Chapter 159

Rachel POV

Days turned into weeks in Our Blessed Goddess Medical Center.

Mama had taken over a week to detox from the drugs flooding her system. She'd managed to regain her ability to speak after only a few days. She was, however, still taking physical therapy to assist her with strengthening her muscles and bones again after all those years of living a dormant life in the asylum.

My body was still fighting against itself. Some part of me -some animal part deep inside- wanted to reclaim the ability to shift, to fight, to run.

I knew Rayne wanted to stretch her legs, but I didn't think my wolf was the one calling all the shots. I believed most of the restlessness in my body was from a part of me even more primal than Rayne herself.

"Have you seen Ethan today?" I asked my mother.

Mama looked up from where she had been studying her hands. I knew it would take her a few moments to respond. She'd gotten her voice back, but speech was still not easy for ehr.

"Yes. He sleeps. I find out today," she swallowed, "Today, I find out if my blood is clean."

Art was under the impression my mother could donate her Alpha blood to my brother and he would come out of his coma.

We had been given mixed responses from the staff at the medical center.

Some doctors felt Alpha blood from any Alpha would have woken Ethan if all he needed was exposure to the Alpha gene; they'd already given Ethan Alpha blood from the blood bank with no change in his condition.

His primary care doctor held up Art's opinion saying the difference was the close familial tie to his mother.

Elena Campbell was a strong Alpha, stronger than most, possibly the strongest Alpha she-wolf they'd encountered given how she'd survived twenty years in captivity. Her body had fought off a poisonous cocktail for so long without giving in. What was to say her blood wouldn't be stronger?

"It's been long enough. I'm sure you'll be fine today, Mama," I said, reaching over to clasp my hand over hers.

I knew she was deeply bothered by Ethan's condition. He had been a small boy when she'd died. Or gone away. Obviously she hadn't really died.

I thought she was still looking at him and seeing the boy he'd been. I couldn't come up with a better reason for why she was taking his situation so personally in light of her own suffering.

"Ethan is going to come out of this. They said his vitals are all great. His body is strong," I said, "Don't think of the worst. Try to think of how amazing it's going to feel when Ethan wakes up and we're all together again."

"And he's an Alpha," came a cheerful voice from the door, "Isn't that exciting? The Alpha Council wants to weigh in on the change in Ethan's status so I'm here with them in tow. So to speak."

"Art!" I cried, "It's good to see you! Have they been keeping you busy?"

Art came over to my bed with a big grin on his face. He was as huge and handsome as I remembered. Actually, he seemed even bigger than I remembered, but I knew it was because I wasn't used to him any longer.

"They always like to keep me busy! I think it makes them happy to see me struggling my way through their little---"

"Their little what?" I asked, laughing at the way Art's voice had trailed off when he got a look at my mother, "Oh, Art this is Elena Campbell. My mother."

"I know who she is," he said.

His face was pale, whiter than I had ever seen or imagined, and he looked distressed while Mama looked---I couldn't describe the mixture of emotions on Mama's face. What was happening? Why were they looking at each other that way?

"What's wrong?" I asked.

I was starting to feel sick myself at the idea of something hurting my mother or Art. They certainly looked as if they were being hurt or being pushed in a direction neither of them wanted.

"Nothing's wrong. Nothing at all," Mama murmured.

Her voice was husky and low the way I remembered it best. She was getting better. I focused on the knowledge my mother was getting better and my brother's condition was stable.

Plus, Ethan was going to get Mama's blood today. They would clear her of all her medications. The poison was gone from her system. Her blood would do the trick. Ethan would wake up. He had to because I needed my family back.

Art handed me a tablet without looking away from my mother. He pointed to the video call app, saying, "Just open that when you're ready for the Alpha Council."

I didn't want to spend any more time examining the expression on either Art's or my mother's face. I opened the app and Justice filled the screen.

"Rachel! Good to see you," Justice enthused, "I was hoping I would get a chance to say 'hello' before the tribunal. How are you feeling? Baby still sitting pretty?"

