Aida POV

Day two of trying to wolf me up is already irritating. Yesterday, Emerson and I just spent the day talking. We spoke about my past, like my childhood and what I can remember, foster home after foster home, test after test.

All the medication.

She's been working on my bloodwork all night. It's her "thing", apparently. Gives me the creeps. But if she likes it then that's great for me.

From what I can tell so far about her, she's brilliant. She loves anything science and now that the whole supernatural world has opened up to her since meeting her mate, she's in her element. She is very kind and patient. And she is a newbie to this, like me, which I love.

I sit in the chairs in the med room kicking my legs backwards and forwards like an impatient child, waiting for her to come out with the latest tests and tell me I'm a reject wolf.

The last two tests had the same issue. An extra "something" in the bloodwork. She can't explain it. Neither can Marcus. But it's a little bit different to the "something" in the blood that has caused Amalie to go off the rails.

I don't have a sudden hunger for blood like she does, though. Thank god, too, because that would make me puke everywhere, and no one needs to see that.

So now I'm a wolf anomaly. I haven't had the meds to mask my wolf traits for almost an entire week. So, what's happening? Has that idiot biological father of mine pushed it so far that it has disappeared?

Or maybe I just get a few of the traits and not the actual morphing power. I can hear the link clearer every day, and I can now link whenever I like instead of just accidentally hearing it here and there.

My healing has accelerated too. The blood test sticks only last for a few seconds and then they're completely gone, so that's cool at least.

But so far, no wolf power. And if I'm being honest with myself, I don't know if I mind that much. It freaks me out that we can just explode out of our human body, grow fur, triple in size, and grow a tail. A tail! It really is a bit gross.

I shudder just thinking about it.

"Aida!" Emerson shrieking my name, pulls me out of my internal dribble.

"Uh yeah? All okay?"

"Oh my god! It's smaller! The anomaly is there, but it's decreased! I think the transfusions are helping!"

"Ah, good? Oh wait, crap, does this mean I need more?"

I have been having twice daily "wolf dialysis" as Emerson calls it. It's a process where we basically swap out my tainted blood for fresh wolf blood of my same type. Sound gross? Because it is. And boring. It takes up way too much of my time, and I would rather be spending those hours kissing Argent.

I blush a little just thinking about it.

Emerson continues her excited science babbling, "Yes! I knew this would work. Now maybe we could do this for Amalie too. If only we could get near her with blood. She will have to be completely sedated again."

Her smile turns to a frown. I hate seeing them do this to Amalie, but she's getting more and more aggressive as the hours go by.

Emerson continues talking to herself while I wait on the chairs, becoming more and more impatient. Suddenly, the doors next to me bang open, and Arge comes through them looking stressed and a little bit of something else. Excited?

"Aida, guess what? You'll never guess. I'll just tell you. Father is sending us on a mission."

My heart sinks. I was kind of hoping to spend some time here with him, learning to wolf and just getting to know each other more as people and maybe mates.

He must have noticed my frown, as he kneels down and faces me, his hands resting on my knees. "What's wrong, babe? Are you not excited to go with me?"

This is not what I was expecting.

"Wait, when you said we, you meant me? Not you and James?" I ask, hoping that he says yes but at the same time, worried that he says yes, my brain is already computing all the things that this may entail. A lot of the content is adult. Not going to lie.

He nods and kisses me lightly on the forehead. "Well, sort of. James has his own mission. He and Jemma are being sent in search of that ass Jasper, and you and I are going ahead to meet with packs all over the world in search of answers for you and Amalie."

He has a smile so bright that I can't look straight at him or I might just jump him. Luckily, he doesn't see me staring like a lovesick fool before he continues.

"It's crazy. Father called the high council, and they're sending part of their warrior guard to come with us. We will also be accompanied by some leaders from other packs, and two guys from ours too. I can't believe it!"

I nod slowly like a fool, not wanting to squash his joy with all my questions.

"You seem excited. Shouldn't we be, I don't know, nervous? Worried about what people will think?" I ask, trying to mask my concern with a soft smile.

