Chapter 7

Ariella's POV

"I..."

I stared blankly at my mother, afraid to reveal anything about what had happened between Matthew and me.

She still didn't know that Damien and I had broken up, so I bit my lip, ready to lie and say that the person I was with last night was Damien.

Suddenly, she asked me, "It was Damien, right?"

I hurriedly looked up and nodded several times quickly. My mother nodded as if she had breathed a sigh of relief.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I'm studying medicine because I really love it. And, I want to refine my own medical skills, become stronger, and be able to protect you and Auntie. If I can, I will rebuild my father's pack..."

My mother let out a deep sigh. 

She said, "Honey, it's not that I don't want you to study medicine. It's just that I think it's too hard. Also, I've heard from some older werewolves before that the female werewolf healers in our tribe couldn't have children because of long-term exposure to a certain herb. I don't want you to take that risk."

I blinked, and tears fell. I licked my lips and firmly said to my mother, "Mom, I'm not afraid of hardship. What I need to do now is take on the responsibility of rebuilding my father's pack. You don't have to worry. Moreover, if I can't have children, it's my own choice. Who says I must have a baby? If my mate is not willing to be with me because of the baby thing, then I'll just give it up."

After saying this, I picked up my white coat from the ground. As I was about to turn and leave, my mother grabbed my hand.

She said, "Ella, you've really grown up. Actually, there's another reason I don't want you to study medicine..."

I turned my head in confusion. Suddenly, my mother burst into tears, her face covered in tears.

I knew her health was very poor now, and her emotions couldn't fluctuate too much, so I quickly knelt down to comfort her.

"Mom, it's okay. I'm here..."

Suddenly, there was a sound of footsteps at the door. The next second, the door was pushed open.

"Ella, you're back."

Looking up, it was my aunt. She was holding some herbs, all of which were for alleviating my mother's symptoms.

My mother coughed a few times, struggling to breathe. Auntie hurried over and gently patted my mother's back beside me.

"Ella, your mother is quite ill. She can't be so emotional. This is the medicine I made yesterday; it can calm the nerves."

She took out a bottle of medicine from the bedside table. I supported my mother's head and let her slowly pour the medicine down my mother's throat.

My mother soon stopped crying and lay on the bed, looking as if she were asleep.

Looking at her haggard face, a bitterness spread from the bottom of my heart.

"By the way, Auntie, did you receive the Crystalroot Leaf?" I wiped my tears and looked up at my aunt.

Auntie nodded, worriedly saying, "Yes, I did. Ella, where did you get this herb? I remember this herb is very rare."

"Auntie, don't worry. I've been doing a part-time job recently. A herb supplier took pity on me and agreed to let me exchange my wages for a piece of this herb. Has mother taken this medicine? How is the effect?"

"The effect is very good, Ella. Thanks to you. These past few days, your mother has been in good condition and has recovered well. It's just that..."

"What is it?"

"Ella, if we want to cure your mother, we'll need at least twenty Crystalroot Leaves. Are you sure that herb supplier can keep helping us?"

I furrowed my brow slightly, feeling a bit worried. Would Matthew keep helping me? I asked myself, but got no answer.

"Auntie, I will talk to him about it. You don't have to worry. By the way, Auntie, I won't be coming back for a while. I've moved into the dormitory at the hospital; it's more convenient there."

"Okay, Ella, just go after what you truly want. Don't worry about your mother; leave her to me. I believe you can become a great werewolf healer."

"Thank you, Auntie."

My heart was filled with gratitude for my aunt, and tears involuntarily welled up in my eyes again.

"Auntie, it's about time for me to go to work. I need to leave first."

"Go ahead."

I nodded and wiped my tears. I packed some clothes into my bag and left the cabin.

Back at the hospital, I was still in a daze. Erika was already in the office. She came towards me with a sandwich she had prepared for me and a gossiping expression on her face.

"Ella, do you remember that Alpha Matthew who helped us last night? His father is sick and was sent to our hospital! What a coincidence."

I was stunned.

Suddenly, a woman's roar came from afar. "Ariella, you slut!"

My consciousness was instantly pulled back to reality. Looking up, I realized it was Kiley.

Erika stood in front of me, mocking Kiley, "Get out of here! This is a hospital, not your home! Security, this woman is shouting here; get her out!"

Soon, several security guards ran over to take Kiley away.

"Let go of me! Take your filthy hands off me! How dare you lowly bastards touch me? Do you know how much this dress is worth? Let me tell you, you won't make enough in a lifetime to pay for the cleaning of this dress!"

The security guards instantly dared not pull her anymore and could only look at Erika awkwardly.

Erika snorted. "Kiley, haven't you learned anything from what happened yesterday? Now, who doesn't know that you bully others with your power?"

Kiley rolled her eyes and pushed Erika away. "Get out of my way! I'm not here to talk to you. Who do you think you are?"

She walked straight towards me, pointing at my face. "Ariella, I'm telling you, Damien's grandfather is sick and has been sent to this hospital. Don't think you can use this opportunity to get close to Damien again. I'm warning you, if you dare, I will stop at nothing to make you regret it!"

I looked at her with a cold smile and said, "You overestimate yourself. I'm not like you, who enjoys other people's used goods. Moreover, Damien is a lowly second-hand good. I can't believe such a man would even make you so alert. Where would a woman want to take him away from you?"

"You slut! I can tolerate you slandering me, but you can't insult Damien!"

Kiley lost her temper, reaching out to grab my hair. Luckily, I agilely dodged. She grabbed at thin air, becoming even angrier. I thought of her embarrassing fall face-first into the ground yesterday and couldn't help but laugh.

"What are you laughing at? Ariella, I'll kill you!"

Kiley charged at me, and I seized the right moment to slap her hard across the face.

She was stunned, standing still, her hair a mess. Her carefully applied false eyelashes had fallen off, sticking to her cheeks, making her look comically ridiculous.

The security guards, Erika, and I couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Look! It's too funny!"

When Erika shouted out loud, it attracted more people. Others from other offices and wards, hearing the laughter, came over. Kiley stood in the middle of the crowd, completely unaware of what was happening. Everyone pointed and laughed at her, making her so ashamed that she covered her face and rushed out of the crowd.

"What's so funny?" A deep male voice sounded. When he spoke, everyone immediately fell silent. I even felt the temperature in the entire office drop significantly. I couldn't help but shiver.

"Alpha Matthew."

Everyone bowed to Matthew in greeting and dispersed. I nodded slightly to Matthew, preparing to return to my desk to deal with work.

"Ariella, come here."

I stopped in my tracks and turned to look at him.

Could it be that he was here for me?