The Alpha’s Curvy Cinderella - Chapter 98: Chapter 98

Jordan POV
I took my time getting ready, assuming Blaze would want time to speak with his sister Stefanie. I felt bad for the girl. How bad had things gotten that she felt the need to end her life like that? Had I somehow, been responsible for her feeling that way? I had avoided her after our confrontations, perhaps she had thought I was snubbing her or ignoring her existence, when in actual fact all I’d wanted was to avoid more arguing and fighting. I mean could you really blame me for that? I was still smarting from some of the comments she’d made in regard to my weight and myself as an individual but perhaps I should have tried to reach out more, and been a little friendlier.
You can’t blame yourself for that foolish girl’s actions. All you were trying to do was protect yourself from more harm. You did not cause this. Blaze did not cause this. The only one to blame for this is Stefanie.
But maybe we should have seen that she needed help or that she was in trouble. I mean there must have been warning signs. We completely missed them. We were so wrapped up in each other, that we failed to notice his own sister needed us I said to Lilith remorsefully.
She shook her head impatiently. You couldn’t have possibly known. Sometimes a person just breaks. Who knows what was going through her mind when she decided on this course of action? All you can do now is be there for her and extend an olive branch. Perhaps now, she’ll take it. You can support her through this and try to mend the relationship, but it’s up to her if she chooses whether or not to accept the help.
I just want us all to be a family. She is going to be an aunt to our daughter after all. It would be nice if we had some sort of relationship with her, especially for our unborn child’s sake. I don’t want to waste time holding grudges or filled with hate towards one another.
Well then, how about we get our butts over there and see how she’s doing? We’ve given Blaze plenty of time to have a discussion with her and spend personal time with her. Hopefully, she won’t mind having visitors.
Yeah, let’s go see. The worst she can do is scream at me to get out of the room I told Lilith with determination. Lilith chuckled that’s the spirit she said approvingly.
I grabbed my handbag and put my sunglasses on top of my head, humming lightly under my breath. I was trying to calm my nerves, my anxiety still through the roof. I steadily made my way downstairs, only to be greeted by a grim-looking Thomas.
“Are you leaving to see Stefanie?” he asked quietly.
I nodded. He looked tired, drawn. There were dark circles under his eyes and he looked haggard, not to mention extremely upset. He was blaming himself for Stefanie’s actions and I put my hand on his arm, attempting to reassure him.
“This isn’t your fault Thomas,” I said firmly.
He met my eyes, “I teased her and I poked fun at her” he said shaking his head “How do you know it isn’t?” “Because if that was the case then we are all just as equally guilty,” I said sharply “Now for heaven’s sake go to bed and get some rest. We can mind-link you if we need anything. You look awful, no offense” I added as kindly as possible.
He hesitated. I gave him a friendly shove. “Go” I ordered.
He gave a small smile. “Will you let me know how she’s doing? I mean, I might not like her much as a person but that doesn’t mean I wish she was dead” he murmured “and I don’t think she’s going to want me to mind-link her somehow.”
“As soon as I see her” I promised “even if you’re asleep. Now go” I insisted.
He reluctantly began to head off, glancing over his shoulder one last time as I waved my hand at him with determination. I watched him head up the stairs before I shook my head and walked out the front door, lost in my thoughts. Thomas was really taking this hard. It must have been dreadful discovering Stefanie like that. It would probably haunt him forever. It wasn’t something you just got over.
The air was slightly cold and I shivered, wrapping my hands around myself. Even clad in a sweatshirt and comfortable pants, I was cold. I debated going back for a jumper but surmised it wasn’t that long a walk that I would need it. It would be warmer in the hospital. Besides, I was too lazy to make the trip upstairs for a measly jumper and I didn’t want to disturb a poor omega to go and get it. I hated asking them to do me favors. My hair blew around my head and the sun was hiding behind some ominous-looking storm clouds. It looked like it was going to be a rainy day, perhaps with thunder and lightning to boot. I felt slightly uneasy. I had hoped it would be a nice sunny day, but then you can’t exactly argue with Mother Nature. She had her bad days and her good ones.
A tiny sprinkle hit my face. I sighed. I prayed the floodgates weren’t about to open and the rain came pouring down on me before I could reach the hospital. The last thing I needed was to get soaking wet and have to make my way home again. Besides, I really wanted to see Stefanie for myself. I picked up the pace slightly and then paused, confusion overtaking me. I could have sworn I heard a small distressed sound coming from the forest, like that of a wounded animal. But it could have been my imagination, caused by the wind that was now beginning to pick up and the sprinkles of rain that were pattering down. I waited, my hearing not picking anything up, and shrugged. I walked a few more steps in the direction of the hospital and then paused again.
