ANNA KYLIN CHESTER MY FROWN DEEPENED slightly, and I put my ear closer to the phone without touching it. Since I was already sterilized and prepared to enter the theater for labour, I could not risk desterilizing my hands. “Speak,“ I said urgently. I did not have the time for this. I knew if it was important, MItch would call me himself, not send an uncle that they could barely see eye to eye. “I don't have much time,“ I said. “It is important,“ Enrique said. “It is about your son, Aiden.“ My blood ran cold, and I stilled. I tore the glove from my hands and collected the phone from the nurse, pressing it closer to my ear as I walked away. “'“What is wrong with him?” I asked. “He shifted tonight,“ Enrique said. I heaved a sigh of relief. Even a smile escaped the tight lipped anxiety that was written all over my face. “That is not bad news then,“ I said easily. “You do NOt sound too pleased,“ I said slowly. “He got very sick.“ What does that even mean? I wondered. “Sick? W
ANNA KYLIN CHESTER I WAS STRESSED. We had been at this for far longer than I expected. I looked at the large overhead clock. I had been standing here for almost 4 hours.According to the CT scan, the placenta was wrapped around the neck of the baby, holding him back. So, all her pushes were futile. Getting slightly frustrated at being here for longer than I expected, my mind kept on drifting to the call I was expecting from Alphonso, and also to my son.I sighed and placed a hand on Reine's thigh. I eased a bit of her pain using my Luna powers. The human nurses who were assisting me were also exhausted."Doctor," a nurse said to me. I turned and she said, "The husband is outside. He wants to speak with you."I sighed again. It's about time. "Have a break," I told them. "But keep a close watch on her. Make sure her blood pressure does not drop any lower than this." They nodded at me as I walked out. I snapped the latex gloves from my hands and dropped them into a trash can as I went
ANNA KYLIN CHESTER "No, no, no," I muttered under my breath as I cut the umbilical cord and took the baby to a table while Reine was being cleaned by the nurses.What could have happened? I asked myself. Was it the placenta that wrapped the child's neck? I examined the baby's neck; there was some scarring in the soft, tender flesh. I held her upside down with one leg in an attempt to get the blood flowing. Her skin was turning a pale blue.I was starting to get the attention of some nearby nurses, and the excitement was dying down as they realized that the battle was not over yet. I placed the child on the table and pumped her chest. I was careful not to break her fragile ribs. I compressed her chest cavity numerous times. Finally, Reine noticed that there was no sound of her baby crying. She sat up and said, "Luna. What is going on?" She asked in a hysterical voice.Refusing to answer her, I focused more on trying to revive the child. I reached for a balloon-like instrument. I inse
ANNA KYLIN CHESTERI WALKED OUT of the delivery theater and went to the waiting room. Rick looked like he had aged more than a decade in the few hours Reine was in labor. His hair was in disarray and his eyes were blood shot. Jones was seated in a vinyl chair behind him, going through a magazine.Rick hurried to me as soon as I stepped out and he enveloped me in his arms tightly. “Thank you, Anna,” he whispered to my ear. “Thank you.” I know I must smell like hospital and blood, but he did not seem to mind.I rubbed his back briefly and pulled away. “Have you seen her?” I asked, pulling the hair cover from my head.He nodded. “They said they are taking her into recovery.”“Yes,” I told him. “I had previously thought that the child would be born premature, but she seems to be doing very fine.”“Except for the part where she did not cry as soon as she was born,” Rick whispered. “Reine did not have to tell me. I was out here all through and I did not hear it. I could feel Reine’s despair
ANNA KYLIN CHESTERI DROVE FOR the next hour without seeing many people. The sun was out of the horizon now, but it was still not so hot. I constantly checked my phone for a message, but it remained dry. I even tried to call the Kingdom’s land line, with hopes that maybe Alphonso had gotten there and the lines have been fixed but my calls were bounced.I sighed and drummed my fingers on the steering, fighting away the sleep that was creeping into my eyes. I turned on the radio in other to keep my mind occupied as I drove. The road was traffic-free, and the scenery of trees made it look very relaxing.My stomach rumbled and I made a mental note to stop by the first fast food that I come across and get what to eat. I drummed my fingers on the steering, keeping my eyes on the speedometer as I stifled a yawn. The radio started playing a slow classical tune, and suddenly, I dozed off while going 80mph. It was for only a few seconds, but that was enough. The car swerved out of the road, an
VORENUS WAS DISGUSTED and angry at the new development in the mansion. He never thought that he would miss Alice, but with the new human bitch that was hanging on to Vladimir now, he would gladly pick Alice over her. Then there were the two other vampires too. Enzo Gallagher Jr. The missing son of the Italian mogul and the mysterious, huge Roland, who was almost twice Vorenus’s size, but for some reason, the giant was a gentle vampire. He did not have the mean streak that Enzo had in his eyes. Vorenus spent the next few days after Vladimir returned, trying to find a way to get to the baby Lycan and warn him about the new development but the other two vampires went with him everywhere he went. Vladimir was getting closer to executing his plan. He had told Enzo and Roland not to turn more humans for now, and even though Vorenus had tried to find out what Vladimir was planning to do, he could not. Vladimir remained close lipped and distant. Vorenus knew his time was coming to an end.
