"Rhydian! I can't believe you'd do something like this!" Maddy exclaimed as she walked through the door, dumping the bags of shopping onto the table, "Well actually I do believe you'd do something like this, but after you promised me you'd try to eat more healthily."
"Maddy," Rhydian said, taking a bit out of the burger he was holding, "I haven't had fast food in over two months and don't pretend like you don't want burgers and things like that, I know you've been getting meat cravings."
"Yeah, I have," Maddy said, as she emptied fruit and vegetables from the shopping bags and placed them in the fridge, "But I also have self-control. I could quite easily eat tons of fast food right now but I know that the homemade curry we're having tonight will be much better for me and the cubs."
"But McDonalds is actually quite healthy for wolfbloods," Jana said between mouthfuls of ice cream, she'd just figured out how to eat it without getting brain freeze, "I feel a lot better now."
"That's probably because any food is good for you right now," Ceri said, bringing in a large box filled with cartoons of juice and milk and bags of potatoes, rice and pasta, "Any food apart from fizzy worms that is."
"Well you don't have to worry about that anymore, Mum," Rhydian said, "Jana's run out of fizzy worms."
"What?" Jana asked in shock, "How is that possible I had hundreds of bags in that cupboard?"
Gerwyn walked in with several more shopping bags, whistling loudly, feigning ignorance.
"I should have guessed," Jana grumbled before yawning.
"I just wanted to know why you loved them so much," her uncle said defensively, "I didn't expect to get addicted to them. I'll buy you some more, I promise."
"Erm, no," Ceri said, "Jana has to start eating proper food again. I'll make sure you don't put too much spice in the curry tonight. I don't know anybody who puts chilli in spaghetti."
"Before yesterday you hadn't even had spaghetti before in your life," Gerwyn argued, "And you have to admit I do know how to cook."
"Yeah, beans on toast," Jana replied, yawning again, she fidgeted and winced as pain shot through her stomach. She immediately felt nauseous but tried not to think about being sick.
"Jana, are you ok?" Rhydian asked, as he noticed how pale Jana had become, he put the back of his hand to her forehead- she was very feverish, "Mum, Jana's feverish again."
Ceri walked over to where Jana was curled up on the sofa. She looked so tiny and after nearly a week of not eating much she had lost a lot of weight. The doctors at Segolia had given Jana antibiotics to take, and she had been taking them, but Ceri wondered why Jana didn't seem to be getting any better.
"I'm fine," Jana protested, as a pain shot through her stomach and she grabbed for the bucket by the side of the sofa and threw up.
"I'm calling Becca," Xander said, pulling out his phone, "Maddy, can you text Ellie? Tell her she can't come over later, Jana's too sick."
"I'm fine," Jana repeated, "I just ate too much too quickly."
"Jana, you're not fine," Ceri insisted, "You need to go back to Segolia."
"But I thought I was getting better," Jana said miserably.
"You will get better," Rhydian replied, "It's just not going to happen straight away."
"Yeah, Jana," Maddy said, "You we're really badly injured. You should hopefully feel better after the full moon."
"Jana won't be transforming at the next full moon," Ceri admitted, "She's too badly injured, transforming would be too painful for her. The pack invented a potion that means that wolfbloods can avoid the effects of the full moon if they are too sick to transform. I've been giving Jana a little of it for the past couple of days, it doesn't have any side effects, it's completely safe, we've been using it for years."
"You only tell us this now," Rhydian said.
"It's not supposed to be used all the time," Ceri replied, "It's fine on a one off occasion like this, when allowing a wolfblood to transform could seriously hurt them. Used long term it can make a wolfblood go mad."
Rhydian and Xander nodded in understanding.
"We should probably get going," Xander said as he carefully picked up Jana. Rhydian picked up a blanket and her wolf toy.
"I'll be back later," Rhydian said to Maddy before following Xander to the car.
BREAK_BREAK_BREAK_BREAK
"You should have brought her in earlier," Dr Whitewood chastised as Jana slept. Jana hadn't had much energy to fuss when the blood tests were carried out and had spent most of the drive there dozing on and off.
