Chapter 11 Old Maid
2216 Words
Chapter 11
Old Maid
*** ***
Joseph
I strode to the waiting hospital elevator with my head held high and Maddison beside me. We stepped inside, and the doors slid shut, separating us from watchful eyes. It had been two days since I had rushed Louise to St Jane’s Hospital. And in those days, I struggled to focus on anything. I had cancelled the afternoon meal with Maddison and decided that I could make up for it today. Once I’ve checked on Louise, that’s it. I have to be done with her… Right?
“Why are we at the hospital?” Maddison asked, her voice interrupting my thoughts. “When you asked me out, I thought you meant for pizza or something.”
I turned to her. “I’m sorry, it won’t be long…”
She eyed me suspiciously. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” With a ting, the elevator stopped, and the doors flew open, revealing the long white corridor leading to Louise’s room. I stepped off, and Maddison followed close behind. I faced her. “A friend of mine is sick, and I wanted to check on her…”
“Aren’t you sweet,” Maddison said, brushing my hair from my eyes. She smiled, and for a moment, I was lost.
“Pretty …” Zodiac gnarred. Then he went rigid and slipped into the back of my mind.
“We should get this over with,” I replied, turning away.
We reached the seats outside Louise’s room and saw Kingston standing there.
He saw me and scowled. “Honestly, man, you’re an idiot...” Glancing at Maddison, he mind-linked me. “Your fated mate has been here for two days… You’ve visited her at the same time every day since… What made you decide to bring your new fling with you today?”
“I never went into the room…” I glowered at him. “Besides, that sick girl can’t be my mate.”
“You say that, but something keeps bringing you here.” Shaking his head, Kingston crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall. “And to bring Maddison…”
“At least Maddison is healthy…. She comes from a Beta family… And she’s nearly eighteen…” I defended. But those words seemed weak in defence.
He leaned his head against the wall and sighed. “I think you have more of a connection with Louise than you like to admit…”
“Silence, Beta!” Zodiac gnashed his teeth.
“Settle,” I warned him.
Kingston had a point, but then, he didn’t. When I thought about Louise, I remembered how fragile she had been and how much I enjoyed holding her against me. She fit perfectly in my arms. My heart fluttered at the memory, then steadied when Zodiac growled.
I gestured at the door. “Besides, I’m checking on her like any Alpha would…”
This time, Zodiac huffed and turned his head away from the conversation. He continued to be an indecisive oddball... Interested one minute… Cold and callous the next. Jekyll and Hyde!
“That’s a low blow, man…” Kingston squinted in disgust.
“It’s the truth,” I pointed at her door. “She has Cancer! I can’t help that!”
Clearing her throat, Maddison turned her haunting eyes on me. “Joseph, I’m glad you feel like you need me around, but I think I’m intruding on something private.” She jabbed her thumb towards the exit. “I might go… I have a few things to do anyway…” She reached up and kissed my cheek. “I’ll see you later...”
“Can’t wait…”
She spun around and headed for the exit. I watched her go, her tight dress hugging her curvy figure, her brown hair bouncing.
How would Louise look dressed like that? My heart trembled. My head throbbed. What do I do?
“So?” Kingston stood, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Are you going to check on your mate?”
Before I could answer, Doctor Levine Anderson, my uncle, emerged from Louise’s room, wearing his usual white scrubs and cap. At a closer look, I realised the skin around his eyes was a dark purple. When was the last time he slept?
Laughter followed him. It’s Louise. The sweet sound made my heart flutter and Zodiac whimper.
“Hey Doc,” Kingston grinned, waving him over.
“Hi, boys,” he greeted as he approached. The exhaustion was heavy in his voice. “Are you here to see Louise?”
Grinning, Kingston gestured towards me. “He is…”
Uncle Levine eyed me suspiciously. “You?”
“I-err…” I ran a hand through my hair. Am I?
“As fun as this is,” Kingston interrupted, “I might leave you to it…” He turned to Uncle Levine. “You’re a wise man, doc. Maybe you can talk some sense into this knucklehead.”
Uncle Levine raised his eyebrows in confusion. “I don’t understand…”
“Kingston…!” I shook my head, knowing what Kingston had planned.
“Too late…” My Beta winked at both of us, “You’ll see…” He turned on his heels and walked away.
“What was that about?” Uncle Levine asked, now setting his attention to me.
“Long story…”
He shrugged a shoulder. “Are you here to see Louise… the Omega you brought in?”
“I guess so,” I replied. “Can I?”
“Her situation doesn’t look good...” Uncle Levine cautioned. “I shouldn’t be telling you this due to doctor-patient privacy, but you’re the Alpha’s son, and you did bring her in.” He glanced around, making sure we were alone before he continued. “I’ve been on Louise’s case for three years…”
What? Zodiac and I were at full attention. A heavy weight fell on my shoulders. Louise had been suffering for years!
Uncle Levine eyed me curiously, trying to decode my thoughts, before crossing his arms. “Do you mind telling me why you’re suddenly interested in Louise? She’s never been a concern of yours before.”
“I feel… obligated..” I half lied. Or was it a total lie? Do I care, or don’t I?
“Joseph!” Uncle Levine growled, his voice vibrating the janitor’s trolley across the hallway. “Is there something I should know? Something that might help?”
I shook my head. I can’t tell him… The fewer people who knew my fated mate was sick, the better. Alphas need strong mates. “I’m doing the Alpha thing...”
