Chapter nine

[Avira]

I dragged myself off the floor after a few minutes of panting and feeling sorry for myself, and headed for the kitchen. Each step I took sent a stabbing pain to my brain, and in turn made me wince in pain. The herb water wasn't going to fetch itself or serve itself to the Beta, and if the Beta waits for another minute without getting it, I might just be due for another round of merciless whipping. It was not an empty threat, he has done worse before, and could do even worse now.

I met the Beta in his bedroom this time, totally quiet, and staring into space as though he was lost in thoughts. Of course I was extra cautious by announcing my presence right from the door so as not to "startle" him again. He looked at me closely for a brief moment as I handed him the herb water. For a slight second, his expression appeared as though he was sorry but after a blink, the expression was gone, and was replaced with a sudden coldness. It was as though I had imagined the sorry expression on his face.

He hesitated for a while before he received the mug which contained the herb water, and once he did, I left for the kitchen to heat his food. Of course I was still in pain but I paid no attention to the pain I felt in nearly every part of my body, neither did I pay any attention to the blood that dropped to the ground from the sore which my whole body was covered with, as I moved about the house. Nor did I allow myself to dwell on the thought that I would have to scrub off the blood stain from the floor.

I served the Beta his breakfast, lunch and dinner fused in one meal, and returned to the kitchen, in search of a treatment for the sores in my body. Should my healing ability not work before the time for hunting tomorrow, I will experience the worst pain during shifting, and from past experiences, I didn't want that. Asking the Beta for the healing portion was a waste of time so I shrugged off the thought when it came to my mind.

Now that I could not rely on my wolf's healing ability, I had to employ human means, but how? Not that I know of any but a little experimentation wouldn't hurt at all or better still, it wouldn't hurt more than I am hurting right now.

With the thought of an experiment, I poured water into the kettle, and placed it on the fire after which I sat down to rest for the first time since the Beta had me whipped. I suddenly felt alone and bored, and did the only thing that strangely had the ability to cheer me up for the past few months.

It was the Spirit Bond, a bond which allowed werewolves to reach out for their long dead family members, and distant relatives. I reached for it as I sometimes do since I heard Beta Maverick explain it to some pack members a few months ago, during one of their numerous visits. But there was no one on the other end of the Spirit bond or even a sign that there was anything there, just like always.

As explained by the Beta, the Spirit bond was a communication medium between us and close families who may or may not be close to us at the moment including family members that have died. It required a great deal of focus and a clear and concise memory of the family member we wished to communicate with.

I did everything right, like I have been doing for months now, and the result was the same which was frustrating.

Maybe the Spirit bond was one big fat lie, or a myth, I thought to myself as I poured the water from the kettle which had begun to boil into a bowl. I was told that humans apply hot water on their wounds as treatment even though I don't remember who told me. Or was it another lie?

I shut the kitchen door, and got a napkin. A foul smelling napkin that wasn't fit for use by anyone or that could be dangerous for any human but I'm a werewolf, and it didn't matter to me at all.

I dipped the foul smelling napkin into the bowl of hot water carelessly, and quickly put my hand away when the hot water burned my fingers. How could I be so stupid?

After wincing in pain, and flailing my hands, I carefully brought out the napkin, now wet with hot water, and squeezed out some of the water out of it. Without thinking of the impact, I placed the napkin on my wounded shoulder, and immediately bit down a scream. The pain I felt was unbearable. It was as though a sharp metal object was biting deep into my already wounded shoulders.

Is this what humans go through when they apply boiled water to their wounds?

I put the napkin away, and the bowl of hot water as well. Maybe an extremely painful shift is much more bearable than the suicide I had just attempted without realizing it, or maybe, just maybe a better attempt to suicide would be to sneak into the Beta's room, and sneak a drop of the healing portion down my throat. Now that, a feat I have never dared to think of sounded like a bright idea. A risky but bright idea.

I peeked at the Beta from the kitchen window and saw that he was back on his rocking chair, dozing off.

Now is my chance, I thought, springing up on my feet. I dashed into the Beta's room, and scanned the entire room with my eyes. There was no trace of the green small sized bottle where the portion was contained.

The herb water and meal I had served the Beta laid on the wooden centre table, untouched. I shrugged indifferently, certain that he would take them before bed.

I scanned the items on his bedside table but there was no healing portion among them, or inside the drawers below. I let out a sigh, and held my waist with both hands. Now this position directed the pain on my shoulders back to my shoulders which was painful still but way better than it was when my hands rested on my side.

And then I saw it! The healing portion, resting on a spot in the wall alittle above my head. I grabbed the bottle, and uncovered it, after taking a sip really quickly, I placed it back.

I felt the effect of the portion as it travelled round the veins in my body, and bent over when I couldn't bear standing upright anymore.

"What are you doing in here?" It was unmistakably the voice of Beta Maverick, and it sounded right behind me.

My eyes flung open in fear as I turned really slowly towards him, thinking of what to say.