Chapter 8: I guess I'll marry her

It took Hope all night to bring Scarlett's fever down.

The sun had started to peek out of the horizon when she heaved a sigh of relief and collapsed into a chair.

Beside her, Jordan was fast asleep, bent uncomfortably on the other armchair. He had been awake all night too, making her realize just how much he cared for the human girl.

When she asked him why he didn't hate her like the others did, his response had been simple.

"She did nothing to me. Why should I hate her?"

And she understood him. For years, humans and werewolves had remained sworn enemies. But even though Scarlett was human, it didn't make sense to automatically hate her.

She got up and moved closer to the bed, examining the cast wrapped around Scarlett's arm.

Fixing the bone had been tricky. Jordan had to help her hold Scarlett down when she kept thrashing from the pain. It had been a long night.

Fortunately, the fever was gone. Her hand was on the mend. She would live.

A sound behind her caught her attention and she turned to see Jordan up and stretching.

"Morning, sleeping beauty." She teased with a soft laugh.

"That was the worst sleep ever." Jordan said in response, then moved closer to the bed. "How is she?"

"She'll live." Hope murmured. "She's a strong girl, despite being a human. She took the pain well."

"This wouldn't have happened if Dylan had just allowed you to heal her before locking her in the dungeon."

"You can't blame him, Jordan." Hope smiled. "Not everyone is like you. Alpha Dylan carries years of hate for the humans in his heart. It can't just dissolve just because he's meant to marry one."

"But she literally did nothing to him." Jordan argued. "I understand he had to punish her for challenging him, and trying to escape. But locking her in a room? Starving her? Letting her suffer the pain of a broken arm? That's cruel."

"We can't question the Alpha, and you know that." Hope stated. "You should know better. You're his beta and best friend."

Jordan sighed in exasperation and turned back to Scarlett. She didn't look so pale anymore. Hope had taken off her dress and worn her one of Dylan's large t-shirts that looked too big for her.

"I'm just glad she's better now." He said after a while.

Hope gave him a side look. "You seem so worried about her. Are you perhaps attracted to her?"

"What?" Jordan drew back. "Of course not. Don't speak as if you don't know about my sexuality."

"I know about that, but maybe you turned bi overnight."

"Don't be silly, Hope." Jordan chuckled. "Being nice to someone doesn't automatically mean I'm attracted to them."

"I'm just teasing." Hope laughed, then sobered up. "Have you heard from Caleb lately?"

At the mention of his lover's name, Jordan's smile disappeared. He turned away from the bed and crossed his arms.

"No." He answered. "I sent several letters to him, but he never wrote back. Maybe he found someone else."

"I don't believe Caleb would do that." Hope shook her head. "He loves you. Maybe he has a good reason."

"Can we not talk about this, Hope? Please?"

Hope sighed and gave it a rest, knowing how much that topic hurt Jordan.

Caleb was Dylan's gamma, and Jordan's lover. Three years ago, Caleb left the pack without looking back, and without a word to anyone, leaving Jordan distraught.

Jordan didn't like to talk about it. So he threw himself into the pack's work to forget the pain. He never let himself love again.

The door to the room opened suddenly, causing both of them to jerk in surprise.

Dylan stood at the entrance, looking like hell. His eyes were bloodshot, surrounded with dark circles. His hair was rough and matted. He looked like he hadn't slept a wink.

Hope and Jordan rose quickly and bowed. "Good morning, Alpha."

Ignoring them, Dylan walked towards the bed and stared at Scarlett. His gaze lowered to the cast, then to her pale face.

"How is she?" He asked in a dry, raspy voice.

"Recovering well." Hope answered. "I was able to straighten the bone and stop the fever. She'll be fine."

"When will she be awake?"

"A couple of hours, maybe. She needs a lot of rest."

Dylan nodded. Then he turned to hope and took her hands. "Thank you."

It wasn't much, but Hope nodded all the same. "Just doing my job, Alpha."

Dylan glanced over at Scarlett one last time, then turned away.

"Jordan, a word?" He said, walking out of the room.

Jordan exchanged confused glances with Hope as he followed. They were both surprised at Dylan's strange quietness.

Outside the room, Dylan stood at the end of the hallway, hands clasped behind him.

"You look like hell." Jordan mentioned as he stopped beside him.

"Couldn't sleep."

Jordan almost asked if it was because of Scarlett, but he changed his mind. Dylan would never admit to losing sleep because of a human.

"I wanted to thank you," Dylan continued. "For bringing it to my notice that Scarlett was sick. I guess I would have lost her if it hadn't been for you."

Jordan didn't know how to respond to that. "I'm glad I did. And I'm sorry I went against your instruction about seeing her."

Dylan waved it aside, and they both fell silent for several seconds.

Then Jordan ventured out. "Does this mean you'll give it a chance with her?"

"I'm not giving anything a chance." Dylan replied as if he had been waiting for that question. "The elders told me it would take a while before they figure out how she can break the curse."

"Oh. What will you do now?"

"What else? I guess I'll marry her. That was my initial reason." Dylan ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Inform the messengers to take the second part of the payment to Eryndor."

"Yes, Alpha."

"And begin preparations for the wedding. We will be joined a week from today at the Moon Sanctuary."

"Everything will be done accordingly." Jordan nodded. "But I have a question, if it's okay to ask."

"What is it?"

"Will you have a child by her? You did tell her father that she'll bear a son for you."

"I don't know." Dylan answered tiredly. "I can't predict the future. I doubt I will even mate with her. She's just going to be here until the elders find a way. Right now, everything depends on how she'll break the curse."

"Alright. I'll see to everything."

"Thank you, Jordan." Dylan tapped his shoulder, then walked away.

But halfway to his room, he stopped and turned. "Oh, and Jordan, instruct the maids to clean the room on the second floor."

"The big one?"

"Yes. Let them prepare it for Scarlett. And send word to the pack's seamstress. Make an appointment with her. She's to get Scarlett's measurements and... you know the rest."

"I'll see to everything." Jordan nodded. "Why don't you get some rest?"

Dylan turned and headed back to the bedroom. Hope was just tidying up her things and preparing to leave when he stepped in.

"Leaving already?" He asked.

Hope looked up in surprise. "Didn't hear you come in. And yes, I'm leaving. She's much better now. I'll come check on her later, when she has awakened."

Bowing softly, she quietly exited the room.

Dylan moved closer to the bed and stared at Scarlett. She wasn't pale anymore. She looked much better.

He thought back to how he tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, unable to get her out of his mind. Now that she was better, he didn't feel guilty anymore.

He started to turn away when she stirred in her sleep.

Her lashes fluttered and opened, pinning him in place with those fierce, emerald eyes.