Chapter 7: A Visit With Her Real Mom

~3 months later~

   The sun shone brightly as she rested by the lake. She thought about the past 3 months as she dipped her feet into the cool water. Today Dolan and Jasmine would be coming to show her Jasmine’s wolf. She was excited as a slight breeze began to blow around her. Then an odd scent captured her attention sending her on high alert. She silently shifted into Rose so she could be prepared for anything. She took in a deep breath as she followed the scent. Moments later a rouge jumped on her causing her to tumble and roll. She let out a growl and attacked the rouge ripping out its throat. Then another rouge came lunging at her, but missed her as she quickly moved. Before she could fight back against that rouge someone took a pure silver chain and wrapped it around her mouth. Her eyes widened as she took a paw to try and get the chain off burning her paw in the process. While she was distracted the rouge from before lunged and threw her into the tree behind her causing two ribs to break. She whimpered and fought back using her paw. She felt a prick in her hind leg just before hearing a voice.

“Yeah boss…I injected a wolf with the nightshade and wolfsbane combo….Should be dead soon so we can attack the town..”

She heard the voice say. She whipped around and took the hunter out with both of her clawed paws… the rouge that had thrown her into the tree bit down on her left front paw which caused a sickening crack as the bone broke. She let out a whimper before she took the rouge out with her other paw. She ran as fast as she could…black circles threatening to blind her and her mind going crazy.

-“rouges…..hunters….rouges….hunters….”-

She mind-linked to Jonathan.

Back in town:

The wolf council had shown up for a visit to meet the interesting Luna and Dolan with Jasmine had arrived. Romero was showing them around when he paused in front of the school playground. He couldn’t find Jonathan anywhere.

-“Jonathan where are you?”-

He mind linked, but got no reply. He saw Crystal who had made her way over to him.

“Looking for Jonathan, Alpha?”

She asked in her soft voice. Romero nodded.

“He went to find Elleanna and let her know that everyone has arrived.”

Crystal said with a smile.

“Thank you”

Romero said with a smile feeling reassured.

Back in the forest:

Elleanna ran as fast as she could, but fell on her injured paw. A rouge had followed her and took that moment to lunge at her and bite down on her left hindquarter. She let out a whimper and turned trying to attack but couldn’t because of the silver chain. The rouge went to attack her when a dark chocolate wolf lunged at the rouge knocking him to the ground.

-“My Luna, what have they done?”-

Jonathan Mind-linked to her. She let out a pained whimper as she stood

-“They have begun a war….for which….they will…die”-

She mind linked back as she felt the effects of the nightshade taking over.

-“I…will die…Jonathan….I am going…to do my best to live…but it was nightshade and wolfsbane…the wolfsbane  I can fight since I was tortured with it many times…but the nightshade…I feel it taking affect….."-

She finished as she started to limp away towards the town. Jonathan hung his head then mind linked the pack doctor and Romero

-“I am returning with the Luna…there was an attack…she isn’t doing well..”-

Romero’s eyes went wide when he got the mind link. Elleanna and Jonathan walked together before she caught the scent of another hunter closer to town. She let out a growl and ran on her injured leg towards the town. Jonathan followed right behind her, but she quickly got ahead of him regardless of her injuries. The wolf council was watching the kids playing on the playground when a scent of a human filled their noses. They turned in time to see a hunter with a gun pointed at him as well as a few rouges.

Romero let out a loud growl.

Before a fight could break out Elleanna jumped onto the back of the hunter causing him to fall face first against the paved road. She let out a growl that echoed through the town. Her eyes were glowing golden even though she still couldn’t open her mouth. The council gasped upon seeing her white wolf with the golden and purple swirls. She dug her claws into the back of the hunter deeply causing pools of blood to escape from the man's torn clothes. The rouges took off running, but not before the packs warriors showed up and captured them. The hunter under her screamed loudly as he once again felt the claws enter his body. A gurgling noise was heard from the man before he finally let out one last breath. Romero walked over to Elleanna and spoke soft words

“Elleanna…Rose…it’s ok..you are safe now my love…”

She looked up with a growl as blood soaked her paws. Romero could see that one was bent the wrong way and then his eyes widened when he saw the pure silver chain around her mouth causing deep burns every time she growled.

