Chapter 7

Before I can say anything, Bri rushes out and stands between them and me.

“You've got some guts coming here after the shit you pulled.”

“Step aside, Ms Ghouldin. We're here on important werewolf matters, and I'm sure you're not one of them.” Professor Claude says, giving Bri a condescending look.

Bri refuses to back down.

“Shortie. Just step aside.” I say, my voice feeling foreign and scratchy.

“Please.”

I add it because I can feel a headache rising, and I can already see the veins on the professor's neck pulsing.

Bri finally yields and steps aside.

“We'd like to talk to her alone.” The professor says.

“I'm not going anywhere. You either talk here or you leave.”

“This is an important matter, and it only concerns werewolves.”

“It could concern the gods and every fae in this realm, and I'd still not budge. I'm not leaving you guys alone with her, especially with that asshole here.”

“Are you threatening…”

The professor is interrupted by one of the elders, an older woman with pale hair and a look that could cut glass.

“Very well, then. You can stay.”

“Good.” Bri replies, completely unphased.

The second elder, a man with dark hair and sharp features, steps forward.

“We are here on behalf of the events that have unfolded over the past few days involving Ms Fang and Mr Bloodthorn. You've both broken a lot of pack rules, and you are both to appear before the pack elders in two days' time.”

“How the fuck is she gonna be there in two days? Look at her state.” Bri murmurs, loud enough for them to hear.

“She will have to figure that out herself.” The professor says while making his way toward the door.

The whole time, Jax says nothing. His eyes are fixed on the clock beside my bed.

He casts a glance towards me, or more like past me, and then walks away with the elders.

“We've contacted your family too. They should be on their way to see you.” The professor says before leaving.

My heart skips a few beats at that information.

The last people I want to see right now are my parents and siblings.

“Need anything, Dawg?”

“No. I just need space.”

“Okay. I'll be just down in the lobby.”

Now that I'm alone, I start thinking about what to say to my mom and dad. I genuinely don't have the bandwidth to deal with them.

I eventually give up on trying to figure out what to say and just let my mind wander.

A few minutes or hours pass. I can't keep track of it all.

Bri comes in, and behind her are my dad, mom, and two brothers.

My mom rushes to my side.

“Oh my God. How are you doing, my love? What happened? Are you okay? We came as soon as we heard.”

She gathers me in her arms, her perfume suffocating me.

“I'm fine, Mom. Just tired.” I croak out.

“So what we heard, is it true?” My dad asks.

His expression is plain.

“It depends on what you heard.”

My brothers just stand there, flanking him like two soldiers. Their expressions match his.

I roll my eyes at the sheer weirdness of it all.

“We heard you fought with the heir of our clan, and you've been bringing shame to the Fang name by sleeping around with every boy on campus.”

“Harold, dearest, go easy on her. Can't you see she's weak?”

“Silence, woman. We do not tolerate weakness in this family. Now speak, girl.”

My mother instantly goes quiet, her head bowed.

“I didn't fight with Jax. We just had issues. Also, I've not been sleeping around with everybody.”

“But you have with somebody, no?”

“No.”

“Don't lie to me, girl, and look at me when I'm speaking to you.”

“Only Jax.” I whisper to myself, but knowing my dad, he definitely hears it.

“Only Jax? And is that behavior worthy of a Fang?”

“No, Father.”

“I'll go speak with the doctor. You're coming home with us.”

“Yes, Father.”

He leaves, and my brothers follow suit.

“That was intense.” Bri says.

I'd totally forgotten that she was even here.

“I'm sorry you had to see that.”

“Don't apologize, shortie.”

“I brought you some homemade chicken soup.”

I look at the meal in front of me. Everything is just different shades of grey, black, and white. I already know it will probably taste the same.

“Here, have some.” She says while spoon-feeding me.

I eat a few bites and fake a cough for her to stop.

Bri gets me some water, and I drink.

“So, baby. How'd you even get here? Did Jax hit you?”

“No, Mom. I just had a cold.”

“A cold doesn't make you this weak. Are you sure it's just a cold? Should I call Dr Matthews? I'm sure he'll know what to do.”

“I'm sure, Mom. It's just a cold.”

“So how has scho…”

My mom is interrupted by my dad bursting through the door.

“You got rejected?”

He practically spits the words, his face looking angrier than I've ever seen it.

My brothers and mother stare at me, shock written across all their faces.