The lost mate
Chapter 82: A fight for life

Chapter 82: A fight for life

Emily sat in the sterile hospital room, gripping the armrest of the chair as she watched Dr. Ray sift through Heather’s medical reports. Her heart pounded in her chest, the air in the room feeling too thick to breathe. She glanced over at her mother, who sat quietly, her face pale but calm, as if she had already resigned herself to whatever news was coming.

Dr. Ray finally looked up, his expression sombre but professional. "Heather, you should’ve come in sooner."

Emily felt her throat tighten, the sting of regret swelling inside her.

"Wouldn’t chemo help?" Emily asked, her voice trembling with desperation. She needed something—anything—to cling to.

Dr. Ray gave her a small, sympathetic smile, but the look in his eyes told Emily more than she wanted to hear. "I’m afraid she’s way beyond chemo at this point."

Emily’s stomach dropped. She felt Heather reach out and take her hand, squeezing it gently. Heather’s touch was cold, but the gesture was meant to comfort her daughter.

"What does that mean?" Emily’s voice cracked as she asked. "What can we do?"

The doctor sighed softly and flipped through a few more pages of the report. "Heather’s blood cancer has progressed significantly. Right now, her best chance is a stem cell treatment, but even that... it’s not guaranteed. It’s a long process, and she’ll need to be in good health to withstand it."

Emily’s vision blurred as tears filled her eyes.

"But we can start the treatment right away," Dr. Ray added gently. "Don’t worry. We’ll do everything we can."

Heather smiled softly, squeezing Emily’s hand again as if to say, I’ll be okay. But Emily couldn’t find any comfort in that.

The doctor excused himself to run more tests, leaving the two women alone in the small, quiet room. Heather gave her daughter a sad smile. "Don’t cry, sweetheart. I’ve lived a good life."

Emily shook her head, swiping at the tears that spilt down her cheeks. "No, Mum. It’s not fair. You shouldn’t have to go through this. You should’ve told me sooner. We could’ve done something—"

Heather interrupted her, her voice steady. "It wouldn’t have changed anything, Emily. You’ve always been there for me, and that’s what matters."

Emily couldn’t respond, her sobs choking any words she might have said. She watched as her mother was wheeled away for more tests, leaving her alone in the hospital lobby.

She saw Chris arrive. Emily didn’t feel angry or annoyed. She was simply grateful. When he sat besides her, she didn’t pull away. Instead, she let herself lean into his strength.

Chris didn’t say anything for a long while. He just sat there with her. After what felt like an eternity, Emily finally spoke.

"You’re a supernatural," she whispered, her voice hoarse from crying. "Can’t you do something for her? Change her into... into a werewolf or something?"

Chris turned to look at her, his eyes filled with an understanding that went beyond words. He gently shook his head. "It doesn’t work like that, Emily."

Emily’s shoulders sagged, and she turned away, staring at the cold, sterile floor. "Why not? You have these abilities, this strength... why can’t it help her?"

Chris sighed, his tone gentle but firm. "Turning someone into a werewolf isn’t a cure, Emily. The change is violent. Most humans wouldn’t survive it unless they were turned by their mates. And even if she did, it wouldn’t erase the cancer."

Emily closed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath. She had wanted so badly for there to be an easy answer, a quick solution to save her mother. But reality was much crueller than that.

"I’m sorry," Chris added softly, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. "I wish there was something I could do."

Emily nodded, her heart heavy with the knowledge that nothing could change the path they were on. "Thank you for being here," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She hadn’t expected to feel comforted by his presence, but in that moment, she was.

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

Anne was in training with Kara.

Kara lunged forward, aiming a quick punch at Anne’s side. Anne dodged it smoothly, countering with a swift kick to Kara’s leg. The two moved in a synchronised rhythm, their movements sharp and calculated, when a sudden voice cut through the air.

"Why not practice with me, Anne?" Jessica’s voice was sweet, yet dripping with challenge. The words hung in the air like a veiled insult.

Anne paused, her breath catching as she turned to see Jessica standing at the edge of the ring, her eyes glinting with mischief. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what Jessica was doing. She was challenging Anne in front of the entire pack, in front of Damien’s most trusted wolves, and she intended to humiliate her. Jessica wanted to show everyone she was stronger.

A murmur rippled through the crowd as pack members shifted, curious to see how Anne would respond.

Anne’s wolf stirred restlessly inside her. She couldn’t back down now, not after everything she had been through. She straightened her spine and met Jessica’s gaze with cool determination. "Fine," Anne replied, her voice steady. "Let’s do this."

Jessica smiled, but it wasn’t a friendly one. It was the kind of smile that told Anne she was in for a fight. The pack members formed a loose circle around them, eager for the spectacle. Anne could feel the tension rising as they squared off, each sizing up the other.

They began with quick movements, fists, and kicks. Jessica was fast—faster than Kara. But Anne held her own, blocking and dodging, landing blows whenever she found an opening.

"You’re not cut out for this life, you know," Jessica said between strikes, her voice low so only Anne could hear. "Weak, unworthy... Damien will see it soon enough."

Anne’s jaw tightened. Jessica wanted to get under her skin to provoke her.

"He’ll leave you, Anne," Jessica continued, her eyes glinting with malice. "Just like everyone else has."