The Howling Moon

Chapter Twenty-Three

Nick...

She wasn't moving, she just lay there in my arms, her body was completely still, she was unconscious and I watched as she started to heal, the wounds disappearing as if she were never injured to begin with. I started to panic as it finally dawned on me that she would turn from the bite, a few hours after she's fully healed.

"We have to get her to the house, she has to see Anna." We needed to get her to the pack doctor before the venom spreads to her heart, I don't think she can survive the transition without Anna.

My father was on the phone barking at someone, asking for Anna to be at the pack house, to use our room as an infirmary for Ashley so she stays close to me. I looked down at her, kissing her cheek when we got in the car, I sat alone in the back with her in my arms, my father in the passenger seat and James driving faster than I thought possible. This is it, this is really happening. There is a possibility she won't survive the transition, she could die as she's becoming a wolf. My heart was on overdrive, my head spinning just thinking about all of this.

"Nick?" I heard her soft voice call out and I looked down at her, surprised she was even able to speak, she had her eyes shut, but I could tell she was alert, and experiencing some discomfort.

"Yes, angel?" I asked, I began stroking her beautiful soft hair. She looked like someone would if they hadn't slept or eaten in the last month. She didn't look like herself. "What is it?" I asked as calmly as I could.

"It hurts....m-my arm hurts." She winced a little and I held her hand in mine, examining the bite, there's not much I could do to seize the pain, it's the way our world works, everything balances out, she's being healed, but nothing comes without a price, and her price to pay is pain.

"I know, baby." I started kissing around the bite and noticed her face lighten a little. The pain didn't subside, but my kisses distracted her from it, mates can help in many ways like this, but it still wasn't enough.

I felt her body start to shake, knowing this as a side effect of the transition that'll soon occur. She gave me a questioning look, her eyes full of confusion, I'm guessing she doesn't know she's going to turn soon.

"Wha-what's happen-ning to me?" She looked panicked, yet somewhat at ease. Her nails dug deep into my arms, then she took in a shaky breath and closed her eyes.

"I'm sorry, angel. It's going to be okay." She gave me one last squeeze before I felt her grip weaken, she had blacked out, again I began to panic, terrified of what's to come.

"James..." I growled. He looked in the rear view mirror, back at me and gave me a knowing nod. the car came to a screeching stop and immediately he ripped the door open, he shifted and ran in front of me, watching for any rogues that could've followed.

'Anna is in your room, she has everything to help Ashley transition.' James mind linked. We were in the house and up the stairs in a matter of seconds. James stood at the end of the door, keeping guard as I barged in the room to see Anna already set up.

"Get her on the bed, Now!" She shouted pointing frantically at the bed and pulling out a few tools. I placed Ashley firmly on the bed and turned to face Anna.

"What're you doing? She's healed. I just need you to make sure she transitions." She gave me a look and pointed to Ashley.

"Nick, I need to make sure she doesn't have a fever, that her body isn't trying to fight off the venom. That'll kill her." I immediately made room for her to get to Ashley, she pulled out a thermometer and rolled it over her forehead, looking at the screen her eyebrows were furrowed and she gave me a confused look, she almost looked shocked.