He shrugs. "I'm excited. And nervous as hell. But shit, think about it! We get to meet packs from everywhere, see how they live, work. It's amazing. And we get to go together—"

Emerson interrupts his excited speech, her gaze shifting between us both, "And looks like I'll be joining you."

"Really?" I ask her, a little relieved I won't be the only non-wolf on the trip. Plus, I like her. It'll be nice to travel with someone I get along with so well.

" This way we can continue treatment and I also get a glimpse into this wolf world! I'm so excited about the scientific possibilities!"

Argent and I laugh but she joins in too.

"Yes, I'm aware I'm a nerd, no need to point it out." She barks out mid laugh, turning to me to continue,

"Aida, maybe we can take the rest of the day off? You can work with Argent on shifting technique, if you like."

I nod and grab his hand. Anything to get out of this room and outside.

We walk at a quick pace out the doors and through the busy foyer, and we almost reach the doors before I hear our names being called.

So close. Ahh. I just want to get out of here.

I turn and see Jemma and James coming towards us. Thank god it's just my brother.

I let go of Arge and give James a hug, and then I hug Jemma. She really is lovely. Sweet and funny and crazy gorgeous, too. My brother is a lucky man.

"So, have you heard the news?" James asks, looking down at me his face not doing much to hide his obvious concern.

I nod, taking a second to be confident with my response "Yep, taking the anti-wolf show on tour, apparently," I say with a laugh, and he shoves me gently on the shoulder.

Arge shakes his head. It's kind of a running joke now. Me, the wolf who can't be a wolf. It's depressing really if you think bout it, which I do. Constantly.

"Are you okay with travelling so soon after everything?" He questions, earning him a quiet grumble from Jemma.

My big brother is worried about me. It's adorable. I will never take it for granted. Never did I expect to have any of this: a mate, friends, a loving and protective brother. Whatever happens now, I will always have this. And it's more than enough.

I think about my response. "I don't really know. It's not like anything major has happened in the last few days for me in terms of shifting or anything, and now that Emerson is coming too, she can keep an eye on anything health related, I guess." I turn to face Argent, lifting my brow, a silent question. "And I have this guy to protect me. I'll be okay. I'll miss the two of you, though. We're still just getting the hang of being siblings."

"That's what FaceTime is for, hun." Jemma smiles and leans into me, but James looks torn. His face shows all of his emotions, a poker player he is not.

He says flatly, "I should stay with you. If you want me to tell Alpha that I will, just say the word." James means every word. I know if I asked this of him, he would do it in a heartbeat. It crosses my mind briefly. But then I realise that this is his shot at proving himself. This is his journey to take with his mate.

"No, you should go. Bring our dad back here to sort this mess out. He owes us that. And it should be you to find him." He hugs me tight, and I turn to Argent after pulling back. "So, when do we all leave?"

James speaks first, "Jemma and I leave for strand pack tomorrow morning, and from there we will track Jasper and the vampire activity. As soon as the guard from the council arrives with the assigned leaders from the council packs, we will be off. You?" he questions .

"We'll wait to see what response we get from the packs and see where we are off to first. The leaders assigned to join us, and the council guard will be here in the next few days."

Jemma takes my hand and squeezes it. "Nothing like jumping in at the deep end, eh, Aida?"

I shake my head and look at them all, my amazing and brave new family. "For some reason, that's just how I roll these days."

They all laugh, and Argent gathers me up in a tight hug. "Nothing is too much for this one, I'm telling you. She can handle it. I'll never let anything happen to her. I kind of like her." He places a soft kiss on my lips and before I have a chance to lose myself entirely, I hear James's coughing behind us.

" Yeah, okay, okay, she is still my baby sister, you know. Watch it or else you'll get your ass whipped, Argent."

"Is that a threat, Beta?" Argent teases, and before we all know what is happening, he pulls James's pants down completely,

"You, little Alpha, are a dead man," James taunts. The two take off out the doors, leaving Jemma and I laughing after them. James hikes his pants up as he runs after Argent.

"Yep, I'm definitely in capable hands," I say to Jemma, taking her arm and pulling her after the boys.

At least we can still have some fun before it all changes tomorrow.