MITCH CHESTERMitch sat beside Aiden with a long face, waiting for the boy to wake up had been the hardest thing for Mitch as he couldn't help the feeling of uncertainty that clouded him.Looking at the boy take in and let out heavy breaths, Mitch was consoled a bit at the fact that his son was still alive. Mitch rubbed his sweaty palms and stood from the seat that had become unbearably hot for him to sit. Aiden had been asleep for the past 5 hours day and even though he didn't seem to be in any kind of pain, Mitch was worried out of his mind. "Has he woken up?" Lorna's voice made him shift his gaze from Aiden's body."How long is he supposed to be out for?" He asked impatiently. She sighed and made her way inside the room."I have no idea as well," He could see the clueless expression on her face as she spoke and he wished that she lied to him, and told him that he was going to be up soon. Rather than look him in the face and tell him that his son's condition was unpredictable. He
MITCH CHESTERAS DAWN BROKE, Mitch made his way to the room where Aiden was still asleep.With every step he took, he wished he'd walk into the room and see his son in his element, happy and energized but walking into the room, he knew that this was his new reality and it could turn out to be his fate.He sighed into the chair beside the bed and stared at Aiden's figure for a long while. The feeling of foreboding hovering over him like a dark cloud. Aiden seemed so peaceful but Mitch was troubled regardless, mostly because his future depended on what the outcome of his son's situation would be. Getting up to his feet, he stood before the boy's frame and parted his eyelids with his fingers as if to check for something. He sighed when he saw that Aiden still had his wolf eyes glowering red underneath his lids.They dilated at as they got exposed to light. At the slightest, that was a source of consolation to him.Just then he had a feeling, like a buzz in his mind. There was only one
ANNA KYLIN CHESTERHOLDING ON TO Vorenus softly as he led me out, We walked up a flight of stairs and down a hallway till we stopped in front of a thick, mahogany wood. I took a deep breath as Vorenus pushed the door open and stood aside to let me through. Taking careful steps, I walked into the room. It was like a large hall, lit up beautifully with gold chandeliers. There was a small round table in the middle of the room, and Vorenus was seated at the head of the table.He looked at me as I walked in; his eyes widened slightly, but that was the only reaction he gave. His human mistress sat beside me; the look she gave was a nasty, dirty stare, but she kept her mouth shut. Vladimir's eyes followed me all the way to the table. I nodded at him curtly and took a seat. The table was filled with many delicacies, and even a full roast pig sat in the center.“Thank you for coming,“ Vladimir said.It was not like I had any option; I scoffed under my breath. I turned and looked behind me, exp
ANNA KYLIN CHESTERI DO NOT know how long I remained in the cage — listening to the dripping of water in the far dark distance. But I knew when the sun went down, because the mansion became more active, and the sound of night bugs joined in the sound of water droplets.I felt like I was going to run mad, but the door opened and the butler came in. He was human, I was sure of it, but still, there was something off about him. But I could not place my hand on it. He stood a few feet away from my cell and looked at me in a spiteful manner. “My name is Bartholomew the Fourteenth,“ he said.The fourteenth? I asked myself. Does that mean that fourteen generations of this man's family had lived with and worked for Vladimir?“What you are thinking is exactly correct,“ the butler said. “And no, I cannot read minds, but I could clearly see the confusion written on your face.”“What do you want?“ I asked. If he was going to be anything like the other human in the mansion - Janet, I wanted to prep
320LORNA DID NOT know her next move, or why she washed the mind of this vampire, but she knew she had to do something, and this seemed like the first step.“Rise,“ she commanded.The vampire stood up robotically and looked at her with his soulless eyes.“What are you doing here?“ she asked him.“Keeping watch on the borders of this kingdom,“ he replied.“Why?““I was just following orders,“ he said.“Whose orders?“ Lorna asked, even though she already knew the answer, but she wanted to be sure.“The king,“ the vampire replied.Lorna scoffed under her breath. Vladimir. She turned and looked at the way she had come from, considering her options. Should she take this vampire back to the kingdom where he could be interviewed by Mitch for information, or should she take the more riskier option and tell the vampire to take her to where Anna was being kept prisoner?She looked back and forth a couple of times, then she made her decision. She was not going back to the kingdom. She and they w
