Chapter 44

Amy’s POV

“Father…” Liam breathed as Steven made his way to his bedside.

“My boy,” Steven said in return, fake sincerity in his tone. “I can’t believe I have to sneak here to see my own son. It was completely unfair of your sister. Don’t you think?”

“I told Liam everything Hannah says about him,” Amy said, folding her arms across her chest. “But it seems he didn’t believe me and still allows her to see him.”

“Hannah’s my family…” Liam said, nervousness in his tone.

“Aren’t we your family too?” Steven asked, a fake hurt roaming through his voice. Liam wasn’t sure what to say to that either. “Haven’t we taken care of you since your mother died?”

“Yes,” Liam said softly.

“And you don’t think we’d continue to care for you?” Steven asked.

“Hannah said…” he tried to say.

“It doesn’t matter what Hannah said,” Steven cut him off. “Do you want to see your mom again?” He asked.

Liam’s eyes widened.

“Mom?” Liam asked.

“Yes,” Steven breathed. “There’s a way you can see her again and soon. But Hannah doesn’t want you to know that.”

“You won’t be able to see your mom soon if Hannah is always around here,” Steven told him. “Don’t you want to see your mom, soon?”

“Yes,” Liam breathed, keeping his eyes locked on Steven.

“Then you know what you have to do, son,” Steven said, lowering himself so he’s eye level with Liam. “Take Hannah off your visitor’s list and add us. Then soon, you will see your mom again.”

…

Hannah’s POV

“How could you not say anything to me about this?” Sebastian roared; we had just returned to the palace from the medical banquet. “I had to find out from that asshole doctor,” Sebastian seethed.

“He had only just told me about it,” I tried to defend myself and keep my voice as strong as I could, but I was visibly shaking in front of him.

“Don’t lie to me, Hannah,” he hissed. “He said he told you about the program days ago.”

“It wasn’t set in stone,” I argued. “I told him I was going to think about it.”

“And did you?” Sebastian asked, slamming his fist on the wooden bar in the living quarters. “Think about it?”

“I was going to talk to you when the time was right,” I said, trying to keep the tears from burning in my eyes.

“When would that time be?” Sebastian asked, loudly. “After enrollments? When you were out the door and leaving to live in a new pack?”

“Of course not,” I said back, offended that he thought so little of me.

“Then when, Hannah?” He shouted, sending a tremble throughout my body.

“I don’t know,” I heard myself saying, feeling, and sounding defeated.

I knew there was nothing I could say to calm him down. He was seething through his teeth, I backed away from him again, about to leave because I couldn’t handle any more of this. It was clear he wasn’t going to understand, and we both needed to calm down before we furthered this conversation.

“Don’t you dare walk away from me,” he hissed; fury rushing through him.

His eyes were switching from his dark blue gaze to his scarlet glare. His wolf was threatening to be released. I knew it was only a matter of time before he lost control.

“I can’t do this right now,” I said to him through my tear-stained features.

I needed to leave.

“Hannah,” he warned through his tightened jaw.

I turned away from him quickly and ran from the palace before he said anything more.

…

I went straight to the hospital; I didn’t know where else to go but I knew I couldn’t stay around Sebastian. I wanted to see my brother more than anything; being around a familiar presence always made me feel better.

The hospital was quiet because it was so late at night; I knew Nancy would be around somewhere and I was dreading running into her. I was hoping she was busy with paperwork, and I wouldn’t have to face her. However, I felt her presence as soon as I reached Liam’s room.

Before I had the chance of opening the door, she was standing in front of the door with her arms folded across her chest. Her eyes narrowed in on me and her lips were pressed in a firm line.

“You aren’t allowed in there anymore,” she told me; her tone was flat as she spoke.

I rolled my eyes, trying to get around her.

“I’m not in the mood for your games, Nancy,” I muttered, trying to keep her from seeing my tear-stained face.

“Not a game,” she said, keeping me blocked from the door. “The patient requested that you aren’t to enter the room.”

I frowned and stared at the room number with my brother’s name on the door.

“That’s my brother’s room,” I told her. “He’s my family. I’m allowed in.”

“He requested that you are taken off the visitor’s list,” she told me, her tone harsh.

I felt the walls caving in as she spoke; this had to be a joke or a mistake. Liam wouldn’t take me off the visitor’s list.

“I’m not in the mood,” I said again, trying, once again, to get past her.

She reached in her white trench coat and pulled out a piece of paper, revealing it to me. It was an updated visitor list with my name crossed off and placed on the “do not allow entrance” section. Replacing my name were the names: Steven, Amy, and Naomi.

On the bottom of the form was my brother’s signature.

“That can’t be real…” I whispered, my voice becoming hoarse.

“It’s very real,” she said. “You know your brother’s signature better than anyone. Tell me, does it look like it’s forged?”

I stared at his signature speechless; she was right. It was real.

She put the form back in her jacket and stared at me for a long while.

“You aren’t allowed entrance. Leave. Now.”

I couldn’t stay any longer or I would start crying in front of her; that’s something I wasn’t allowing myself to do. I turned away from her and headed towards the exit. But once I rounded the corner, I couldn’t hold myself together any longer.

I pressed my back firmly against the wall and slid to the ground, allowing tears to escape my eyes and soak over my features. I sobbed into my lap as I pressed my knees against my chest, holding them together with my arms.

At that moment, it felt like my entire world was falling apart. Nora was in agony over Liam and my heart was aching painfully in my chest.

My body trembled uncontrollably, and I thought I was going to pass out from everything that was happening.

Soon, a presence appeared before me. It was a comforting presence and Nora felt almost relieved to have him near us. I didn’t know he followed me to the hospital; I was so wrapped up in what was going on, that I didn’t sense him until he was in front of me.

He knelt to the ground before me; it was clear that he was much calmer and his expression showed nothing but worry. He was about to scoop me up and into his arms, but before he could wrap his arms around me, I wrapped my arms around his neck first and pulled myself close to him.

Neither of us could grasp what was happening, but soon my lips were pressed against his and I was kissing him. Hard and hungrily.