20. Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

Though Aidan's wolf was magnificent, to Eden, nothing compared to Nero's panther. Despite the fact that—if she lived—she would become one of Aidan's pack members, she found herself drawn indelibly to the cat that vibrated with tension beside her.

After Aidan had become his beast to explore the process with her, Nero was controlling his impulse to shift, but just barely. The Raeth was protective to a fault, and she couldn't help but adore him for it.

The wolf disappeared, and Aidan took his place only moments later.

"Werewolves live primarily in packs, and each den is led by an alpha and their team of betas. All of them fall under my leadership and have for centuries.

"After a werewolf shifts the first time, we become immortal," he continued. "No aging, no sickness. Things like getting a cold or developing cancer become irrelevant. We maintain the height of physical fitness without logging hours at the gym or worrying about our diets."

"It sounds too good to be true," Eden confessed. "I'll admit, I'm curious: how are new werewolves typically added to the pack? I know my case is the exception to the rule."

"Our new packmates are typically those who've been born to werewolf parents, or those that have grown close with a pack member," Aidan explained. "Unlike the vampires, we can still bear children after immortality. Often, those children want to join the pack as wolves."

"Those who've grown close to the pack—like a mate?"

Aidan nodded, his fingers affectionately trailing up and down Lucy's arm beside him. "Yes. We occasionally find mates in the human community—or in one of the other immortal races."

Eden's heart flipped within her chest. "What about offering immortality to those who've been diagnosed with terminal conditions? Those who you could save from certain death?"

Through their mating bond, Eden experienced second hand the sudden disquiet in her mate. Beside her, he stiffened. Likewise, Aidan's gaze grew shadowed.

"We do not, and that's a difficult question to explain. We vet potential candidates—thoroughly—because if a bitten human isn't strong enough, it could … end poorly."

Something volatile and sickly rooted itself in Eden's gut.

"When we shift to wolves for the first time, the process is grueling. It requires our bodies to be reborn, in a way," he explained. "Though there is magic in the shift, it's primarily driven from the physical change in our bodies. Kind of like a caterpillar cocooning itself, then emerging as the butterfly. Without a certain amount of energy and endurance, the change stalls. If it lasts longer than a few hours, or if the human rejects the wolf, then the shift isn't completed. Without it, they won't survive."

Eden couldn't stem the growing horror in the back of her mind. Aidan had been nothing but straightforward and transparent, but the reality of her situation was far more complex than he realized. Drawing on what she knew about the immortal community at large, she asked the next logical question.

"Have there ever been other accidental bites? Would healers like Luna be able to help someone along if their transition stalls?"

"In the beginning of our breed, there were more accidents than we would've liked. Wolves that went rogue and attacked unsuspecting humans. One of our alphas, Riaz, was bitten that way," Aidan said. "For those who were unwell when they were bitten, we've attempted to intercede with healers supporting a transition, but often, it doesn't help the way we want it to. So much is driven by the individual going through the change, and if they lack physical endurance and energy to sustain themselves through that first shift, it'll end in a grave."

Unable to look Aidan in the eye, Eden studied the way her knuckles had bleached white in her lap. Despite every question she'd asked and every loophole she'd attempted to exploit, she still saw no way out.

"I know that you didn't choose this, but it would be better to know now how to start preparing to help you." Aidan searched her eyes. "Eden, do you have any health issues you're aware of that may impede your ability to shift?"

"If I did," she started, the words tasting bitter, "what difference would it make?"

Everyone around her froze. Beside her, Nero went predator still, slowly pivoting his head to stare at her. She couldn't meet his gaze. Instead, Eden remained locked in Aidan's sights, the predator behind his eyes laser focused on her.

"Aidan, would I be able to speak with you," she hesitated, "alone?"

As the werewolf alpha slowly climbed to his feet, Eden gave Nero's hand a squeeze before getting up. Though he flinched as though he wanted to follow, he remained seated.

"Be back in a minute."

The smile she gave to Nero had never felt so forced. Aidan tipped his head toward a hallway. Both were silent until they came upon a small sitting area and collapsed in the chairs.

"No one else will hear us here," he said quietly.

Eden fiddled with the hem of her shirt. "Aidan, I want you to promise me that what we say here stays between us."