LORNA LOOKED OUT the window and watched as Mitch addressed the guest from the Red Moon pack; she saw the way they looked at him with awe and adoration. They were here out of respect for him and love for Anna.She turned away from the window and went to the bed where Aiden was sleeping, brushing her hand across his forehead. He mumbled something inaudible and shuffled slightly, but he did not wake up. She sighed sadly, wondering what the medical personnel were going to make of this. Aiden was not entirely in a coma. He responded to touch, and she had seen his flicker in his eyelids when Mitch had whispered something in his ear a few hours ago. It was just like he was in a deep slumber without being able to wake up. She imagined it to be like he was trapped in his own body.“If only your mother were here,“ she muttered in a small voice. “She would know what to do to bring you back.“ Lorna spoke gently to herself. She sighed and leaned in to kiss Aiden's forehead. She felt very connected
MITCH CHESTERMITCH COULD FEEL the animosity in the tense air as soon as they walked in. Draco was behind him, and Delta Adam walked beside him as they walked to the front of the hall. All heads followed their movement. Mitch stopped and overlooked the senate; he cleared his throat to stop all side talks and make sure all the attention was on him before he said, “We have some guests in our midst,“ he said in a strong voice. “And I expect us to be hospitable and treat them well.““They are from the inland pack,“ a small, stubby man muttered.“From the lunas former pack,“ Mitch nodded. “And they are here to help us in rescuing her. I hope we will be able to put aside your differences and work together.“The hall was silent for the next few seconds, so Mitch continued, “And they brought some weapons to give us an added advantage,“ he said.“We will be fighting with weapons now?“ Sil asked, astonished, “Like the humans?“Mitch cocked his head and nodded. “I'm afraid so,“ he said. “We need
MITCH CHESTERMITCH SAT DOWN heavily and examined the faces of the members of the Senate before him. They knew something was off in the balance of the kingdom. He cleared his throat and said, “What called for this meeting?““I think the meeting is long over due, Your Highness,“ Lane said in a small voice. Mitch looked around at the nods of agreement around the table.Mitch snorted.“We got the news that we had guests.“ a fat man muttered. “Guest. Warriors from another pack. As if the military in this kingdom is not enough.““So it means there is a heavy war coming,“ Sil said. She paused and continued, “A war that would mean we are accepting help from other inland packs.“A ripple of murmuring went round the pack again.“It is not just any inland pack,“ Mitch said. “They are from the red moon pack. Luna Anna's former pack.““Talking of Luna Anna,“ Sil cut in. “Where is she?“Mitch sighed. Truly, there are so many things that they need to address. Where would he even start? He asked him
MITCH CHESTERMITCH HAD BEEN waiting for the past 20 hours. All the pent up and nervous energy was making him agitated. He hated waiting, but that was what he had been forced to do for the past 20 hours. When he could not take it anymore, he went upstairs to Aiden's room, Lorna was still there. But up in Aiden's room was another waiting session as they waited for him to wake up.Lorna sat up when Mitch walked in. He looked around and noted that Elijah and Oliver were absent. “What of the boys?“ he asked.“They left an hour ago," she replied. “They had to eat and wash up, but I think they will be back here anytime soon.“Mitch nodded and sat down heavily with a sigh. He rubbed his eyes with the heel of his palms.“How did the meeting go?“ Lorna asked after a few seconds of silence.“As fine as it can get,“ he said.“You and Enrique did not clash heads?“ she asked. Everyone knew about the both of them.He shrugged, “We did. But we came to an agreement.“She smiled softly. “That is good
315ANNA KYLIN CHESTERI HAD NO idea how long I had been locked in the cell when the door opened. I sat up expecting it to be Vorenus; instead, it was the skinny, sick looking mistress of Vladimir. Her name was Janet or something like that.She stalked to the front of my cell and pouted at me. “So you are a woman… and pretty too.“ If that was meant to be a compliment, it did not sound so, as it was laced with venom.Gathering some energy, I stood up. I was taller than her and was pleased when she tilted her head to look up at me. She took an involuntary step backward. I smirked at her.“You are never going to take Vladimir from me,“ she blurted.“What?“ I gagged. Who was this dumb lady? “If you are thinking I am here of my own free will to snatch your undead boyfriend, you have the brain of a 15 year old high schooler.“She placed her hand on her hip and frowned. “And what? You have the brain of a mature woman…“ She frowned and leaned closer to me. “Wait a minute, don't I know you?”I
MITCH PACED OUT of the mountain with Draco and Alphonso closely behind him. He paused outside the mountain. Darco came to stand beside him. He could feel his beta brewing with questions, but he ignored it.“That is a high profile prisoner,“ Mitch said to the guards outside. They all nodded with slight frowns on their faces. They could already sense that something was wrong.“Good,“ Mitch muttered and went to a buggy parked by the side.Draco gestured with his head to Alphonso, who immediately jumped into the driver's seat and started the car.“Take us to the palace,“ Mitch said.Alphonso pursed his lips and eased the car out of the snow. Mitch could feel Draco throw him some subtle glances as they made their way to the palace, but he chose not to say anything as he prepared his mind on how he was going to tell them everything.Half an hour later, they pulled into the front gates, and Mitch got out. Draco followed and Alphonso started to drive away but Mitch said, “Come with us, Alphon