Mae POV
Kieran pulls up to the hospital doors, and I quickly climb out. I wait on the sidewalk for Kieran to get out as well, but he doesn't. He rolls down the window and offers me a weak smile.
"Take that inside to the doctors and see if they can make an antidote to save Oliver," he says quickly.
"You aren't coming with me?" I whimper loudly. "I am afraid to be alone."
"I need to go after Wesley before he runs again," Kieran says urgently. "You are needed here."
"I don't know anything about nursing werewolves," my voice is pleading. "I should go with you."
"I can't put you in danger again," Kieran says, and I can hear the nervousness in his voice. "Go, help my sister. She needs you."
Kieran doesn't give me a chance to argue. He speeds away, leaving me on the sidewalk with the wooden box of poison in my hands. I watch his car until it disappears down the road.
Then I rush into the hospital and stop dead in my tracks. Kieran's mother and fathers are all gathered in the waiting room. Solemn looks are on all of their faces and I fear that I am too late.
I approach them with the box clutched in my hands. "Am I too late?" I whisper.
Everyone turns and looks at me. Erica's eyes are red and puffy. It is clear that she has been crying for some time. No one speaks to me.
"I have something that I found in my father's house," I say quietly. "I think it might be what Oliver was poisoned with."
One of Kieran's fathers steps forward, I am not sure which one. He takes the box from my hands and races to the back of the hospital. Chewing on my bottom lip, I shuffle awkwardly on my feet.
"Where is Kieran?" Another of his fathers asks.
"He went after Wesley," I manage to speak.
"We have already looked for Wesley," his father growls. "How does he know where to find him?"
"That is difficult to explain," I stumble over my words.
"Try," his father demands.
"I could see him," I reply. "He is drinking at a bar on the far side of town."
Two of Kieran's fathers give each other a look and they both kiss Erica on the cheek at the same time. They race out of the hospital without saying a word to anyone.
I watch them leave in confusion, but Erica lays a hand on my shoulder. "They are going to help."
I nod, not taking my eyes off the door.
"Raven has been asking for you," Erica tells me. "You should go back there."
"Why would she be asking for me?"
"I don't know," Erica sighs. "But you mustn't keep the Luna Queen waiting."
I am eerily aware of how silent the halls of the hospital are. Usually the halls of a hospital are bustling with nurses and techs running from room to room, but not down this hallway. This hallway has the stench of death.
Erica stops outside of a room and gestures for me to go inside. I plead with my eyes for her not to make me go alone when suddenly, a calming feeling washes over me.
"It will all work out the way the Moon Goddess wants it to," Erica whispers softly before she walks away.
I get the feeling that Erica is behind the calmness that I feel, but I don't have time to think about that now. Sliding the door open, I step quietly into the room.
I am not shocked by what I see. I have seen this scenario play out many times before. Family members waiting at a dying patient's side for the end. Raven is curled up in the bed with Oliver. Her head is lying on his chest, and she seems to be counting each breath he takes.
Leo is holding Oliver's hand and mumbling under his breath about how he's sorry he missed his chance.
I stand quietly. I am not sure if I should interrupt the moment. Raven lifts her head from Oliver's chest and tries to smile at me.
"I brought what I believe he was poisoned with," I begin to explain. "Maybe they can work out an antidote in time."
Raven shakes her head before she lays it back onto Oliver's chest. "Oliver's time is coming to an end," she whispers.
I try to keep my composure. In nursing school, they warn you that some cases will break your heart, but up until this day, I have never cried.
"I should have marked him," Leo cries. "It is all he wanted, and I denied him that."
"You can't blame yourself for that," Raven tells him quietly. "Oliver understood your hesitation."
I am beginning to feel like I am imposing on a private moment and have the overwhelming urge to leave.
"Erica said you wanted to speak to me?" I say.
Raven sniffs back her tears and sits up in the bed. "Your mother," she begins, and I cannot stop the groan building in my chest. Raven chuckles slightly but continues. "She has been wonderful."
I am taken aback by her words. No one has ever referred to my mother as wonderful. Raven must sense my confusion, so she continues. "I just wanted you to know that. When all of this is over, I think you should speak with her."
"I will do that," I say shortly, but I am unsure if it is the truth or not.
I turn to leave the room when I hear Leo shout. "I am going to mark him now."
I spin around and try to dart across the room. I try to pull Leo back by his shoulders, but he is far too strong. He shrugs me roughly off his shoulders, and I hit the ground with a thud. He grabs Oliver by the back of his head and gently tilts his head back, exposing his neck.
"Stop!" I shout. "He has been poisoned. You don't know what marking him would do to you."
Leo hesitates for a single moment. He meets Raven's eyes, and she nods. "It is a risk I am willing to take."
I watch helplessly as Leo leans down and pierces Oliver's neck with his canines. Blood pours down the side of Oliver's neck, and I watch in horror as Leo seals the wound with his tongue. I suck in a sharp breath and wait for what will happen next.