“What I’m saying is that your blood is not that of a human. I won’t know until I do genetic testing, but I have some suspicions.”
“Like what?” Thane growls, his patience growing thin.
“Both vampires and werewolves share human DNA. But unlike the humans, they also contain mutated genes, which is what causes the vampire and werewolf transformations. It’s just a guess, but I think that you may have the same makeup as Alpha. The difference is, I think your vampire and werewolf genes are somehow recessive, causing them to be dormant.That’s why you present as only human and why you’re not able to heal yourself.”
My head is spinning with the information, trying to make sense of it all. What she’s saying can’t be true. I’m human, not some hybrid. I can’t be.
“How long will genetic testing take?” Thane asks.
My head snaps up to look at him. “You think what she’s saying is true?”
His fingers run along my chin as his eyes bore into mine. “It’s always felt like there’s something more to you. What if this is it?”
“What if this is why the bond between you two is so strong?” Sienna chimes in.
Heat flares beneath my skin when Thane’s thumb trails along my jaw, as if the bond is trying to make a point. I don’t want to consider that what she’s saying is true, but each second that Thane is looking at me, I’m finding it harder to ignore.
Kole runs his hands through his hair, pacing back and forth next to the bed. “This is crazy. I mean, your parents would’ve had to have been a vampire and werewolf like Thane’s.”
“Maybe that’s why they gave me up,” I say, considering that possibility. “I just mean—” I stop myself, thinking about how Thane’s mother didn’t want him.
“No, you’re right,” he adds, sensing my hesitation. “It would make sense.”
“Well, until I do the genetic testing, this is all just hypotheticals,” Dr. Goodwin cuts in.
“Do whatever you need to,” I tell her. “I need to know the truth no matter what it is.”
“Alright. I will, but first, you need to get some rest.” She glances at Thane and Kole. “You two are needed elsewhere.”
For a moment, I had forgotten all about the reapers and the attack at the mall.
I reach for Thane’s hand. “Go.”
“I’ll stay with her,” Sienna offers, moving to stand next to Thane. “She’ll be okay.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He seals the promise with a kiss to my forehead that brings more comfort than I could’ve ever expected.
“Do what you need to do. I’ll be fine.”
“Get some rest,” Kole says, looking back at me with eyes that tell me all the words he can’t say.
I want to wrap myself in his arms and bury my face in his chest until we both feel okay, but I can’t. All I can do is watch him walk away from me. It’s like there’s an ocean between us, and no matter how far and how long I swim, I just can’t seem to reach him.
“Sienna, do you mind grabbing some food? She needs to eat,” Dr. Goodwin asks, shifting to the side of the bed with a straight face that makes me wonder what her problem with Sienna is. Judging by her tone, I’d guess she has a superiority complex that needs fixing.
“Of course!” Sienna rushes over to my side and squeezes my hand in hers. “I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you.” I pull her in for a long hug. “You saved me too.”
When she leans back, there are tears brimming in her eyes. “I should’ve gone with you—”
“No.” I shake my head. “We’re not doing that. No one could’ve known there was going to be an attack. You’re not responsible for what happened.”
“But—”
“No.” I place my other hand on top of hers. “You were there when it mattered, and you’re here now.”
She nods, accepting my words, though I can see the guilt still haunting her.