“Oh Elleanna…let me help you, my love…I won’t hurt you…”

He said softly as he moved closer to her. She let out another growl and swiped at Romero when he got closer. The council watched the interaction as Jonathan came up in his human form and fully clothed.

“A hunter injected her with a mix of nightshade and wolfsbane…I don’t think she is in her right mind Alpha…”

Jonathan said with a frown. Romero paused and then stripped and shifted. His wolf came closer to his mate.

-“Rose…It’s Aidrien…I came to help you love..”-

He said in a mind link to her. Rose titled her head before she backed away and let out another growl. In her eyes she saw just a shadow that resembled a hunter. The nightshade/wolfsbane mix messing with her mind.

-“Just breath in deeply love and you will know it’s me..”-

Aidrien said in their mind link. Rose froze in spot and took a deep breath inhaling his scent, but it didn’t comfort her. She let out a whimper as she felt all the pain form her injuries as well as the blood loss. Aidrien rubbed himself against her side being careful not to touch the pure silver chain. Rose let out a softer whimper before the darkness started to close in around her.

-“We love you Romero and Aidrien.”-

Rose mind linked to Aidrien before she fell to the ground giving into the darkness. Her breathing becoming pants as the nightshade started taking full effect. Romero shifted back and picked up Elleanna in her wolf form.

“I will not let you die today my love…”

Romero said as he ran towards the pack hospital carrying her in his arms.

Doctor Jeana was already prepared with a room and bed. She assessed the wounds and then grabbed a vial and inserted a warm liquid.

“This will draw the nightshade out…if it isn’t too late that is..”

She said as the heart monitor showed Elleanna’s heart slowing down. Romero slipped on a spare outfit that he kept at the hospital and waited in the waiting room. The council, Dolan, and Jasmine came in and sat down in the waiting room as well. Suddenly a code blue was being called and the nurses ran into the room where Elleanna was at. Romero went to run in as well, but Dolan stopped him.

“I know you want to be in there Alpha Romero, but you will only get in the way of them saving her..”

He said firmly, but softly. Romero began pacing as he waited. The code was taken away a few moments after it went off and everyone went back to business. Doctor Jeana was trying to quickly get the nightshade out of Elleanna’s system as she had shifted back to human form in her unconscious state. They had already taken the silver chains off, but there were deep burns on her face all  along her jaw, these would probably scar. As she stuck a needle with an empty syringe into Elleanna’s arm to try to get the nightshade out again, the heart monitor flatlined again. Doctor Jeana did what she could on her own to try and start Elleanna’s heart again, but had to call another code blue. Nurses and other doctors ran into the room and began their CPR and shocking. It wasn’t working.

“I have to get the nightshade out before we can revive her….”

Doctor Jeana said before she pulled the dark liquid out of Elleanna’s system. When she got all of the nightshade out 5 minutes had already passed. They began perfuming CPR again…soon 10 minutes had passed, but still no response…then 15 minutes….

”Doctor…I think we should stop..”

A male nurse said towards Doctor Jeana. Doctor Jeana shook her head and refused to stop.

“We must do all we can to save our Luna…”

She said in a rush. A soft beep was heard then.

“Quickly, let’s get her to the O.R. while we have her with us!”

Doctor Jeana called out. The nurses wheeled Elleanna out of the room and ran with the bed to the O.R.

Doctor Jeana scrubbed in and began the surgery to find any other traces of the nightshade as well as fixing Elleanna’s broken left arm and stitching up the bite on Elleanna’s left side. During the surgery Elleanna flat lined again. Doctor Jeana almost cried,but continued her job. A nurse went out to inform Romero and everyone waiting on the situation.

“Alpha..”

She said softly. Romero turned and looked at her worry in his eyes.

