Five

Katana's POV

My body heat was enough to boil the pillow on the hospital bed. Shivering and dying from the unbearable pain of the angry red sores that covered my body including my tongue, I wanted peace.

The medication and antibiotics made my vision blurry. Every movement felt like my skin was scraped raw and I couldn't breathe right through my nose without feeling immense pain.

Shifting was impossible because my wolf was dying within me. We were trapped in this hell, at the mercy of these wretched sores that mocked me with their stubborn refusal to heal.

"We're doing everything we can," the pack doctor's voice snapped at my mom. "Don't blame the hospital when she eventually dies"

I wanted to yell at him for making my mum cry. The sadist didn't even wish me well, but I couldn't move my lips. I shut my eyes instead, begging for the pain to end. 

Physically and emotionally drained, I wasn't sure how much longer I could take. When the alpha brought me to the hospital, my tongue struggled to call him a heartless fool.

"Rest now," the doctor flashed me a cold smile while my mom perched on a chair beside me, taking my hand in hers.

"I have failed you, my child "

I looked up at her, regretting ever stepping foot in Wild Oaks. My mom sniffled, squeezing my hand. "I won't give up on you. The omegas are praying fervently for you. Zayn is on the premises. He stepped out to get some water for us."

My chest tightened with guilt at the mention of Zayn's name. It was sad that the mating bond was reserved for Damien, someone who left me for dead.

I heard footsteps and saw Zayn walking in, approaching my bedside with a paper bag with a vacant gaze. The sadness in his eyes made me feel worse. 

"I'm sorry, Katana," he said softly, taking my hand in his. "We're doing everything to keep you alive."

Looking up at him, I wanted to believe him, but the pain and fever were making it hard to think clearly.

"I don't understand why he refuses to mark her," Zayn snapped angrily. 

My mum's lips trembled, "They're mates."

Silence filled the room as the weight of the situation sank into Zayn's head. My heart hurt for him. He gasped in shock, his eyes wide as saucers. 

"What do you mean they're mates? How can they be mates and he's letting her die?"

Helplessly, I watched him react, confused as a new emotion flashed past his expression: amusement.

He laughed so loudly that I almost jumped out of my skin. Why was he laughing at a time like this, when I was lying on my deathbed, struggling to survive?

The fever hit me at a high pitch. I shivered uncontrollably as sweat poured down my face as the accursed virus sapped the last of my strength.

"Well, maybe he's doing the right thing," Zayn coughed, trying to contain his laughter. "If you know what I mean."

My mum yelled at him to get out. I couldn't believe my ears. Zayn was acting so selfish, thinking only of his own needs and desires. 

May the gods strike you, Zayn.

****

My mum woke me from a restless sleep. When when I woke up to the sound of Alpha Damien's baritone voice, my heart skipped a thousand beats.

He was there, standing beside my bedside and talking to my mum.

Our eyes met and held. Despite the sickness, something intense flared in my heart. When he cradled me in his arms, he unhooked my heart and soul.

"I have an aunt with alpha blood," he said softly to me, lifting me off the bed. "I'm taking you to her."

My mum's eyes sparkled with tears. The Alpha carried me bridal style to his car in the parking lot and drove like a maniac to a brick mansion, nestled in the hills.

A maid who was just waking up met us at the door. "Alpha Damien?" She gasped, stunned to see him.

"Send Hera downstairs right now."

She remained silent, blinking like a dumbfounded owl. 

"Now!" Damien demanded. 

"Long live the Alpha," the maid bowed. "Hera is having issues getting on her feet."

Damien growled with rage so intense that I could feel it. "And you didn't think it wise to inform me?"

The maid stuttered in fear, wiping her hands on her apron. Pushing past her, he raced up the stairs with me.

In the master bedroom, an old, graying woman donned in a white cotton nightie, lay upon a king-sized bed that was draped in white sheets.

She looked like an angel with her eyes partially closed, and her chest rising and falling in a slow, shallow rhythm, monitored by the wires attached to her body.

 Despite her peaceful appearance, she looked deathly pale. Damien went completely still and rigid with shock. The woman noticed our presence and opened her eyes, her lips parting in surprise to see us. Damien dropped me on the bed and made me sit up before rushing to her side. 

"Hera! What happened to you?Why didn't you tell me you were sick?" 

