“He tried the ice cream the twins made and some other things. I’m afraid I don’t know everything he tried.” Gabriel ran a hand over his face sadly.
“David and Daniel would know,” Roman said.
“Call them in,” Rebecca said. Roman got out his cell phone and all but threatened bodily harm to get the twins to come. Rebecca sighed.
“I should’ve called them.”
A few minutes later a timorous knock sounded on the door.
“Come in,” Rebecca called out.
“You needed to see us?” Daniel asked.
“Yes, can you recall what foods Ashby tried from Field Day?” Rebecca asked. Daniel brightened.
“Yes. He had some of the ice cream we made, though he was still kinda mad we used his equipment,” Daniel started.
“He calmed down when Gabriel offered him new equipment for the shop.” David smiled.
“Yup, then he tried Ma’s apple pie. Man, that was good.” Daniel sighed.
“Oh and he tried those meat skewers that Beau did, though he only got half because piggy over there ate most of them.” David jerked a thumb to his twin.
“Oh yeah, well you ate most of the cotton candy we brought home for him to try,” Daniel retorted.
“That was good too.”
“It was.”
“Let’s see, he also tried the funnel cake, the lamb burger, the shifter footlong. We had fun with that one.” David leered.
“Also roasted peanuts, the candied apples, the hot-beef sundae, the chocolate-covered bacon, and the fried green tomatoes,” David said. Everyone stared at them, waiting for them to continue.
“Oh, that’s it,” Daniel clarified.
“God, that’s enough.” Rebecca looked green.
“With you, Sebastian, and Kate pregnant, he’s been getting cravings.” David shrugged.
“Thank you, you can go now.” Rebecca turned back to the group when they left.
“It was like he was at Field Day with all the food he tried,” she admitted. Liam shook his head.
“Sebastian didn’t eat any of that stuff. His stomach is really delicate right now.” His face grew pained. Kent grabbed his mate’s hand and held on tight.
“Felix has the theory that this virus was engineered. He may be right.” Claybourne went on to explain Felix’s reasoning.
“Well if it was meant to cripple this town, it’s doing a horrible job,” Baptista said. Everyone turned to the large vampire, who quickly started to backpedal.
“What I meant to say is that if it was designed to take out Arkadia, then how come none of the leaders are infected? You all are still able to meet and lead,” he said and pointed to everyone around the table.
“Unless they wanted to torture us, since our mates are infected,” Liam whispered.
“I feel like we’re missing something obvious,” Rebecca stomped her foot.
“Not to add to the list of shit going wrong, but we’re nearly out of supplies. In fact, the only reason we’ve made it this long is my mate’s tendency to overplan,” Felix said grimly.
“We have a ton of supplies right outside the perimeter. My grandfather and council support team have been camping just outside of town, they just can’t get to us,” Liam said, sounding frustrated.
“You didn’t read the Arkadian Gazette, did you?” Rebecca eyed her friend.
“Becca, I can’t see how that has anything to do with this,” Liam countered.
She looked around and got blank expressions.
“In volume one, issue one of the town’s newsletter, I wrote a safety reminder about hyenas and our Hyena Watch,” she said. She still got blank expressions.
“In the warning I said to be careful, because although the hyenas would slam against the perimeter, their bullets could come through with no problems,” she said, staring at them expectantly.
“Oh, come on!” she exclaimed, throwing her hands up. The lightbulb went off for Felix.
“The perimeter is only keeping animate objects in or out. If the council team got a long pole, they could try pushing supplies through,” Felix said. Rebecca beamed at him.
“How did we get along without you?” Liam asked. Rebecca sniffed.
“I wonder on some days.” She stuck her tongue out at them.
The sound of running feet had them all tensing and turning to the door. The door flew open and Rian burst through.
“Aleks, it’s your ma.” Those were the only words he managed to get out before Aleks, followed by his brothers, ran for the gym, the room’s occupants quickly following them.
Chapter 7
Felix ran with Claybourne to help with Ma. The woman’s breathing had slowed and her fever had spiked.