“She is in the O.R. now. She has flat lined 3 times. The second time she was down for 15 minutes so we don’t know what the damage will be. I don’t have any other updates as of this time”

The nurse said before she turned and headed back to the O.R. Romero stood still as the words sunk in. Dolan held Jasmine close as she had begun to cry. The wolf council held their heads low. Romero wiped his face as tears left his eyes and fear he would lose his mate filled his thoughts. Jonathan and Crystal arrived shortly after that.

“It’s going to be alright, Alpha, your mate is a fighter.”

Jonathan said in a calming voice as he placed a hand on Romero’s back. 3 hours passed without another update and Romero paced the floor. Everyone else went to eat lunch, but Romero refused to leave. In the O.R. Doctor Jeana and her team were working hard trying to save Elleanna. She flatlined for a fourth time and they were struggling to revive her. They had given her all the epinephrine and other heart starting medicines they could, but it wasn’t working. Doctor Jeana let out a small sob when they are unsuccessful to revive her. She ran her fingers through Elleanna’s hair gently.

“Our Luna…you can’t leave us…please…Romero would never recover from that..”

Jeana said softly. After 20 minutes passed with no improvement Doctor Jeana let out a sigh and shook her head in sorrow.

“Wheel her to the morgue. Time of death 4:00 P.M.”

Doctor Jeana said in a defeated voice. She stood in the O.R. as she watched them cover and wheel away Elleanna’s lifeless body. Doctor Jeana felt like she was out of her body as she slowly left the O.R. She didn’t even wash her hands, but instead she numbly walked down the hall towards the waiting room. She slowly went through the door and walked over to where her Alpha stood. Romero turned and watched Doctor Jeana. He noticed how defeated she looked and he frowned.

“Jeana?”

He asked softly. Doctor Jeana still zoned out in sorrow went to a nearby chair and slid into it. The room around her was silent as everyone waited for an answer. She didn’t even realize when they tears began to run down her face.

“She….I couldn’t…”

She tried talking, but her throat felt dry. Romero put a hand on Jeana’s back

“What happened?”

He asked her without hiding the worry in his voice. Doctor Jeana looked up at Romero and cried harder

“I’m sorry Alpha…I… I couldn’t save her..our Luna…she’s…..she is dead…”

Doctor Jeana said between sobs before dropping her head back towards the ground and crying harder. Romero froze as the words began to sink in slowly. He slid down against the nearby wall. He didn’t cry or move as he was in too much shock.

~In the Morgue~

Elleanna’s naked body lay on the autopsy table:

She awoke in a darkness that had little sparkling lights. She walked around calling out softly

“Hello?”

She came upon a brilliantly blue lake that had a small waterfall and sat down next to it.

“Rose?”

She asked softly, but got no reply. She let out a sigh and stared into the water before she heard a soft voice that sounded like a song.

“Hello, my daughter.”

She looked up to see a beautiful woman with long curly black hair. The woman was as tall as Elleanna and was the perfect shape. She wore a long flowing white gown and had skin the color of porcelain. Her feet were bare and she wore a smile upon her face.

“H….Hello..”

Elleanna said with a soft voice still sounding like a melody.

“It is so good to see you in person my dear.”

The woman said as she took a seat next to her.

“Am I dead?”

Elleanna asked while she continued to stare at the woman. The woman smiled and replied softly

“Not quite my daughter. You are just visiting me, though others think you are dead…”

Elleanna looked at her.

“Why do you call me daughter?”

She asked curiously. The woman beside her let out a soft song like laugh before she responded

“Because you are my daughter Elleanna, the twin that died would have been your parents, but you are mine. You are special and that is why they hated you because you took away their actual daughter. You see I couldn’t have you myself, but I could have someone carry you. I chose the parents I did because I thought they would be good to you. I didn’t plan for the twin to die…that was unfortunate. I am sorry for all you had to endure in your life.”

Elleanna looked at her and listened closely.

“You are special and you have a mate that is equally as special. You can choose to stay with me, but he needs you my daughter.”

The woman looked at her.

“Do you want to go back?”

Elleanna thought for a moment before she replied

“Why would he love me when I’m broken?”