“I don’t believe that for one second,” Uncle Levine wretched my arm behind me and pinned me against the wall. I could see his wolf, Jasper, in his eyes. Even though he was not an Alpha in the Mist Clan, I could still feel the aura from his blood. He was my mother’s brother, after all. “I know there’s something more, and for the sake of that girl in there, I want to hear it!”
My uncle had a spark that burnt within his soul. That was what I idolised him for. He had lost his mate many years ago, yet he stood here, tough and willing to help. Maybe he’s the one person I can confide in.
“Louise…” I exhaled, lowering my voice to a mere whisper. Zodiac dug his claws into my brain, but this time I ignored him. “I think… No, I know… she’s my mate…”
“Seriously?” Uncle Levine laughed softly, then realised I wasn’t joking. He cupped his chin, attempting to conceal his disbelief. “That’s great… but not so great...”
“Tell me about it,” I winced as he released me. Zodiac had turned his back on me. This mate business was messy. Was this girl worth the humiliation and worry? “I know she’s my mate… But that scent…” I scrunched up my nose. “It’s like sour caramel… Vinegar… It sends Zodiac insane.”
“That’s a serious problem…” Uncle Levine glanced at the door and then back to me. “Scent is what connects us. Each mated pair has a scent that only they can recognise. Sadly, that sour smell is cancer.”
I nodded. “I realised that after she had a go at me in your clinic… And at school…” I held two fingers, “Twice… And at the training yard…”
He grinned. “She’s a tough one... Imagine what she will be like once she meets her wolf.”
“She’ll be seventeen on the nineteenth of June,” I added, scolding myself for even knowing that. “She’s still two years away from meeting her wolf.”
“Right,” he pondered momentarily before waving at the door. “I suggest you get to know her, go beyond our wolf instincts and see what happens…”
“No!” Zodiac glared at my uncle through my eyes.
“Sober up, Zodiac,” Uncle Levine demanded. “Jasper has been around much longer than you.”
A growl escaped my lips before Zodiac relented.
“He’s so moody… and why I can’t decide!” I groaned.
Giggles rang out from the hospital room. Louise was not alone. Who’s with her? Without thinking, I pushed open the door.
“You’re an old maid, Jo!” Louise laughed, holding cards in her hands. “I win again!”
Around her, machines beeped and whirled in an ominous melody. Cords dangled from her chest. Her tiny figure was almost lost amongst it all. Across from her sat the two Omegas that had helped get Louise inside the packhouse. Lorraine and Joanne.
“Damn it! I never win!” Joanne pouted, crossing her arms.
“I’ve only won one!” Lorraine defended with a snort. “I think Louise is hiding cards.”
“You need to stop letting me win,” Louise laughed. Her laugh paused when she caught my scent. When she realised I was in the room, she stiffened.
“Alpha Joseph…” Lorraine gasped, slowly standing with a meek smile.
“Alpha…” Joanne dropped her cards and stood.
They both watched me with an air of caution. Alpha blood tended to do that around Omegas, Deltas, Gammas, and Betas. My Alpha aura was strong, but for some reason, not with Louise.
Louise sighed, laying back against her pillow. “My day was going well…”
A growl rumbled from deep within my chest, making the other two shudder. Why doesn’t my Alpha status work on Louise? “How are you?” I grumbled, crossing my arms.
Zodiac was on pacing. “Why won’t she submit to us?”
I couldn’t give my wolf an answer because I didn’t know.
“Look, Joseph… there are enough people here.” She shot me a defying scowl. “You’re not invited.”
I found myself laughing inwardly.
“Funny,” Zodiac huffed, wagging his tail. Then the moment was gone.
“I came to check on you,” I stepped closer.
Grabbing her stomach, Louise scooted back against the headrest. Her face twisted. She leaned forward and gasped for air. “Not again…!”
“Doctor Anderson!” Lorraine shouted. Wide-eyed and pale, she hurried out of the room.
“Help is on its way,” Joanne soothed, sitting beside her friend. “Slow and steady breaths…”
“Thank you... Joseph...” She exhaled slowly, seething with every movement. She waited for another wave of pain to pass and then glared at me with fury in her eyes. “Thank you for coming all this way to rub salt in the wounds!”
I knew sarcasm well, and she was a pro. But my heart did a strange backflip at her words. I wanted to hold her. But something was stopping me, and it wasn’t just Zodiac. I stood there at a complete loss. Should I help her or not? The entire room would know she was my mate. No… I can’t… they can’t know!
“No…!” Zodiac breathed in, and we both shuddered at that scent. “Why can’t we ignore it?”
“Louise…” Uncle Levine soothed. He met my gaze, shook his head disappointedly, and hurried into the room. He pulled a syringe out of his medical bag and held Louise down. “It will be okay…”
A high-pitched whimper made me recoil as he injected something into her shoulder. No! I found my feet backing out of the room, putting as much distance between us as possible. I can’t watch this!
“Leave!” Zodiac demanded gruffly. “Now…!”
The next thing I knew, I was in my car, driving away from the hospital. Sweat poured from every inch of me. I needed an escape. I needed to let Zodiac out before my brain exploded.
“Kingston!” I summoned my Beta with a voice I didn’t recognise. “Run… we need a run… Now!”
“You sound weird…” He replied breathlessly.
“Now!” Zodiac roared, his voice rattling my brain.
- Writer
