The wait had been torture, but if staying away from Cole meant that the nurses could work on something that could help him, then I was more than happy to do so. I had tried to sleep- my body exhausted- but was unable to do so.

I was continuously watching the door, preparing myself for someone to launch themselves through and announce that they had thought of a way to save Cole.

The nurse had told me she had a theory, and I was practically bouncing in my bed, eager to hear what she had to say.

A few nurses were currently bundled into my room, Rowan in the corner and Doctor Rygard beside me on a chair. Anthony had even joined- he had shown up wanting to see me and although visiting hours were over, the nurses were aware of how much I loved him, and checked in with me to ask if I wanted to see him.

Of course, I had said yes.

I had explained everything to him- even the wolfsbane trials. I hated keeping things from him and I was on a high from hearing that Cole was getting better. I wasn't thinking clearly, and although he had looked as if he wanted to freak out, Doctor Rygard had entered at just the right time and had calmed him down.

He appeared to now be on board, or at least accepting of the idea. He knew that there wasn't anything that he could say that would stop them, and we weren't forcing anyone to participate in them.

It was a touchy subject though, and I didn't want to push Anthony too much and tell him every little detail.

"So what were the most recent results of Cole's blood test since Reya came back to her room?" Doctor Rygard questioned the nurse who fiddled with her sheet of paper in front of her. She smiled a half-smile, and my heart skipped a beat. Was this going to be good news?

"The wolfsbane levels dropped, but much much slower. But, when Reya was near Cole, his body managed to filter the wolfsbane out of his bloodstream much quicker," the nurse spoke, causing everyone to go rigid.

"So you think Reya being near Cole is helping him heal? Because of the mate bond?" Anthony questioned, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back against the hospital wall, his biceps looking much bigger than usual.

I wondered if he had begun working out more since he found out about Amber being an informant. He had a lot more time on his hands now that he was watching her all the time.

The nurse nodded. "We believe that Cole's wolf sensed Reya nearby and that brought him to the forefront of Cole's mind- meaning he was able to filter the wolfsbane out quicker and more easily. Having a mate nearby makes a wolf stronger apparently. This wasn't something we were aware of."

"So I need to just be near Cole to help him heal?" I asked. I could do that. Easily. I was longing to see him.

"We think so," the nurse confirmed. "We will keep an eye on the bloodwork, but this is the theory we've come up with."

Anthony hummed, and Doctor Rygard stood up. "So if your theory is correct, that means that a wolf being near their mate allows them to rid their own body of the toxin much faster than normally?"

The nurse nodded. "The scratches and wounds Cole had on his body had also healed. We took a look after Reya left."

My ears perked up. "So this theory works externally as well? It doesn't just filter the wolfsbane out of the bloodstream faster, but also heals wounds quicker?"

Anthony clicked his tongue, taking a few steps forwards, gaining everyone's attention. "If that's the case, then why not inject all the warriors with their mates blood? If what you're saying is correct, they'll heal in minutes. Being near their mate is one thing, but having their blood inside of them would surely strengthen their wolf even more? The wolfsbane might not have the same affect on them."

Doctor Rygard smirked, nodding. "Now you're thinking like a scientist, son. Just like your mother."

Anthony didn't respond to Doctor Rygard- the mother comment probably irking him, but he was right. Injecting the warriors with the blood of their mates was a great idea. It gave the wolf inside of them even more strength. Perhaps it would even render the wolfsbane useless?

"What about the warriors that aren't mated though?" I asked and Rowan piped up for the first time since the conversation started. He seemed to have just been taking it all in. I had almost forgotten that he had been lurking in the corner.

"If this theory is correct, then all warriors will have to be mated from now on," Rowan said, nodding. "Unmated wolves won't be allowed to join the fights unless they fully understand that they are risking their lives. If they're willing to die for us, then that's no problem, but unmated wolves will be given the opportunity to step down from their position until they find their mate."