The woman looked at her and placed a hand onto her right knee

“You are stronger than you think. You are not broken. You are special and unique, like a porcelain dish that is rare, but not as delicate.”

She said to her. Elleanna let out a sigh

“What happened to me? Why did that hunter rip the baby from me….Why can I kill so easily?”

She asked. The woman looked at her and responded

“That hunter was a fool. He took advantage and only hurt the pup because he wanted to kill you all. The stuff he injected into you changed you and your wolf. Even I cannot say what the stuff was…I can say it made you stronger and that is why you can kill easier. Your wolf is a little unhinged…but not broken. I am so sorry you went through that my daughter.”

Elleanna let out a sigh.

“I guess I should go back, huh?”

She asked softly. The woman smiled and nodded

“It would be wise. My Daughter, you are very special and Romero loves you very much. I will see you at your wedding.” 

She said softly and smiled. Elleanna smiled and hugged the woman

“See you soon mother.”

With that she closed her eyes and woke up in her body. A bright light caused Elleanna to blink so her eyes could adjust. She sat up and looked around. The room was metallic and cold without anyone else around. She slid her legs off the side of the bed and stood up. She took a breath and scrunched her nose at the smell of death.

~“we are in the morgue.”~

Rose said in their mind causing her to nod.

~“Let’s go find our mate.”~

She said as she began to walk out of the room. Her skin was back to normal and she didn’t pay any mind that she was butt naked. She traveled down the halls causing the nurses to stare with wide eyes. Soon she found herself pushing open the door to the waiting room and furrowed her brows when she saw the scene in front of her. Romero sat with his back against the wall staring blankly. Dolan had Jasmine wrapped in his arms and they were both crying. The wolf council had their heads down looking at the floor and Doctor Jeana sat in a chair weeping horribly. No one looked her direction until she spoke loudly in her melody like voice

“What happened? Did somebody die?”

She asked as she took them all in. Romero shot his head up quickly and stood on his feet.

“Elleanna?”

He asked in disbelief.

“…But you died…”

He said still in shock as he moved closer to her. She shook her head

“I wasn’t dead…”

Doctor Jeana stood up and wiped the tears from her eyes before she spoke

“Luna, your heart stopped for over 2 hours…”

Elleanna blinked and looked at Romero before she shrugged

“Well I’m not dead…”

She said softly which caused Romero to smile. He wrapped his arms around her.

“I am so glad you are alive my love.”

He said softly as he spoke into her hair. Jasmine wiped her eyes and smiled

“Girl….we are glad you are alive, but um….maybe you should get some clothes on…”

She looked down and blushed realizing she was naked. Romero let out a low laugh and took off his shirt helping her slip it onto her frame.

“Thank you Romeo…”

She teased.

“It’s Romero to you..”

He said with a chuckle.

“Aw…we couldn’t play Romeo and Juliet for just a moment?”

She asked with a smirk.

“How are you feeling my love?”

Romero asked as he once again held her in his arms. She thought for a moment before she responded

“Hungry..”

She said as her stomach began to rumble. Romero let out a laugh and picked her up.

“Let’s get you home my love.”

He said as she placed her head against his chest. Soon they were back at the pack house and  in their room.

“Shower and change, my love, then we can eat.”

Romero said softly before he placed a soft kiss on her right cheek. She smiled and blushed before she nodded and went into the bathroom to take a shower. She began to sing while thinking about Romero, her voice echoed in the pack house causing everyone to listen with a smile.

“All those days…..watching from the windows….All those years…outside looking in…All that time never really knowing…just…how blind I’ve been….Now I’m here blinking in the starlight….Now I’m here…suddenly I see…Standing here…It’s all so clear….I’m where I’m meant to be….And at last I see the light….and it’s like the fog has lifted…..and at last I see the  light….and it’s like the sky is new….and it’s warm and real and bright…and the world has somehow shifted….all at once everything looks different…now that I see you…”

She trailed off as she stepped out of the shower. Romero smiled as he knew the song from the movie Tangled and decided to sing the male part while he entered into the room. Elleanna was still in the bathroom and she blushed upon hearing him sing.