"She's restless," I admitted, rubbing the mound of my baby bump with the hand not holding the tablet, "They have to be careful about the medication they give me so I have been dealing with my blood pressure rising and falling off and on. Do you work directly for the Alpha Council in the capitol?"

I hadn't thought about where Justice might be stationed or what her job was other than knowing she was Art's old flame and a very talented witch.

"I'm Chief of Security," Justice smiled, "I work right here at the capitol when I'm not bailing Art out. Tell him I see him there. Whatever he thinks he's done wrong? He probably did. Don't let him off the hook for it either. He gets way too many free passes."

"I'll keep that in mind," I laughed.

I was glad they seemed to have managed to maintain a good relationship in spite of everything.

"Enough! We will address her now," said a deep voice behind her.

Justice gave me a final smile and nod before adjusting the camera on her end. I was suddenly looking at the entire Alpha Council at a long table. The seat at the end was occupied by the Alpha King, making me gasp in recognition.

The King said, "We are here as the Alpha Council of wolfen kind to address the fate of House Campbell -Alpha House of Moonglow Pack- and the future of its pack. You are Rachel Campbell, correct?"

I nodded before stammering, "Right. I mean, literally, Wright. I'm Rachel Wright since I am taking my Alpha mate's House name. Thank you. Your majesty."

Another member of the Council asked, "Will your child also be designated as House Wright?"

"Yes," I said, "My daughter will be heir to House Wright of Moonrise Pack. She will succeed her father."

"We'd heard as much," a female Alpha said, looking at John Wright before looking back to the camera, "I understand it must have been a difficult decision to make. Thank you for telling us your choice."

"We do still need an heir for House Campbell. As we understand it, your brother, Ethan Campbell-Flores, has been proven to possess the Alpha gene?" asked John Wright.

I nodded, "Yes. Ethan is an Alpha. There was poison in his system. Patrick Flores poisoned him to keep him from reaching his potential. It's why he was listed as an omega. He's an Alpha. He's just not awake right now."

"He will be soon according to my son," drolled the Alpha King.

I was confused. I didn't know the old Alpha King had any heirs of his own.

"Your son, Majesty?" I asked.

"Arthur, of course," he said, gesturing to Art with a lazy wave of his hand, "He's ensured us the infusion of his mother's Alpha blood should awaken Ethan in due time. The boy shows no signs of his health failing. I believe the theory is right. Until he awakens, will you, Elena Campbell-Flores, take the Alpha seat for Moonglow Pack as head of House Campbell?"

My mother nodded, "Yes. I will. And it's Elena Campbell. I have no relationship left with the deceased Patrick Flores."

She could barely say his name. I knew it was a blessing Patrick had died before Mama returned to me.

"In this case," a Councilman said, "We acknowledge Elena Campbell as Alpha of House Campbell. Her heir will be Ethan Campbell-Flores presuming the boy awakes with no impairments which would prohibit him from representing his pack."

Mama gave a short bow from her seat and I saw the regality in her I'd taken for granted as a child. She was extraordinary. She was going to be the best Luna for Moonglow.

Gesturing to someone off-camera, the King said, "At this time, we recognize Tyler Wright of House Wright. I understand you are here to take possession of the Alpha seat for House Wright of Moonrise Pack?"

John Wright stood from the table and bowed, "I, John Wright, Alpha of House Wright of Moonglow Pack do solemnly offer my position as reigning Alpha to my son, Tyler Wright, who will succeed me in leading our pack. I will be stepping down into an administrative role while my son takes over direct management of the pack."

Tyler bowed this time, saying, "I, Tyler Wright, offer myself as Alpha of House Wright, leader of Moonrise Pack. I submit myself for your appraisal."

The Council then voted unanimously to accept Tyler as the next Alpha of House Wright, giving him control of Moonrise Pack.

I was thrilled with how things were going right up until a sharp pain took me by surprise and a sudden wetness soaked my bed.

Panicked, I looked up and cried out, "My water just broke! The baby is coming!"