“Connor, run get some ice packs. We have some prepared in the cooler!” Felix yelled.
Connor and Benedict returned with handfuls of ice packs. Claybourne immediately began packing them at her groin and under her arms. The group worked in tandem, replacing ice packs as they melted and wiping her down. Finally, about an hour later her fever lowered. Claybourne shooed the boys away. Felix helped his mate strip the town matriarch and dress her in dry clothing, having already changed the bedding.
Exhausted, Claybourne pushed aside the privacy screen so that the Arkadions could be near their ma. Felix walked the soiled bedding and clothes over to where a vampire waited next to a large wheeled cart.
“Kurt, isn’t it?” Felix asked. The large man nodded.
“My prince has asked that I help with keeping the laundry done up. I’m not that good dealing with people.” The man looked embarrassed. Felix dropped the bedding and clothes in the bin.
“Not everyone is, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. You couldn’t get me to do this laundry for love nor money. So I thank you from the bottom of my dainty heart,” Felix cajoled, getting a smile from the shy vampire.
Liam came back into the gym smiling and holding a large box. Felix clapped his hands and ran over to see what was inside.
“While you guys were taking care of Ma, I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. So I took Riley and a bunch of wolves to the perimeter to speak to my grandfather. He was just as disgusted with himself as I was that we didn’t think of the solution sooner. We now have a steady stream of supplies coming in, including stronger fever reducers.” Liam handed the box to Felix. Felix took the box to the supply table, nearly weeping for joy. They were finally getting the supplies they needed.
“Grandfather said that there is plenty more where that came from, and not to worry about having enough. If you get me a list, he can try to get whatever you need.” Liam watched Felix’s excitement.
“This will help Sebastian, right?” Liam asked, sounding anxious. Felix nodded.
“I’ll get him started on the new medicine right away,” he promised. Liam looking relieved and headed back over to his mate, sitting down next to Kent.
Claybourne nearly sagged in relief when Felix showed him the new supplies. Felix watched as Claybourne did what he could to slow the virus. He added a second bag of fluid to everyone’s IV, and with the new supplies coming in he was able to start everyone on a broad-spectrum antiviral medication. But despite the new medicines, Ma was still getting worse. Pa hadn’t spoken in days. He had shifted and was stretched out at the foot of his mate’s cot. Felix had never seen a more heartbreaking sight.
Everyone spent the entire day helping those who were sick. No one was getting better, no one was turning the corner. Everyone was simply getting weaker. Rebecca had locked herself in the lab. Hours later Aleks came in, looking harried. He asked for Felix to check on Rebecca. Aleks said that she refused to come out of the lab and he was worried about her. Felix advised Aleks to check on his ma and assured him he would take care of Rebecca. He walked to the clinic and stood outside the lab door. Seconds later he heard frustrated shouts, the sounds of glass hitting the walls, and crying.
Felix couldn’t let the tiny human face her pain alone. He waited until the sounds of crying su
bsided, knocked on the door, and announced that it was him. When the door opened he held his arms open and Rebecca launched herself at him.
“Aleks must hate me,” Rebecca cried. Felix looked down at her, confused.
“Why would he hate you?” he asked gently.
“I haven’t been able to find the source. We’re going to lose Ma.” She buried her face in his chest. He sighed and wrapped his arms around her.
“That man loves you, honey. Trust me. I would have strangled your crazy ass a long time ago.” Felix tickled her side. She looked up at him and wiped her eyes.
“You’re probably right. He didn’t even roar when I explained about the bomb I made when I was twelve. Then again, he does have a lot on his mind right now.” Rebecca sniffed loudly, rubbing her nose.
“That man is a damn saint,” Felix said to the ceiling. Rebecca poked him in the stomach.
“Ow! Come on, Pint-Size, let’s head back. We have new supplies now, thanks to your common sense. Things are looking up.” Felix steered her to the door. Rebecca snuggled up under his arm as they walked back to the school. When they reached the gym, Rebecca stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.
“Thank you,” she whispered and walked over to where Aleks sat with his ma.