Though he studied her intensely for more than a few moments, assessing her for what she'd reveal, in the end, Aidan agreed. "Of course."

The truth was like poison on her tongue, and if she didn't spit it out, it'd rot her from within. Stiffening her spine, she disclosed what damned her. "I'm sick. Four months ago, I was diagnosed with a terminal condition."

The green in his eyes was swallowed by tangerine. His wolf, she thought. It was a startling shift, and despite the circumstances, seeing the magic of it made her inner scholar giddy.

In the next moment, his expression broke with grief, and she could see the devastation he was unable to hide.

"What are your symptoms?"

"Headaches and fatigue, mostly. Blurred vision, balance changes, and a heightened risk of aneurysms. The reason I wanted to speak with you alone, Aidan, is because I don't know what to do."

"About what?"

"About Nero."

The werewolf cursed under his breath, realizing the full repercussions of her diagnosis on the mating bond and the risk to his friend's life.

"Our mating bond was triggered yesterday," Eden continued. "When I spoke with Nero's healer, she said that when one mate dies, the other follows. She couldn't tell me what would happen if our bond never solidified. It's one of the reasons I've been pushing Nero away and why his panther is panicking."

Every ounce of fatigue and strain lined Aidan's face. "Eden, I can't lie to you—what Nero's healer said is true. It won't matter if the bond is finalized or not."

The silence that followed felt like it hollowed out her soul.

"I'm so sorry, Eden," he breathed. "I'm sorry that you were bitten and we didn't get to you in time."

His hurt was so palpable that Eden couldn't help herself other than to reach across and grasp his hand. She gave it a squeeze and held onto him, as if knowing he needed her. The wolf behind Aidan's eyes studied her, and it was the best insight into the dual nature currently rising in her. He covered her hand with his own, and the otherness —Eden's she-wolf—responded.

Though she'd only met Aidan today, he'd taken responsibility for her without question. It opened her eyes. Her failure to shift would affect more than just her and Nero. If she didn't make it through, her death would have massive implications.

"I don't know how to tell Nero."

"I can't tell you that, but do know this: he'll never abandon you. Nero is a good man."

"I know he is."

Aidan cleared his throat. "You bound me to secrecy, Eden, and I'll keep my word. But if you give me permission, I will have every healer I know waiting on standby to help you through your shift."

Fighting back the tears that threatened, she nodded. "Once I tell Nero."

"There … might be hope," he broached after a moment. "Sometimes, in rare cases, the strength of your inner wolf is enough to power through—even if the human was ill before the shift. I can tell you're strong, Eden. If your wolf has that same tenacity, that same drive, she might be able to pull you through."

It was a spark of hope amid deep shadows.

They were quiet, each processing the information they'd shared. Eden found it a relief to know that Aidan was aware of her situation, even if he didn't have an easy fix for it.

The moment they walked back into the hall, Nero shot to his feet and met them halfway. "Everything okay?"

Eden folded her fingers through his. "We can chat later, okay?"

"Whatever you need."

She collapsed in her chair, with her mate by her side. The Raeth wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and she snuggled against him. If this truly was the end, she wanted to savor every moment. A wave of melancholy shot through her, fighting off the ache that was building between her temples.

"If you would've told me last week that I'd be sitting in a supernatural community today, surrounded by immortals, I would've thought you were crazy," Eden admitted. "It's like nothing I've ever expected."

"What, you didn't foresee being bitten by a rabid werewolf in the middle of Chicago, being rescued by your mate, and discovering you're going to live forever amongst the mythological beings you've been fascinated by since childhood?" Lucy laughed. "Can't imagine why."

"Well, when you put like that …"

Nero chuckled softly beside her, and it only made her even more anxious for the conversation they needed to have. He'd been nothing but attentive this afternoon, never questioning her need for clarification or further discussion. To know that he was at risk as much as she was made any humor she'd felt with Lucy's comment dry up.

"Ah, the vampire rises," Jeremiah quipped. "Just when I thought I'd have to throw some blood bags down there to prompt your return from the dead."

Eden paled, suddenly fixated on the stranger who was casting a narrow-eyed look at the setting sun and then toward Jeremiah. "Busy couple of nights."

