Bonds at War: The Virgin is Mine Novel

Chapter 109 Viremia ARDEN +10 Free Coins " This calls for a celebration ! " Nathan declared , rising to his feet and heading toward the kitchen . Mirage groaned , though a smile danced on her lips . " Don't open the bottle from the winter vault ," she warned him , already knowing exactly what he intended to do . " I make no promises ! " he called over his shoulder , vanishing into the kitchen . Cade shook his head , hiding his amusement behind a sip of water . Honey clapped her hands . excitedly , her eyes bright . " Celebration ! I want pink juice !

" " You'll get juice , " Cade confirmed , taking on the role of the protective older brother . " But no alcohol for you . " Bethany chuckled softly , setting her tea aside . " I shouldn't be drinking either ," she said gently . Her voice sounded thinner now , her hands slightly unsteady as she reached for her neck . I smiled and reached for Cade's hand , giving it a gentle squeeze . A small smile appeared on his lips , and I found myself mirroring his expression . However , my smile quickly faded . The sound of Bethany's coughing echoed in the room .

I had heard it enough times that it had become familiar . Bethany turned away slightly , pressing the back of her hand to her lips . Cade leaned forward , concern already darkening his features . " Are you alright ? " he began . " I'm fine , " she cut in quickly , rising to her feet . " Just the air . I'll step out for a moment . " Before anyone could stop her , she slipped out into the hallway . I stood up instinctively . I sensed Mirage and Cade's urgency too , but I softly shook my head . " Stay , " I muttered , then moved toward the hallway . " I'll check on her .

I'm not much of a drinker either . " B OOTM Σ < 1/5 16:00 Tue , Aug 5 GDG 83 % 10 Chapter 109 Viremia With that , I followed her scent until I found her on the balcony . +10 Free Coins As soon as I stepped outside , the crisp air hit me . Bethany , gripping the railing , was coughing again . But this time , it was more violent than before . Her shoulders shook With the force of it . and when her hand dropped from her mouth , I saw the unmistakable stain of red on her palm . " Crap , " I whispered , rushing to her side . She gasped when I approached , but I could see the pain in her eyes .

I shrugged off my jacket and placed it over her lips , wiping away the remnants of blood . " It'll get ruined ," she said hoarsely , her voice cracking between shallow breaths . " It's okay . " I replied , holding it around her tighter . " Sit . " She didn't argue , easing herself onto the bench by the stone railing , still trembling . I crouched beside her , scanning her face . It took a few seconds for my brain to connect what I was seeing . But once it clicked , I realized . I had read about this before .. " You have ... " I began , my voice trailing off . It couldn't be .

But I knew it was . Viremia . It was one of the few chronic illnesses that had begun to surface in werewolf society- something that , for centuries , didn't exist . Werewolves didn't get cancer the way humans did ; our cells regenerated too quickly and repaired too well . Human illnesses rarely stood a chance against us . But pollution , exposure to corrupt magic , and prolonged stress could break down the regeneration process from within . A new wave of incurable sicknessee had begun to rise , and Viremia was the worst of them .

It attacked the lungs first - rotting them from the inside like black mold . Then it turned on the brain , making you forget much of what you've learned . In the worst - case scenarios , forming new memories became impossible . This illness made the body turn against itself , and no healer , no elixir , no bloodline seemed 000 TMN 2/5 16:00 Tue , Aug 5 GG · 2.83 % X Chapter 109 Viremia immune . It was rare and fatal . " You said you only had prediabetes and hypertension . " The words escaped me before I could stop them . +10 Free Coins Bethany let out a small laugh .

" Oh , come on ," she said , her voice dry . " That's even rarer in werewolves than Viremia . " I bit my lip , unable to suppress my concern . There was so much blood on her palm - too much for something she pretended wasn't serious . She noticed my stare . " Why are you looking at me like that ? " " I'm sad , " I whispered . Bethany's expression didn't change , but something behind her eyes did . The humor faded , and the mask faltered . " So , " I murmured , " you really didn't run again because you were sick . The rumors were right .

" She looked away , resting both hands on the stone railing . Her fingers trembled faintly even as she gripped the edge . " That's one reason , " she admitted . " But the reason I told you about is the true one . I'm really tired , Arden . I just want to rest . " " She paused . " My two terms are the very reason I got Viremia in the first place . " I stared at her , shocked . Stress . Years of leadership . Unending pressure . The burden of expectation . That's what Viremia fed on - more than blood or breath . It thrived in those who carried too much for too long and never stopped to heal .

I swallowed hard . " How long have you had it ? " 3/5 B 001 M N Chapter 109 Viremia # 10 Free C X Cons Bethany didn't answer . Viremia typically began slowly . A shortness of breath here , a dry cough there . Then , after a year or two , it becomes aggressive . The moment it does , there's no turning back . I could only hope and pray that she was still in the early stages , especially since her cognitive abilities were still very much intact . Bethany leaned back against the railing , drawing in a slow , raspy breath . " It's fine . " No , it's not .

She turned her head , her eyes fixed on the view beyond the balcony . The endless forest was beautiful , but alongside it , the loneliness was evident . In such vast land , only a few hearts beat . " I thought I wouldn't be able to give it up , " she said suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts . " This life , I mean . Along with this role . " She gave a quiet chuckle , but it didn't reach her eyes . " You see , this life of mine isn't as fulfilling as people think . Of course , I'm thankful for the things I've done - the systems I helped build , the wolves I trained , the order I enforced .

But ... " She hesitated . " There's always a part of me that's looking for someone ," she whispered . " I mean , something ," she corrected quickly , sitting upright . But I noticed it . That slip . Someone . " I always thought I'd feel empty if I ever stepped away , " she continued . " But I found something now . It makes me think I'm allowed to leave without regret . " Her eyes flicked to me then . And for a heartbeat , I couldn't breathe .

007 M N O < 4/5 16:00 Tue , Aug 5 GG- 83 % X Chapter 109 Viremia +10 Free Coins In that instant , I realized - with a strange sort of certainty - that I didn't want her to leave . Ever . I clicked my tongue . " You shouldn't be with us , " I said , a bit too firmly . " You should be with . your family , spending time with them and making the most of your life . Once all of this is over , you need to go on a vacation , alright ? " Bethany smiled . " Sure ," she said . " I'll do just that ." Then she sighed and shook her head . " Don't worry about me .

" " You have a long fight ahead of you , " she added . " Focus on that . " But how could I ? How could I not worry about her ? Even if we'd only known each other for a short while ... I felt like I'd known her forever . And now , I might not have much time left to know her at all . 5