~Ethan.
With a clenched jaw and palms fisted by my side, I watched Mom sob into Hadria's shoulders. Her grip on Hadria was tight, as though Hadria would be some sort of support if Aurora were to say anything bad.
I turned my eyes back to Aurora, who was bent over Dad at the same time as she stood up straight. Her gaze met mine and her eyes dilated; they were slashed with worry and pity -those emotions which I couldn't deny worried me.
Her eyes scanned the three of us, and we kept our gazes on her, waiting to hear the good or bad -dear goddess please - news from her.
Hanging her stethoscope around her neck, she locked her fingers in front of her, “I have managed to stabilize his heartbeat, he is good for now but, we will have to place him on close examination to avoid such a thing repeating itself again. And Hadria too.” She briefly looked up at Hadria before returning her gaze to Mom.
Mom exhaled deeply as she sniffled back her tears, “thank you so much, Aurora. I don't know what we would have done had you not been here.”
Aurora gave Mom a soft smile, “My team and I are still working on finding the right and permanent cure for this but, I can assure you that he is in good hands until then.”
Mom nodded, still sniffling. Aurora turned to me and our eyes locked.
Her gaze softened almost at the same time as she tore her eyes away and made to walk past me.
For some reason which I couldn't understand, I couldn't just let her go, so I seized her wrist just as she walked past me.
Aurora stilled, I felt her freeze against my palm. Goosebumps spread throughout her body, making her skin rough yet very enticing to touch. Slowly, she tilted her head backwards and looked up at me, a small smile forming on her cheeks as our eyes met.
“Was there something else, Alpha Ethan?”
An ice bucket of reality fell on me, pulling me back from my fantasies. A pitiful hug couldn't mean anything, right?
Right.
I immediately let go of her and placed my hands back to my side, forcing on a smile as I shook my head in negation, looking around to make sure nobody had noticed the embarrassment.
“No, doctor Rory, I just wanted to thank you again. Thank you.” My smile widened.
I made sure to watch her closely for any sign of disappointment, pain, or shock. Surely, she must have noticed my retort.
But I saw nothing!
Her eyes were blank and void of every possible emotion. Of course, she only initially pitied me.
Nodding, Aurora bowed in courtesy and walked out of the room as Sam followed her, probably to walk her back, I guessed. The nurses, being smart enough, followed them behind leaving me, Mom and Hadria behind.
Mom occupied one of the seats once the door was closed. “He doesn't have much time,” Mom said, her eyes fixed on the tiles on the floor.
“Mom!” Hadria gasped and crossed her arms against her chest, “don't say that.”
Mom shrugged, “it doesn't matter whether I say it or not, the fact still stands.” She turned to Hadria, “how negative were your results from the last test?”
“Mother, don't make assumptions about Hadria too." I said as I pulled Hadria to my side. “She is fine and Dad will too, you heard the doctor she said that…"
“He wouldn't live forever, Ethan!”
I stood still and watched her as she slowly rose to her feet. I gritted my teeth as I tightened my grip on Hadria, I couldn't deny that I didn't know what she felt. I knew her pain and there was nothing I could do to help her.
“You, Ethan, you won't live forever too.”
“I am not dying today.” I blurted before the words could leave her lips.
“The throne needs an heir, Ethan. You will have to provide one for us someday. The elders are already raising brows, they call you impotent, Ethan. Impotent!”
“Well, perhaps they may be right.”
Hadria gasped, “Ethan! What in the goddess's name is wrong with the both of you this night!” She pulled away from my grip and went to occupy the seat Mom stood from.
“I forbid you to ever say such things about yourself ever again.” She said as she took slow steps towards me," you are my son, I bore you and no child of mine is fruitless. Fruitfulness runs in your veins, and you are going to show that to all those who called you names.”
“Mother, I…"
She placed a hand on my shoulder, cutting me off, “you are getting married again.”
“What!” Hadria and I yelled at the same time.
“Your father is resting!” She glared at the both of us.
“Mom, you can't possibly mean that. You know what happened with Isadora.” Hadria said anyway.
“If you would let me finish,” glaring at Hadria, she slowly turned to me, “I will have two of my most trusted elders draw up a list of the most suitable brides…"
“Mother, that system is backwards.”
“Well it's not like you have any better idea, do you?”
I stayed silent and she scoffed.
“As I was saying, the elders will draw up the list, and you will meet with the ladies, and you will make your choice in twelve days from now.”
“Twelve days!”
“Wow, mother. Wow,” Hadria and I said at the same time.
“You are not to contradict anything I said. The both of you. You are going to get to meet the ladies, make your choice in twelve days, and you will get married again and that is final.” Her voice turned stern, “The crown is already slipping off our fingers, and I am not going to sit and watch that happen.
Your father and I worked very hard for this, and we are not going to let our reward be the disappearing from our lineage.”
“That is not going to happen.” I said through gritted teeth.
“You had better not because Keenan is working twice as hard as you should. If care is not taken, he will…"
“He would never!" I spat out, anger coercing through my veins at the sound of his name.
Mom chuckled dryly as she shook her head, “it's not just by words, Ethan.” Taking a glance at Hadria, she turned to the door.
“You have twelve days, Ethan. Twelve.”