Marked

Chapter 15: Help

Trigger warning: This chapter contains mention of pregnancy complications that get a little graphic (in terms of blood). Please skip if necessary ❤

Three days went by and Addie wasn't great but she was stable. We were all exhausted, unable to sleep. Xander was on the verge of a breakdown. Kaden talked him into taking a walk so I was in the infirmary with Addie, curled on the bed next to her. She was asleep but I could hear her and the baby's weakened heartbeat. I was so tired I almost fell asleep but then a machine started beeping way too loud and fast. Anna and Kora rushed over and I sat up.

A strangled whimper left Addie's lips and she clutched her stomach.

"What's wrong?" I asked, getting off the bed and out of their way.

"The baby's heartbeat is too fast," Anna said.

"Ow," Addie whimpered, clutching her stomach again.

"Luna," Anna said softly, setting her hand on Addie's forehead. "You're in pain?"

"Something's wrong," she cried, her eyes squeezing shut even tighter.

"We need to examine her," Kora said. "Get the blankets off."

I grabbed the blanket and sheet and pulled them back. My eyes widened when I saw the blood staining the sheet between her legs.

"Oh no," I murmured. Oh Goddess, please please please do not take her and the baby away from us right now, especially Xander.

"Shit," Kora hissed. "Get her legs in the stirrups."

I grabbed her ankles and gently moved her feet into the stirrups. Her blood got on my hands and it took all my strength to remain calm. I normally could but the worse her condition became, the more I could feel it in my bond. It was affecting me so much I felt like I couldn't breathe. I couldn't imagine what Xander was going through right now.

"Tess, step back," Anna ordered.

I whimpered and backed away as they went to work. I was on the verge of tears when I got a message from Gina

He's back. Kane. He wants to talk to you.

I held in the growl until I got outside. I was so fucking over it at this point. I needed to just tell him to forget it, consider himself rejected, I could not deal with his bullshit right now. I could lose a family member and he didn't even seem to care. I sprinted to the gate, seeing red. How dare he come here right now? At least there was no army this time. Only the same five that were with him at the conference and a witch.

"Are you fucking deaf?" I snapped, stepping through the gate. "You aren't helping your case. You're just making me resent you more."

"I brought someone to help," he said, stepping aside.

A witch stood behind him, looking at me uncertainly.

His words repeated in my head and I shook my head, trying to focus, trying to not let my bond with Xander and Addie muddle my thoughts too much to be able to understand what he was saying. Our pack bond connection was so intense, I could feel both of them panicking and it was hitting me hard. "You what?" I asked.

"This is Tatianna," he introduced. "She's helped others with preeclampsia. She can help your Luna."

My eyes darted to Tatianna. My heart was racing. I couldn't think. I hadn't slept in days, I was so tired, so in pain, I could not focus and make his words make sense. I brought my hand up to rub over my face out of habit but it was covered in Addie's blood so I stopped, feeling even worse to see the reminder that I could lose her any minute. Her and the baby, her and maybe even the man I considered my brother since I had no idea how he would survive losing them.