The Lycan King's Affection

NINE

5 YEARS LATER

CAMILLE'S POV

No one really told you blood wasn't the worst hell you would have to face in the hospital.

The vomiting and the poop was the true hell. I walked into the bathroom, holding my breath so I wouldn't throw up with a face mask hanging over my face. The gloves went in the bin first, then the nose mask.

I stared at the revolting regurgitation on my scrubs and let out a sigh. The blood was the mild part.

After getting rid of my soiled scrubs, I scrubbed in again. My hands methodically lathered with antiseptic as I prepared to put on another glove.

My morning routine in the hospital was a roster of routines and precision and I was needing with the routine. I put on my gloves and secured my mask before entering the bustling ward.

There were beepings, murmurs, and distant chatter everywhere. It was a wonder to me how people came here to heal.

But it was why I chose this line of work. After my father's letter, I wanted to save as many lives as I could.

"Are you alright?" The patient who vomited all over me asked.

She was a sweet middle-aged woman whose body seemed to be giving her a hard time. She couldn't stomach anything solid but her daughter-in-law had brought her food today and she had insisted on eating it against the wishes of the nurses.

She was the next on my list. I was on the night shift. It would give me the time to use my gifts for good. A woman that kind deserved a little bit more time.

"I am alright," I assured her, urging her to stay in bed. "It is just a little food. Scrubs can be washed."

She gave me a smile that told me how grateful she was and I got on my way.

Patients, each with a story etched on their faces, awaited care. I wanted to help as much as I could. Healing took a lot from me and I couldn't heal everyone cause some of the patients in the ward were vile people. So I took my time when it came to choosing someone to help. The Hippocratic oath I swore only concerned my human work.

The hours went by quickly as they usually did. It was usually a dance between medications, check-ups, and the reassurances. You know? A gentle touch here, a comforting word there.

Hours rolled by and the rush hours of tending to wounds, offering solace, and monitoring vital signs ended when my break came.

"Cam, you coming for lunch?" A coworker asked.

"I will be there. I just have to call my kids." I replied, stepping out into the courtyard.

The sun on my skin was a welcome intrusion. I had grown tired of the dry cold air and the antiseptic smell of the hospital.

Retrieving my phone from my pocket, I dialled the babysitter's number and waited while it rang.

After the accident at the Lily of the Valley pack and the revelation that came from my father's letter, I couldn't bring myself to abort them even though I wasn't in the right space at the time. When they came into the world, I had considered giving them for adoption. But I couldn't bring myself to do it. The second I laid my eyes on those beautiful bundle of joys, I fell in love.

I named the boy Collin in memory of my father and I named the girl, Sofia in memory of my mother.

"Hello Miss Gallagher," Megan, my neighbour and part-time babysitter answered on the other end of the line.

"Hi, Megan," I replied with a grateful sigh. "I hope everything is going well with the little ones."

"They're doing great, Miss Gallagher. You know how well-behaved the twins can be when they want," Megan assured me. "We just ended playtime with their favourite toys, and now I'm getting them ready for their afternoon nap."

A sense of relief washed over me as I listened to Megan's reassuring tone. She had been a godsend throughout this challenging journey of parenthood, and I couldn't have asked for a better caretaker for my babies.

"Thank you, Megan," I said. "I might be late today because I am on the night shift. I was wondering if you could stay over. I'll pay extra."

"Sure thing, you can count on me."

I was about to end the call when somebody tapped me on the shoulder. I took the phone out of my ear and turned to face the person.

The first thing I noticed was the scar on their forehead. Then I saw their face and the phone in my hand dropped to the ground.

It had been years and I had only met Neal Galdina once but I could never forget him. I just couldn't understand what he was doing here.

"I didn't mean to startle you," he said. "I was just told that I would find you here."

I pulled the mask closer to the bridge of my nose. It was the only thing protecting my identity. Because I suspected that he would know.

I bent over to pick up the phone then I took a step back away from him. A part of me was sort of overjoyed that Neil was alive. He was the first person I had tried to save with my gifts and it brought me some peace knowing that I had succeeded.

"I'm sorry, who are you?"

"I'm looking for someone," he told me and my heart dropped somewhere in my chest.

"I hope you find them," I told him immediately pushing past him to get back into the hospital.

"You are a werewolf, aren't you?" He asked, stopping me dead in my tracks.

My breathing was becoming more rapid. I cursed under my breath for stopping. It made me suspicious and proved him right. Knowing, I couldn't hide information like that from him. I turned to face him. "And what about it?"

"Well, it is suspicious to see a werewolf without a community." His words felt like they were laced with threats. "When that happens, it is either because of an excommunication or they are running. Were you banished by your pack or are you running from them?" He proceeded to ask.

"What the f**k do you want?" I demanded.

"Like I said earlier, I am looking for someone." I looked into his eyes for some answers. They were colder than I remembered them to be. The accident must have had something to do with that. "We have been looking for a healer. My search causes me to believe she might be working in your hospital."