“All those days…chasing down a daydream….all those years living in a blur…all that time never truly seeing…things….the way they were…Now she’s here shining in the starlight…now she’s here suddenly I know…If she’s here..it’s crystal clear…I’m where I’m meant to go..”

He leaned against the closed bathroom door as he continued singing hoping she would join in with him. He wore a huge smile on his face when he heard her join in for the next part of the song their voices singing in perfect harmony

“And at last I see the light…and it’s like the fog has lifted….and at last I see the light…and it’s like the sky is new…and it’s warm and real and bright…and the world has somehow shifted…all at once everything looks different…now that I see you….now that I….see yoooou..”

She smiled as she slipped into a simple dark blue dress that ended mid-calf. She begun to sing another song hoping Romero would join in as well. She decided to stick with her Disney mentality and opted for Love is An Open Door from Frozen

“All my life has been a series of doors in my face…and then suddenly I bump in you…”

Romero let out a light laugh as he took the male part of the song

“I was thinking the same thing!…’Cause like I’ve been searching my whole life to find my own place…and maybe it’s the party talking or the chocolate fondue…”

She let out a chuckle as she opened the door and they continued singing and began to dance together.

E: “But with you..”

R: “But with you… I find my place..”

E:“I see your face…”

Together: “And it’s nothing like I’ve ever known before….love is an open dooooor….love is an open dooooor…love is an open door..

E:with you,

R:With you,

E:With you

R:with you..love is and open door…”

R: ”I mean it’s crazy..”

E: ”what?”

R: ”We finish each others…”

E: ”Sandwiches!”

She let out a giggle slightly interrupting the song. Romero smiled wider than he had ever done in his life and continued the song

R: “That’s what I was gonna say!”

E: ”I’ve never met some who thinks so much like me”

Together: “Jinx, jinx again….Our mental synchronization…can have but one explain…you and I were just meant to be….Say goodbye…to the pain of the past….We don’t have to feel it anymore…..Love is an open doooooooor….Love is an open door…life can be so much more …with you….With you….Love is an open door..”

Romero took out a small box from his dresser drawer while Elleanna had her back facing him as she was caught up in the dance. He got down on one knee with the box open revealing a stunning rose gold ring with a dark blue sapphire gem in the middle that looked like a rose. He prepared to sing the next part fully meaning it and hoped she wouldn’t say no. She turned around just as he got to the next part and let out a small gasp when she saw the ring and Romero.

“Can I say something crazy?…. Will you marry me?”

His heart was hammering in his chest as he waited to see what she would say or if she would just end the song there. She smiled and gave him a reply

“Can I say something even crazier?”

She paused realizing that the song had turned into their engagement story. She blushed as she sang out the last part

“Yes!”

Romero placed the ring on her finger before he stood up then he pulled her into a close hug. She smiled widely as she returned his hug.

“That wasn’t just because of how that song ended…”

She said softly as she looked into his eyes.

“I know”

He said with a smile before he gently placed a kiss on the top of her head.

“I wasn’t really dead…I was with my real mother…”

She told Romero. He looked at her confused and arched an eyebrow.

“I can’t explain it…but I know she was my mother…We talked about it…and she gave me the choice to come back to you or to end it all…”

She paused and frowned a little before she continued

“..I wanted to just give into the darkness…to die….but at the same time…I thought of you and the love you have shown me…you saved me…just like when we first met….I can’t give up on you when you never gave up on me…”

She said honestly letting the words trail off as tears slipped down her face. He smiled and gently wiped the tears away from her eyes.

“I would save you a thousand times over, my love, you mean the world to me and more…you are worth everything.”

He spoke his true feelings to hear which caused her to smile widely.

“Now….There are others downstairs that would like to see you…and I’m sure they were eavesdropping on our song and conversation so we should probably go and face them.”

He said with a sigh not wanting to leave their happy bubble. She nodded and linked her fingers with his as they made their way downstairs.