Wolf Blood

Chapter Eleven: Theories

“A cure?” I said. “What kind of cure? How?”

“Monkshood. Clove, an older vampire, may know a cure. According to legend, monkshood was used to cure lycanthropy. Those traditions were lost overtime though. No one knows the right dosage.”

“You mean-”

“It could kill you if he’s wrong. If he gives you too much,” she said, cutting me off. “I don’t know if it will fix you. Sometimes cures in legends mean death. They use words like freedom, but at that time it could mean their spirit was freed in death.”

“I know who bit me,” I said. It seemed like as good of a time as any to bring it up.

Her eyes widened. “Who?”

“Ezekiel.”

She slowly nodded. “The alpha’s son. That’s not good.” She leaned against the railing and shook her head. “When alpha’s turn others it typically means they want you as a mate. He isn’t likely to let you go.”

“Could I be released from this if I get his blood?” I asked.

She nodded. “That is a potential theory. It didn’t come into existence until later, but they say it works.” She shrugged. “I mean as far as theories go.”

“What if I try talking to him first? Maybe I can convince him.”

“You’re wasting your breath. He’s the next alpha and he wants you. Werewolves can be possessive over the people they want.”

“I need to try.”

“It’s pointless, but if you must.”

I turned around and hopped in my car. Hopefully Ezekiel will be at the house. I didn’t want to see Everette and I hoped with him being injured I may not have to see him. The drive felt like an eternity. I could feel my heart beating more quickly when I thought about Ezekiel. Maybe I should have tried the monkshood.

I pulled into their driveway and parked. I took a moment to breathe before stepping out of the car.

“Selene, get in the house,” Ezekiel’s voice was hoarse as he ran toward the house. He was wearing basketball shorts. Blood was running down his chest. There were bite marks on his arms and scratches on his shoulders.

Inside the house seemed much better, at least there would be other people to keep his roving hands and eyes in check. I raced toward the front door and opened it for Ezekiel. He stopped before going inside and waved me in first. He was bleeding horribly and yet, insisted I enter first. I did as he said.

The tall man from before came into the room.

“Gather the pack,” Ezekiel said.

It wasn’t long before people flooded into the room. Ezekiel’s father approached him while other members wiped the blood off. When they finished, his bite marks were gone.

“The rogue attacked us in the woods. I think he was going after Selene,” he said pointing to me. “We should assign guards.”

I stood, frozen, and wide eyed as they looked over at me. Everette’s mother walked over to me. Her curly brown hair bounced while she walked. Her green eyes were bright as she watched me. Rose, Everette’s mother, looked so young. She had beginning wrinkles on the corner of their eyes and a smooth tanned complexion. Rose was softer than her husband, Liam. He had more wrinkles and wasn’t soft spoken. His bright hazel eyes were almost an unnatural yellow, which was enchanting and terrifying.

“Selene,” Rose said. “The rogue has been attacking people connected to our pack. We don’t know what he wants with us yet.” She looked over at her husband.

“We will assign guards, Ezekiel,” Liam said, his voice was deep.

They discussed more about the rogue, but I wasn’t quite following until they mentioned Reyleigh. The rogue murdered her. I felt sick. He could have killed my brother. The talking grew louder as more talked over one another. I hated to feel grateful that Zander wasn’t murdered by the rogue and that it wasn’t me that killed her.

“Selene,” Ezekiel said, touching my arm. I retracted before meeting his dark eyed gaze. “I’m sorry.”

Only Ezekiel and I were left in the room. My heart clenched. I wasn’t ready to forgive him, but I needed to in order to move on.

“I.” I paused. “I forgive you.”

He smiled. “Great. Thanks. Sometimes I just lose myself.”

“Let me go. There are theories of a cure.”

“No.” He laughed. “Don’t tell me you actually believe there is a cure,” he said raising his brow before leaning closer. “Lycanthropy isn’t a disease. It can’t be cured.” He straightened. “Don’t try anything stupid.” He headed up the stairs and disappeared down the hall.

That failed. Clenching my fist, I headed back to my car. I felt like my issues were so unimportant. There was a killer wolf man on the loose and all I cared about was becoming human again. I turned the engine over before calling Kinsley. Still, that killer wolf could have been me and that’s a pretty big issue.

“Calling to reconsider?” Kinsley said.

“Funny,” I said, my voice flat. “He doesn’t believe in a cure.”

“I’m sure he seemed holier than thou, too. Wolves can be obsessed with themselves.”

“Do you think I should try the monkshood?” I asked. The line was quiet for a while. I pulled into my driveway and parked, waiting for an answer.

“It seems like your best option. Clove said he would start with small doses.”

A knock sounded at the window, I jumped, dropping my phone. I looked over my left shoulder and saw Kinsley smiling at me. Rolling my eyes, I stepped out of the before fishing my phone from under the gas pedal.

“Maybe you should think this over. Monkshood is no joke.”

“I trust you,” I said.

