The lost mate
Chapter 77: The unseen battle

Chapter 77: The unseen battle

When Anne and Damien arrived, the front door was slightly ajar, and as they stepped inside, the tension in the air was thick. Emily was sitting on the couch, her face streaked with tears, her body trembling as Chris sat besides her, his arm around her in quiet comfort. Heather lay pale and fragile on the sofa, a blanket pulled up to her chin.

Emily’s sobs broke through the silence. "She collapsed... out of nowhere."

As Anne moved closer to Heather, a strange scent hit her—something thick, pungent, and unnatural. Sickness. She wondered how none of them had noticed it before.

Anne’s hands trembled as Emily passed her a folder of papers—medical reports, hospital scans, blood work. She read the words, and her heart lurched, each line sinking deeper into her gut like a heavy stone.

Cancer.

"W-what?" Anne’s voice was barely a whisper as she looked up at Heather, the words catching in her throat. "How long...?"

Heather shifted slightly, her pale lips curving into a weak smile. "I found out shortly before we left Alaska."

How had Heather managed to keep this a secret through all of that?

Emily, her voice thick with emotion, explained, "She’s been hiding it from all of us. We wouldn’t have even known if it weren’t for Chris; he sensed it. Otherwise, we never would’ve figured it out."

Anne’s gaze darted to Chris, who nodded solemnly. Werewolves could detect illness, yes, but only when it was severe, far along. Anne cursed herself silently for not catching it sooner. She should have sensed something, anything, before it reached this point. She kneeled besides Heather, taking her hand gently.

"I’m so sorry, Heather," she whispered, her voice tight with guilt. "I should have noticed. I should have realised something was wrong."

Heather’s weak smile didn’t falter, but her eyes softened.

"Anne, don’t blame yourself. I didn’t want anyone to know."

But Anne couldn’t shake the weight pressing down on her chest. She had lived with Heather for years and trusted her with her life. How had she missed this?

"I should’ve been there," Anne muttered. "I should’ve sensed it before it got this bad."

Heather’s fingers tightened weakly around Anne’s. "You’ve had enough to worry about."

Damien, who had been standing quietly by the door, stepped forward, his face unreadable but his eyes locked on Heather. "What can we do?" he asked, his voice steady but tense. "There has to be something."

Emily wiped her tears and looked between Anne and Damien. "The doctors said... it’s advanced. They don’t know how long she has."

"We can’t lose hope just yet," Damien interrupted. "Diseases like this... they’re curable these days. We’re not helpless."

"We have options," Damien continued, his gaze shifting to Heather, who lay quietly on the sofa, listening. "The pack owns shares in some of the top hospitals in the country. We have access to the best doctors and the best treatments. If there’s even the smallest chance, we’re going to take it."

Heather shook her head, her pale face tightening with discomfort. "This... this is why I didn’t want to tell anyone," she rasped, her voice fragile but determined. "I don’t want anyone throwing money at me or going through all this trouble just because I’m sick."

Anne kneeled besides Heather, taking her hand once again. "This isn’t about throwing money at you," she said softly but firmly. "You’re family, Heather. And we’ll do whatever it takes to help you get better."

"You didn’t ask for this, but we’re offering it. The pack can cover all of your medical expenses. You don’t need to worry about anything except getting better."

Heather’s protest was immediate. "No." Her voice was weak but resolute.

"I just... I didn’t want this to become anyone else’s problem. I didn’t want to burden anyone."

Damien crossed his arms, his voice unwavering. "You’re not a burden. You’ve been carrying this alone for too long. Let us help you. Please."

After a long silence, Heather finally exhaled, her eyes opening to meet Anne’s.

Though she still seemed reluctant. "Okay," she whispered.

Emily, who had been silent until now, wiped her eyes.

"Thank you," she whispered, her gaze locked on Damien and Anne. "Thank you both."

"We’ll start tomorrow," Damien said, his voice decisive. "I’ll make the calls. We’ll get Heather the care she needs."

*********************

The door to Alpha Jackson’s office creaked open, and the scent hit him before the visitor even stepped in. He stiffened, recognising the scent of the one wolf he despised more than anyone else—Alpha Blaze.

Without waiting for an invitation, Blaze strolled into the office. He didn’t bother with formalities, simply seating himself in Jackson’s chair, acting as if the office belonged to him.

Jackson’s glare darkened. "What are you doing here, Blaze?" he growled, his voice low with a simmering anger. The rivalry between them stretched back to their youth. Just the sight of him in his office made Jackson’s blood boil.

Blaze leant back casually, crossing one leg over the other, as though he owned the room.

"Jackson," he greeted, his voice silky smooth, "always a pleasure."

Jackson’s jaw clenched. "I doubt that. What do you want?"

Blaze’s smile widened, eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "I’m here for a deal."

Jackson raised an eyebrow, his patience thinning by the second. "A deal? What sort of deal?"

"Why are you still holding out hope to get Jessica tied to Damien? Let’s be honest, you’ve lost. He’s found his mate—Anne, isn’t it? A half-breed, if I recall correctly. And now they’ve got a child together."

The mention of Anne sent a flare of anger through Jackson, though he tried not to show it.

Blaze continued uncaring of Jackson’s growing agitation. "Do you really think Liana is still planning to make Jessica Damien’s Luna? You can’t be that naive. He’s moved on. They’ve all moved on."

Jackson stood taller, refusing to let Blaze’s words rattle him. "Liana gave me her word. Jessica will be Damien’s Luna. It’s been the plan all along."

Blaze chuckled, a dark, knowing sound that made Jackson’s skin crawl. "Her word?" he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Do you still trust her, Jackson? You think Liana’s word means anything now that Damien’s mated and has a child with someone else?"

Jackson’s eyes narrowed, though a seed of doubt took root deep in his mind. Liana had been firm about the arrangement—Jessica was supposed to become Luna. But things had changed, and Jackson couldn’t deny that the situation had become murky.

Blaze leant forward, his voice dropping lower, more dangerous. "Why continue wasting your time on promises that are no longer binding? You know as well as I do that Liana would abandon that arrangement if it meant keeping the peace in the pack. Damien won’t choose Jessica. Not anymore."

Jackson’s fists clenched. Blaze was getting under his skin.

"If you’re here to gloat, get out. I’ve got no interest in your games."

Blaze smirked, as though Jackson’s resistance amused him. "Oh, Jackson. I’m not here to gloat. I’m here to offer you an alternative. A better deal."

Jackson paused; curiosity piqued despite himself. "What are you talking about?"