Howls of the Forsaken

ERYN

“AwoooOOoooo.”

 My heart skipped a few beats as the howl from…NIKO pierced my ears. 

I gasped, clutching my chest, and dashed back into the house from the balcony where I had been watching the moon.

“Mum!”

 I found him trembling on the bed, tears streaming down his cheeks, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps.

“Mum,” he said again, voice shaking. I followed his gaze to his hands. Black claws were sprouting from his fingertips.

He was wolfing out.

  My heart skipped several beats as I quickly wrapped my arms around him and carried him, grabbing my keys, shit! I can't drive in this kind of state, all I'd do is get us both killed.

“Mum... I feel really hot,” he whimpered.

I tore open his shirt, blinking fast to hold back my own tears. With trembling hands, I used my free hand to order an Uber. Miraculously, one arrived in less than a minute. I bolted outside and slid in, holding Niko tightly.

“It’s okay, baby. You’ll be fine. Just stay with me. Please, don’t close your eyes.” I stroked his head with one hand, his claws with the other.

“Please, Niko. Stay with me,” I choked, vision blurring.

“Can’t you drive faster?” I snapped at the driver. “Go over the damn speed limit, I don’t care.”

His body was blazing hot. He kept shaking.

This was my fault.

Maybe if I’d protected him better, if I’d kept him away from Torren’s cruelty, maybe… maybe he’d have had more time.

“Mommy?” Niko whispered.

I looked down at him, squeezing his hands.

“If I can’t stay here after this... promise you’ll take care of yourself. I won’t be here with you anymore.”

My heart shattered.

“No. Don’t say that. You’ll be with Mommy forever. Please, please don’t close your eyes,” I sobbed. 

 He was going through intense pain due to his transformation and yet all he could think about was me. 

  Why would God allow harm to come to such an innocent and smart child?

“Mommy? Don’t cry,” he said, his voice faint but firm. “You still need to see what my wolf looks like.”

I nodded, laughing through my tears, just as the Uber pulled into the hospital.

“Can you ask Daddy if he has time? I want him to see my wolf too.”

I nodded again.

 He was slipping.

All I could do right now was give him everything he needed. 

 Whatever he wanted even though that means talking to Torren.

I mindlinked Torren.

 “Can you please come see Niko? He needs his father now.”

Almost immediately, he sighed from the other end.

 “I’m busy.”

Before I could respond, he cut the link.

I blinked back the rage, plastered on a smile for Niko, and carried him into the hospital.

“Daddy’s busy at work right now,” I said softly. “But he promised he’ll come as soon as he can, okay?”

Niko nodded. He blinked a few times.

“Isn’t that Daddy?” he asked.

I looked up, and froze.

 It was Torren.

With Asher and Saela.

He said he was busy. But he was right here.

“Torren?” I said.

He turned, sighed, rubbed his forehead like I was the problem.

“Are you serious, Eryn? You followed me here? Niko’s just shifting. You’re overreacting.”

I opened my mouth but then shut them again, staring at him in disbelief as he said those words in front of Niko.

“Ren? Asher’s sweating a lot. His body’s burning up,” Saela said softly, pulling on his jacket.

He nodded, turned to her like she was all that mattered.

“Dad?” Niko whispered. “Can you stay with me a little more? I’m scared.”

I couldn’t help looking at Torren, my chest tight with a tiny, stupid hope. Maybe this time he’d choose Niko.

Torren’s eyes lingered on Niko’s pale face. His lips moved like he wanted to say something.

Saela’s hand slipped into his, and just like that, his gaze shifted away.

“Asher needs me more right now,” he said.

The second those words left his mouth, I felt Niko shiver against me. I wrapped my arms around him, holding him as close as I could.

“Right.” I nearly forced the word out. Nyx was howling with rage inside me, but I made myself stay calm. Niko needed me now more than anything.

I walked away without another word.

In the ward, I watched my boy’s tiny frame as he lay there, struggling, brave.

“Mum?” Niko whispered. “Does Daddy have another son? Is Asher Daddy’s too?”

My lips trembled. I looked down in shame.

If only I hadn’t chased Torren back then...

 If only I hadn’t believed in fate and fated mates.

 If only we weren’t mated at all.

“No matter what, Niko, mommy and daddy both love you. He’ll come for your shift, okay?”

I gently wiped the cold sweat from Niko’s forehead, trying to hide the tremble in my hands.

I opened the mindlink again.

 “Are you still at the hospital? I have something to say.”

His answer came fast.

 “Observation room with Saela and Asher. Don’t come.”

I severed the link.

“Daddy will be right here with you, okay?” I kissed Niko’s forehead.

I turned to a nurse packing some supplies.

“Please… look after my son while I’m gone.”

She nodded. “Of course, Luna.”

“Also, have someone bring warm clothes and wolf’s bane. I’ll need it when I return.”

She gave another nod.

I paused at the door, looked back once more.

 “I’ll be back before he even notices I’m gone.”

 On getting to the observation room, I found Saela and Torren seated there, together. Of course, they really fit the description of power couples.

“I’d like to speak with you. Alone,” I said.

Torren didn’t even look surprised.

“What part of ‘don’t come’ did you not understand? And where’s Niko? You shouldn’t have dragged him here just to get my attention.”