Tish POV
I follow Oliver into the cabin even though I do not feel well. My stomach is turning, and I am worried that I might vomit. I must be staggering because Oliver catches me by the arm and guides me into the small cabin bedroom.
"Are you okay?" He whispers before we enter.
"Fine," I retort. It isn't about me right now. It is about Raven. So, I do what I do best and push my feelings to the side.
I open the door to the bedroom, and Raven is sitting on the bed, smiling brightly at me. It is not exactly the reception I was expecting from her, but I will take all of the kind faces that I can get at the moment.
I must not have returned her smile, and Raven hops to her feet, much to Oliver's chagrin. She is at my side in seconds, tilting my head to the side.
"When did this happen?" She gasps.
"Just a few moments ago," I try to sound like it isn't a big deal. "Kai lost control…"
"Did he ask to mark you?" She asks me gently.
"Not exactly," I mutter. "But it is fine. I was going to let them do it anyway."
"It is not fine," Raven growls. "To mark a werewolf without their consent is a crime, but to mark a human is unforgivable."
I blink back the tears in my eyes. I don't want to make this a bigger deal than it already is. "Does it look bad?" I ask, trying to lighten the mood.
"It doesn't look like it should," Raven sighs. "We have to get you to the doctor."
"Wait," I stop her from dragging me from the room. "What about you?"
"I am fine," she grumbles. "Oliver is just a worry-wort."
I step away from her and look her up and down. She looks slightly different than I remember. Her face is a little fuller, and she isn't wearing her usual form-fitting clothes. I circle her curiously, trying to put my finger on what is going on with her. Then it hits me like a ton of bricks. My eyes widen, and I step back from her even further.
"You are pregnant," I whisper softly.
"You have a good eye," Raven smiles. "But we really need to get you to the hospital."
"Me?" I shout. "What about you? You were just in battle, and you are carrying the future King or Queen of the werewolf world."
"I would appreciate it if you would keep your voice down," she mutters. "Only my mates and I know."
"And me," I gasp. "Why on Earth would you tell me?"
"Why wouldn't I tell you?" Raven asks. "You are the future Luna of this pack."
"You hate me," I remind her.
"Hate is a strong word," Raven replies gently. She is still studying the mark on my neck. "I don't think I have ever hated anyone."
I take a moment to study Raven, and I really look at her this time. Her black hair, pale skin, and red lips give the illusion of Snow White, but there is something deeper within her. A light that burns for those who have lost their way. I don't know how I know it is there, but I can feel it.
"I don't really know how to help you," I tell her honestly. "I don't even have the right equipment to take your vitals. I think you should visit the hospital."
Raven groans in frustration and pushes her bottom lip out into a pout. Oliver is already waiting by the door, tapping his foot impatiently.
"There are others that need care more than me," Raven says with a look of concern, and I know she is speaking about me.
I sway on my feet, and I close my eyes tightly, trying to push away the pain. My fingers brush against the wound on my neck, and it feels sticky to the touch. I pull my fingers away from the wound, and traces of blood are left on my fingers. I look at Raven, and suddenly, her voice is inside my mind.
'Your mark is not healing properly,' she tells me silently. 'How are you feeling?'
I pause for a moment. I hadn't considered how I was feeling since I walked into this room to see Raven. My head is throbbing, and my neck is aching. Funny spots begin to fill my vision.
Raven hasn't taken her eyes off me. I don't know if she is reading my mind, but she calls out to Oliver. "She is going to pass out."
Oliver quickly scoops me into his arms, and my body goes limp. Despite the adrenaline running through my body, I am unable to keep my head upright. My vision is dark, but I am still aware of what is going on.
"What is happening to me?" I whispered. For the first time since I was a child, I am terrified I might die.
"Your body isn't accepting Kai's mark," Raven says.
Someone lays a cold washcloth on my forehead and smooths my hair. I know it isn't one of the twins because the touch isn't accompanied by the familiar tingles.
Oliver begins to run with me in his arms. My head is bouncing lazily with each step he takes. It is making the intense throbbing in my head worse. I am finding it difficult to stay conscious. He comes to an abrupt stop and passes me off to someone else, who settles me on a bed.
"What is going on?" Kai's voice echoes around me.
A growl resonates in return. "Isn't it obvious," Raven snaps at him. "Her body is rejecting your mark. You have killed her."
Sobs begin to shake my chest. I am no longer able to hold them back. I have never been so petrified in my life. A few weeks ago, I would have welcomed death, but now I have something to live for.
A needle stabs my arm, and I hiss at the intrusion. I wasn't prepared. My clothes are being ripped from my body, and wires are being attached to my chest. The sound of beeping fills the room, and even though I cannot see the machine, I know the sound isn't right.
It feels like a million hands are touching me at once. Everyone is talking about me but not to me. I feel frustrated. I need someone to speak to me.
"Why is my body not accepting it?" I attempt to say it, but I can even hear that it is gibberish.
Someone lies their hand on my forehead, and I shiver under the touch. "Tish," Raven says. "I need to go through your mind. I need to know why your body is rejecting the mark. Do I have your permission?"
"Fuck her permission," Kai shouts. "You have mine. I am her mate."
"I think you have done enough," Kaden screams back at him.
"Will you both shut up?" Raven commands them, and there is nothing but silence. "Tish, do I have your permission?"
"Yes," I try to mumble.
"I am going in," Raven whispers urgently. It is almost an apology.
I can feel her fingers in my mind. She is flipping through my thoughts and my memories like it is a book. With each flip of a page, I am forced to watch every moment of my life. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I am embarrassed at what she is seeing, but I am unable to force her out.
After what feels like hours, she pulls herself from my mind. I am exhausted, and I can feel myself falling asleep.
"Take Alpha Kai to the dungeons," Raven commands, and that is the last thing I hear before everything is silent.