Wolf's Call (Wolves Next Door #2) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,193
she said as she sank back down in the bed.
CHAPTER 56
I cracked my eyes open. They hurt. So did every muscle in my body. It took me a moment to realize what had just woken me up, but the pressure on my hand made me look over. Sitting on the edge of the bed was Gabby, and she looked worried.
"Hey, mija," I said, the words coming out as a croak.
"The fever's starting, Mom," she told me. "It's going to be ok, though. Promise."
"I know," I assured her. Then I squeezed her hand. "What color wolf do you think I'll be?"
"Probably dark like me," she said. "Kim and Roman are almost the same color. David's more brown, I've heard, but he never shifts. Olivia and her mom are pretty close too."
"Mm, but Ian and Ashley don't match," I pointed out.
"Both are pale," she countered. "Henry's solid white. Their mom was a dark brown. So, Ian's kinda white and Ashley's blonde." She shrugged. "What color do you want to be?"
"I like your eyeliner," I mumbled, feeling like my mind was too full. "I think you're the prettiest wolf I've ever seen."
Gabby reached up to touch my forehead. "You're already so hot. Mom, I want to stay and take care of you. I can get you some broth or something?"
"No," I said, trying to shake my head, but it was mostly just a wiggle. "You should stay with one of your friends tonight so the guys don't have to worry about you. I'm going to be fine, Gabby."
A knock at the frame of my door made me realize we weren't alone. I turned my head to see Kim standing there, clearly listening in. "If you're ok with it, Elena, she can stay at my place tonight. I'm sure she and Roman won't do anything wrong - right, Gabby?"
My daughter bit her lower lip. "I'd rather stay here."
"And your mom would rather not have to worry about you. Bridget and Ashley won't let anything happen to her. Olivia can stay too. Heather's making sure everyone in the community knows, and Henry's locked the gates." Kim smiled at me. "Elena, your house is packed with people, and your mates are getting snappish."
"It's still Tuesday?" I asked.
"It is," Kim promised. "About four in the afternoon."
I just sighed and leaned back. "I feel miserable."
"It gets worse," Gabby told me. "But it's only one day, ok? You can do this, and then you'll be able to run on the trails with us." Kim made a noise, but Gabby glared at her. "She will! My mom can do anything, and I'm going to help her learn just like the betas taught me!"
"I'll learn," I promised her. "But, Gabby? I think Kim's right. You should stay with her tonight. Please don't do anything stupid because I'm sick, ok? I know you love Roman, but - "
"Eww," Gabby said, cutting me off. "No, Mom. We are not having the sex talk right now. Besides, I already know where you keep all the condoms, and I'm not doing that yet. Just..." She paused, and the look on her face made me realize that she really was worried, just trying not to show it. "You have to be recovered for my quinceaċ¸½era. I'm not doing it if you can't be there, ok? Pax said we can put it off, but I just want you to be ok, Mom."
"I'm going to be fine," I promised, feeling my eyes getting heavy. "But I need to nap again, mija. I have the worst headache. Please don't be a problem for Kim?"
"I'll be perfect," she swore. "But I'm coming back here before moonrise. I'm running beside you, Mom, and you're going to be fine. Promise me that?"
"I promise," I mumbled, unable to open my eyes again. "I'm going to run as fast as you..." The words trailed off as exhaustion took over.
"C'mon," Kim told Gabby. "Let her sleep. There's no way Lane will let anything happen to her, Gabby, and if you're here, she'll worry about you. It's what moms do. So let's find Olivia, and maybe we'll go pick up Samantha?"
"Really?" Gabby asked. "But she's a human!"
"And the whole pack knows that she did that interview to help us. Roman says she's your friend, and Ian said it's ok. So, I'll let you and your betas camp out in the den, how's that sound?"
"Think Mom would care about Samantha?" Gabby asked.
"I think your Mom has proven that humans make very good pack members. Besides, Samantha can