Chapter 40
Evelyn’s POV
I glanced at Calvin, noting the genuine concern in his eyes for our children. I debated whether to share my suspicions with him.
No, I decided. I would investigate this myself. If Clara was involved, and my instincts screamed that she was, Calvin might once again choose to believe her over evidence.
To confirm my suspicions, I immediately called for the nurse.
“I need blood tests for both children,” I told her.
The nurse looked puzzled. “What p>
“They’ve been poisoned,” I explained patiently. “I need blood work to identify the toxin p>
“I’ll need to report this to the doctor,” she replied hastily. “And we’ll need proper documentation for such tests p>
I froze, suddenly remembering I wasn’t in my own laboratory.
“Of course,” I said quickly. “I’ll submit the request right away p>
Stepping out of the room, I found a quiet corner and called Eryx. “I need you to arrange blood tests for the twins through the doctor, and have the samples sent to Evelink Biosciences immediately. Also, please take Alex to Astrid’s house. Ask her to watch over the child p>
“Yes, ma’am,” Eryx replied.
After hanging up, I prayed my diagnosis was wrong.
I remembered Clara’s vicious glare when Calvin asked her to leave. This incident had her fingerprints all over it.
I discretely sent Jackson a message,instructing him to obtain the preschool’s surveillance footage from the past week and to continue monitoring Clara and the Calypso Pack.
Returning to the room, I found Calvin sitting by one of the beds, watching over our sons.
Calvin and I each took position beside one of our sons’ beds, the room silent except for the beeping of monitors. Neither of us spoke, the tension between us momentarily set aside in our shared concern for our children.
Hours later, as the anesthesia wore off, the twins began to stir.
Rowan blinked groggily. “Mom? Mommy p>
My eyes welled with tears. “Yes, sweetheart. Mom’s here p>
Rhys woke next, his voice weak. “Dad? Where’s Dad p>
Calvin stroked his head gently. “Right here, son p>
We stayed at the hospital for two days. While the other affected children recovered and were discharged, Rowan and Rhys showed no improvement. Their condition actually seemed to be deteriorating.
The blood test results from Ravenshade Memorial Hospital showed no abnormalities, which made me frown. If there was nothing wrong, why weren’t they getting better?
Rowan and Rhys were becoming increasingly lethargic, drifting in and out of consciousness. They hadn’t eaten anything for two days. At this rate, their condition would become critical.
Just as I was growing more frustrated, Jackson forwarded the blood test results from Evelink Biosciences lab. As I carefully reviewed the transmitted report, my heart stopped.
Jackson’s message read,[Dr. Blackwell, Researcher Gary reports that the samples Eryx delivered show traces of LDS, along with some unidentified toxins. The patients need to be transported to the lab immediately for comprehensive testing p>
I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed to speak with Calvin privately.
“We need to talk,” I said, drawing him aside while a nurse checked on the boys.
Calvin looked at me with confusion.
“This isn’t food poisoning,” I told him gravely. “It’s Lunar Degeneration Syndrome p>
His face paled. “LDS? That’s impossible. It’s only transmitted through blood contact or direct injection p>
“Exactly,” I said. “And I’ve never seen any injuries on them that would explain blood contamination p>
The implication hung heavy in the air.
“Someone deliberately infected our sons,” I continued. “The preschool incident may have been a diversion. What you really need to investigate is who has had access to the boys’ food at the Bloodbane Packhouse p>
A storm brewed in Calvin’s eyes. “You suspect someone in my pack p>
I nodded solemnly.”The LDS virus takes at least five days to produce these symptoms. I haven’t had the boys at my home this past week, which eliminates me as a source of contamination. That leaves your pack house and the preschool p>
I held out my hand. “Give me your wrist p>
He looked confused but complied. I checked his pulse and examined his eyes, confirming what I suspected.
“You show no signs of infection,” I said, releasing his hand. “You eat breakfast and dinner with the boys, yet you’re not sick p>
“The school lunch?” he suggested.
I shook my head. “All the children eat the same food at preschool, but the others recovered quickly. Only Rowan and Rhys remain critical p>
Understanding dawned on his face. The only difference in their diet was their morning and evening milk—something specially prepared for them at the packhouse that Calvin didn’t consume.
Without another word, Calvin nodded sharply and left the room, his face dark with rage.
While he launched a broad investigation, I already had Jackson focusing specifically on Clara. Specialized investigation would be faster than Calvin’s wide-net approach.
Hours later, my phone pinged with an email from Jackson. As I scanned through the information, icy fury filled my veins.
It was Clara. Just as I’d suspected.
When Calvin returned to the room, his face was grim. Our eyes met, and I wondered if he’d discovered the same truth I had. Would he finally see Clara for who she truly was?
“I want to take Rowan and Rhys to Viremont,” I said firmly.
Calvin immediately objected. “Their condition is too critical to move them p>
I stood, meeting his gaze directly. “I can save them. Every day they stay here, the virus erodes their internal organs and neural system. They’re young and haven’t awakened their wolves yet, so they won’t lose control and shift. But as the virus spreads, eventually it will prevent them from ever developing their wolf spirits. They’ll become ordinary humans before their organs completely fail, leading to death p>
I gently kissed each of my sons’ foreheads, my heart breaking at their condition.
“They’re dying, Calvin,” I whispered,”And I’m their only hope p>