There it was again, I mused, frowning. It was shrill, but clearly there, so faint that I had almost missed it again. Some poor small creature sounded like it was wounded and in pain. With the rain coming down, the creature could be in danger of potentially drowning if it was trapped somewhere, or possibly in need of medical attention. I debated, but the animal lover inside of me couldn’t bear to think of a wounded animal needing help. I couldn’t just leave it there, out in the woods, falling prey to a larger animal.
I don’t know, something seems a bit off about this Lilith said trying to warn me as my feet turned towards the forest. Some poor animal needs our help I said passionately we can’t just leave it there to die.
What about Stefanie? You wanted to see her?
We can still do that. But I won’t leave an injured animal in the forest, knowing I could have saved it.
Is this because you feel guilty about Stefanie? Lilith asked shrewdly, her instincts on high alert.
I ignored her, primarily because I did feel an overwhelming guilt over Stefanie. I guess my logic was that by saving this animal, I was in effect making up a little bit for not being able to save Stefanie or for possibly being part of the reason she had attempted to harm herself.
I strode determinedly into the forest, listening to the sounds of the animal whimpering. I trod in mud, and stepped over leaves, branches, and more, my eyes sweeping constantly for any sign of the small critter. I had no clue what it was, just that it was distressed. The rain started to pour down slightly heavier and I shivered, desperately moving forward. The sound got a little louder, the closer I got to it. My heart was breaking for the poor creature.
It’s nearby Lilith said grimly I can smell it. I can also smell blood she added.
See what did I tell you, Lilith? The animal needs help. We can get it and then go to the hospital. Where is it?
Keep moving forward. You’re heading in the right direction
Lilith said sounding resigned.
Finally, I spotted it and gasped. In front of us was a baby raccoon. The mother was lying there, dead, its throat torn out, blood pooling around its body. The baby raccoon had a cut on its leg and was lying next to its mother, whimpering. There was a cage of some sort over them both, preventing the baby raccoon from getting out.
“Oh my god” I whispered stunned “Who would have done something like this?”
We were practically on neutral territory, so it couldn’t have been any of the Crimson River Pack members. It was breaking my heart. Tears filled my eyes at the image of the baby raccoon nudging at its mother. I had to free it. Take it home with me. Get it looked at. I couldn’t save the mother. She was long gone. Some monster had killed her. There were no other babies around, none that I could sense.
I approached the cage cautiously. Slowly, with shaking hands, I began to slowly slide it up, over the raccoon as it eyed me, frightened, its body shaking all over. It was so tiny; that it would easily fit in the palm of my hand. I dropped my handbag on the ground. I took my sweatshirt off, shivering. I was wearing a camisole underneath. I tied the sweatshirt around me, forming a small pouch so that I could tuck the raccoon into it. Slowly, tentatively I reached for the little guy. His nose quivered. I gently grabbed him, his legs and arms flailing in the air, and put him in the snug little pouch I’d fashioned. His head poked out but he made no effort to jump out to my relief. I patted his head, feeling its soft fur, albeit a bit matted from the blood.
“I’m sorry about your mummy” I whispered “I wish I could have done something.”
Lilith was concerned. Jordan we’re on neutral territory. When you took those few steps towards the cage, you stepped over the boundary she shouted move back! Damnit move, it’s a trap!
I tensed. Prepared to move, when I felt the sharp prick of something imbed itself in my arm. I blinked, looking down in shock. A tiny dart lay there. I pulled it out, wincing, feeling lightheaded. It was a tranquilizer dart. I tried to speak to Lilith but she was no longer there. Wolfsbane, I thought blearily, it was the only explanation. I staggered, trying to make it back to the boundary, and was immediately stopped in my tracks by a large pair of legs that appeared in my vision.
A familiar face peered down at me, a smirk on its face. I inhaled sharply. How had I not sensed his presence? Or smelt his scent? Had he hidden it somehow? Or had I been so focused on the raccoon I hadn’t thought to sniff for danger? The rain would have helped disguise it as well I realized dismally. Still what the hell was he doing here? I cradled the raccoon protectively as his lip curled back, a glint in his cold eyes.
“Well, well, well, this was almost too easy. When she said you were an animal lover and soft-hearted she wasn’t kidding” he murmured, sounding triumphant.
Who was she? Did he have an accomplice? My heart raced, even as I stumbled, trying weakly to get away. I couldn’t mind-link, couldn’t run. I felt panic overcome me. I fell to my knees and he gave a dry chuckle.
“Seems like you need some help” he murmured “Dear, dear Jordan, you shall be wife number three. Maybe this time, I will finally get it right” he added cryptically, grabbing me under the arms and hoisting me up, holding me bridal style as I dangled helplessly in his arms, beginning to carry me off, as I cuddled the raccoon, feeling completely helpless. “Of course, the baby you’re carrying is going to have to go” he hissed and my heart skipped a beat, just before darkness surrounded me and I knew no more.