Page 26

Chapter 26

MADELINE

There's something different about the hospital this evening. The air is cooler with markedly fewer people. There's a certain hum that puts me on edge. It's almost like I taste danger

I move through the hospital, noting a new person at the reception desk. I ignore them and walk to my aunt's room. I’m about to open Aunt Cora’s door when I hear a voice behind me.

“Madeline.”

I turn about face like a soldier. The alpha is behind me in a faded flannel shirt and dark jeans. His sleeves folded halfway up his arms, and he holds his hands behind him.

“Grant,” I acknowledge, my voice wavering slightly. My mind is a whirlwind of surprise and a touch of fear. I attempt to maintain eye contact but fail miserably.

“How are you?” he asks, moving forward. The aura surrounding him seems like a kind of protector. I'll never feel as safe as I do with Nate, but this is pretty close.

“I'm alright,” I reply. “Actually no, I'm not alright. I'm tired.”

The alpha leans against the wall. He folds his arms and nods for me to continue. “You look tired.”

“Yes. I'm sorry, I know my personal business doesn’t interest you, but there's been a lot going on lately.”

He nods, understanding. “That happens, I get it. You're here to see your aunt? You could use a break I assume.”

“Aunt Cora has been getting better, but it's still really slow, so I wanted to check on her before I left.”

Grant’s eyes narrow. “Where are you going?”

“I'm going into the woods not too far from here.”

“For how long?” His tone sounds like this could be a test. I feel on guard, but I answer his questions. They might reveal information about Aunt Cora’s condition.

“I don't know how long I’ll be gone; likely until I feel like myself again.”

“I'm asking because the full moon is approaching. Since you've joined our transformations, I figured you'd do the same this month.”

“I'd like to, but right now there's too much going on in my head. I don't want to feel …”

“Suffocated,” Grant supplies.

“Yes,” I reply, feeling guilty. I stare down, like I'm studying the floor.

“Okay.”

I look up at the alpha. “Okay?”

“Did you expect me to tell you not to go?” he smiles. “Of course you can turn, as long as you're safe. Will you be safe?”

“Yes, definitely! I already have a plan. My friend told me about this spot in the woods where she transforms. I'll be in that area, far from other people.”

“I'm glad you're being smart about this,” he says.

“There's just one thing that I'm still worried about.” I glance toward my aunt’s hospital room. “My aunt has been like this for a while, do you know what's wrong with her?”

Grant lets out a sigh. “Cora is important to me, to you, and to the entire pack.”

Why do I feel like I'm about to get bad news? “Yes …” I say, urging him to continue.

“She's the reason I'm in town right now, among other things. I've also cleared out the hospital as you've seen and we're going to make sure she gets the best treatment possible and recovers successfully. Nothing will happen to her, I can assure you.”

I finally breathe easily. It feels like whatever was bugging me has given way, letting me breathe easily. “Thank you so much. It means a lot to me.”

“Cora is family and you are too. She's sleeping now, but feel free to check in on her.”

I smile at Grant and turn to open Cora’s door. Just like Grant said, she’s fast asleep. It's strange to see her fully resting and relaxed. I'm not sure I've ever seen her worked up.

Still, she's always working, active, doing something. I get closer to her bed, thankful she’ll be okay soon. I gently squeeze her hand. She stirs a bit but settles back to sleep.

“I won't be gone long, Aunt Cora,” I tell her. “You'll be safe here. I really hope you'll be back to normal by the time I'm back. I love you.”

Still no response from her, so I lean down and kiss her cheek. After that, I squeeze her hand and leave. The corridor is empty, so I continue on my way until I exit the hospital.

The moon is beautiful and high in the sky above me. It isn't quite full yet, but with just a couple days remaining until the full moon, I already feel its power flowing through me.

My first night in the woods feels like heaven. The transformation didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. In this form, which isn't quite perfect, I still feel more like myself than I have in a long time.

The next day, my solo adventure turns into a bit of a problem. It's clear I'm not cut out to be a lone wolf, as I feel incredibly lonely.

I didn't encounter other wolves the night before. Part of me had expected to at least see someone, even if it wasn't someone I knew.

Still, it felt like I’m the only person in the dark lonely woods. Even though it wasn't yet time for other wolves coming to transform, I couldn't shake the feeling of being isolated.

I've always transformed with a pack. While my choice was impulsive, it seemed like a good idea at the time. I'm not ready to go back, though. I'm still determined to see this experience through. Worst-case scenario is I won't try this again.

Halfway through the afternoon, I encounter another problem: There is literally no food anywhere. I stumble through the woods, trying to fight the sun’s heat by staying in the shade.

I remain in wolf form, which keeps me from being extremely hungry. There's got to be something to eat here—deer, a squirrel, anything.

A highlight of IronFangs land is the rich amount of game that’s always here. For a place that hosts wolves every month, there’s a surprising amount of prey to choose from.

I had the same idea coming to these woods, but it looks like I’m sorely mistaken. I manage to find a stream and quickly slip into the water to cool myself from the heat and quench my thirst. It'll be a full moon soon. I can survive. I can survive.

I can't bear the thought of living with failure if I give up now. The water provides enough nourishment to last until evening. I spend nearly the entire day either exploring the woods or sleeping. As night falls, I move more freely and feel better because the moon is nearly full.

I catch a scent, something I've been seeking all day. I sniff the air hungrily as the smell of a small animal pulls me in, racing through my senses like a bullet. Immediately on point, I dart through the woods toward the source of it.

I pause behind a bush, spotting a small brown rabbit hopping along a narrow trail. It appears to have an injured leg, meaning there is no hope of escaping me.

It's almost like the woods heard my hunger cries and provided me with nourishment. Maybe this wasn't a bad idea after all.

I jump out from behind the bush and pounce on the rabbit before it can escape. It tries to scurry away, but I place a heavy paw on its injured leg, sinking my claws into it.

The rabbit squeals for mercy, but I silence this with a quick bite to its neck and death is quick.

I finally have nourishment just in time to satisfy my hunger. I finish my entire meal with gusto. Suddenly, a horrible taste rises and I throw up what seems to be the entire rabbit.

I angrily swipe the remains, sending them flying as I howl in frustration. I finally have food, and this is how it turns out? Disappointed, I turn and walk away.

Without warning, my vision isn't as clear as before. It feels like a foggy cloud bears down on my senses. My nose feels blocked and I can barely hear anything.

What’s wrong with me?

I try to run, but my legs feel like noodles left in water way too long. I struggle to put one foot in front of the other until my body gives up completely.

I shut down in the middle of the woods, with the world vanishing before my eyes.