Undoubtedly, the new arrival was surrounded by an aura of strength. Though he didn't hold a candle to Nero's magnificence, the man was exceptionally handsome. He seemed to hold a world of knowledge behind his eyes, a piercing brown gaze that held her in its thrall.

"Hey, Drake." Nero was clearly well acquainted with him, judging by the familiar tone. "How's Kane recovering?"

"Swimmingly. Nova's fussing over him, as per usual. Are you all healed?"

"Good as new."

The vampire—Drake, apparently—nodded, then focused on Eden. "Can I presume this lovely lady is your mate?"

Nero seemed to take great pride in saying, "Yes, this is Eden."

Battling through her shock at meeting the creature that'd inspired her career and life-long fascination, she grinned.

"You're a vampire?"

Drake chuckled just as a strawberry blonde joined him and slid a hand around his waist. "I am indeed. My name is Drake, and this gorgeous woman is Toni, my wife. Delighted to make your acquaintance."

She could barely contain her glee. "I have so many questions! My dissertation was on Gothic fiction: Frankenstein and Dracula and everything in between and beyond. Meeting you is like meeting Edgar Allan Poe, or Bram Stoker, or Mary Shelley."

"Bram Stoker was a true savant." Drake and Toni took a seat around the conference table. "Wasted on mortality, if you ask me."

Eden's mouth opened and closed several times before Nero intervened. "You've broken my mate."

"You missed it this morning, Drake," came Jeremiah's offhanded comment. "Nero went full panther on Aidan. Quite the sight."

"Truly? Can't believe I missed it," Drake sighed. "I've never seen Nero lose his cool. Well, except for the Heat."

"And we best be going!" Nero's sudden exclamation shocked her into motion. "Aidan, appreciate all the info." He turned to her expectantly. "Shall we?"

Eden had barely nodded before the teleport overtook them, too concerned with Nero's reaction to concentrate on the rapid change of scenery. Landing in Oahu once more and promptly scaring her cat, she frowned at him.

"Why did we leave so quickly?"

She had a sinking feeling it was because of Drake's comment: something to do with whatever the Heat had meant to him. Nero couldn't hide the unease that transferred through their mating bond.

"What was the Heat, Nero?"

Reluctance wove around him. "Can we sit?"

As they took a seat on the couch, Marianne promptly plopped herself on his lap. Nero scratched under her chin while he gathered his thoughts.

"Every one to two thousand years, the Raeth race goes into a Heat cycle," he explained, his words cautious, but his eyes clear and focused. "It's how we reproduce. Without the Heat, births are exceptionally rare, and our population sees gradual decline.

"Almost a year and a half ago, we went through such a Heat cycle. It's why my clan grew so swiftly and why there are infants out with their parents everywhere."

Eden was almost afraid to ask. "What happens during the Heat cycle, Nero?"

"Mated Raeths pairs almost always conceive children during this period," he smiled, the expression fond. "We've seen almost a hundred births in my clan, and additional mated couples joined after the Heat to seek clan security. It's a blessing."

"But? That's not a reason to want me out of there as soon as the Heat was mentioned."

"But the Heat cycle doesn't only affect mated Raeths. It affected those of us who were unmated, as well."

"How so?"

"Unmated Raeths find themselves drawn to one another during that time, riding out the impulses of the Heat."

Eden bit her lip, then asked the question that suddenly overwhelmed her reason. "You were drawn to another woman?"

Why did that hurt so much? The thought of Nero being intimate with another woman before they'd met burned like acid. Even more unnerving was the extra feeling inside her, the possessive beastly snarl of her wolf.

"I was."

"Who was she?"

Nero dragged his hand down his face before responding. "Luna."

Eden's eyes teared. Knowing that he'd been intimate with the clan's healer explained the uncanny familiarity between them. Part of her was horrified at the revelation, while the logical part of her brain tried to accept it as he'd explained it. Rationally, she knew that it was in the past, but it would take time to convince her that there was nothing between them.

Between them, their ghosting mating bond twisted, strung out on both ends as they fought guilt and hurt.

Attempting to remain calm, she asked, "Do you have feelings for her?"

Nero shook his head vehemently. "Luna is a friend, and what happened between us during the Heat was a biological necessity, not a fling." He tentatively reached out to link his fingers with hers. "I only had eyes for you, Eden. One day, I'll prove it to you."