Wolves Don't Get Bugs
1192 Words
Red’s POV
About two days into our journey northeast, I start feeling very, very sick.
Rowan, of course, notices it before me. “You okay?” he asks me, glancing down at my hand, which is clutched to my stomach like I might vomit at any moment. “Do you want us to stop?”
I glance down at my hand, not having even realized I was doing it. I don’t feel okay, though, I realize as I slow my pace. I feel queasy and hot.
I glance around, scanning our surroundings. We’re nearing the Americana border, and we’ve already traveled a good six hours so far today. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to stop and regroup before crossing the border, would it?
“Maybe,” I say, frowning. “You think that would be a bad idea?”
Rowan, of course, immediately shouts out about ten different commands to everyone around us, the gist of which is, Stop and make camp!
About twenty different people seem to materialize around us from all sides, demanding to know whether I’m okay.
“You look pale, Majesty,” Rowan's mother Hadley says, reaching out to touch my cheek with the back of her hand. “And you feel clammy. We should have a doctor see you.”
“No,” I say quickly. “Please—I’m sure it’s just stress. A good night’s sleep will fix me right up.”
But, as it turns out, a good night’s sleep doesn’t fix me right up.
I feel even worse in the morning.
I try to hide it from Rowan, but, of course, it’s no use. He knows me better than I know myself at this point.
“We shouldn’t leave Vila with you feeling this way,” he says. “Let us summon the doctors, and we’ll go from there.”
On this, though, I put my foot down. “It’s just a little fever and a little nausea. I’ll be fine, Row, and anyway, we’ve extended our welcome in Vila long enough already. I just want to get to Meridian.”
“But Meridian is through both Americana and Archon,” he reminds me, silver eyes full of pain. “At least another week’s trek at the rate we’re going. And what if they try to pull something while we’re there—Vance Eaton or—”
“We’ve got almost the entire population of Canis with us,” I remind him. “Besides, did you see the way they looked at me last time I was in Archon? They think I’m some sort of mythical creature. They’re terrified of me.”
He reaches out to touch my cheek with his hand, eyes both amused and worried. “You are a mythical creature. One I’m supposed to protect.”
“And the best way to do that,” I urge him, “is to get me to Meridian. Once we’re there, I promise I’ll see all the doctors you want.”
- - - - -
Americana is quiet enough. A handful of vampires shoot us dirty looks, a handful of humans run from us the moment they see us, and no one goes out of their way to talk to us or welcome us. But no one bothers us, either.
How are you guys doing? I link to Corrin our third day in Americana, trying to distract myself from the pain. Rowan hasn’t let up, of course, but, sensing that I won’t back down, either, all he’s really done is refused to make love to me and urged our wolves to travel as quickly as possible toward Meridian.
Not great, but alive. Made it to the Palus Swamplands, and spent the last few nights trying to listen in and gather intel at Gibbous Valley and the Umbra Badlands without being noticed. So far, we haven’t been noticed, but…
I nod, gathering her meaning. But you haven’t gathered intel, either.
Nothing particularly useful, anyway. Think it’s sort of the B team Sawyer left behind. I get the feeling everyone important is further south. But I don’t want to delve deeper until I know for sure that Sophie and Marleigh aren’t here.
Agreed. Trust your gut. It’s only been five days; you have time. Keep it slow and safe. How’s Westley?
I can almost picture her rolling her eyes. He’s fine. You can link to him, too, you know.
I had almost forgotten that, thanks to Nelle and Kenton’s potion, I have the ability to mind link with Westley from now until the end of time. We should have had them make one for you!
Yeah, right. She snorts. We already spend every waking moment together; I don’t need him in my head, too.
I smile to myself as I say goodbye to her and cut the link. Corrin’s as stubborn as they come, and I understand why she’s resisting him, but I hope he finds a way to convince her to stop. I can’t think of anyone better suited for my best friend.
- - - - -
Just before we reach the border of Archon, Eli and Aurora pull me aside.
“You look like death, sister,” Eli says, frowning. “Rowan’s worried sick. Fever and nausea aren’t common symptoms of wolves who have come of age. It could be serious.”
I glance behind them at Rowan, who’s watching us intently—and clearly listening in on us. “It’s not serious. It’s just a bug.”
“Wolves don’t get bugs,” Aurora reminds me. “Not when they’re of age. Now, if we travel through Archon, they’re going to see you and know something’s wrong. Are you sure it’s a good idea?”
I shrug limply. “What choice do we have?”
“You could see a doctor,” Eli points out. “Like Rowan’s been begging you to.”
I shake my head immediately. “No. Not until we get to Meridian.” I push ahead of them, signaling the end of the conversation.
I know they must think I’m crazy. I know I’m hurting Rowan, and I don’t mean to.
And, yes, I know something’s wrong with me.
The truth is, I figured out what was wrong with me around the second day in Americana: I’m pregnant.
And judging from the pain in my stomach, it’s not Rowan’s pup I’m carrying.
- Writer
