{~~Logan Grey~~}The first testing was about to begin, and I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. The lab, now a hive of activity, was a testament to the countless hours of preparation and planning that had brought us to this moment. Every piece of equipment, every test tube and microscope, was ready to be put to use in our quest to find a cure for Lycanthropic Decay Syndrome (LDS).Martin Miller, our patient, lay on the bed in the observation room, his body weak and his eyes half-closed. He was barely awake, but we were committed to keeping him as comfortable as possible, ensuring he was fed and hydrated throughout the process. The one-way glass allowed us to monitor him without causing any additional stress, giving us a clear view of his condition. After the rage, the violence, the victims of the LDS are left with pain, hollow feeling and wishes of death.I took a deep breath and glanced at Avery, who was by my side, her face set with determination. Together, we had put everyt
{~~Avery Sterling~~}I slept for a while on Logan's chest, the most comfortable place in the world. His steady heartbeat was my lullaby, and the warmth of his embrace was my cocoon. I was in a deep, dreamless sleep, cocooned in his arms, completely oblivious to the world outside. Hours seemed to pass by in mere minutes, and I only woke up when the rain began to slow down and he gently nudged me awake.It felt like we had been there for ages, wrapped up in each other’s warmth while the storm raged outside. A simple check to my phone... my phone! Where was my phone? Panic surged through me as I frantically patted my pockets and rummaged through my bag. "Crap, Logan, we have to go back to the hospital. I can't find my phone."He glanced at me with a calm demeanor that I envied. "It's in your bag. I saw you place it in."I mouthed an "O," feeling sheepish. I hadn't expected that. Sighing with relief, I thanked him, grateful for his attention to detail. I just wanted to sleep, to sink back
{~~Logan Grey~~}The warm body sliding up against me made my breath hitch, and if I hadn’t had plans for today I would taken the invite her body was giving. Although I’m not sure she was aware of how her body was grinding into mine. I exhaled softly and opened my eyes so I could see the woman in front of me. I couldn’t connect her to Ava. She looked so different when she was sleeping. Like the world couldn’t bother her. Like everything was okay.I rolled out of bed before i did something stupid like kiss her awake. Stretching my bones, I grabbed my phone so i could call my mother. It’s time we did something else right with Avery but first, I had to speak with them.I went into the hotel bathroom, locking the door behind me. As though some spirit was watching me, my phone started to ring right away. I glanced at the unknown number and weighed my choices before choosing to answer it.I was hit with immediate regret. “Logan.” Ava. God, why is it that the moment I decide to move on she su
{~~Avery Sterling~~}I rushed out of the taxi and headed straight for the cafe doors. I would have been here sooner but logan had turned a quick shower into let’s have a quickie and now he’s headed to the hospital- where I’ll need to be in an hour- and I’m hurrying to meet with a soon-to-be widow. Um, I mean.... a disgruntled woman. Who has been through so much?To my luck, it seemed like she was just arriving so perhaps she’d lied to get me here quicker. I couldn’t blame her. I wouldn’t want to wait to discuss my dying husband’s illness or my missing daughters. I took a spot while she was at the counter, and asked myself to breathe a little better. I might be able to pull off being here earlier thing.She turns, scanning the room. And when she spotted me, I waved a little. She smiles, but her eyes are sort of empty. Even though her husband was an asshole, I believe he wasn’t always like that. This disease, it truly fucks with a person. Turning a once good man or woman, although it is
{~~Logan Grey~~}She’s late. She should be done by now. I turned on the tracker I had on her phone and found that Avery was headed towards the hospital. Not wanting to seem desperate I took the stairs so by the time I got to the last floor her taxi would have arrived. I looked forward to talking to her. We didn’t get much time together.I stepped out of the time. Just in time. But she was frozen in the spot, not hearing a single thing I said. Following where her horrid expression was aimed, I spotted something that stole my happiness. And that thing was pregnant.“Hi, Logan,” Ava said. Her bright smile aimed at me. But all I could notice was her big round belly, and how the alpha in me wanted me to grab Avery and run for the hills. Instead of doing something that pathetic, I emptied my face and looked at her.“Ava, I didn’t think you’d return.”“I told you I was in town. Can we talk in private?” she made a small gesture with her eyes towards Avery.Avery seemed to snap out of her shoc
{~~Avery Sterling~~}I can’t believe she came back. I was so sure that she wouldn’t, and yet here she is. Ready to take back her man. Her man. That’s right. He’s not mine. Sure, we were trying to build something good but this is the girl he was waiting for. Now we’re not in different states I’m sure he can see what he was missing out on when he decided to settle for me.“Excuse me, Miss Sterling.” A male nurse called for me. I looked up.“Yes?”“There’s a guy who wants to see you out back.” I frowned, why wouldn’t Logan just take the front doors? Or right, it’s probably not him. He’s discussing future plans with Ava right now as we speak. I said I wouldn’t run away, but I think I’m going to keep my promise to Aisha. Pack up my stuff, and just leave overnight.That’ll save him the stress of having to hand me divorce papers. I’ll leave the ring and a note telling him to just mail them to me. Yep, that’s the plan. I followed the nurse outside until I was in the back yard of the hospital.
{~~Logan Grey~~}“What the fuck do you mean?”Ava went back to sit on the bench. She didn’t look like she was ready to comply or tell me anything. I was prepared to ask her once more when my phone started to ring. My gut tightened, and a sickening feeling filled it. I answered it once i saw Ryan’s name.“Fuck, you’re okay. Thank goodness.”“Huh? Why wouldn’t I be okay?”“I got an emergency call from your hospital. There were shots fired, and some patients saw a nurse running from an angry gunman. I wanted.... is Avery there with you?”Another drop in my gut. “Oh no. Ryan, I need to tell you something.” I turned from Ava and ran. I was leaving her there. If she thought I would waste my time trying to get her to speak to me then she was in for a rude surprise. I explained what was happening to Ryan, needing his advice while also begging the gods that I find Avery in good health.And that the nurse being chased is anyone else but her.“I knew that bitch wouldn’t be gone forever. Listen t
{~~Logan Grey~~}Avery seemed to go into a panicked frenzy as soon as she realized that Rex wasn’t the one I’d attacked. Her eyes went wide with shock, her face drained of color, and before I could steady her, she crumpled, unconscious from the shock. I scooped her up in my arms, my heart pounding in sync with the urgency of the situation. Without a second thought, I carried her all the way to the hospital, my mind racing with the possibilities of what might happen if we didn’t get her treated quickly.The hospital was a hive of activity, chaotic yet purposeful. Ryan’s second-in-command was already there, a tall, no-nonsense officer with a clipboard, taking statements from the nurses, doctors, and patients. His presence was a calm center amidst the storm, efficiently coordinating with the other officers who were busy cuffing the men responsible for this whole mess. The air was thick with tension, a mix of fear and determination as everyone worked to restore order and safety.I hurried