Felix watched as she put her own pain aside, heading to her mate. At her approach Aleks turned in his chair and buried his face in her chest. Felix and Rebecca’s eyes met and she nodded. Felix understood. Mates came first, even before your own suffering.
The day transitioned into evening and it was almost too peaceful. Everyone barely spoke, afraid to break the silence. It was like the eerie, surreal calm before the storm. Felix wanted to scream and yell for people not to give up. It seemed like everyone had just accepted that their loved ones would die. Without a cure, they would.
A few hours after midnight on the fifth day, Ma, Kate, and Damian slipped into comas. Felix couldn’t help but think of what Baptista had said about the leaders being able to lead. He was wrong. If these men lost their mates, there would be no leadership needed because there would be no Arkadia.
He felt hot tears of frustration run down his face. He had only been in Arkadia for a short time, but he had come to love it here. It was the first place where he felt like he had a real home, and not just because he met Claybourne. He had come to care about the people in the pride and in town. He couldn’t just stand by and do nothing while this special town was destroyed from the inside out.
“The antiviral is slowing the progress. I’ve been on conference calls with a board of assembled doctors explaining the symptoms. We’re not as alone as we think we are.” Claybourne came up behind Felix and held his mate.
“How can you bear it? You’ve been here so much longer.” Felix wiped his eyes.
“You’re right. I delivered nearly all of the children lying in these cots. I’ve attended mating parties, birthday parties, and school plays. I bear it because they need me. Because if I can’t bear it, and collapse, they really don’t stand a chance,” Claybourne admitted.
“Have I told you lately how amazing you are?” Felix asked.
“No, not today,” Claybourne whispered.
“You are, you are the most amazing man I have ever met,” Felix said. Claybourne squeezed him then stepped away.
“It’s time for my morning rounds,” he said.
“You need to take a real break. Get some sleep,” Felix protested. Claybourne shook his head.
“Soon. I will soon,” he promised. Felix snorted. He didn’t believe him for a minute.
“I’ll grab you some breakfast,” he offered. Claybourne grinned.
“And coffee,” he requested.
“And your sludge coffee,” Felix said. He walked through to the cafeteria, which was mostly empty. Connor had chosen to stay near his family, so for kitchen duty he simply put out boxes of cereal, milk, and fruit. The coffee pots on the folding table by the door had seen too much use and were being run constantly.
“The Lucky Charms are stale, yet they strangely taste okay,” Rebecca said, looking up from her breakfast.
“I wonder how hard it is to cook.” Felix eyed the kitchen. His man deserved a hot meal.
“If they have to evacuate everyone because of smoke from your cooking attempts, Claybourne will skin you alive, mate or no mate,” Rebecca said. Felix sighed.
“You’re right. Let’s see. Healthy and boring, or sugar overload? Hmmm I think I’ll go with sugar overload. He needs the extra energy.” Felix poured two bowls of Lucky Charms.
“He’ll hate…” Rebecca started and a funny look crossed her face. She dropped her spoon and grabbed her midsection. When she looked up she had a look of stark terror on her face.
“Felix. My baby! Something is wrong with my baby!” she said before curling in on herself. Felix dropped both bowls and ran over to her.
“Breathe, honey. It will be okay,” Felix said, easily lifting her. He jogged through the hallways, hitting the gym door at a run. He leaned back and kicked it open, sending the thing flying into the wall.
Felix watched as Claybourne’s head came around and saw who he was carrying. Dropping his clipboard he ran over.
“No! Becca, baby, no! Why, Doc? Why is she sick? She’s not a shifter!” Aleks, who had already been halfway across the gym, heading for the door, grabbed Claybourne by the upper arms and was shaking the man.
Felix gently eased Rebecca on the cot. He looked up.
“Liam, Benedict, grab him!” he yelled.
Liam and Benedict pried Aleks’s hands off Claybourne, allowing his mate to turn to Rebecca. In the background they could hear Aleks roar and thrash. Liam and Benedict tried their best to subdue Aleks. Pa jumped off Ma’s bed, stood on his hind legs, and roared. Immediately Aleks froze and dropped to his knees. The large older bear padded over to his son. Aleks grabbed Rebecca’s hand and lay his head next to hers.