“It could kill you.” Her voice was low. “Ezekiel isn’t an option.” She paused. “Monkshood is going to make you very sick.”

“I don’t want to be this.” If Ezekiel wasn’t going to help me, I needed to try something else. “Did you know about a rogue on the loose? He killed Reyleigh.”

“I told you that you didn’t kill her,” Kinsley said. “Yes, I knew. Knowledge of situations like this equal survival.” She’d yet to admit she was a vampire, but she had to be. I wonder if she didn’t trust me with her secret, maybe that was why she didn’t want to say.

“Are you a vampire?” I asked, my voice hushed. She raised her brow at me. I knew she was, but I wanted her to say it.

“The monkshood is dangerous, but it could be the best option for you. If it doesn’t work your body will repair itself.”

“Kinsley. Do you not trust me?”

“It’s not that.” Her hazel eyes bore into mine.

“What is it then?” Was I being a jerk trying to satisfy my own curiosity?

“To you werewolves are monsters, but why would you view vampires any differently?” She asked. “I don’t want to use those words if you intend to write me off as a monster too.”

“It’s different.”

“How? Because you’re not a vampire? Because I’m your closest friend?”

strengths

“I’m sorry Kinsley. I didn’t see it that way.” I slid my hands into my jean pockets. She’s been a great friend and supporter and all I kept doing was bashing supernatural creatures.

“It’s okay, Selene. I know you don’t mean anything by it, but that doesn’t remove the sting.” She looped her arm around mine before saying, “Let’s pay Clove a visit.” She dragged me to her car, which was parked behind mine. I hadn’t seen her pull up.

It wasn’t long before we pulled up to Kinsley’s house. I’d been inside many times, but I’d never spent the night. At the time I assumed it was because of her weird and strict parents, but after this, I wonder if it related to her being a vampire. Were those even her parents? This is too crazy.

“Are Wanda and Tom your parents?” I asked after we stepped out of her car.

She glanced over and smiled at me. “No, they’re not. My parents died a long time ago.” Nodding, I followed her into the house.

The landing in the house was small and lead right into the living room. Right off the living room, across from the front door was the kitchen. Her house was large, not quite a mansion, but pretty close. To the right of the main door was a small room that would lead to the second level.

“Welcome, Selene,” I heard Tom say from up the stairs. “If you wanted to be anything, you should have chosen vampire, at least then you’d smell a lot better.” He laughed, but I didn’t find it funny.

“Tom,” Wanda hissed before walking into the living room. “Clove is in the basement. He’s been doing all sorts of calculating for her weight, how many times she changed, and everything you can think of.” Wanda had blonde hair pulled back into a tight bun. Her hazel eyes shone brightly as she smiled at me. Wanda had a long narrow face with high cheek bones. She always looked like a statue to me because of her perfect features and pale skin.

The smell hit me. This place reeked of vampire, which I quickly learned was an unwelcome scent. Kinsley led to me to the kitchen, which led to the basement. The basement was large and rather empty. There was a couch, TV, and grand piano. The basement was divided into room, Kinsley always said they housed her family’s hobbies. I wonder what she meant by hobbies now.

She stepped into a room on the right back wall. Once I was inside, she closed the door. The room was a decent size. There were tables and vials against each wall and a large table sat in the middle of the room. It smelled of vampire and other strange things. I felt my skin crawl as I looked at the strange jars that housed things from horror movies. I’m pretty sure I saw an eye in one of them.

“Welcome, Kinsley,” A deep voice purred. A man with short brown hair stood from behind the middle table. “You must be Selene, the wolf.” He had a rectangular face and amber eyes. He was probably one of the most attractive men I’d ever seen. His high cheek bones complimented his pronounced jawline well.

“Nice to meet you, Clove,” I said. He was toned and his clothes hugged his frame nicely.

“Clove is a newer addition to the coven,” Kinsley said.

“The smartest addition too.” He winked and Kinsley scoffed.

“Arrogant is what he means.” She walked toward him. “You kill her, and I’ll rip your head off.”

“I won’t kill her,” he said placing his hand on his heart. “I will do everything in my power not to kill the wolf.” He looked over at Kinsley and smiled. “I’m going against my instincts by doing this, don’t you see how much I care?”

“She’s merely a guinea pig to you.” Kinsley’s voice was low.

“Test subject or not, she’s valuable.” He looked over at me. “Come, Selene. Step on the scale so I can figure out how much monkshood to give you.” He waved his hand toward the end of the table where a glass scale sat.

This reminded me of the doctors, and I hate the doctors. I walked over and stepped on the scale. I could feel goosebumps forming.

“One twenty-five. A little thin for a wolf,” Clove spoke quietly before jotting things down on the paper in front of him. “Do you understand what you’re getting into with monkshood?”

I nodded. “It will feel horrible, but could be a cure,” I said. “It could kill me but may not.”

“Sweetie, that’s sugarcoating it.” His voice was light. “It’s called wolfsbane for a reason.” He laughed. “It’s going to hurt like hell.”