The lost secrets

Chapter 23: Dead?

Mary's body was still and lifeless. Jake bent next to her and sobbed. His sobs were loud and he didn't care who heard him. Meg cried as well. Their hurting hearts bled for their Mary.  

After crying for a while Jake spoke, his voice was hoarse from crying so much,"I think we should take her to The Boss." "Jake, she's gone. The Boss can't do anything," answered Meg, tears trickled down her fur. "Still," replied Jake. Meg knew when something had hurt him bad he became very stubborn. So Meg stood back and let Jake drag Mary onto his bruised and hurting back but he didn't care. He stood up and Mary's limp body lay on his shoulders. He then ran as fast as his aching body could go. Meg was close on his heels. Jake's heart had been torn in two. His beloved Mary was dead.

Jake reached the cottage, he was panting heavily and his legs were shaking uncontrollably. Jake howled loud and urgent. Liam lept up and ran outside to Jake. "Oh no!" he sighed when he saw Jake gently take Mary off his shoulders and lay her on the snowy floor. "Is The Boss up?" Jake asked urgently. "No he hasn't moved at all," replied Liam and hung his head sadly. The she-wolf emerged from the cottage and stood next to Liam. "Oh guys this is Lilly, she was a warrior wolf for Sasha. Sasha forced her to fight," announced Liam and nudged Lilly. Lilly just stared at the ground and shuffled her paw on the ground. She mumbled softly,"Hi." 

Jake just dismissed Lilly completely and was only set on saving Mary. Jake ran into the cottage and gently nudged The Boss awake. He groaned and was barely able to lift his head. His eyes started to close again. "No sir please, Mary needs you!" pleaded Jake urgently. Upon hearing Mary's name The Boss's eyes popped open instantly, his voice was raspy as it came out his bruised and bloody body. "Mary! Where is she? Does Sasha have her?" "She's outside but isn't breathing and somehow she got herself into wolf form, something must have triggered a very strong emotion so she could change. She hasn't learnt how to change at will yet. She needs you though sir, it seems as though she was thrown out a 3-story window," answered Jake, he couldn't fight the urgency in his voice. The Boss looked weary and very weak, he spoke finally,"Jake get warm water and put her on a bed. Slowly rub the warm water over her fur, the heat will help. I will get up as soon as I have enough strength." Jake nodded.

Jake's paws became hands and feet and he stood up on two legs. He couldn't help Mary in his wolf form. Jake had felt well enough to be able to transform back. Meg transformed as well and looked across at Liam who nodded and resumed human form. Lilly stayed in her wolf form and flopped back down into the corner and let out a small whimper. All their bodies ached from the wolf fight as they got Mary up and onto her bed upstairs. She was so cold and still. Meg sat on the bed next to her and stroked her matted fur, it was only then that she noticed the bite in Mary's side. A small trickle of blood was oozing from it. She's still alive! Thought Meg hopefully. Meg lent down and pressed her ear to Mary's chest, a faint thumping came from it but the thumps were steadily slowing down. Mary didn't have much time if they didn't hurry. Jake went to the kitchen and started running hot water for Mary, just as The Boss had asked. 

The Boss tried standing up on all fours but he was too weak to transform into a human. His fur was stained blood red and he was in great pain. The pain surged through his body and tormented him. He knew what had to be done to save Mary but he wasn't sure he could. He eventually got up on all fours and was standing. He shakily put one paw in front of the other. He knew his strength was dwindling.

Jake fled up the stairs and put the warm bowl of water on the floor, steam flowed into the room. 

Meg gently pointed to the trickle of blood and hope flickered across Jake's face. She has to be ok, she just has to, Jake thought urgently. He grabbed the light brown towel next to the bowl and dipped in into the water. The heat soaked through the towel and burnt Jake's trembling hands. He didn't care, his only concern was Mary. He lifted the towel out and placed it on Mary's cold body. 

Heat crept up Mary's fur and soaked into her skin underneath. The warmth gave her hope, she didn't want to fight for her life anymore. She felt herself slowly slipping away. But Jake's warm face kept popping up in her memories. She loved him and knew that somehow she had to make it. She had to stay alive and fight for her life even though her body was failing.