Drip...

Drip...

Drip.

"I'm sorry... I forget that your hearing is far more sensitive than my own."

Despite not meaning too, William's pottering around the lab had woken me up. It had been six days of the same routine. He would arrive around seven in the morning each day, take my blood, look under microscopes, gaze intently at his computer screen, curse inwardly on occasion, engage in careful and selective banter with me, and then leave for the night.

Meanwhile, I spent my days lying in isolation. My mind fixated on Phelan and drawing all terrible conclusions and worst case scenarios about not having the chance to say goodbye. I halted my barrage of questioning of William as well. I didn't want to push my luck, not wanting to risk Leila finding out, or have her walking in on a conversation that could be misconstrued and put both of us at risk.

On the odd occasion, Leila or another werewolf would check in on William, ensuring he was doing his job, but I was otherwise left alone.

I preferred it that way. The truth was, I was feeling myself becoming weaker and weaker. I no longer had the strength to push against the mate sickness. I could barely stand, every bone ached, my stomach a constant state of nausea, and my head a splitting migraine that fractured every semi-coherent thought I was able to muster.

The only thing I did that passed the time, was pull at the tiny threads that were within the blanket I had been so kindly given for the cold that was this room. Weaving the thread around my finger again and again, I'd watch it turn purple as I cut off circulation in the hopes that it would distract me from the pain that I was in.

That was until today.

~

His voice was soft but frantic, immediately pulling me from my thoughts. Startled, I pushed myself upright as I groaned at the intrusion.

I watched William carefully as he sat beside me, bringing a paper cup to my lips as he scanned the laboratory.

The urgency of his movements instantly had me concerned.

"Edith. Drink this."

He pushed it closer, his eyes full of concern like a silent plea for my cooperation.

"What is it?" I whispered.

"Mate sickness is like a bacterial infection. The longer you are away from your mate, the more it multiplies."

"And?"

"Oh, sorry... yes. I made a sort of anti-biotic, for lack of a better term, that will stop the sickness. Feign it, play along, and within a few days you will be back to full strength without them knowing. We can plan the rest later."

"Are you for real?!" My breath hitched in anticipation. I couldn't believe it. I stared at the liquid in the cup, gingerly grabbing it from his hands. It looked harmless. William was harmless. What did I have to lose?

Without further question, I tipped my head back like it was a shot of tequila, before handing him back an empty cup.

I wiped my mouth with my sleeve.

"Why are you helping me?"

He scrunched the cup before putting it in his jean pocket and placed his hand on my shoulder. "I can't win against these bastards... but you... you can."

"Not alone I can't! Jesus!"

I mean, I was by no means ungrateful, this was my ticket out of here, but it still wasn't quite enough.

"I know. But with your mate's help, and those from Haven, you can..."

"They can't find me here William... He can't find me." I looked downcast, sighing in frustration.

"He is on his way Edith. I have access to your blood remember, he has traced your scent, I guarantee it. An old man like me can be foolish, mistakes happen all the time..."

I didn't know exactly how he did it, but it didn't matter. I began to feel my spirits lift at the hope of freedom but the thoughts were quickly dashed when I realized at what it was going to cost.

"William, why would you do this for me? If they find out, they will kill you!"

I searched his eyes for answers, but he gave me none.

"Just listen to me Edith. You've got three days to play the game, and when it is time to strike, I will let you know."

The three days passed slowly, every second was filled with trepidation as I wondered what was going to happen.

William and I kept up the same routine, there was a silent understanding between us. He'd still collect my blood, go through the same motions as before, but with the anti-biotic treatment thrown in every four hours after visits with Leila and the others.

I didn't change a thing. My fingers still swirled the cotton thread. I still stared at the wall. But by the end of the second day, William's word proved to be true- the pain was starting to dissipate.

It was the most surreal feeling. As I laid still feigning sickness, I felt the knot in my stomach began to unravel. The waves of nausea settled to nothing, and the heaviness and cramping of each of my muscles eased. The headache too was gone.

It felt like I'd been reborn. William had told me that when the pain eased I had to focus on recovery. That I had to rest and sleep as much as possible in order to regain my strength, so that is exactly what I did.

It didn't stop my mind questioning what what going to happen next however. Was Phelan, Sophia, Gunner and Harlow on their way? Were they being cautious and methodical?

I knew Phelan was careful, but I was worried that the prospect of knowing the The Guild had me captive might make him throw caution to the wind.

And how many werewolves were a part of The Guild? Was the building surrounded? They'd be able to sniff out any scent that didn't belong.

Which was why I knew they couldn't break in. I had to break out. I had to wait until William's say-so and make the most of the situation. I knew he wouldn't pit me against anything I couldn't handle, and then hopefully that would correspond to Phelan waiting for me nearby.

I wondered too, how would William know when Phelan was close? I assumed that proximity to my mate might result in elevated enzymes in my blood or something... He was under the microscope all the time, so I knew there was more to what he was letting on that we couldn't risk discussing.

On the morning of the third day, I woke to a sudden bang, Leila bursting through the door as if to taunt me.

"Good morning Edie..." she drawled as snide as ever.

"It was..." I replied before rolling my back to her.

"I just wanted to share the good news myself. It seems our biochemist had done his job. And that you've done yours."

She was trying to bait me, but I had to play the part. Despite knowing that William wouldn't double cross me, if I acted suspiciously now I was screwed.

We were so close.

I kept my voice meak. Tentative. Submissive.

"So this... this is how it ends?"

I heard her footsteps come closer to the glass wall between us but I made no move to face her. Instead I decided that bargaining with her would be the most believable thing to do in this situation.

"Leila please... I can barely move. What purpose is there to keep me in here when you are going to kill me anyway? All I ask for... all I need is to be out of this cage when it happens." 

"Hmm. Mate sickness is punishment enough I agree. I suppose I owe you some semblance of dignity when I rip your throat out."

She chuckled, and although I couldn't see her, I imagined her inspecting her nails as she deliberated on her decision.

She needed to feel in control. She needed to feel strong. It was in this moment that I had Phelan's words play through my mind.

It's kill or be killed Edie...

You are a future Luna. We knew your wolf wouldn't submit. It is not in her nature...

I knew that this time. This time I wouldn't hesitate. I wouldn't give her or anyone else a chance.

"Please Leila. Just let me be..." I croaked, my voice trembling and sullen as I kept my eyes closed tightly trying to hold onto the roll I was playing.

"Suit yourself. I'll be back at sunset. I'll grant you one last one before it's lights out. Until then..."

Her voice faded as she left the room, as I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding as the slamming of the door indicated her departure.

Thoughts of my fight with Wyatt played in my head. It wasn't your pink acrylic nails... he said.
No, it wasn't. I was ready then, and I was even more ready now.

Throwing the blanket off me, I jolted upright and stared at William who had been sitting back watching Leila's performance.

"Is Phelan nearby?"

He smiled. "He is."

I placed my hands on the glass as I watched him walk forward to me from the other side. "William... I... I don't know what to say."

It was the truth, I was flabbergasted.

"You don't have to say anything Edith..."

"But why? Why would you do this for me? I need to know."

I watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed down a thousand possible replies. Pulling his glasses off, I watched him pinch the bridge of his nose before rubbing his tired face and bringing his eyes back to meet mine.

"There's nothing I wouldn't do for you. There's nothing I haven't done..."

I shook my head as I tried to decipher what he meant.

There's nothing I haven't done...

"What are you saying?"

He came closer still, his hands placed over mine as we stood face to face.

There was no sound that came. He simply mouthed the words out of fear of being heard... but I still heard them loud and clear.

"Edith..." he smiled.

"You... you are my daughter."