14. Anna

14

Anna

She was still alive.

I didn't know anything about the woman who lay shivering on the table in the infirmary, but relief swept through me anyway. I was so tired of people dying around me. So tired of being involved in death. It would be nice if this time, everyone lived.

Although, if Makayla pulled through, London might very well kill her anyway. He practically vibrated next to me as we watched through the window while Saul did an exam.

Naked and pale, she acted as if she knew where she was and who she was, but every now and then, she would give a little cry of warning, and her eyes would turn green. No one thought anything about it until London told us that Makayla's wolf's eyes were amber-colored.

Now, as she cried out, Saul slowly inched toward the door. Holding my breath, I watched as the young woman fought to control herself. Irons were wrapped around her wrists and ankles, chaining her to the wall. They were supposed to be strong enough to hold a werewolf.

No one was sure if they would hold Makayla.

"I want him out of there," Jax growled, but I caught his sleeve as Makayla suddenly slumped to the table, still in human form. Saul raced to her side and held up her head. The young woman's lips started to move. A few minutes later, Saul slipped out of the room and approached us.

"Physically, she's weak. I imagine that's from the energy needed to make the change," Saul said in a low voice. "I've drawn some blood, but it'll take some time to get the results back. Makayla said her control is slipping. I fear the next time it comes on—" a roar interrupted us, and we all turned back to the window. "She'll succumb to the change."

At the sight of her, my mouth dropped open. She was an enormous wolf, but somehow, the proportions were just a little off. As one of the guards had stated, her back was hunched over. Her back legs were remarkably shorter than her front legs, and her eyes were far too big. The grey fur was patchy, like it was her fur but spread over a body much too large.

"How much of that is Makayla's normal wolf?" Saul asked as he studied her.

"The coloring of the fur is hers, but nothing else. Normally, she's a little smaller than our average wolf. Her eyes were amber-colored. This is…" London rubbed his chest and frowned. "Strange. My pack bond with her wolf is still there, and what I do feel is panic. Pure panic. I think it's her wolf, just deformed."

Jax pointed. "Look at the eyes. There's intelligence there. She's upset and tugged at the irons but she's not trying to rip them out. I think Makayla is still in there and aware. Despite the body, it is her."

"I'm going back in there, and London, I think you should come with me. Soothe her wolf," Saul said. "Everyone else stays out here. I don't want her to panic."

I didn't love the idea of Saul going back in there, but Jax nodded and wrapped his arms around me to comfort me. I held my breath as Saul and London entered.

"Makayla, it's me." London pushed power in his voice. "You're doing very well. I know you're scared, but we're going to figure this out, all right? Can you lie down for me so Saul can examine you? We're not going to hurt you."

She made a little keening sound and awkwardly tried to shift on the table. It broke under her. With a yelp, Makayla scrambled away and knocked into Saul. He crashed into the wall, and I tried to break free of Jax and reach the door.

"They have her," Jax reminded me. "She's not hurting them. If we go in there, she'll feel your panic."

I watched as London put his hands on Makayla's head and scratched her ears. He had to stretch his arms up all the way, but at his touch, she settled on the floor and lowered her head. Saul got up and brushed himself off.

"Makayla, I'm going to draw some blood, although I'm not even sure that you'll feel. I'm going to take some X-rays as well. I'd like you to keep this form until we're finished, but if you feel anything strange happening, let us know. We're not going to risk losing you, do you understand?"

Her fur rippled, but she held still while London spoke soothingly to her. Saul drew her blood and then extended the arm of the x-ray machine. He handed London protective gear and began to cover certain parts of Makayla's body as he snapped pictures as quickly as possible.

When it was over, he returned to her and smiled. "I truly don't want to give you a sedative because we have no idea how it will interact with the chemicals already inside you. We can use magic if you need it, but if you think you can control this, then I'd like to see how long it will take for the effects to wear off. How do you feel about that?"

Closing her eyes, she began to shrink. Bones snapped horribly as she shifted, and it looked far more painful than usual, but soon, she was herself again. "I'm fine," she whispered and stared up at London. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to help my sister."

He smoothed his hand over her hair and nodded. "I know. We'll figure this out. In the meantime, I think we can get you some blankets to keep you warm, and you need to eat. I'd like to place you on an IV, but given how often you seem to be shifting…"

"It'll just rip out. I'll eat. And vitamins."

Saul smiled briefly. "Yes, vitamins. All that will be brought to you shortly. I'll start the lab work and return. Is there anything else you need?"

"Don't tell my sister. Please. I don't want her to worry."

Saul looked at London who nodded. They both came out, and London looked visibly shaken. "What's wrong?" Jax asked.

"There was a moment when I thought I felt the bond disappear. It returned in an instant, so maybe I was imagining things. A chemical can't break the wolf bond. It must be magic, right?"

Everyone looked at me, and I threw up my hands. "I'm not a witch!" I said in exasperation. "But I can tell you that I don't see a trace of magic in her."

"If I had to guess, I'd say that magic is the only way to break a bond, but if her DNA changes too much, your wolf might not recognize her anymore," Jax mused. "Your wolf might be the one who severs the pack bond."

I thought back to how Cindy looked. So much pain. "It might make her go insane. We cannot let that happen. You'll need to let us know if you feel it again."

London smiled briefly. "For someone who is not used to being an alpha mate, you certainly do give a lot of orders."

"Requests," I amended and ignored the way Jax's chest rumbled with pride. "What should we do for food? I can go to the kitchen and get something. I want to feel useful."

"Meat. We want high calories and proteins, especially when she's shifted. Protein shakes and bars. She could probably consume a week's worth of calories right now, so don't skimp out. If you'll excuse me."

Saul headed to the lab with his samples, London glanced at his phone. "I need to make sure the rest of the vials are secure and guarded. I'll make any individual with lab experience available to Saul. The sooner we figure this out the better."

"London. One quick question," Jax said as his hand slid down my arm and intertwined our fingers. I was eager to get started on the food, and bounced up and down on my toes. "How many rogue wolves have you accepted into your pack?"

"Total or this year?"

"Total. An estimate is fine."

London pursed his lips. "I'd say six or seven."

"And how many of them could read?"

A strange feeling rose in my chest, and I tried to pull away, but Jax held tight. London looked confused. "Um, none of them. We have an adult education program that they attend. It teaches them to read. Why do you ask?"

"Curious." Jax turned and looked at me. "Are you ready?"

Grief like I've never felt before swept over me, and tears sprang to my eyes. It was followed by a sharp biting pain in my head before, suddenly, everything was fine.

I smiled at Jax. "You ask some strange questions, you know that? We have more important things to worry about."