Dying

Cyhilenia

“Will I die, Mom?”

My shoulders jumped to my ears as her voice was smaller than the ICU beeping.

I pressed my forehead to the glass and lied just to give her a hope I wasn't even sure existed.

“No, baby. Not today...not ever. I promised you, remember? Mommy keeps her promises.”

Inside, my little moon sat on the hospital bed, six years old, too pale and fragile.

I tried not to burst into tears. She has my hair, my eyes but her ears are pointed.

There were furs at the tops and a little wolverine tufts that twitched when she was scared.

She had garett's curse and his bloodline. The very reason the supreme pack called her “defective.”

Recalling his name only awakened a scar in me.

She coughed and blood stained the white sheets. My hands trembled as I turned to look at the nurse and doctor paedyn in the room.

Then she whispered, “Is Daddy coming? He said he’d save me. Will he bring the medicine?”  

I forced a smile as my nails dug into my palms until I bled, because staying strong 

for her was the best I could do.

“Daddy’s busy, baby. But Mommy’s medicine is stronger. Promise.”  I will keep her alive. Even if I have to die for it.

The monitor beeped faster and her breathing hitched.

Dr. Paedyn was already moving with no panic in her eyes. She'd done this a hundred times.

She injected something into the IV, adjusted the oxygen, as she said; “Deep breaths, sweetheart. Like we practiced. In… out… good girl.”

My daughter’s chest stopped heaving and immediately, the beeping slowed. 

Color came back to her lips and she was smiling with so much hope in her eyes.

Paedyn smiled back at her. “See? You’re stronger than any wolf in this hospital. Now close your eyes. Let Mommy talk to me for a minute, okay?"

“Promise you won’t leave?” Christine muttered.

I nodded immediately, sniffing.

“I promise.” I kissed her forehead. Her wolverine ears twitched under my lips.

"I love you mom... always" her last words but I never responded back because the tears I was forcing to hold back, threatened to fall.

The nurse dimmed the lights and my baby drifted off.

Only then did paedyn grab my arm and pull me down the hall to her office.

Tears stream down my eyes but she'd scold me and I wipe them.

At her office, she didn't waste time or mind my sober reaction.

“Cyhilenia, listen to me.” She shoved a chart into my hands. There were numbers written down which I doubt I'd ever understand.

But one thing I was sure, it meant dying.

“Her platelets crashed again. We bought her time, but not much. She needs a transfusion. Wolf blood. Compatible. Now.” she explained as now, I saw the panic in her eyes.

Dr. Paedyn was a friend since college who never turned her back on me, and even when I lost my wolf to garett, and got called a curse, she helped in ways she could.

“I’m human.” I dryly whispered. “My blood will kill her faster. You told me that.”

“I know.” Dr.paedyn slammed her palm on the desk. “That’s why you have to call him.”  

I stopped breathing as she just referred to him like it was something easy.

Garett was my mate and ex-husband and alpha of northern ridge, one of the cruelest bloodlines in the country.

In three days he'd be crowned Supreme Alpha. His title upgrades but only if he married pureblood by erasing us.

He hits the jackpot with averia, the daughter of the supreme alpha who's older sister suddenly stepped down from being the alpha and handed the title to garett.

It has been a week since he issued a divorce to me, calling me unfit even when I sacrificed my wolf for him to be recognized as a true alpha in the wolverine society.

Paedyn pushed her phone across the desk. His number was already dialed.  

“I’m not asking you to beg for yourself. I’m asking you to beg for her. She has his eyes. His wolverine ears. His blood. If any wolf can save her, it’s him.”

“I wrote his proposals, paedyn. Four years. Late nights. I let them cut my wolverine claim ritual so his mother wouldn’t call me shame. I let her call me ‘stepping stone’.”  

My voice shook as I locked eyes with her. 

“And he left me a week after our daughter collapsed. He said I birthed a defective. Garett I was human trash.”  

