Chapter 184
Evelyn’s POV
“It worked!” Gary burst into my office, waving a tablet. “The compound based on the Stellaris Moonbane Root actually worked p>
I looked up from my microscope, heart racing. “The cellular regeneration held p>
“Not just held.” Gary placed the tablet in front of me. “The neural pathways we targeted completely reformed. The disconnected wolf reconnected with the host body p>
I stared at the results, hardly believing what I was seeing. After months of cultivating the rare Stellaris Moonbane Root at Red Cedar Resort, we finally had results.
“The gene marker isolation was perfect,” Gary continued. “By analyzing how LDS damages the connection between werewolves and their wolves, we’ve reverse-engineered a solution for dormant wolves p>
I traced the cellular images with my finger. “The physiological blockage points p>
“Completely bypassed,” Gary finished. “The Moonbane Root targets exactly where the connection breaks p>
“Success rate p>
“Up from 17% to 50% in simulations.” Gary grinned. “We’re ready for clinical trials, Evelyn. We can actually help werewolves reconnect with their dormant wolves p>
I leaned back in my chair. The Wolf Instinct Suppression Reversal project could help wolves who’d lost their connection through trauma or drugs. Now we were on the verge of a breakthrough.
“Schedule a team meeting for tomorrow,” I said. “We need to review protocols p>
Gary nodded eagerly. “I’ll get everyone prepared. This is huge, Evelyn p>
As Gary left, I checked my watch. Past six. I needed to get home to Alexis. These past few weeks had been something close to perfect.
After our lake trip, Calvin had kept his word about shared custody. The boys now spent three nights a week at my Ravendale home. My house, once quiet and empty, now echoed with laughter and playful arguments. Having all three children under one roof felt right.
I packed up my notes, said goodnight to the lab staff, and headed home.
When I pulled into my driveway, I could see the kids through the window. Rowan was helping Alexis with something while Rhys sprawled dramatically across the couch. The sight warmed my heart.
“Mom’s home!” Alexis called the moment I stepped through the door. She ran toward me. “We made spaghetti with Eryx! He said I’m the best sauce stirrer ever p>
I swept her into a hug. “Is that so? And did you save some for me p>
“Duh!” She rolled her eyes. “Rowan made garlic bread too p>
“It’s just toast with garlic butter,” Rowan said from the kitchen doorway, trying to sound casual but looking pleased.
Rhys lifted his head from the couch. “I supervised p>
“Very important job,” I nodded solemnly, making him grin.
Dinner was chaotic in the best way. The kids talked over each other, sharing school stories and arguing about movies.
“Dad’s picking us up at nine tomorrow,” Rowan mentioned as he helped clear dishes.
“That’s right,” I confirmed. “You have pack training this weekend p>
“Can we come back Sunday night?” Rhys asked hopefully.
“If your father agrees,” I said, touched by their eagerness to stay.
Later that evening, after the movie ended and the boys went to their room, I sat with Alexis on her bed for our nightly reading. She seemed energetic, bouncing slightly as I read.
“Mom, can we go to the lake again soon?” she asked when I finished the Chapter. “Maybe with Rowan and Rhys and… maybe uncle Calvin too p>
I brushed her hair back. “Maybe. We’ll see p>
“I liked when we were all together,” she said simply.
“I did too, sweetie.” I tucked the blanket around her. “Time for sleep now p>
“I’m not even tired,” she protested, but yawned immediately.
I kissed her forehead, noticing it felt slightly warm. “Goodnight, my love p>
“Night, Mom p>
I went to my study to review the day’s lab results.
I must have fallen asleep at my desk because the next thing I knew, a small voice was calling my name.
“Mom? Mommy p>
I jerked awake. Alexis stood in the doorway, her face flushed and her pajamas soaked with sweat.
“I don’t feel good,” she whispered, and then crumpled.
I caught her before she hit the floor. Her skin burned against mine.
“Alexis!” I pressed my hand to her forehead, alarmed. This wasn’t an ordinary fever. Her breathing was shallow. Rapid.
“Mom?” Rowan appeared in the hallway, rubbing his eyes. “What’s happening p>
“Alexis is sick. I need to get her to the lab,” I said, panic rising. “Wake Rhys and call Eryx p>
Within minutes, Eryx was carrying Alexis to the car while I grabbed my medical bag. The boys followed in silent fear.
“Should we call Dad?” Rowan asked as we sped toward my lab.
My hands tightened on the wheel. “Yes. Tell him to meet us there p>
I couldn’t stop the flood of memories as I drove—Alexis at three months old, hospitalized with a fever that wouldn’t break; at a year, struggling to breathe during what should have been a minor cold.
All because of her genetic condition. She’d inherited my Omega “Wolfless” trait, but worse. Where I simply lacked a wolf, her body actively rejected any wolf genetics, causing her immune system to attack itself.
And it was my fault. My genetics had done this to her.
By the time we reached my lab, Alexis had a dangerously high fever. I carried her inside, barking orders to the night staff.
“Prep the isolation room! I need blood work and inflammatory markers p>
Gary was already there, helping me settle Alexis onto the examination table.
“Her white blood cell count is through the roof,” he reported after the first blood draw. “All her inflammation levels are spiking p>
I administered fever reducers while monitoring her vitals. “Start the immune suppression treatment. Get the cooling blankets p>
Every beep of the monitors felt like a knife in my heart. How many times had I stood like this, watching my daughter fight for her life? Why couldn’t I fix this? I was supposed to be brilliant, a researcher who’d developed treatments for the most complex wolf conditions, yet I couldn’t protect my own child.
“How long has she been like this?” Gary asked quietly.
“It came on suddenly. She was fine at bedtime.” My voice cracked. “She’s always fine until she’s not. That’s how it happens. Every time p>
The lab doors burst open. Calvin strode in, his face tight with concern. “Evelyn! What happened p>
“Genetic flare-up,” I said shortly, not looking away from Alexis. “Her immune system is attacking itself again p>
He moved to the bedside, his eyes on Alexis’s small form. “What can I do p>
“Nothing. Just… stay with the boys. They’re scared p>
Calvin nodded and stepped back, finding Rowan and Rhys huddled in the corner. He put an arm around each of them, murmuring reassurances.