The Prophecy

Chapter 17

Ace's POV

The car was silent. Neither of us made a sound as we continued our way to the Saskatchewan pack. Isabella and I had been driving for nearly five hours, both of us lost in our thoughts.

The call from the Bay Fire pack came only a handful of hours ago. The Alpha was able to describe Marilynn somewhat, clarifying that it was in fact her. He let me know that her condition was unsettling, but they were helping the best they could. I immediately told Isabella through the pack link and we left within the hour. It was nearly midnight and we were almost there.

After another hour, we pulled up to the gates of the pack. They let us in and we followed slowly behind a wolf towards the infirmary. Once we arrived and entered the building, my nerves spiked. What if it was too late? What if that isn't my child? We were led to her room and a doctor greeted us outside.

"Hello." The woman spoke, "I believe you're Ms. Remington's sister and the Alpha?" She questioned. Isabella nodded so the doctor continued. "Ms. Remington arrived about eight hours ago and was treated for an infection and malnutrition. She had multiple wounds on her arms and back mainly, but we also found some bruising around her legs and hips. We cannot conduct a rape kit without the patient's consent, but we believe at this moment there was some extent of sexual trauma." The doctor looked at us sorrowfully. We were speechless.

I should have protected her, it was my fault she left and I didn't even look for her after being gone for a whole month. What kind of mate was I?

"What about the baby?" Isabella questions quietly. I looked over at my mate's sister, she looked ready to cry, but was holding it together.

"The foetus is healthy and strong, considering the circumstances. There is bruising around her abdomen that correlates with the possibility of her mate being unfaithful. On the bright side, Ms. Remington seems to have just started her second trimester." The doctor explained. A pang of guilt ran through me as she explained how her mate caused the pain, I didn't know Marilynn would experience that. She told us a few more things to prepare us before letting us into the room.

The room was very plain. Just a single bed with the necessary machines around it. Next to the bed was a chair that someone was occupying, but my eyes landed on my mate. She looked so different, so fragile from her usual strong front. Her cheeks were hallow and it seemed she hadn't slept in the last month, exhaustion written all over her face. Her usual healthy black hair, looked frail and was knotted. Overall she just looked ill, her deathly pale skin was unnatural from her usually darker complexion. A blanket was covering the rest of her body, keeping us from seeing the extent of her wounds.

"Charlie?" I was snapped out of my thoughts as I followed Isabella's shocked gaze towards the man sitting in the chair.

He didn't look dangerous, if anything he looked traumatized. I could tell he was weaker and probably a rogue from his smell, but it wasn't strong so he must be newer.

"Hi." He mumbled, not taking his eyes off the ground.

"What are you doing here?" Isabella asked.

"I was the one who brought Marilynn here."

"How did you know where she was?"

The man looked uncomfortable as we both stared him down. I was apprehensive about this man, he looked to be hiding something.

"The Alpha let your father stay on the pack lands, I was forced to watch over Marilynn, but I knew I had to get her out. It just took longer than I thought it would." He looked over at Marilynn with regret, they must have known each other before.

Isabella nodded before making her way towards her sister and gently caressing her cheek. We stayed in silence until early morning. I leaned against the wall near the door, not wanting to get too close to Marilynn, but I was having a hard time keeping my wolf calm as we watched Charlie sit closely.

All of us turned to look at Marilynn as she started to stir awake. She groaned and slowly opened her eyes, luckily it wasn't too bright. Charlie helped her to some water before Isabella started to scold her for leaving, but ended up crying and hugging her sister tightly. I could tell it pained Marilynn, but she welcomed the embrace.

"Izzy..." Marilynn whispered. She gathered all of our attention before she continued. "You can't trust Mom, she's still with Dad and they're working together. Don't trust her." She mumbled while clasping her hands together as they began to shake.

Isabella looked shocked before nodding and promising. It was early morning so Charlie and Isabella decided to get some sleep in the pack house. I told them I would join soon, but had to ask Marilynn some formal pack questions. Once we were alone, I faced Marilynn who was looking anywhere, but me.

"What happened after you left the coven?" I began.

She settled on looking at her hands before answering. It was strange seeing this timid girl, one normally to be known for her bold confidence.

"I was ambushed and woke up in a cell. I couldn't leave and they-" Her words caught in her throat as a few tears fell down her cheeks.

"You don't need to explain...We received a video at the pack house and it contained some footage of what you went through. You have my condolences." I spoke gently as I studied her reactions. She looked away ashamed, a few more tears falling down her pale cheeks before she bit her lip to stop.

I carefully approached the bed and sat in the chair next to her, I didn't know how to comfort her, but my wolf urged me to move closer.

It felt good to be this close to her again. She seemed to feel the same way as she subtly moved her body a little closer to the edge. The room silent for a few moments before she spoke up, her eyes connecting with mine briefly before she looked at her hands again.

"Wh-what happened to your first mate?" She mumbled.

"Who told you that?" I snapped causing her to move away from me, but I didn't care. Memories started flooding my mind and my claws started to extend as I tried to calm my racing heart.

"The Moon Goddess."

I sighed. Of course.

"My mate died." I forced out. "We were friends as kids and knew we were mates the moment we turned sixteen. She died about seven years ago. We were twenty at the time and..." I shook my head trying to forget that day. It was the worst day of my life up until yesterday when I saw my second mate getting tortured. My first mate died instantly, although tragically. She felt peace and never went through the pain Marilynn went through that was ultimately leading to her death.

"I'm sorry..." Marilynn mumbled before taking my hand. The small action calmed me. Her hands were cold and small, but fit perfectly in mine. The sparks I hadn't felt in so long returned and I could feel something blooming in me. My eyes travelled up her now exposed arm that was wrapped in a bandage. Blood was seeping through some areas, but most of the wounds looked healed.

I looked into her big blue eyes that held so much pain, I wish I could take it all away, but I would be lying if I said I didn't cause it. I knew I was the reason for most of her misery. She should have been safe in the pack, but I forced her to leave.

I noticed her other hand caressing the small bump I didn't take much notice to before.

"How's the baby?" I asked. For a moment her eyes beamed, she looked ecstatic talking about the child.

"They're good, I can already feel that they're very strong." A small smile took over her lips as she looked down at her belly. Marilynn would make a fantastic mother.

"Is the baby mine?" I asked gently. She nodded almost instantly.

I smiled softly before taking my other hand, that wasn't being held by hers, and placing it over her bump. She looked startled, but relaxed under my touch. She moved closer to me again and relaxed into the bed.

"I'm sorry for hurting you." I apologized. Marilynn nodded before closing her eyes, she looked like she was about to fall asleep.

"I'm sorry I wasn't good enough." She mumbled and before I could deny her harmful words, she was fast asleep.