"Damien, my darling, what a pleasant surprise," she chuckled, her eyes lighting with joy. She signalled for him to come closer. Gently, she raised herself, propping herself against the pillows. 

"Why bother you about the sickness of an old woman? And who's this beauty?"

Damien shifted uneasily between me and Hera, as though he was conflicted about telling her about me.

"Never mind," he cleared his throat. "She's no one."

My heart sank. 

"Son, I can spot your lies a mile away," she chuckled, her eyes shining with a fondness for Damien.

"You're ill, Hera," Damien said, his voice heavy with sadness as he reached out and took her hand. "I need to take care of you and not burden you with any more responsibility."

"I'm fine, really," she smiled weakly, her eyes shining with a fondness for him. Despite her words, his face was lined with worry.

"You're overreacting," the old woman grinned. "No one lives forever. Besides, all my friends and siblings are dead." 

"Don't say that," Damien said firmly. "You're all I've got and I'll do everything to keep you alive."

Her eyes searched his face and she kissed him on his forehead and urged him to speak. After much reluctance, Damien told her I was dying and I needed someone with Alpha blood to bite me.

She sat up slowly, watching me. My heart raced with terror. What if she refused to help an Omega?

When her eyes twinkled, I knew there was hope. "Damien, you're the Alpha. Why didn't you bite her?"

"I can't mark her, Hera. She's uh… she's my mate."

Hera's eyes widened in surprise as she stared into my soul. Then a smile reached her eyes and I felt an instant warmth towards her. 

She opened her mouth to speak, however, her words quickly turned into a series of hacking coughs that wracked her body. 

Her face contorted with pain as the coughs shook her frail body. Damien rushed to give her some water, rubbing her back until the cough died down.

She lay on the pillows, her breaths coming in slow, shallow gasps. She turned to me with a smile on her face, and her eyes shone.

 "I've been waiting for this day," her voice filled with excitement. "You have come to the right place, and I will help."

"Are you sure?" Damien asked, concerned "You're not..."

"Bring her closer," she ordered him firmly.

A shiver ran down my spine when her trembling hands reached out to touch me. With a gentle touch, she pulled my hair to the side, exposing my neck. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, bracing myself for the moment.

Her cold lips kissed my neck at first, then her teeth grazed my skin in a gentle caress. It was not painful, but I felt a rush of adrenaline as I waited for something to happen.

Damien's light hazel eyes were intense and focused on me. Despite the cool air, beads of sweat formed on his face.

At first, I didn't feel anything. But after a few seconds, the sickness began to dissipate, as though a heavy weight was lifted from my body.

Energy and life returned to me in seconds, so fast that it felt like a dream. My breathing eased and tears prickled at the corners of my eyes. 

Hera opened her arms wide, inviting me into a hug. I stepped into her embrace, feeling the warmth of her arms surrounding me. She smelled like baby powder.

 I felt a tingling warmth in my heart, a feeling of gratitude for this kind woman who had given me a second chance at life. 

Damien smiled a small, relieved grin that lit up his face. His eyes captured mine, and I looked away, annoyed that the moon goddess paired me with someone who'd have watched their mate die and more annoyed with myself for the ache in my heart whenever his gaze met mine.

My wolf scolded me for my ungrateful thoughts.

Hera's eyes swept over me, her gaze filled with approval. She leaned in close and whispered into my ear."Be strong for what's to come."

Confused, I didn't understand what she was talking about. Did the bite have consequences?

Our eyes met, and I tried to read the meaning in her eyes, but she only smiled and turned to Damien, hugging him tightly in a warm embrace. She pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.

She pulled away from Damien and slowly lowered herself onto the bed. Damien clasped her hands.

"Do you feel fine? Or do you need me to send for the pack doctor?"

She smiled, took a long breath, and shut her eyes. 

Damien crouched beside her while I stood, watching. For a moment, she lay still, her chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm. But then, with a final exhale, her body went limp and the heart monitors let out a long, steady beep.

Damien's face contorted with shock. He reached out and shook her body, calling her name in a desperate plea.

"Hera! What are you doing? Wake up!"

He gently shook her shoulders but she remained motionless. Something was so wrong about this. I wasn't sick anymore but I shivered at the sight.

Damien leaned in closer, his ear pressed to her chest. Then he let out a choked sob, his body shaking with grief. He clutched her hand, his fingers tight around hers, and with eyes filled with tears, he looked up at me.

"She's dead."