Three

Amberly POV

I wrapped my hands around my chest, trying to suppress the cold breeze coursing through me as Grandma Alder was carried away from us.

One moment, she was in my arms while the emergency team lifted her onto a stretcher, and the next, she was disappearing behind swinging double doors with medical staff surrounding her.

She looked so fragile and pale.

And now, it was just me, my back fixated on the wall, staring at the fluorescent light reflecting towards our direction, and him.

He stood a few feet away from me, his shoulders tensed and his hands shoved into his jacket pockets like he was holding himself back from something.

I had so many questions running through my mind as I stared at the dark curly hair boy in front of me.

Why the fuck was he sneaking in like a thief and in the next minute, shouting ‘grandma’ why?

“Stop staring at me!” His cold voice echoed through the hall, causing me to quickly avert my eyes away from his.

“I am not staring at you.” I counter, rolling my eyes.

Christ! I shouldn't be doing that.

“What were you doing in that house?” He started and now, I could feel his eyes on me. Assessing and questioning.

What am I going in that house? Boy! I should be asking you the same question!

It is me who has lived here for about one month and haven't seen anyone near grandma.

My head snapped toward him, anger flaring in my chest. “I should be asking you the same!” I shot back. “What were you doing sneaking into someone else's house? Is that what you do?”

His eyes narrowed, a little amused as he snorted. “I wasn't sneaking in! And who do you think you are to make me such an object.”

I shook my head, obviously annoyed by his lies. “You literally came in without making a sound! Don't make me look like a fool!”

“Well that's because I have a key!” He barked and the words came out flat to my ears, making my stomach drop.

A key?

“You…you have a key?” I stuttered as I tried to understand what that meant, however, he didn't answer and he didn't deny it either.

My eyes widened and I pointed one of my fingers at him. “You're…”

“My grandmother,” he replied flatly in affirmation of my doubts.

I gasped, eye wide, hands fixated on my mouth.

Grandma Alder is his grandmother?

No! The universe had better be kidding me! “You're her grandson?” I blurted out. “But grandma never said she had a grandson!”

His jaw tightened slightly like he regretted ever telling me anything but he still went ahead, giving me a deadly glare. “Now, back to you. What are you doing here?” He threw at me and I gulped in hard, scratching the back of my head.

“H….how am I even sure you are not lying! Grandma Alder never for once talked about you in any of her conversations!”

He scoffed, rolling his eyes as he muttered underneath his breath. “So much dumbness for a boy.”

My eyes widened. “What did you just say!”

“I said why are you in my grandma's apartment!” His cold hoarse voice sent shivers down my spine.

What should I tell him?

“Or…were you sent?” He squinted his eyes. “You did this to my grandma?.”

“What are you saying!” I yelled, shock written all over my face. “I didn't do anything!”

“Then tell me, is this some sort of fate bullshit? I first saw you at college and then a stupid non significant mate bond appeared and now! Were you sent to monitor me and my grandma?” He shot, taking large strides towards me with his eyes turning red.

My legs buckled weakly as I retreated backward in fear. “I was not sent by anybody! Your Grandma saw me and helped me!”

“You must think I…” before he could give a response, a nurse stepped into the waiting area.

“Family of Mrs. Alder?”

We both turned at the same time, worrying clouding my face. I do not know what's going to happen if anything goes wrong now. Especially when this stranger I do not know from Adam is accusing me!

“I am,” he said calmly, almost immediately.

“No, I am,” I counter at the exact same moment, causing us to glare at each other.

“I have stayed with her for about a month and I have never heard of you.” I argued.

He chuckled darkly. “You have got to be kidding me! She's my grandmother!” He shot back as if that was the only thing that mattered.

“She's been taking care of me for weeks! Let me in!”

“And I've known her my entire life! I even have a spare key, are you not supposed to see that you are the stranger here!”

He cursed underneath his breath, frustration clawing at his chest.

The nurse blinked between us, utterly confused. “...Right,” She said slowly, bringing back our attention. “Well, I do not think this is a problem. The doctor wants to speak with both of you.”

That was fair.

Neither of us argued after that and we followed the nurse through the hall into the doctor's office.

I could feel my hand fidgeting anxiously.

As we got into the doctor's office, he gestured for us to sit, but neither of us did. We stood side by side, our shoulders almost touching each other.

The doctor folded his hands together. “Your grandmother was exposed to a toxin,” he started.

“A toxin?” I repeated, shock written all over my face.

“Yes. Based on her bloodwork, it appears someone administered a chemical agent designed to weaken neurological function. In younger individuals, it might cause temporary paralysis or unconsciousness.”

My stomach twisted as the word sank in.

“But…” the doctor continued gently, staring at our reaction. “Because of her age and existing health vulnerabilities, her immune system couldn’t handle the strain.”

My chest tightened painfully.

“She’s in a coma,” he finished.

The room instantly turned upside down as the word slipped out of his mouth ‘coma.’

What does that even mean?

“A toxin? Coma?” I stutter. “She's going to wake up, tight?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

The doctor hesitated, clearing his throat. “We’re doing everything we can. But her immune response is extremely weak now and critically weak.”

My heart started racing in my chest.

Extremely weak? Who could have done this to her?

“What does she need?” The cold boy finally asked in a very calm unusual voice.

“Specialized treatment,” the doctor said. “Immune stabilization therapy, toxin neutralization agents, continuous monitoring. It’s intensive.”

And expensive!

He hadn't said it yet but I knew it all required money and Grandma Alder? She sure had no money at home. She literally used every one of her last cards to get me a scholarship and the uniform..

I feel so bad.

“How much?” I forced out, gulping in hard but the doctor only shook his head.

“We will get back to that later on.”

I do not know who had gone into her house. Making her swallow a toxin scent. God, I hope this wasn't because of me.

I could feel guilt clawing in my chest, preventing me from breathing.

What if it was my stepfather? The thought only made me look back in fear as we got out of the doctor's office.

My vision blurred as tears started to gather in my eyes. I was a danger to everyone around me.

This was my fault, If she died….

A loud slam made me flinch as I turned back to look at what had caused the disaster.

It was him. The stranger and the grandson of Alder. He looked annoyed.

He walked over to me, his expression causing the bond between us to flare as I tried to tame my mate. Then his face shifted back into something cold and controlled. “You will not tell her that I was here.” He ordered.

The statement caught me off guard.“What?”

“If she wakes up,” he continued, in a low voice. “You didn't mention that I came to the house. Or that I was involved tonight.”

Words caught in my lips. Why would he say that? “Why? Why don't you want her to know you came here? Are you guys not on good terms? But grandma is…”

His jaw tightened and he came closer to me, lifting my chin up to give me that cold glare. “Young man! You will not poke your nose into my business. You do not have the right to question my words. Just do as I say and keep your fucking mouth shut!’

I flinched back, my mouth opened in bewilderment.

“I mean it,” he countered and he was about to leave when he stared back at me.  “ and…I can never be mates with a boy!”