"We thought it was just normal," Rhydian began defensively, "We thought she was starting to get better."
"The wounds are infected," Dr Whitewood explained, "We'll need to change the antibiotics we're giving her and try to figure out what's going on, she should be starting to get better by now. Is she immune-deficient in any way?"
"No, I don't think so," Rhydian said, "Bu Mum said Jana was always very sickly when she was younger. She said it was because Jana was born too early."
"The blood tests should tell us if anything is wrong," Becca replied, "Until then we need to treat her pain, and prevent dehydration."
"More needles," Xander said, "Jana's going to love that. She's even worse than Ellie. We did everything you told us to? How comes the wounds got infected?"
"The hay in the outhouse probably wasn't very clean," Becca replied, "But we made sure that we fully disinfected the wounds when she was staying here. All I can think is if she had a weak immune system that could be causing it."
Rhydian nodded in understanding, "Kincaid said that Jana's not like the rest of us. That her mum was half wolfblood half human and that's why Jana is so much more sickly than everyone else."
"It's a possibility," Becca pondered, "Some of the bands on the DNA sample we analysed didn't match samples taken from other wild wolfbloods. We thought it was just variation but if Jana wasn't a full wolfblood it might explain the differences."
Jana fidgeted as Becca tried to put the IV in her hand, swiping her hand away as if she could subconsciously figure out what was going to happen.
"Jana," Xander said, stroking her hair, "It's going to be ok."
"Don't like needles," Jana mumbled, still half asleep.
"I thought a wild wolfblood alpha like you wouldn't be scared of needles," Rhydian teased, getting ready to hold Jana still if she started protesting again.
"I'm not scared," Jana argued a little more awake, but still not fully with it.
"Prove it," Rhydian said.
"Fine!" Jana said exasperated, and she held out her hand, "Ouch!"
"Sorry, Jana," Becca apologized, "You'll feel better soon. You we're really dehydrated. This show help to bring your temperature down a bit."
Jana stared at the IV with a confused expression wondering how it worked, she made a mental note to ask Shannon later on.
"Oh, brilliant," Xander said pulling his phone out of his pocket, "Apparently Maddy told Ellie that we took Jana back to Segolia and now she's rushing over here, and Jane's with her."
Rhydian rolled his eyes, "I guess it was to be expected. I just hope Jane doesn't ask too many awkward questions- she'll want to know why Jana isn't in a normal hospital."
"If it gets too much for Jana," Becca began, "You'll have to tell them to leave. It wouldn't be good to stress her out too much at the moment."
BREAK_BREAK_BREAK_BREAK
Jane couldn't understand why Jana wasn't in an ordinary hospital especially if she was so sick, but she assumed it was probably because of health insurance reasons or something like that, perhaps her family was able to afford private healthcare. She didn't know and she was trying as hard as she could not to make assumptions about the situation or what Jana might be like.
It had been over thirteen years since she'd last seen Rhydian and Jana and she wondered what they looked like, what their interests were and how they would react to seeing her again. She hoped that Jana had received counselling for her problems and that her family had received help for their wolf obsession.
She followed Ellie as she walked into the infirmary, and Jane felt uneasy as she got the impression that Ellie and her friends had spent a lot of time here the past few weeks.
The first thing that struck her was just how sickly Jana looked, she hadn't even looked that pale after the car accident. The young girl looked very thin where the blankets hugged her small frame and her cheeks were bright red showing that she was feverish. She clutched the wolf toy- Jane couldn't believe she still had it after so long, but suspected it was a replacement- to her chest as she slept. Next to her sat two boys. The dark haired boy she recognised at Xander, and was overwhelmed by how much he and Ellie looked alike, the blonde haired boy she instantly recognised as Rhydian- he was still tall for his age, with the same tan complexion and cheeky mischievous look about him. Jane could remember when she thought that Jana and Rhydian were siblings, when they all thought the two were related, they never should have just made that assumption- Jana and Rhydian looked nothing alike.
