Chapter 177

Fiona

“Try to calm down, Fiona,” Ryan says softly, squeezing my hand. I nod, but that’s easier said than done. I haven’t been able to calm down since I got the news about Ethan.

“I… what’s going to happen when we get there? What if Ethan is…”

I can’t finish the sentence. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Ethan dying, which hasn’t helped with the nausea and worry. However, at least I’m not alone. Having Ryan here as support is much better than if I were by myself.

“Ethan is stable for now,” Ryan answers. “The healers are watching over him and working on keeping him stable until they can find an antidote. He’s not doing well, but he isn’t dead yet, Fiona, so focus on that for now. They won’t let him die, none of us will. He’s our Alpha and our leader. We love him too.” I nod, unable to truly answer because, what would I say?

Okay, that’s great?

No. There isn’t anything I could say right now to help the situation, so I stay quiet.

“I do need to give you instructions, though, on how to act once we get to the pack,” Ryan tells me, turning to look at me. I do the same, turning a bit in my seat so I can see his face. If I don’t look at him, I won’t focus. There’s too much running through my brain right now.

Ryan glances out the window before continuing, “As you know, there are many Lycan people who won’t accept a human as their Luna. Ethan’s parents are going to be your main oppressors in the Silverclaw Pack. They have supporters who will agree with them about you, so when we get there, you’ll have to stay hidden.”

“How? Ethan said he could smell me from a really long way away, so they should be able to as well, right?” I ask, confused.

Ryan nods.

“Yes, which is why I want you to take this,” he says, holding up a bottle with little green pills in it. I look at the bottle, then at him with a raised eyebrow.

“Medicine? What does it do?”

“This pill will suppress your scent and keep any Lycan from being able to smell your human nature or any part of you actually if you take one every two days,” Ryan explains, passing the pills to me. I turn them over in my hand, a memory popping up.

“Like the time that man drugged me when he kidnapped me. He said something about hiding my scent so Ethan couldn’t smell me. Is it like that? Is it safe for…” I look down at my stomach, which prompts Ryan to do the same thing.

I can tell the moment he realizes what I mean. Quicker than I’ve ever seen him move, he shakes his head back and forth.

“Of course. I’d never do anything to put you or the baby in danger. Trust me on that.”

“I do. I didn’t mean to suggest you would hurt us. It’s just that everything is so overwhelming right now that I don’t know what to think or do,” I tell him, squeezing the hand that is still holding mine. It’s my lifeline right now, though I wish it was Ethan’s hand.

Taking the bottle of pills from

“There are a few more things that you’ll need to know,” Ryan says, bringing my attention to his face again. “Because there could be danger in you being in the main house, I have arranged for you to stay with the Dentons.”

The name sounds familiar, and Ryan nods, answering my unspoken question, “Yes. Mr. and Mrs. Denton are the human-Lycan couple that Ethan brought into he pack. Their home will be the safest and probably most comfortable place for you to live while you’re here. It’s a quiet home on the Pack lands that not many of our members visit often, so you’ll be safe there.”

Safe and accepted, he means.

“Once I drop you off, I’ll need to check on the Pack and make sure Ethan’s parents haven’t taken over control,” Ryan explains. “As Beta, I’ll take over control of the Pack until Ethan can resume his Alpha duties. Not only that, but since it’ll be the middle of the day, I won’t be able to take you straight to the hospital where Ethan is.”

“Then when can I see Ethan?”

“At night. There will be less people visiting the hospital, and you’ll be less likely to be seen as we enter,” he answers, and again, I nod. I don’t want to be seen if it will cause a problem, so I agree with what he says.

No matter how badly I want to see Ethan, I don’t want to cause him or Ryan any problems. The more he explains, the more nervous I become, realizing that there’s much more at stake here than just my relationship with Ethan and his health.

“What will you do if Ethan’s father has taken control?” I ask hesitantly. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to ask that, but I want to know. The little that I’ve experienced about Ethan’s father hasn’t been positive, and I hope he won’t do anything bad to Ryan for just doing his duty.

“The elders will back me up, and he will be required to back down, as per pack law. If Ethan has left with any other instructions, the Elders will be aware, but as his second, I know he didn’t leave control to his father. He’s been trying to change the pack, to move on from his father’s reign, and make it better,” Ryan rationalizes, stretching his arms above his head as he talks.

I do remember Ethan saying something about how he wanted to change some of the pack’s rules and principles away from the close-minded thinking of the older generation.

Hopefully, he and Ryan can do that.

“And what am I supposed to do while I wait for you to take me to Ethan? I don’t know if I can wait that long, Ryan. I need to see him,” I mutter, clutching his hand in mine and the armrest in my free hand. I want to see him now, not wait to see him. What if something happens while I’m sitting at a stranger’s house?

I know Ryan said the healers are taking care of him, but it still doesn’t sit well with me that I won’t be with him as soon as we get there.

“Believe it or not, you’ll need to rest, Fiona. You have more than just yourself to think about now,” Ryan murmurs. I know he’s right, but still.

“And there’s one more thing I need you to know before we land.”

“What’s that?” I ask, my nerves kicking up a whole ten more levels.

“While you’re at the Dentons’ house, I want you to stay alert and keep your phone on you. We’ve heard whisperings of rival packs moving and talking about taking this chance to attack because our Alpha is weak,” he says, and I look up at him, fully invested in his words again. Attack? Ryan sighs and continues, “If you think you’re in danger, call me and I’ll be there as quickly as I can. The only thing as important as healing Ethan is keeping you safe.”

The pressure weighs heavily on my shoulders, but I agree with him anyway. I don’t want to be hurt, either.

“I will. I’ll call.”