Chrysalis (Book 1.5 in the Wolfen Brethren Series)

The Step

17 years old
Septem

                   

Neema was sick, we weren't too sure what was wrong with her body but she was definitely sick.

Her cells were shifting and her body was physically weak. She could barely walk about let alone lift her arm to breast feed Micah. She was missing out on one of the most important parts of motherhood and we couldn't even explain why.

For the past month we'd had doctors in and out of this room, testing her pulse. Scanning her organs, all sorts but she was only getting weaker. They tried new technologies, natural remedies and old medicines but she was only deteriorating.

So they had sought the help of Carson. I wasn't fond of him still being around the compound but he had been useful in the past month. He had found some medicines that had helped lessen the pain for Neema. The throbbing in her veins was lessening but my heart was worsening. It was the price I paid for healing the only sister I had ever known.

No one knew the reason he had started picking up his books again. All I knew was that one day I had gone inside the library to take out a book called 'Taxonomy and Toxins' and he had been there. He was always there, he was like the library ghost and so I tried to avoid that place even though that was where I often took the twins to learn. Or where I liked to study the natural world and all the plants I had ever encountered.

My interest in the natural benefits and poisons/side effects of the natural world had led me to the library often. Every time I entered he was there.

Even now, when it was way after the normal hours of sleep he was here. At first I hadn't noticed him, I thought I had finally been free of his presence. Then I saw a figure shift in the corner of my eye, his arms stretching as he moved position.

Kissing my teeth, I took my seat and refused to leave, I wouldn't let him chase me out of my home. Burying my head in the book I pretended as if he were not here, even though I could feel his eyes on me every now and then.

"How are you doing Vanya?" He cleared his throat, his voice and wavering with nervousness.

"Don't talk to me" I spat, my eyes still glued to the book in front of me. The words blurring into big blobs of black as my mind wondered somewhere else.

"I know you don't like me, Vanya but I really am sorry" I could hear him heaving and sighing as he moved closer to me, his body looming over my table.

"I messed up but I still Lo-"

"Carson, what are you doing here and with her?" My head shot up to the sight of Nelly, her body stuck between the doorway.

Her hair was tied in a bun and her eyes were spitting fire as she glared at me and Carson. She looked a little worse for wear, her dark skin was loosing its glow. There was an almost grey tinge to her colour but I put it down to lack of sleep and her oncoming labour.

"What are you doing out of bed Nelly? You know you're not meant to." He murmured as she stepped further into the room, her burgeoning belly poking out before her.

"Well it's a good thing I did because she seems to be everywhere you are."

It was almost laughable that she was accusing me, considering Nelly was the intruder in this messed up relationship between me and Carson. I would let her have her moment, I really didn't care. It's not like I wanted to be around him anymore, it was him who miraculously seemed to be everywhere I was.

"It's a bit embarrassing. Have some self respect." She sneered at me. At me!

I couldn't help it, tears trailed down my face in laughter. My hand covering my mouth as I tried to trap the loud noise but I couldn't stop it from escaping. I probably looked crazy but Nelly was hilarious. Deranged but hilarious. She genuinely thought I wanted her mate. Gods no. I couldn't wait to be done with this ugly part of my life.