An Irresistible Mate

(A/N: This chapter has not been edited!)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Emalie's P.O.V

Lanie climbed into the back, and Jasper got us to the pack house in record time. He didn't even bother parking the car, just screeched to a stop outside the front door and we all scrambled out.  

The door opened before we even made the steps, and I recognized Drew's massive shape standing on the threshold. His face was expressionless as he waved us in without a word. But I didn't miss the way his eyes widened with surprise, and then anger as our scent registered to him.  

"He's out back. Brace yourselves though, it's pretty bad," Drew rumbled. Jasper didn't even spare him a second glance. Taking my hand, we followed Lanie through the house-- which was mostly deserted-- and out the back door.  

There was a loose ring of people standing on the field, I recognized them all as part of Jasper's pack, including Lily and Lance. I didn't see Alpha Emerson or Jessica though, to my relief. They were all looking at something, but when we came out, their heads snapped back to look at us. I felt my heart begin to pound and if it hadn't been for Jasper's grip on my hand, I might have bolted. There was a swarm of different emotions on their faces; shock, confusion, even anger as they looked between Jasper and I, picking up our combined scents. This wasn't how I wanted to find out, how I wanted anyone to find out, but I had no time to worry about that as I saw what they were all standing around like this was some freaky circus act.  

"My sister," I heard a familiar voice shout, but it was cut off by a low groan. "Get my sister!"  

"Brendan!" I cried out, running forward. He was curled up on the ground, his arms wrapped around his head and his face hidden. Violent shudders rocked his frame, and his hands fisted in his hair. An older man crouched down by his side, talking in a low voice to him. He looked up when we came forward. I knew immediately that he was the pack doctor.  

I pushed people aside, falling to my knees beside him. I put a hand on his trembling arm, tears already gathering in my eyes and threatening to spill over. His skin was burning up. "Brendan!" He reacted to my voice, his head turning my way.  

I felt Jasper kneel beside me, his face anxious. "I don't understand, this isn't supposed to happen until tomorrow night," he murmured, frowning deeply.  

"It's different for everyone, sometimes it starts early," the doctor said, looking between us, his gaze stopping on me. I noticed he had kind eyes. "You must be the sister. Emalie, yes?"  

I nodded. I looked up at him, my eyelashes wet. "Can you help him?" I whispered. From the looks of it, Brendan was already well into his shift, the contortions already started. His eyes were screwed shut, and he let out a low moan.  

"I'll do my best," the doctor said. "You must stay with him now." He stood. I vaguely heard him shouting out orders, telling the others to go back in the house, and they obeyed, but watched through the windows once inside. I barely heard him though, my attention was on my brother. My heart clenched to see him in so much pain, I never wanted to see him like this.  

The sound of something snapping had my stomach twisting. Brendan's right leg curled into itself unnaturally as the bone rearranged before shooting back out. Brendan let go of his head, letting it fall back onto the ground as he let out an agonized cry. His eyes opened, sweat building on his neck. My grip on his arm tightened.  

"E-Emalie," he whispered, his gaze searching desperately for me, and when he found me, I felt my tears break free at the utter fear and bewilderment in his eyes. "What's happening to me?"  

I couldn't answer him. Instead, I murmured, "Shh," and lifted his head in my lap, my hands smoothing through his hair with shaking hands.  

"Try to relax," I heard Jasper tell him, and then a second later,  the doctor reappeared , Lanie a step behind him. They crouched beside us. She had a cold towel in her hand, and she passed it to me, her eyes wide and fearful as she looked at Brendan.  

I took the towel and laid it across Brendan's forehead, hoping it'd cool him down a bit. Brendan shuddered as soon as it touched him, and then cried out again as another contortion hit, this time his arm breaking. I bit my lip to keep from screaming with him.