Chapter 23
Mariana
“The virus is spreading quickly; if things keep going the way they are, we will need to quarantine the kingdom,” Peter, the second prince told our father, the
king.
Peter was a leading member of the scientific community. He worked mostly in the hospital, trying to develop different cures for different diseases. But this particular disease doesn’t have a cure just yet.
It was a virus that starts as a light cold, so most don’t get it checked out right away. But then the virus will only grow worse; it’ll weaken the body and destroy the werewolf from inside out. In most cases, the werewolf doesn’t survive.
It’s a chilling virus that left the kingdom in fear. My brother, Peter, has been working overtime at the hospital to try to develop a cure. But so far, there hasn’t been much luck.
I wanted to help however I could, considering this was my kingdom too. I knew that the Montroy pack has the best medical development, and their hospital is advanced. I mentioned that we could gather their researchers and work closely with the Montroy pack.
“I’ll call for a meeting with all the alphas in the kingdom. We need to figure out what the plan is going forward,” father said, with firmness in his voice. He looked at Peter.
“Alright,” Peter agreed. “As Mariana said, we will work closely with the Montroy researchers and develop this cure. We need to work quickly if we want to kill this virus.”
My father looked at me, narrowing his eyes and I knew exactly what he was thinking.
“Are you sure you want to help with this?” He asked. “You’d have to go back to the Montroy pack for this research. You’ll probably see Joseph again.”
I nodded. I knew this but curing this virus was more important than my feelings towards Joseph and our failed marriage.
“Yes,” I told him confidently. “I want to do my part as well.”
“I could use your leadership and smarts,” Peter told me. “At least while I continue my work at the King’s pack Hospital.”
I nodded in agreement.
As everyone dispersed to do their tasks, I was left alone to collect my thoughts. I suddenly got a wave of dizziness and a loss of breath. For a moment, I worried it was because I was getting sick. However, I didn’t feel feverish. Which was a huge relief. But then I received a familiar and comfortable feeling in my body.
I closed my eyes and took in the aura that was surrounding me; warming me with its light energy and opening my lungs to take in more oxygen. A small smile tugged at my lips as the sensation wrapped around me like a warm hug.
My body trembled, but it wasn’t a bad tremble. It was an exciting feeling and I wanted to burst into tears at that moment.
“Alice?” I breathed; I sensed my wolf was surrounding me. She was awakening and my heart was souring with pleasures.
Before she said anything, I felt my body transforming. I felt Alice’s freedom erupting around me and the light brown coating of her fur broke through my skin and tickled my features. I remembered my first transformation when I came of age and how painful it was. It felt like all the bones in my body were breaking and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
Since then, it had gotten much easier; it felt more freeing. Her energy surged through me, and we ran from the palace grounds and into the surrounding woods. Feeling the wind through my fur made me smile. The paws of my wolf hit the dirt ground with such force and speed; we picked up the pace and I could feel the terror of the animals around me. They were running far from us, but they were no match for Alice’s speed.
