Chapter 99

Carol’s POV

When we finally broke apart, a couple of minutes after the most mind-blowing and incredible kiss of my life, Aiden grew serious as he took a seat at the edge of my bed.

“So, tell me what happened. What do you remember?”

I sighed, not really wanting to talk about it right now. My head was pounding, and I still felt a bit dizzy from all the drugs I was given. But the look on Aiden’s face told me that I really didn’t have a choice in the matter.

I took his hand, squeezing it tightly, and peeked up at him with longing eyes.

“Do we have to talk about it right now?” I asked him, biting my lower lip. “Can’t we just be happy that I’m alive?”

He nodded and wrapped me in his arms, making me feel warmer and safer than I had in a while. I sighed, contently and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my lips.

“I was so scared,” he told me in a strained whisper. “I thought I was going to lose you.”

Tears welled up in my eyes.

“Honestly, me too,” I whispered. “I thought I was going to die. But I guess the Moon Goddess has bigger plans for me and it doesn’t include death.”

He raised his brows.

“The Moon Goddess?” He asked, confused.

We hadn’t really spoken about the Moon Goddess before. Sure, humans are aware that the supernatural followers a different god or goddess than they do, but it’s never really been discussed. This was the first time I’d ever really mentioned the Moon Goddess to him, and I could see the surprise on his face.

I just shrugged.

“That’s your Goddess, right?” I asked him.

Before he could answer, the door to the room burst open, and in walked my parents. My mother had tears in her eyes and my father looked pale and panicked as he ran toward my bedside. Relief flooded me upon seeing them.

My mother wrapped her arms around me and held me close to her, sobbing into my shoulder, making me chuckle.

“Oh, Carol honestly,” my mother cried. “I was so worried.”

‘You gave us quite a scare,” my father said, trying to sound stronger than I felt. “We are glad you pulled through.”

“How are you feeling, Sweetheart? Have you drunk any water?” My mother fussed.

“I’m feeling okay,” I told her honestly. “Just tired. But I heard that’s to be expected.”

The door opened again moments later, and Fiona walked in. Her eyes widened when she saw me awake and she rushed toward me.

“Holy shit, you’re awake,” breathed. “I was so worried about you. Don’t fucking scare me like that again, girl.”

I smiled at my best friend.

“Sorry,” I told her. “It wasn’t intentional.”

“Of course, it wasn’t,” my mom said, patting my hand gently. “Do we know the assholes who did this to you?”

I bit my lower lip; I knew who did this to me but I didn’t want to worry about my parents or best friend so I kept quiet.

“Do you remember anything?” My father asked.

I thought about telling him the truth, but it would just make things worse. My father would want to do something, and it would put him in danger. I couldn’t let them get involved in this, so I just shook my head and averted my eyes.

“No, I don’t remember anything,” I lied, making both Fiona and Aiden look at me weirdly.

They both knew me better than anybody in this world; there was no way they’d buy my lie. But neither of them said anything. My parents both slumped on their shoulders and sighed at my admittance.

After a few more questions, I finally convinced my parents to leave and get some rest. I assured them that I’d still be here in the morning and to not worry. Fiona eventually left too, leaving me alone with Aiden. However, that only lasted a few minutes because soon, Coach Bower and Mr. Whitlock were walking into the room.

My mouth fell open seeing them. I wasn’t expecting them to arrive; who even told them I was here?

“Hope we aren’t interrupting,” Mr. Whitlock said. “Aiden sent Coach Bower a text saying you were found and are at the hospital. Figured we’d stop by to check on you.”

My cheeks flushed.

“That was kind of you,” I said, unable to hide my smile. “Thank you.”

“How did the rest of the game go?” Aiden asked.

Mr. Whitlock and Coach Bower shared a look that I didn’t understand.

“It’s been postponed for two days,” Coach answered. “Well, at least the second half has been postponed.”

“What??” Aiden asked, now his mouth was dropping open. “Why?”

“Mr. Whitlock pulled a few strings,” Coach Bower explained. “We can’t finish the game without you, Cruz. It wouldn’t be right. You’ve worked hard to get to where you’re at and if this is your last game on our team, then we’d like you to be there.”

“Last game?” I asked, peeking up at him. “What does he mean by that, Aiden?”

Aiden sighed and then turned to look at me; I could see the sadness in his eyes, and it made my stomach turn right away. What was he about to say?

“I have to return to the Capitol,” he answered. “I made a commitment and promise to my father that I can’t break. But it’s time that I start taking the role of future Alpha seriously.”

The knot in my belly tightened as I stared up at him. I knew that Aiden was going to the Capitol to take over as Alpha, but I didn’t think it would be happening so soon. I wasn’t ready to leave my home, my friends and family… my job. This was a lot to take in all at once and I found my breathing growing heavier by the second.

“I didn’t want to bring this up just yet,” Aiden said, shooting Coach Bower a look before glancing back down at me. “I’m so sorry, Carol. I know this is a lot.”

“What about me?” I asked, suddenly feeling small in my own body.

“I’m hoping you’ll come with me and stand by my side,” he told me, taking hold of my hands. “I love you, Carol, and I can’t imagine a second without you.”

Tears welled up in my eyes from his words.

“Your family hates me, and the Capitol will never accept me,” I whispered, not wanting to shed the tears that desperately wanted to escape my eyes.

“They will learn to accept you,” he told me firmly. “If they want me, that’s the deal. We are a packaged item. You are my mate, Carol. That has to mean something.”

“It means everything,” I said automatically, remembering what my mother said about the Moon Goddess giving each of her supernatural children one fated mate in the world. Aiden was my fated mate; he was chosen by the Moon Goddess or me specially and vice versa. That meant we were tied together in a way that I could never be tied to another. “You mean everything to me,” I whispered, peeking up at him through my thick lashes.

He smiled as he leaned down and kissed me for Coach and Mr. Whitlock to see, making my cheeks flame hot.

“So, now that that’s settled…” Mr. Whitlock said, clearing his throat. “The game is in 2 days. You are expected to be there. Both of you.”

I smiled wider as Aiden pulled away.

“Thank you,” he said to them both. “We’ll be there.”

They both nodded and after a few more words were exchanged, mainly asking questions about how they were feeling, they finally left. Aiden slid into the bed with me, aiming to be careful because of the tubes and monitors attached to me, and then he pulled me into his arms.

The nurse walked in a couple of times to check on my vitals and to change my IV bag; she offered to bring Aiden another bed to sleep in, but thankfully, he refused her, not wanting to let me go. I wasn’t going to complain about that.

I snuggled against his side, feeling safe and warm. He smelled so good, and my heart was in complete turmoil being this close to him.

I closed my eyes as he kissed the top of my head and he whispered, “Sleep, My love.”

It didn’t take long before I drifted off to sleep, but as I fell asleep, I couldn’t get my mother’s words out of my head.

Not only did I have wolf blood in my body, but I also had the gifts of 3 different priestesses. I was a high priestess meant to take over as the leader of the werewolf empire.

Why me?