"Really? What makes you think so?" I asked. I had always been careful. When I healed in the hospital, I was discreet with myself. The cameras were always off and the patients were asleep. When I took on jobs outside, aside from the p*****t, they were bound to secrecy. Of course, I knew better than to trust someone with enough money to keep living. So I put on masks for appointments like that. No one knew who I was. I just wanted to see what he had just in case.

"Someone who isn't supposed to live somehow makes it out of the ER alive and better than ever. He even claims he was touched by an angel. That was the first thing that interested me in this hospital. A little bit and pieces convinced me that the healer had to be working here."

I scoffed. "I take it you didn't believe in miracles?"

"Two weeks ago, I did another test. I found someone on the wrong side of the road. Found out he had a pregnant wife and his whole life ahead of him. The kind that would gather the sympathy of someone with empathy and f****d him really good. Internal bleeding, a swollen brain and broken bones. Three days ago, he walked out of the hospital like a new man. I do believe in miracles. It is why I am here."

Hearing what he was confessing to and the lengths he was willing to go to fish me out made my stomach twist and churn. I remembered a life I had to scrub out of my memory and felt my skin start to get prickled. "My break is over. I should be on my way."

I started to walk away from him. I tried not to make it too obvious that I was running. I needed to be calm. But my mind was in shambles. Despite being careful, someone has been watching. The Lycans had been watching.

"The healer also works in this town only. The clients and the miraculous healings of this hospital tell me that much. Which means she must reside here." Neil continued, striking horror into the depths of my soul. "Her clients also say she has a werewolf scent. So tell me something, Cameryn, is there any other werewolf on your premises?"

I stopped walking. He had somehow had a peek at my name tag. The fake name and the nose mask on my face were my saving grace at this point.

I turned to face him and in the most idgaf tone I could muster, told him, "I wouldn't know. I just moved to Marblefay."

"Ah, I see." He mused. "Well, I should be on my way then."

That was it? Somehow I found that hard to believe. But Neil didn't seem to be joking. He started to walk away. Some semblance of peace found me and just when that respite hit, Neil turned back to face me.

"But in case, you bump into another werewolf, tell her that Dimitri Galdina, King of the Lycans wants to meet her."

"And what makes you think they would be the healer?"

I probably should have kept my mouth shut. But I just wanted to see how far I could take it.

"Because I am hoping for a miracle. My brothers were not keen on my decision to seek the elusive healer out and ask for her presence. They wanted a more direct and surefire approach to ensure that the healer does not refuse the kingdom's demands."

The way he was talking told me one thing and one thing only. He was on to me.

"If I sense any other werewolf, I'll deliver your message," I told him and got on my way.

I had barely made it through the front entrance when I started to panic and scroll through my phone for Megan's phone number. I found it and dialled it with shaking hands.

When the call went through and I put the phone to my ear. I heard the voice of a man.

"Hello, Miss Gallagher."

"Who... Where is Megan? She better be safe!"

"She is safe," the man retorted. "Bound and gagged. But alive and well."

"And my children?"

"We'll be taking them with us. I am certain that would give you the incentive to come with us."

I was going to say something back. Anything. I couldn't return to that world. I wouldn't. But I couldn't bring myself to say a word.

For the next seconds, all that filled my ears was the white noise from the receiver and Megan's muffled screams.

"What do you Miss Gallagher?" The man's voice brought me back to reality.

"Hand the phone to Megan. I want to speak to her."

I didn't think he would give in to my request. But seconds later, Megan's voice filled the speaker.

"Hello, Mrs Gallagher?" She was probably scared to death. The poor girl. I had dragged her into my mess of a life.

"Megan, are you alright?" I asked.

"They didn't hurt me. They... I don't know how they broke in. They took the kids too." Her voice was now breaking.

I stepped back outside and back to where Neil and I had been talking. He was still there. Which told me he hadn't been lying when he said his 'brothers' were not so keen about his seeking me out. The sole reason Neil had been here was to scout me and make it seem like it was my choice. When that had failed, his brothers had taken matters into their own hands.

"Who are these people? Do you know them?"

"Megan," I began, continuing to approach Neil. "Everything will be fine. Nothing will happen to you. I swear it."

Then I cut the call.

"It is nice to see you again nurse Cameryn. Did you have a change of mind?"

"Why are you looking for a healer?" I asked.

"My kingdom needs you."

I swallowed. It reminded me of the first time that I met him and the circumstances surrounding that first meeting. Like before, I wondered if I could still trust him.

"Help me, Cameryn." He stretched out his hand.

"Return my children and free my babysitter." I retorted, crossing my hands. "Only then would I help you."

"Your babysitter will be fine. We have no intention of hurting her. Your children are fine too. But fulfilling your wish in that aspect would be rather difficult. The little cubs are on their way now to the Lycan kingdom. What happens to them is entirely your choice."

"That does not sound like I have a choice. In fact, it sounds like a threat."

"I am sorry you feel that way," He replied, stepping toward me. "If it makes you feel any better, it is how much my kingdom and even the werewolf world needs you."

I didn't have a choice in this matter. I was getting pulled back into that world whether I liked it or not.