Chapter 9: 9: Falling Hard

ARIEL

~You should be dead.~ I stare at the doctor, completely speechless. It’s hard to know how to respond when someone tells you that you’re basically a living corpse.

“I…I don’t understand,” I say, finally finding my voice.

“The blood tests revealed that you have an unprecedented level of silver in your bloodstream,” he explains. “In my entire medical career, I’ve never even seen a werewolf survive a fraction of the silver that’s inside you.”

~Oh my Goddess, the silver bullet!~ I forgot that when my leg wound healed up, the bullet was still inside me. It has been inside me for days.

“Honestly, that’s not even the strangest part,” the doctor says, looking at me like I’m a medical marvel. “Somehow, your body is fighting back and counteracting the silver. Your blood is absorbing it and eradicating it. I can’t even imagine what you’ve been feeling inside you these past few days.”

The weird chills. The fatigue. The inability to shift. That must’ve been my body fighting back.

“I’m completely stumped by this scientifically,” the doctor says, shaking his head. “The only word for it is…~miraculous~.”

I suddenly feel a sense of dread in the pit of my stomach. Memories of being strapped to a table, injected with needles, and pumped full of drugs flash through my mind.

I can’t tell this doctor about my gift. I won’t be another test subject. ~This secret is staying safe with me and me alone.~

“Are you sure your tests weren’t contaminated somehow? Maybe you should run them again?” I say, acting as though his claim is ridiculous. “You said yourself that it should be impossible that I’m alive.”

“I’ll admit, I had the same thought,” he says, rubbing his chin. “Something may have gotten mixed up in the lab. Are you sure you don’t mind me running the tests again?”

Given that I feel like myself again, the silver has most likely completely disappeared. This will be my only chance to convince him that I’m normal.

“By all means,” I reply, forcing a smile.

***

Several hours later, I’m checking myself out of the hospital with a clean bill of health. With no evidence of silver left in my bloodstream, the doctor had no choice but to conclude that the original test was contaminated.

He chalked up my incident in the marketplace to stress from the rogue attack and gave me some anti-anxiety meds, which, honestly, I could use. But having my secret almost discovered…

It terrifies me to think what will happen if everyone learns the truth. I’ll never let myself be experimented on again.

I can’t trust anyone. ~Can I?~

I think of Alex and how supportive he has been and wonder what his reaction would be… Would he understand, the same way he’s been so understanding about everything else?

Or would he look at me like I’m a freak?

It’s times like these that I really need my dad. I pull out my phone and start to text him, hoping he can give me some much-needed advice.

Ariel

Hey Dad

Ariel

I miss you

Dad

I miss you too, little warrior.

Dad

SO much!

Dad

How are you settling in?

Ariel

It’s hard, I’m not gonna lie

Ariel

But Steve and Louisa have been amazing

Dad

I know, I call them daily for updates

Ariel

DAD!

Dad

Sorry to be a 🚁parent

Dad

But I’ve got to know that my little girl is safe

Ariel

I could use some advice…

Dad

Go ahead. I’m all 👂👂👂s 😂

Ariel

Omg Dad…

Ariel

The jokes are clearly getting worse since I left

Ariel

Anyway, there’s someone who I’ve been getting closer to…

Ariel

And even though I feel like we’re friends

Ariel

I haven’t been completely honest with him

Ariel

I just don’t know if I can trust him

Dad

I’m not sure you can build a true friendship with someone…

Dad

If you aren’t honest with them.

Dad

Has this person given you a reason not to trust them?

Ariel

No, not yet

Dad

Then maybe give them the benefit of the doubt?

Dad

Either way, I know you’ll do what’s right.

Ariel

Thanks Dad

Dad

I hope I’ll see you soon 🌻🌻🌻

Should I give Alex a chance? It would be nice to have someone here to help me navigate all this craziness, but… My trust issues are through the roof. What if Alex starts looking at me differently? I don’t think I could handle that.

~But how can I get closer to him if I’m keeping secrets? There will always be a barrier between us.~

My phone suddenly starts buzzing again, and I see that Dom has texted me.

Dom

hey loony mcmoony

Dom

watcha doin?

Ariel

You really are terrible with nicknames…

Ariel

I’m out of the hospital

Ariel

Flawless bill of health

Dom

well me n alex were thinking

Dom

bc of all that craziness yesterday

Dom

we should wind down with a movie night

Dom

u in?

Ariel

Are you sure Alex wants me to come?

Dom

uh yeah

Dom

he not so subtly asked me to invite u

Dom

so basically…

Dom

get ur 🍑to the palace

***

The palace’s movie room is incredible. ~Of course~ the palace has its own theater.

Rows of comfy couches face the massive screen. Alex sits in the best seat in the house. I want to sit next to him, but he’s surrounded on all sides by his pack, everyone wanting to talk to him, to make him laugh, to get some advice. I find a seat off to the side.

It’s mostly other men surrounding Alex, but there are a couple impossibly beautiful she-wolves too. They touch his arm every time he speaks to them. They bat their eyes. They practically purr for him.

Alex doesn’t even look my way. Does he even care that I came? Dom was wrong—Alex doesn’t want me here.

I head toward the exit, trying to sneak out without anyone noticing, but as I reach the door, I feel a strong hand grab my wrist. It’s Alex. I don’t know how he even moved that fast.