“Aleks is being loud again, isn’t he?” Rebecca asked weakly, then gasped as another wave of pain hit her.
“Is it contractions?” Felix asked. He attached blood pressure cuffs, heart rate monitors, and fetal monitors to Rebecca.
“I don’t think so. The baby is in distress.” Claybourne wheeled an ultrasound machine around and lifted Rebecca’s shirt before smearing her belly with the clear gel. Expertly he traced the wand over her stomach.
Felix watched in fascination as the little life force appeared.
“Surprise, it’s a boy,” Claybourne said. Rebecca snorted.
“We knew that, Doc.” She dug her fingers into the mattress and gasped again.
“There. See, the baby is moving about,” Claybourne said.
“Like he is in convulsions,” Felix whispered. Claybourne stopped and stared at his mate.
“That’s him? That’s my son?” Aleks asked, staring into the screen. Pa licked the side of Aleks’s tear-streaked face before he sat back and shifted.
“That’s my grandson. I wish Margaret could see this,” he said, his voice breaking.
Connor threw some scrubs at his pa, who pulled them on while staring at the monitor.
“The baby is reacting the same way in the womb as any other shifter,” Claybourne said thoughtfully.
“My son is sick? Not Rebecca?” Aleks asked, kneeling by the bed, holding his mate’s hand.
Claybourne nodded.
“I’m starting Rebecca on the antiviral and a low dosage of Tylenol, which should help with the pain and calm junior down. Aleks, I want you monitoring her. If you have to leave, have one of your brothers sit with her. Someone needs to stay with her at all times. If this monitor changes get either Felix or myself immediately. It’s the fetal monitor. It will let you know if the baby gets worse. I’m going to go call the council doctors and see if they have ever run across a situation like this before,” Claybourne said.
“Come on Aleks, let’s move Rebecca over next to Ma. I bet Ma would love to hear the sound of this little guy’s heartbeat,” Connor said. Aleks nodded blankly
. The Arkadions circled around Rebecca and eased the bed closer to Ma.
Claybourne and Felix left the gym, running to the principal’s office where David and Daniel had helped to set up a mini conference area. Claybourne dialed the number he was given and Lachlan appeared on the screen.
“Doctor, how are my grandson and great-grandchild?” the Elder asked at once.
“There has been no change in Sebastian’s condition. The reason I called is because Rebecca Arkadion has contracted the illness, or I should say her unborn son has.” Claybourne sat down. Lachlan’s face shut down.
“She must live. That child must live. That family has ruled Arkadia for thousands of years. There have always been Arkadions to rule,” the old man said adamantly.
“Elder, unless you have been withholding a cure, I don’t know what to do. I can give her the antiviral, hoping it will pass from mother to son, and a low dosage of Tylenol, but that’s all I can do. I’ve tried giving different patients epinephrine to kick-start a shift but it’s not working. I am reduced to handing out fucking Tylenol. It’s the only thing that seems to be working,” Claybourne growled, sounding frustrated.
“I’ll check with the doctors here to see if they have anything new. But, Claybourne, it’s new to them too. No one has ever seen a virus like this in shifters. I hate to admit this out loud, but we may have to consider this as an attack on Arkadia,” Lachlan said grimly.
“Keep everyone calm, Elder. Call me back if you have any new information from the board,” Claybourne said, disconnecting the call.
“If they declare this a war on Arkadia then they will blame the vampires,” Felix whispered.
“He’s right about one thing. Rebecca and her son must live. There is something he’s not telling us, but I can read between the lines. If she dies, there will be catastrophic consequences,” Claybourne said.
“But we don’t know how she got it,” Felix countered.
“But I bet she can tell us. Unlike the other patients, she is far removed from the original contagion and coherent since this is affecting the baby and not her. We may be able to pinpoint the cause,” Claybourne said, standing quickly.