Chapter 3

AUDREY'S POV

Cough! Cough! Cough!

I went into a fit of cough and my chest and throat hurts alot, I winced in pain. My head is banging and sleep is out of option. I have been down with a fever since my sleep over with my buddies and I had to be admitted into the hospital and just after my admission, my coughing started. It's like something is stuck in my throat and it's not coming out. Anytime I enter my fit of coughs, it always wears me out and I'm tired. My eyes lazily landed on the TV and they were a advertising one of the numerous Armani businesses. The Armani's are one of the wealthiest Italian families on the planet. They have a lot, I mean a lot of businesses. Just name it. The head of those businesses is Lucian Armani and no one has ever seen his face. He doesn't appear on camera. No picture. Nothing of him. No one knows anything about him. All we know is he is the head of all those businesses. Some started speculating that he is one ugly old man who is afraid of showing his face in public but I just feel being anonymous make you a mysterious and interesting person. He can go anywhere, eat anywhere without paparazzi following him about. No one really focuses on your lifestyle and you're a free bird. The nurse walked in with a new drip.

"How are you feeling?"

"Worse." I answered in my hoarse voice.

"What does the doctor say the problem is?" I continued as she fixed a new one.

"We haven't found anything yet. We took an x-ray of your chest and everything looks normal compared to your statement. I'm glad your fever is coming down but we are trying everything we can to find a solution for this cough so hang in there." She gave a small smile and left.

I sighed in frustration. What do they mean they can't find a thing. Suddenly I started feeling drowsy. This round seem strong and It didn't take long before I fell asleep.

~~~

I woke up to the noisy chattering of my friends. Gosh! must they be always noisy. Sarah was the first that noticed I was awake.

"Heyyy!" she squealed, hugging me so tight.

"See, you woke her up!" Maddy said giving Wyatt a punch and he winced feigning pain.

"Hey love, how are you?" she sat on the other side of my bed while Wyatt stood.

"Feeling better. You guys are acting like kids. Don't you know you are in an hospital." I said in my hoarse voice.

"I told them the same thing. A nurse almost threw us out because of these two." Sarah pointed at Maddy and Wyatt and I supressed a laugh. I don't know what to do with those two, always looking for each other's trouble.

"Don't mind Sarah. She's just jealous of our bond." Wyatt pulled Maddy into a rough hug and she playfully rolled her eyes.

"Oh! who gave you those flowers. They are beautiful." Mads gasped and I turned to look at them. They were beautiful and eye catching. It definitely wasn't my friends with the way they were looking at it with admiration and Mom doesn't give me flowers when I'm sick. I generally don't like flowers.

"it smells so nice and it looked like they were freshly picked." Sarah inhaled its fragrance.

"Oh! There's a note." Wyatt added and I gave him the go ahead to read it out.

"My dear Audrey,

I wish you a speedy recovery. I don't want you looking sick when I see you next. -AA."

"That's all?" Mads asked and he nodded. She snatched the note from him to confirm herself.

"Are you going somewhere?" Sarah asked.

"No. I don't even know anyone bearing AA." I confessed.

"The person is obviously a stranger and who doesn't know she hates flowers." Wyatt said and they all agreed. it didn't take long before they moved to another topic but my mind was still on that note. I read it myself. it was hand written and my only guess was a fan from the site I write. I write books in my free time. Detective and thriller novels and since I've been sick, Mom said a big no to continuing that I should focus on my recovery. I couldn't think of any other excuse. I took a last look at it and I focused on my friends. Soon, visiting hours were over.

"Get well soon, ok? I'm in a crazy suspense. The last update of your book is almost giving me a heart attack." Sarah said giving me a side hug. I gave a small smile and I nodded.

"If you die, I'll kill you!"Mads said with a serious look and we burst out in laughter and. she even joined. WHAT?!

"Ok mom." I finally answered.

"Good."

Wyatt just gave me a hug and pecked me on my forehead. Soon, the ward became dead silent like it use to.

My eyes fell on the flowers, I took it and inhaled it. It smell so good and the fragrance was slowly enveloping the room.

"What's this delicious smell?" Mom and Kyra walked in.

"Hey Mom!"

LUCIAN'S POV

"You did what?!" I yelled.

"What have I said about the tone you use when talking to me." Mom said calmly but I was burning with anger.

"I sent your sisters to give her flowers. I told you the ball is already in my court since your stupid ego won't let you listen and very soon, you will mate her or I'll gladly support the elders decision and give your position to Edger."

"Mom!" Layla exclaimed.

"That's actually a bit too much. Edger of all people." Clary added.

"Then tell him to do the needful." With that, Mother walked away. I just stared at her until she was gone. I know Mother, she will definitely do it. Edger is bad news and a product of an affair my father had with a mundane and he has been nothing but a nuisance always bringing trouble. The last time I heard of him, he was in the Winnipeg and I hope I won't have to clean his mess this time around.

"Brother, come to think of it. Why don't you want her? You know Mom is doing all these for your sake. If the park get a whiff that you are in a sort of agreement with a mundane, it will bring up war. So why are you risking this peace for war?" Clary said

"And besides, apart from her pale skin, she is damn beautiful. Mother has been collecting info about her and I can say she is a definitely going to make a good Luna." Layla added.

"Well, she doesn't have what I'm looking for." I retorted and they fell silent.

"It's not about the looks or a banging body or if she has a good background for me. I need a Luna who knows how to defend herself and I won't have to worry about her all the time. Someone who is good with words and knows how to carry a conversation on and a lot more."

"Then be prepared for Edger to take your throne. The jerk has always be hungry for your position and it just one call and he will be here." Clary said and I was about to leave when Mother called.

"Lucian." I stopped in my tracks.

"I know you are never going to listen to me and I'm doing all these for your sake. I never told you this before but with the way things are going, I have to. That girl is sick because your wolf blood is wearing off. She was never destined to live this long and she doesn't have much time again. That mark on your shoulder that you've always asked questions about is a sign that the agreement is still active and until you both fulfill it, it's always gonna be there. If she dies before you fulfill it, then you'll also die. That's how important agreements are to us, wolves and that's why I've been been pressing you that it's not a thing of choice."

"Mom! Really?! and you waited this long before you could tell us." Layla exclaimed.

"I know I should have. I thought he was going to listen and things won't get this bad."

"Alot of things are at stake and do you want to die?"

Their attention is on me. I thought about it for a minute. What's my existence without Mia?. My heart squeezed in pain. I'm not scared of death. I've been a walking dead since Mia but I can't bear to leave my mother and sister devastated, not when there's no one to look after them and I can't dash their hope so I just chuckled. Using death to scare me?!

"Ok..fine. I guess I'm too precious that you guys can't afford to lose me. I'll handle it." I said laughing and walking out.

"Gosh! such a pride that he has." I hear Layla say as I left the mansion.

"Connect me to Bleidd" I said immediately I entered t

my car.

"Connecting to Bleidd." The female voice said and Bleidd's baritone voice is what I heard next.

"Yes boss!"

"I need you to do something for me and I want it done fast." I commanded

"What is it?"