The Curse of The Alpha

Chapter 9- Helping an old friend

Heat rushed to my cheeks, painting them a shade redder than I'd care to admit. I stammered, attempting to regain my composure. "Mmm, oh, that... I mean, I'm fine. Really, there's nothing to talk about."

Oscar nodded, his gaze full of understanding. He respected my choice to keep my concerns to myself. "Just remember, Ava, I'm here whenever you're ready to talk." With a sidelong glance to ensure I was listening, he added, "I'm heading to the kitchen to grab a snack. Do you need anything?"

Avoiding direct eye contact, I managed to respond, my voice soft. "I'll take whatever you're having and a glass of warm milk." Oscar left the room, his departure leaving me alone with my thoughts.

In the absence of his presence, the steady hum of my wolf's consciousness rose to the surface. "What was all that about, Av?" she queried, her tone surprisingly calm and measured.

Sighing, I pushed aside my initial inclination to brush her off. "I can't just open up to someone I've only just met, Eva," I admitted. "I won't let myself be vulnerable, won't let my hopes soar only to be dashed. I can't afford to be played like a fool." The exchange between us held an unspoken understanding, a bridge of mutual respect and courtesy, even within the confines of my own mind.

"I don't know what you like, so I brought a little bit of everything," Oscar's voice was warm and inviting, interrupting Ava's thoughts as he entered the room, his arms balancing a tray laden with an array of delectable dishes. The aroma of the food swirled around the space, wrapping itself around Ava's senses like a comforting embrace.

Ava's eyes widened, her mouth watering as she surveyed the spread before her. There were savory pastries, fresh fruits glistening with succulence, and a rich, steaming bowl of soup that sent tendrils of warmth through her body.

Despite her initial reluctance to open up, her stomach seemed to speak for itself, loudly voicing its approval at the sight of the tempting feast.

Eva's calm presence resonated in the back of Ava's mind, a gentle reminder of their earlier conversation. "You still haven't answered my question," Eva's voice echoed, tinged with a touch of amusement.

Ava felt a twinge of vulnerability as she considered Eva's words. She had built a wall around her heart, fortified by past experiences and a need to protect herself.

However, the events of recent days had shattered some of those defenses, and Oscar's actions, no matter how enigmatic, had started to chip away at her resolve.

Oscar set the tray down on a nearby table, arranging the dishes in an inviting display.

His eyes met Ava's, his gaze warm and patient, as if he understood the internal struggle she was grappling with. "Why don't you join me?" he suggested, patting the empty space on his bed gesturing for her to sit next to him.

Ava hesitated for a moment, her heart fluttering with uncertainty. With a deep breath, she decided to take a step forward, allowing herself to be vulnerable in this moment. She took a seat opposite Oscar, her eyes meeting his in a tentative exchange.

*

While Ava and Oscar were fast asleep, a few floors down the hall, Chloe found herself in a state of confusion.

She felt trapped in her own thoughts, working alongside her wolf-like instincts to unravel the mystery surrounding Richard's condition. The urgency of the situation compelled her to think quickly and comprehensively.

Aspen's mind was focused on the task at hand, her determination overriding any doubts.

Closing her eyes, she attempted to attune herself to the patient, but her heartbeat seemed to echo loudly in her ears.

Unfamiliar with such a dire medical scenario, Aspen recognized the gravity of her responsibility.

Acknowledging that she was the only one capable of rectifying the situation, Aspen understood the necessity of maintaining a calm demeanor, much like a dove in flight.

This mindset was crucial for precise calculations required for a successful operation. To concentrate fully, Aspen had to temporarily suppress her other half, the wolf within her, ensuring complete focus on the task.

With her internal turmoil under control, Aspen began the procedure. She delicately used a sharp knife, a tool she had at her disposal, to make an incision in Richard's chest.

Though unsure of the exact procedure, her instincts guided her to remove a green substance from his lungs and intestines. His weakened heartbeat served as a reminder of the urgency of the situation.

As Aspen worked with a determined swiftness, she prepared a white, shiny crystal and combined it with a spoonful of her own blood.

This concoction was destined to be the cure for Richard's ailment. She closed the incision, and like a miracle, his body healed instantly in response to the mixture.

With the operation complete, Aspen stepped back, her gaze fixed on Richard's form as his eyes began to flutter open.

She waited patiently for him to regain consciousness, every moment laden with tension.

As his eyes finally opened, she observed him from a distance, her expression a mix of relief and anticipation.  She couldn't help but ask... "How did Lycan Bane end up in your system?"

"A couple of months ago," Richard began, his voice tinged with a mixture of hesitation and resignation. "I was in the midst of an investigation, looking into a series of strange occurrences in the forest on the outskirts of the town. People had been disappearing, and there were rumors of something supernatural at play."

Aspen's brows furrowed in concern, her anger momentarily subsiding as she listened intently.

"I stumbled upon an old abandoned laboratory deep within the forest," Richard continued, his gaze distant as if reliving the memories. "Inside, I found notes and research related to lycanthropy—a condition where humans transform into wolves under the influence of the full moon. It appeared that someone had been experimenting with creating artificially induced lycanthropy, possibly as a weapon."

Aspen's eyes widened at the revelation, a mixture of shock and understanding crossing her features.

"Among the various concoctions and experiments, there was a vial containing a bluish liquid labeled 'Lycan Bane,'" Richard explained. "It was meant to be a countermeasure, a way to suppress the effects of lycanthropy. I believed that if I could understand more about the research, I might be able to prevent the spread of this dangerous condition."

He paused for a moment, the weight of the situation apparent in his gaze. "In my haste, I accidentally knocked over the vial. The liquid spilled onto my hand, and even though I quickly washed it off, it must have been absorbed through a small cut I hadn't noticed."

Aspen's anger was now replaced by a mixture of empathy and concern. "So, the Lycan Bane got into your bloodstream..."

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Your at the end of this chapter....