on the floor tiles as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Maybe it was the hospital lighting playing tricks on me, but the tips of his ears were tinged a suspicious shade of pink.

So even he can get flustered. He always seemed so poised, so untouchable. Seeing him unravel, even a little, sent a jolt through my chest.

I hated to admit it, but his reaction lit a tiny, treacherous spark of hope. Maybe... just maybe...

“You know it’s not like that, Dr. Miyuki. Al is like a baby sister to me.”

And just like that, the spark was stomped out. Crushed into ash.

I already knew he didn’t see me as a woman, but hearing him vocalize it was a fresh dagger to the heart every single time.

Why couldn’t I just get rid of these feelings?

“That’s right. He’s like an infuriating big brother,” I agreed, forcing a bright smile onto my face. I hoped the disappointment didn't bleed into my voice. I avoided locking eyes with anyone, fearing my facade would crumble, but Lacey’s gaze caught mine. The sad, knowing smile on her lips made me feel even more miserable.

I hated how she always saw right through me.

Damien cleared his throat loudly, eager to change the subject. “I know you didn’t come all this way just to tease us. Did you need something?” His question was directed at the Leader.

“I came all this way just to tease you, though,” Dr. Miyuki chirped smugly.

“I wouldn’t put it past you,” I muttered.

“You know me so well.” She winked and tapped the tip of my nose.

The Leader sighed, pulling her backward by the collar of her lab coat like an unruly kitten, and took her place beside me.

“I heard Allison was awake, so I came to check on her condition. Am I not allowed to do so?” Greyson said, arching a silver brow at Damien.

The air between the two men grew thick with tension. Even Dr. Miyuki looked hesitantly between them.

“I was just worried you would pester her with questions about the mission this soon,” Damien responded coolly, not backing down. “But can you blame me? You do have a streak for being inconsiderate.”

“I’m fine now,” I interjected hurriedly, desperate to diffuse the testosterone bomb in the room. “Just a little pain, but I’m sure that will be gone in a few days. I’ll be back in action before you know it.”

I tried to flex my arm for emphasis, but the movement pulled at my stitches, and a sharp wince escaped my lips.

“Don’t push yourself!”

The two men shouted in unison. They glanced at each other, frowned, and then turned their formidable glares back on me.

“Take time off to heal. There’s no reason to rush back into hunting,” Greyson said, his lips pressing into a thin line.

“But there’s a Royal on the loose, possibly targeting us. I can’t just sit back idly at a time like this. I can bear a little pain,” I argued.

“You were out for two days, Allison,” Dr. Miyuki cut in, her expression uncharacteristically serious. “That blade missed your aorta by millimeters. Any closer, and we would be having this conversation at your funeral. There’s no way you’re in just ‘a little pain’. Listen to Greyson. Take a break.”

“I was out for two days?” The shock hit me hard.

“You have no idea how worried we all were. You really gave us quite the fright.” Greyson placed his large hand on the top of my head, a rare gesture of paternal affection. “I’m just glad you’re alright.”

“We all are,” Damien added softly. “So take the time off. Please.”

My chest felt warm and fuzzy, soaking in the affection they poured on me. It felt awkward coming from these seemingly strict individuals, but it was a balm to my soul. In moments like this, they truly felt like family. After I’d lost my own, I never thought I would experience this kind of love again.

Yet, despite the warmth, a cold shadow lingered in the background of my mind.

Would their smiles remain if they discovered what I was becoming?

I wanted to believe in unconditional love. I wanted to believe they would accept me no matter what. But deep down, I knew the answer.

No.

Hunters hunted monsters. And I was becoming a monster.

I had to find a way to reverse it. I couldn’t become a vampire. I wouldn’t.

I’d rather die.

***

After what felt like an eternity of scolding and coddling, the two men eventually left to tend to Association business. Dr. Miyuki followed them out, leaving me alone with Lacey.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Lacey dropped into the chair Damien had vacated.

“That was rough.”

“Tell me about it,” I sighed, sinking back into the pillows.

“You okay?” Lacey asked, her green eyes piercing mine. “And I don’t mean just the wound. Back there… we weren’t prepped to face a Royal. I just…”

“I’m fine,” I interrupted with a practiced smile, knowing exactly where she was going.

Besides Damien, Lacey was the closest person to me in the world. Neither of us would admit it aloud because it sounded cringe, but she was my best friend. She was the first person I let in after my escape from Him. She had witnessed the nightmares, the panic attacks, the nights I spent huddled in a corner with a knife.

She knew how much the Royals terrified me.

Her brows creased, she didn’t seem convinced.

“I mean it. I wasn’t okay at the time, but that was just shock. I really am fine now.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded. “I won’t press any further. But I want you to know I’m always here for you. If you ever get tired of the tough girl act, I’m right here. I always am.”

My heart twisted. I loathed myself for it, but despite her kind words, the only thought circling my brain was a question:

Would you still say that if I grew fangs?

That night, the exhaustion finally dragged me under. And for the first time in years, I didn't dream of hunting.

I dreamt of the cage. I dreamt of the blood. I dreamt of Him.