All That Is You

Chapter 29

We spent the rest of the morning reading and I tried to help Oliver along with what little reading skills I've been able to develop. We successfully managed to get through the first seven chapters of the book before it was time for lunch.

Despite the small smiles, I was able to muster up every time one of the children beamed at me, there was still a nagging feeling that there was something wrong, lingering in the corner of my mind. I struggled to focus on what Oliver was reading and instead thought about the millions of possibilities why Levi would be upset.

Although, it certainly helped that there were a lot of distractions along the way with how many children actually wanted to get to know me. It was a new feeling having so many people care for me to the point where some of them actually got into small fights as to who would sit in my lap.

Oliver was very possessive and fought off anyone who tried to steal me away from him. He refused to leave his spot on my lap and would ignore anyone who asked him for a turn with me. This, of course, led to many tantrums that I somehow had to calm down while also entertaining the boy in my lap so he wouldn't be upset.

In the end, all the fighting led to me and Oliver leading a group storytime which all the children seemed to enjoy.

It was overall a great experience and I felt connected to all of the children despite only having known them for a few hours.

Once lunchtime was called, Oliver quickly hopped off my lap and grabbed my hand, tugging me out of the room and leading me down the hallway and towards the open doors of a larger room. There were tables placed all throughout the room and it seemed like some sort of cafeteria.

There were children of many different age groups that were lined up along the wall, waiting to get their meal. Many of their eyes were on me and I gave small smiles when greeted with their questioning gazes, but I had no time to talk to any of them with Oliver constantly pulling me along. I moved my eyes to the wall opposite of where I was standing where there were female pack members that I didn't recognize, handing out meals from behind a counter.

I scanned the room to lock eyes with Leila who was staring at me with amusement as she saw me being tugged along by Oliver. "Come on, Luna. We gotta hurry!"

"Alright, Oliver. Just be careful so you don't trip," I laughed.

We made our way to the back of the line and I stood in silence as Oliver played with my fingers. I zoned out to the low murmur of chatter and high-pitched squeals of laughter filling the room, easing some of the tension building in me.

I hadn't realized we had reached the front of the line until Oliver squeezed my hand, "Luna, Luna."

I hummed and turned my attention to Oliver who pointed to the plate one of the females was holding out to me. Scarlet stained my cheeks as I gratefully took the plate from her.

"This was specially made for you, Luna," she said, a smile beaming on her face. Yet, I couldn't help but feel a sense of uneasiness from her words especially when I noticed my meal was different from the others.

I quickly thanked her and waited until Oliver got his plate of food before walking away. We walked over to Leila who gave Oliver a high-five. "How are you doing, Oliver?"

"I'm doing great, Beta Leila," he said, his mouth stuffed with mashed potatoes. I laughed at the food practically spilling from his lips and he gave me a toothy grin, excitedly digging into his plate for more.

I looked down at my own plate to see there was honey glazed salmon and asparagus. The plates of the others at the table consisted of a different meal: fried chicken, a scoop of mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese, and green beans.

I mentally shook away my worries. I was probably just overthinking it since there were so many people around me and Levi wasn't by my side. Perhaps it was normal for the Luna to receive a different meal. I pushed back the nausea forcing its way up my throat and scooped a forkful of the salmon into my mouth.

I waited a few seconds and breathed a sigh of relief when I realized all my worries were for nothing, only for my nausea to hit me ten-fold. I began choking on the food and I shoved my fingers down my throat, forcing myself to vomit what I could.

My vision blurred. It was as though I was submerged underwater. I could hazily make out concerned faces and muffled voices calling my name, but I couldn't bring myself to focus on them.

I could see Oliver's teary face and Leila approaching me but the burning in my stomach overrode all of my senses and I couldn't tell them what was wrong.

The pain in my stomach multiplied with every breath I took, similar to the pain I felt back when I ate the food given to me by my father. Only this was a fire consuming my body in a flurry of erratic heartbeats and numbness.

I could vaguely hear the roar of Levi calling for me.

"Levi," I murmured, my body slumping over as black spots danced in my vision.

Gentle hands grabbed my body and pulled me close, a warmth like no other.

"Hey, hey. I'm here. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere," Levi's panicked voice uttered as my body jostled from his sudden movements. "Just hang on, Rain. Please. I'm taking you to the hospital right now."

"Levi," I whispered, my eyes fluttering shut. I was tired. I was so so tired. "I love you."

His voice was slowly getting farther and farther away but I knew I would be okay with the constant presence of the warmth encasing my body. I knew he wouldn't let go.

"Rain, Rain. Please. Please, don't leave me. Open your eyes, little moon. Keep them open for me," he begged, desperation clear in his voice. "Please. You can't leave me. I just found you..."

A sad smile grew on my face as I greeted the darkness. I was safe with Levi.