Chapter 86 - I'll Tell You A Secret

“Saul just dropped off the rest of the gear,” Galen called out as he entered the room.

“Great,” Caleb answered, offering Galen a pile of clothing. “Guess it was good that mom insisted I bring you some extra clothes.”

“I do appreciate it,” Galen smiled, taking the shirts from Caleb. “A surprise camping trip in the snowy mountains was not on my mind while I packed to come to Winter.”

“Better safe than sorry,” Caleb replied. “I think putting some distance between Ashleigh and myself for the full moon is probably necessary.”

“But doesn’t that mean the bond will have an effect on you?” Galen asked.

“I don’t know,” Caleb sighed, looking up at Galen. “But I’d rather that than have her take it all on herself. You know what to do if it does, right?”

“Yea… another all-night game of wolf tag.” Galen sighed.

Caleb chuckled.

Galen watched as Caleb finished prepping his backpack. He was surprised when Caleb had suggested this impromptu trip, but it made sense. And while he hesitated at first, Galen realized that he also needed a little time away.

He was sure now that Bell was avoiding him. He knew she was at the hospital, but she never once came to see him. Galen had even tried tracking her down himself when he was discharged. Finally, he had caught sight of her in the hallway. She noticed him and turned down another hallway.

‘It’s clear that she doesn’t want anything to do with me. I must have misunderstood her,” Galen thought to himself.

He had never felt anything like this before, this affection, attraction, disappointment.

“Looks like maybe we both need this trip,” Caleb said.

Galen was confused. Caleb directed his eyes down towards his chest. Galen followed his eyes, leading him to see his hands holding one of the shirts he had been given, now torn in half.

“Crap,” he sighed.

“You, ok?” Caleb asked, taking the torn shirt from Galen.

“Yea.”

“Ok,” Caleb said, dropping the shirt in the wastebasket. He turned and gave Galen a mischievous smile. “But I’m telling mom you tore up the shirt she gave you.”

Caleb immediately ran into the bathroom and closed the door; Galen was right behind him.

“Caleb! Caleb, don’t!” Galen shouted as he pounded on the door.

***

“Keep her on a steady dose. You can monitor her numbers at the nurses' station. I want to know if there are any changes.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The nurse noted down the numbers on the monitor before exiting the room. Bell looked back at Ashleigh sleeping peacefully in the hospital bed.

Her fever was up, heart rate had slowly increased but evened out. The moon would be in the sky soon. Another hour at most.

Bell had never handled a case of mating sickness herself. But from what her mother had said about her father, it would get much worse before it got better. So she just needed to get her through the night.

“Hang in there, girl. I got you,” Bell whispered to Ashleigh with a smile.

Bell left the room after checking that the sedative was flowing at the appropriate rate.

Not long after Bell had left, the door opened. Carrying a large bouquet of multicolored flowers, Renee entered the room.

“Hey Ash,” she said quietly, whispering as though she were afraid to wake her.

Renee set the flowers down on the counter beside the sink. Then, she looked around the room and found a place beside the bed to display them.

“There,” she smiled, “isn’t that better?”

Renee adjusted them so that the brightest and prettiest were displayed proudly.

“I’ll tell you a secret,” Renee whispered, looking down at her friend. Then, she leaned down near Ashleigh’s ear, “he told me not to tell anyone they were from him. But it’s just too sweet not to! Granger asked me to deliver these beautiful flowers to you!”

Renee stood up, looking back at the flowers. She reached a hand and touched one of the pedals.

“You are so lucky, Ash,” Renee sighed dreamily, “You found a terrific mate. I hope I get that lucky too one day.”

She sat down beside Ashleigh and took her hand. She talked with her about nothing for a long time. Just wanted to give her a friendly presence in the room. Finally, after an hour, she knew it was time to go. The nurse at the desk had told her that was the longest she could stay.

Renee stood up, leaning forward and hugging Ashleigh. She caught a glimpse of the flowers from the corner of her eye. She stood up and smiled at her friend.

“You don’t mind sharing, do you?” Renee asked teasingly. She reached over and pulled out two of the flowers, bringing them to her nose and inhaling the sweet scent deeply.

Suddenly she remembered something she had seen the night before.

“Actually, Ash, I do have one piece of gossip to share with you….” Renee smiled playfully, “but you can’t tell anyone.”

Renee leaned forward, though she did not lower her voice.

“I saw Alpha Caleb coming out of Bell’s house last night, he turned to say goodbye, and they even hugged!” Renee gasped in a feigned shock. “Who knows how long he was in there… or what they got up to!”

Renee giggled to herself. When she had seen the moment shared between her friend and the Alpha of Summer, she had been concerned. Renee wasn’t sure what to do. So, instead of talking to Bell like she had told Granger she would, she had simply gone home to think about what she had witnessed. But, in the end, the more she thought about it, the more she realized that Bell deserved whatever happiness she could get, no matter who it was with.

“I know our packs aren’t on good terms or anything, but I gotta say… she could do worse!” Renee said softly, looking at Ashleigh as though she were waiting for a response.

Renee sighed to herself, not noticing the presence of another person in the room.

“I know you are tired, honey. I know you have had a rough time lately. But we all need you to come out of this. So get some rest, but tomorrow I expect you to be up nice and early. Bright eyes and bushy tail! Got it!” Renee demanded playfully.

She took Ashleigh’s hand once more, giving it a soft squeeze.

As Renee turned to leave the room, she gasped in surprise at the woman standing at the door.

“Luna Corrine…” Renee managed to say, barely recovering her senses enough to remember to salute her properly.

“Hello, Renee,” Corrine said.

“I was just sitting with her, talking with her. I hoped it might help ease her mind,” Renee said quickly.

“Yes, I had the same thought,” Corrine smiled, walking to the end of Ashleigh’s bed and looking down at her daughter lovingly. “I must see to the new wolves, but I thought I could stop in and chat with her for a few minutes before the moon is out.”

“Great idea, I will give you some privacy,” Renee said, quickly moving towards the door.

“Actually,” Corrine said, stopping Renee in her tracks, “I would rather have a word with you. You mentioned something to Ashleigh that sounded rather interesting.”

Corrine turned to face Renee, a stern expression on her face.

“So, what was it you were saying about Alpha Caleb and Bell?”