The Twin

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The next morning started with Vincent holding onto me, refusing to let go. I eventually escaped his arms, only because I pinched him. I looked at my sister to see her cleaning Athos' wound, slapping him whenever he decided to give her a asshole comment.

"He really hates being touched," I observed.

Julie shrugged, "He doesn't want to get too comfortable with someone. In his mind, they'll leave him anyway."

"What did you two say to him?"

"Many horrible things...I wish I could take those words back."

"Ow! Damn it, woman, quit using the alcohol!" Athos snapped.

"Oooo look at me, I'm a big and mighty Alpha who's terrified of medical treatment," Seraphina mocked.

"Can you quit being annoying?"

"Could you quit being a dick?"

He glared at her before looking away, mumbling multiple colorful words. My sister simply ignored him, making him wince even more. I chuckled, leave it up to her to choose the less aggressive way.

"There, it's cleaned out and wrapped," she grinned as she looked at him.

Athos' expression suddenly turned sorrowful, his hand slowly came up to her face and traced the claw marks.

"They'll go away," she stated, blushing now.

He frowned, "They're going to scar."

"Well, I guess I have a battle wound now."

As if realizing he was actually haven't a conversation, he snatched his hand away. Seraphina released a breath, exhaustion evident on her face as she stared at him.

"It's okay to get close to someone," she stated.

He frowned, "No, it isn't. Not for me."

"And why is that?"

"You don't want to get close to a monster."

"You're not a monster, you're just lost."

She smiled and grabbed his hand, after giving him a reassuring sqeeuze, she got up and walked into the forest. Claiming she needed to use the bathroom.

"She's good for you," Rocco suddenly voiced, staring at his brother.

Athos went rigid as he glanced at him, "But I'm not good for her. She comes first."

"I can walk," Seraphina grumbled.

Athos rolled his eyes as he carried her, "You can barely stand, shut it."

"Dickhead."

"Cunt."

"Jerk."

"Thanks, I try, bitch."

I chuckled, "My, aren't they just getting along?"

Vincent laughed, "Your sister is certainly different."

"She is, I'm shocked that her mate cheated on her. But I guess it is what it is."

"Plus, I think my uncle likes her, he just...needs to learn how to love again."

"Found it!" Julie beamed.

We all looked up to see a cave hidden by thick trees, a shield if magic was buzzing around it. We began climbing the steep slope, nothing but relief flooding us.

"Don't come any further, who are you?" A woman demanded.

We froze as she leaned against the entrance, the cloudy sky protecting her from the sun. Vincent tightened his hold on me as she stepped forward.

"We're from North Carolina, we wanted some information about Layla Evens," Rocco explained.

The woman frowned, "Why?"

"She's Athos' mate, he just wants to make sure she's alright."

The woman glanced Athos, who seemed even paler today. My sister gave the woman a sheepish grin and motioned towards her leg.

"Fine. Come inside," she sighed.

"Athos, don't pass out with me in your arms," Seraphina squeaked.

Athos nodded, "I'm t—trying n—not to."

"I suggest you don't continue your travel by foot, you have a sick wolf," the woman commented.

Rocco nodded, "Yeah, we know."

As soon as we were inside, Athos set Seraphina down before passing out. The woman knelt beside him, her frowning deepening.

"He's very sick," she said softly. "He needs time to rest and heal."

"Good luck convincing him," Vincent mumbled.

"I can put him to sleep for a day, it'll allow his body to at least gain some energy. But I'm serious, he needs to sleep in a warm area where you have access to medicine. This virus is working fast."

"Please, do whatever you can to help him," Seraphina pleaded.

The vampire nodded, she called out to a few others before facing us. Three men walked out and carefully picked Athos up, trying not to make his aching body hurt more.

"The rogue flu....it has him too," the woman said softly.

Seraphina frowned, "He'll be okay, right?"

"You need a werewolf doctor, he needs medicine to fight it off. Alpha or not, no wolf can fight the virus on their own. Do you need transportation to Willow Stone pack?"

"You would do that for us?" Julie asked.

She nodded, "Unlike the myths humans believe, vampires don't hate your kind."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, so, you wanted to know about Layla?"

"Yes, please."

The woman sighed, "She was a brat, to say the least, extremely selfish. Her parents spoiled her rotten, now she expects everyone to give her what she wants. Her father also convinced her to hate werewolves, I'm afraid for the alliance between our kind once Layla becomes queen."

I frowned, "When will this happen?"

"Not for another year or so, but she's still a threat. I suggest taking her seriously when you do meet her, she won't take kindly to you searching for her. Even if you do have her mate. She's already engaged to another vampire."

"Do you know where she is now?"

"The palace, it's located in the mountains. I suggest not going there until your friend is healthy again, he'll die before you make it."

Rocco nodded, "How long until he heals?"

"It's hard to say, but I have seen other wolves survive it. Their stomachs are weak for a while after, so, watch what he eats. He could throw it up again, also, he needs to drink water. By the looks of it, he's a stubborn man."

Seraphina chuckled, "He is."

The vampire smiled before a serious expression crossed her features, "You need to protect him from Layla. She will use the bond to hurt him, we can manipulate it. She could easily kill him."

I glanced at Vincent, my fear growing for Athos. He gave my hand a reassuring sqeeuze before facing the woman.

"What if we killed Layla?" He asked.

"Then her cousin would become king, he's more down to earth than she is," she answered.

"If a spirit...that is surrounded by shadows, fights her...could she harm him?"

The woman frowned, "No, a shadow spirit is immune to injuries until they return to their body."

Vincent smirked as he leaned against the wall, "I have an idea."