17. Ianto
Chapter seventeen
Ianto
After Lia’s mother disappeared, so, too, did Lia. It took me about two hours, but I found her curled up on a window seat. As I approach, I notice the almost perfect view she has of our mansion. This beta is breaking the remaining fragments of my heart.
The couch is more worn than any other piece of furniture. There are signs of life in this room, signs that she spends a lot of time here. Books, drink bottles. A candle. All the things a person might need close to them.
I crouch down beside her and stiffen as she turns towards me, her hand reaching out and pressing against my shoulder in her sleep.
How did she know I was here?
I brush that gold hair back from her face. This girl keeps too many secrets. She’s a smiling ball of sunshine with an aching soul of loneliness. I lean forward and brush my lips across her cheek.
Her cousins aren’t taking her. There is no way I’m letting her out of my sight.
She lets out a sound that has my heart racing. I focus on her face, on her lips, her throat.
I sit back on my heels, staring at her.
Did she just…purr?
I reach out and take her hand, but she’s hot to the touch. I lean in, placing the back of my hand on her forehead. She’s so hot.
Panic twists my insides, and I stand up and step out of the room.
“Yoshi. I have a beta here who is running a raging fever. She’s got red cheeks, sweating.”
The doctor, who also is a member of the MC, asks me a few questions that I answer as best I can .
“Just come here. You can take what you need and go back and assess it.”
Fifteen minutes later, he’s nervously standing on the porch, staring at the enormous mansion in awe.
“Follow me and be quiet. I don’t want to alert the others until we know something.”
Yoshi frowns. “What are you thinking?”
I glance back at him. “I’m thinking something impossible.”
He follows me upstairs and into the room with the sleeping beta. I look at the area again, and my suspicions strengthen.
He moves straight to her, frowning down at the obvious distress she’s in.
Yoshi murmurs as he works. He checks her temperature, her vitals, and then he draws some blood.
She sleeps through it.
He stands up and walks back to me and glares. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“What designation is that woman?”
“She’s an omega who appears to be very close to her heat.”
I shake my head. “She’s a beta.”
“No-” Yoshi’s eyes sharpen and his mouth parts. “She’s a beta?”
“She’s a beta. For years, she’s been a beta.”
Yoshi looks back and then at the vials of blood. “I have to go check this, but I will ring you the minute I have the answers.”
I nod and lead him out of the house. The pack is standing outside in a semicircle, staring at the doctor.
“I want to know the results,” Valen snaps and steps right up into my space. “We all know there is something wrong with Lia. I want to be there when you get the results, Ianto,” Valen says louder.
I frown but ultimately agree.
“Fine.”
“Great.” Valen glares at Yoshi. “How long until we know?”
I chuckle. “A few hours at least. Maybe days. Lia is all feverish. We need cool clothes and something for her to drink.”
Valen’s eyes widen, and he turns and goes into the mansion.
“Mills! Get the ice chips! Ranger, find some rags. Our baby is in trouble.”
Zaden watches us work without saying a word. I know he wants to. I know what drives him. He’s fighting this, us, her, and it won’t be long now until the cracks start to show and he has to really choose.
But right now, he turns on his heel and retreats .
I glance at the others and then follow my prez around the back of Lia’s mansion. At night, her gardens look as wild as ours do. Almost pretty.
He leans against the wall, his expression exhausted.
“Zaden?”
He doesn’t even answer me, just sighs heavily. “You four are like cats, and I keep trying to herd you in a direction you don’t want to go.”
I let out a deep chuckle and move so that I’m pressed up against his side.
“She’s sick.”
“Yeah, I got that much. What’s wrong with her?”
I shrug. “Not sure.” I never lie to Zaden. Not once in all the years, but I do now. I think if he knew or suspected what I suspect, he would run.
Zaden’s face folds in pain, and then his expression clears. “She is not for us. She’s not for the MC, Ianto.”
“And we’re in for life. I know.”
“This is just making it harder for everyone.”
I kiss him instead of answering. Because what can I say? He’s not where the rest of us are yet. But that’s fine. He will be, even if I have to beat it into him myself.