Paedyn's eyes were filled. “I know. I know he’s cruel. But Cyhilenia, she’s coding in there. Pride won’t keep her breathing. He will.”

She pressed the call button and each ring had me terrified.

Then his voice snapped, so cold and terrifying.

“What.”

I couldn't speak as my chest burnt sigh grief, my head was a muddle of thoughts now.  

Paedyn took the phone. "Garett. It’s Dr. Hayes. Your daughter is coding. She needs a transfusion. Only you—”

“Human blood won’t work?” He cut her off. 

“And I’m busy. I have a wedding tomorrow. Don’t call this number again.”  

It switches off before she'd roll out another word.

The sound broke me more than the words.

Paedyn stared at me. “Then you go to him. In person. He can’t hang up on your face. He can’t ignore her if she’s in his arms.”

For a moment, mixed emotions flooded my as I stared at her glassy wall, already imagine my daughter Christine, her chest rising and falling, her bright smile even in pain.

My fingers touched the locket on my neck. Inside was her baby photo, with her in my arms and garett's claw on my shoulder.

“I promised her I’d keep her alive,” I whispered.  

Paedyn nodded. “Then go keep your promise, Cyhilenia. Even if it kills you.”  

I left after summoning courage, and to worsen it, the weather was against me as it had began to rain heavily.

Finding a taxi was difficult or they just decided to ignore me, since I was bad luck.

I'd walked down the supreme pack grand hall, which was 6 hours take.

Arriving there, the crystal chandelier poured on me, the exquisite arena and facades were magnificent.

Everywhere here spoke of wealth itself. No wonder garett wants to belong here and close a chapter to us.

Wolves in suits that cost more than my daughter’s hospital bill roamed about.

And goosip, always gossip. Their face squeezed, their fangs out like they'd rip me apart.

“That’s her. The human.”  

“She birthed a defective. No wonder Alpha dumped her.”  

“Look at her nails. Wolverine. Disgusting. She probably clawed him for alimony.”

"It's a good thing he went for someone who has future"

The black dress I borrowed earlier from paedyn was so drenched that I staggered and my hair was stuck to my face as I shivered.

No one wanted to be close to me as they moved aside like I was a plague.

Before I'd take two step further inside, two bouncers blocked me, broad wolves with arms crossed.

They were intimidating as their eyes gawk at me with detest.

“Alpha’s orders. No humans and no ex-mates.” the first snapped as his fangs were out, to petrify me the more.

“I just need five minutes.” I begged “My daughter is dying. Please.”  

The second lifted his phone suddenly and began recording me like it was part of his duty.

“Look at the leech. Begging again for Alpha’s attention.”

I got stirred as adrenaline pumps inside me, preparing me to fight or die.

I wasn’t a wolf, but grief made me feral. 

They weren't letting me in, in spite of my pleading and crying.

Infuriated, and without thinking, I shoved past them. My fingers scraped their arms to break inside at all cost.

And in what felt like a minute after scrambling to get inside, I was running towards the lounge and I found him there.

Garett Moore, wearing a tuxedo, champagne in the hand, laughing with guests like his child wasn't coding three miles away.

My eyes spotted her too, averia varga on his arm. 

Tall, red hair, pure blood and he looked proud like he won a trophy which of course he did.

"Garett" I called, broken but still tried to appear brave and not shed a tear in front of him.

The room went silent, shock wore them as I was noticed now.

His eyes diluted as he went still, the glass in his hand shook but when he looked at averia, his face harden.

I dropped to my knees. Right there on marble. I wasn’t proud. I was a mother.

"Garett, please.” I crawled one step. Just one. “One pint. Just one. I’ll sign the divorce. I’ll leave the territory. I’ll vanish. But save her, she has your eyes. Your wolverine ears. Please don’t let her die thinking she’s a mistake.”  

There was still silence again. Averia rose her head slightly, her hazel eyes brawled at me.