I had questioned Cole long ago on the topic of mates. I was confused if all wolves were mated with people from their own pack, but it seemed that that wasn't the case. Cole had a good relationship with the nearby packs, and he had informed me that they sometimes held meetings together or their warriors would train together. It gave their pack members an opportunity to see if they were mated with anyone from the other pack.

I gathered it was then up to the couple to decide where they wanted to live. I hadn't gone into too much detail with Cole about it, but I was now intrigued, and I was going to have to ask Rowan or Anthony about it.

"You do know a lot of the warriors won't want to step down?" Anthony said, cocking his brow. "They've been serving their pack for so long. They wouldn't want to be seen as cowardly by stepping back from their position."

I got out of bed. "I can assure them that there is nothing cowardly about not wanting to die." My voice was loud- assertive. This was a sliver of hope, and I was going to hold onto it with white knuckles.

I wasn't letting it go.

-----------

It was early morning, probably about three or four. I was desperate for sleep, but I couldn't. Everybody had gone home besides the nurses working their night shifts, and I was standing outside Bill's hospital room with furrowed brows.

The warriors remained, but one look at them signalled that I meant business, and they were in no position to decline my request to talk to Bill. I was going to find out where Finn was. We had a plan, and if the theory about mated wolves and wolfsbane was true, then it would put us at an advantage again. We could beat the humans. The prospect was exciting.

Rowan would be pissed off, and I wasn't sure what I was going to tell him if I did get the location of the colony. He would want to know why Bill had told me. Rowan wasn't an idiot and he would know that Bill wouldn't have given me the information without something in return. Telling him the truth was probably for the best.

"Bill," I said as I pushed the door to his room open, immediately moving into his bathroom, turning on the shower and the basin faucet. I didn't want anyone to hear this. Just in case. I didn't trust the warriors to not go and blab about my deal to others.

Bill watched me with curious eyes. He didn't look any better than he had before, but I didn't care about his condition much. I just wanted my information.

"You've come back," Bill muttered, sitting up in his bed.

"I have. Have you had more time to think about my offer?"

Bill cocked his head. "Reya, you seem like a strong and independent woman," he said. Why was he complimenting me? "I don't doubt that lying to me won't alter your future in anyway. How can I trust you? How do I know that if I tell you the location of this colony, that you won't just go and collect your friend and then keep me here against my will?"

I ground my teeth together, chewing on the inside of my cheek. "I guess you'll just have to trust me."

Bill released a small chuckle, shaking his head. "We're on opposite sides. We don't just trust each other."

"You want to go and live in the city. You don't want any business in this war anymore," I said, resisting the urge to narrow my eyes and shake my head. "I offered you that. I don't really know what else I can give you, Bill."

I wasn't going to offer him anymore. Frankly, because there wasn't anything else that I could. I had offered him his freedom. Surely that was the ultimate prize here?

"We've saved your life," I said with gritted teeth, cursing at myself for showing my frustration. Bill was revelling in it. He enjoyed it. "Do you have a family? Don't you want to see them again?"

Bill's jaw tightened, and he looked past me, glaring at the hospital door. "I don't have a family. Not anymore. My son died in the attack back at our colony."

I swallowed, dropping my gaze. "You know the wolves didn't want to kill anyone? Markus kidnapped me. It was a trap to lure the wolves to me, and it worked. The wolves never wanted this."

Bill remained silent, just taking in my words. He released a sigh, clearing his throat. "I'll trust you, Reya, but just understand, that I am incredibly convincing. If you're lying to me, I will find a way to escape. I have things up my sleeve that should frighten you. I will make my way to the city after running, and I will make sure that everyone there knows how evil the wolves really are. I will turn them into hunters. I don't care how long it takes, and then, we'll come and kill your wolf mate."

I knitted my brows together. I wanted to strangle this man. "I can assure you that I have no intention of deceiving you, Bill."

Lie.

Bill hummed. "I want things to remain peaceful, but if they can't, then blood will be shed. I hope you understand."

I nodded, keeping my face straight. "I do." The words that had come out of his mouth made me feel sick. He wasn't going to touch Cole. He wasn't going to get anywhere near him.

Bill beamed, cracking his neck. "Perfect."

•••

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