Wolf Blood

Chapter Ten: Cure

“Crap. Crap. Crap,” I groaned pulling up my jeans. Not only were my favourite jeans ripped when I went wolf, but my freaking car was at Everette’s. If I asked Zander for a ride, I’d have to explain why I was here, and my car there. And if I took his car, I’d need two people to drive them back. It wasn’t a walk I wanted to make either. Biting my lip, I needed to see Everette. I hurt him.

Clenching my fists, I walked to Zander’s door. I’d just ask him to drop me off out front. If he saw my car, he’d ask. I pulled my curly hair into a bun before pounding on his door. He pulled it open with a frown.

“What do you need?” He asked.

“Can you drop me off at Everette’s?” I asked.

“What’s wrong with your car?”

Crap. I completely forgot about that. “Can you just drop me off, or not?” He nodded and grabbed his keys. He didn’t seem to be in the mood for questions or talking or anything. I guess he was taking Reyleigh’s death hard. I didn’t even want to think about her and what I could have possibly done.

We stepped into his car and pulled out of the driveway. He turned the music on. His hands were tight as he held the wheel. Grieving sucked to watch.

“How are you doing?” I asked turning the music down.

“Fine.”

I rested my hand on his shoulder. “Zander, I know you better than to believe that.”

He glanced at me with glossy eyes. “I feel responsible. We went for a walk and I walked her to the door before I went back to my car. But she ran out to my car and kissed me. Afterwards, I drove away while she was outside.” He paused. “I should have watched her walk inside.”

“That’s not your fault. You can’t blame yourself,” I said.

“Why not?” He pulled the car over in front of Everette’s house. “I left her in the dark, alone. Those dogs were just waiting for her.” He hit the steer wheel. “Selene, it’s my fault she’s dead. I left her.”

“Zander. Stop. You cannot carry that weight. What if she went back inside, safe and sound after you left? You don’t know.”

“Neither do you.” He unlocked the doors before looking at me. “This is your stop.”

“Zander I-” I started but he raised his hand.

“I can’t talk about it right now.” He looked away from me and turned the music up.

I felt tears stinging my eyes. Zander needed me, but so did Everette. I unbuckled and leaned over the console to hug him. He was tense. “I love you,” I said in his ear before getting out of the car.

Sometimes mourning was best done alone. I waited until Zander drove away before I headed to the house. When I knocked on the door a young girl answered. Her face was familiar. I had seen her at school before I graduated. I think she was a sophomore. The girl had a round face and soft features. Her hair was dark brown with eyes to match.

“Controlling yourself is the first step when learning to be a wolf,” the girl said, her voice flat.

“Suzy, who’s at the door?” a deep voice asked. A tall man stepped behind Suzy. “I assume you’re here for Everette.” I nodded. “Let her in,” the man said, and Suzy stepped aside. “Control yourself.” His warning didn’t sound as threatening as I expected. His voice was light as he spoke, and he looked familiar. He had a long narrow face with brown eyes. He was tall and slim. Obviously lean, but not as outwardly muscular as Everette or Ezekiel.

“He’s up the stairs to the right. Use your nose if you get lost,” Suzy said. “You do know how to use it, don’t you?”

I looked at her and said, “Of course I do.” I walked toward the stairs. Her tone was condescending. I hate when people make me feel stupid. I just became a werewolf, why would I know anything? Cut me some slack I wanted to say. I felt a growl coming on, which was so weird to think about how natural it felt.

I took a deep breath. Some were familiar, but more were not. I recognize the scents as safe, but how was I supposed to pick one–Everette. That one smelled like Everette. I took another whiff and his sweet smell filled my nose. I followed his scent, which led me to an unusual wide and tall door. Actually, most of the doors I walked by were tall and wide.

When I knocked, I heard Everette say, “Come in. Mum, if you brought more of that soup, I won’t eat it.”

I opened the door and stepped inside. Everette was shirtless as he laid on top of his bed. He had a large bandage wrapped around his stomach. He narrowed his eyes at me when I stepped inside.

“Are you okay? I’m sorry. I can’t control it,” I said stepping closer to his bed. His room was white, except the back wall, which was a deep maroon. His bed was maroon and many of his accessories matched the accent wall. He had family photos and pictures of the woods on the wall framed in gold. His room could swallow mine three times over.

“It’s fine.” His voice was cold and sharp as he spoke. “You left. You should have stayed.”

“When I hurt you, it woke something up in me and I panicked.” It would be best not to tell him what almost happened in the woods.

“Panicked? You know.” He paused. “It was probably better that you left.”

“Everette,” I said my chest tightening. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“It’s not that.” He looked away from me. “I can’t protect you.” He slowly swung his legs off the bed. A loud groan sounded from him as he grabbed his side. I rushed to his side. “Don’t touch me,” he said as he slowly stood.

“I don’t need you to protect me.” Did all men insisted on protecting women, or was it just the Cardova boys?

“I don’t want you to have to protect me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t do anything, Selene. I’m not strong enough to stand against my brother. I’m human.”

“There is nothing wrong with that,” I said cupping his face in my hands. “I want you, as you are.”

He grabbed my wrists. “You don’t know anything about this world.”

“Then tell me everything.” I might have to stay this way if I don’t find a cure.

“I need to be able to protect you. Being powerless and a part of a pack makes me a weak link. I can’t even fend Ezekiel off.” He pulled my hands off his face. “I’ve always been the pariah. The son with wolf blood, but no wolf inside.” He looked down at me. “Selene, I am an embarrassment to my family.”

“They love you and you know it,” I said. I’ve seen the way his parents are around him. They adore their son.

“I’m the only one in the pack that can’t turn into a wolf. Aside from those who are too young,” he said. His eyes were glossy as he spoke. “The pain you feel about being a wolf is how I feel every day not being one.”

I looked down. “I’m sorry Everette. I didn’t know.”

His slid his hand under my chin and lifted my face. “Please, bite me. Turn me.” His eyes were clear as he spoke. I could provide what he’s wanted for so long.

“No, Everette,” I said, my voice quiet.

“Leave.” His voice was hard.

“Everette, please.” My heart ached for him. I couldn’t do that to him. He was safe in his pack. I had no knowledge or authority to make that decision.

“Leave, Selene,” he said raising his voice. “Get out,” he yelled turning away from me.

Tears stung my eyes before they rolled down my face. I reached out to touch him but stopped halfway.

“Go,” he said. His voice was strong as he spoke. He’d never talked to me this way before.

I stepped away from him before running toward the front door. The girl, Suzy, from earlier was walking up the stairs when I reached them.

“Your stuff is by the front door,” she said before looking up at me. Her eyes widened before I rushed by her.

My purse and keys rested on the floor by the door. I scooped them up and dashed to my car. My vision blurred as the tears streamed down my face. I grabbed napkins from the door, I’d kept them for emergency spills, and wiped the tears. Once I gained control of my emotions, I started the car. The tears had subsided, for now. I pulled out of his driveway and headed home.

When I pulled in my driveway, I saw Kinsley sitting on my porch. I hopped out of the car and walked over to her. It felt like I hadn’t seen her in so long. Her face was a welcome sight, but her glossy eyes said something else. She stood when I neared her.

“I found a cure,” Kinsley said.