“No one leaves without my permission,” he says, “especially not my guest of honor.”

~Guest of honor? Me?~

“I was just going to get some popcorn,” I say meekly.

“I’ve got plenty,” he laughs. “Come.”

I can feel the eyes of the she-wolves on me as I settle into the prized seat beside the king.

The screen is so big, and the surround sound speakers completely immerse me in the movie, literally blowing me away.

But the excitement of the action-packed film doesn’t even come close to the excitement that I’m feeling as Alex inches closer to me on the couch.

Our shoulders are touching now, and I get goosebumps every time Alex’s arm grazes mine when he reaches for popcorn.

“Are you enjoying the film?” Alex says, whispering in my ear. “I know it’s a bit cheesy, but Dom ~insisted~ on ~Wolf Warriors: Heroes of the Realm III.~”

“I don’t mind it,” I say, stifling a giggle. “It’s a bit over the top, but I’m enjoying the company.”

Alex’s arm eases behind my neck, and an excited shiver shoots down my spine.

“I wanted to make sure that you’re okay…after what happened with the rogues,” he says, still talking quietly. “I know you felt helpless, but I think you underestimate yourself. I’d definitely want you by my side if we were in a battle.”

“Even if it’s the ‘battle for the realm’?” I ask jokingly, as dozens of superpowered werewolves clash on the screen in a showstopping di“~Especially~ that one,” he says, laughing.

“SHHHHHHHHH!” Dom whips around with his finger on his lips. He’s completely invested in the film. “This is the best fucking part.”

Alex and I slide down into our seats as Dom chucks popcorn at us. I’m now no longer just sitting next to Alex, I’m practically on his lap.

As my head nestles into his shoulder, his arm wraps around my waist.

“Well, I’m glad you’re okay,” he says softly, his fingers lightly stroking my side. “I just wanted you to know that if you ever need anything, even just to talk about what you’re going through, I’m here for you.”

I lean into Alex’s warm body and close my eyes, smiling.

~Maybe Alex does deserve my trust…~

ALEX

Ariel’s face is relaxed and her breathing soft as she sleeps, cuddled up next to me.

The movie ended a while ago and I told everyone else to leave, so she could keep sleeping. And I could keep holding her.

It’s nice to see her like this. She’s always so tense, carrying the weight of so many burdens, but right now she looks…peaceful.

~Goddess, she’s even cuter when she lets her guard down.~

A sick feeling creeps into my stomach at the thought. I’m letting her get too close.

~It’s just a harmless attraction,~ I tell myself.

But I know it’s more than that…

I think I’m falling for her.

Thoughts of Olivia start playing through my mind. I don’t want them to, they’re too painful, but I can’t shut them off.

She used to fall asleep next to me, just like this, in this very room.

She used to shout at the screen when a character made a dumb decision.

She used to stay till the very end of the credits and clap when the screen faded to black.

And now, it’s my memories of Olivia that are starting to fade…

~I can’t do this.~

ARIEL

I’m in a bedroom. Not my bedroom. Somewhere strange, new.

I smell Alex next to me. Feel his arms around me.

He undoes the buttons on my shirt, pulls it off.

I feel the warm skin of his chest against my bare back. I push back against him, rock my hips against him, making him groan as he clutches at me.

“I want you,” I say.

I turn to kiss him, searching for his lips, wanting him to take me, when…

I wake up in the movie theater.

Not a bedroom.

It was a dream.

But Alex is holding me. And I’m clutching him. That part is real.

He looks almost as heated as I feel.

“I’m sorry,” I say, “I was dreaming.”

“I know,” he says, his voice low.

I notice that we’re alone in the theater. I stare into his eyes. Is my dream about to become reality?

He leans in so his lips are against my ear. He’s breathing heavily, practically panting, like his wolf is dying to get out. Finally, he manages to whisper, “You need to move off of my lap before I lose all control.”

He stands abruptly, practically dropping me on the floor, and stomps out of the theater.

ALEX

She’s dangerous, for me and the pack.

But that spark…

In the hallway, I run into Dom. He stops me, raises his eyebrow at me suggestively. “So…you two seemed…~close~.”

“Dom—not now. I’m not in the mood.”

I can’t. I had a mate. Olivia. She’s gone now, there can’t be another.

Dom continues, “It seems like you might have some chemistry. Why don’t you ask her on a date or something?”

“I’ve got bigger things to worry about than going on a date, Dom, like running this pack.”

He shrugs, walks away, and says, “You don’t have to be alone forever, boss.”

~Fuck it. I need to get him off my back about this.~

“I don’t have time to waste on Ariel,” I growl angrily. “I just invited her because I felt bad for her, okay?”

I suddenly notice Ariel standing in the doorway, tears forming in her eyes.

~Oh shit.~

She quickly brushes past me, then runs for the door, but not before I see the look of utter betrayal on her face.

“Ariel, wait!” I call after her, but she doesn’t stop. I can’t blame her.

Dom gives me an uh-oh look. My growl sends him scurrying off.

After he’s gone though, I think about what he said. What if he’s right?

What if I could have another mate, another luna?

And what if it’s Ariel?

I might have fucked up. ~Royally~ fucked up.