Rhydian looked up apprehensively from where he was seated next to Jana on the bed. Jane was sure that he would be told off when one of the nurses came in but couldn't bear to say anything herself. He smiled slightly, trying to be friendly, but still able to remember little bits of what had happened at Jane's house.
Jane smiled, trying to reassure him and walked over to the bed placing the little teddy bear she'd bought next to Jana's sleeping form. She didn't understand why Ellie had lied to her- there was no way Jana was just recovering from appendicitis- but she didn't care, she just wanted Rhydian, Jana, Xander and Ellie to be happy and well.
"Hello," Jane said quietly to Rhydian, not wanting to wake Jana.
"Hi," Rhydian said more loudly. Obvious Jana was still a deep sleeper, Jane concluded.
"I'll give you guys some space," Xander said, "Why don't we get some of that Belgian chocolate cake from the café, Ellie?"
"How are you?" Jane asked.
"I'm ok," Rhydian said, "Just worried about Jana."
"I'm sure she'll be better soon," Jane reassured him, "She'll be back to her usual self before long."
Rhydian smiled, "Yeah she hasn't changed too much from when we were living with you."
"She's not still ill is she?" Jane asked concerned, "I thought her family might have got help for that."
Rhydian narrowed his eyes angrily, "Nothing was ever wrong with her. Our family just like wolves a lot."
"Yes but pretending to be wolves? Don't you think that might have been going a little too far?" Jane asked.
"It was just a game we played when we were little," Rhydian lied, "Jana loved make believe games like that. Do you remember how she dressed up a werewolf ballerina for that Halloween party?"
Jane laughed, "I've actually brought some photos with me. Yes, here it is. I have to admit, I think I did try to push Jana into things that were too girly, she was always a lot more of a tomboy- climbing trees and playing in the sand pits, although she did think she was a little princess."
"That was part of the game our family made up," Rhydian explained, "Jana was always the alpha's daughter. It was supposed to just be a bit of a laugh, but we were too young to realise that it was just a game."
Jane nodded understandingly, "So why wolves?"
"Jana's mum said it's because one of her uncles had a friend who was Native American," Rhydian made up, "He used to work with wolves and they worshiped wolves as well, had a lot of legends about men evolving from wolves."
Rhydian could only hope that Jane wouldn't guess that he was recycling the plot of Twilight, he hated that Ellie had made him watch that movie.
"That sounds fascinating," Jane said, "I'm sorry that I misunderstood, of course you wouldn't have completely understood that as little kids, I shouldn't have been so quick to judge. I hope you'll both be able to forgive me."
Rhydian nodded, "I forgive you and I'm sure Jana will too."
"What's wrong with her?" Jane asked, biting her lip slightly, "She looks like she's been through the wars a bit. Ellie said she had appendicitis, but that can't be the case."
"We didn't want to panic you," Rhydian explained, "Jana should be ok, she just had an accident when we went climbing the other week. She broke her arm and hurt her stomach quite badly, it's become infected."
"She just looks so ill," Jane said, "if there's anything I can do to help, just tell me. I didn't mean to cause any problems when I offered to look after Ellie."
"It's ok, thanks," Rhydian said, "I'm sure Ellie will get used to living with you, but she can be as stubborn as Jana sometimes."
"I've had more training," Jane explained, "When I found you two all those years ago, well back then things weren't so strict. I was on the waiting list to become a foster carer, and when I found you two they instantly said I could look after both of you if I wanted to. I was young, I wasn't really ready to look after two little kids. After Jana and you ran away I thought I would never be allowed to foster again, but whilst I was told I wouldn't be able to look after little kids, apparently social services thought they were too much for me to handle- and I have to agree with them- they let me start looking after teenagers around Ellie's age. I think that's what I'm more suited to anyway, even if teenagers can sometimes be difficult."
"Ellie's ok," Rhydian reassured her, "She's just a strict vegan, so don't even try to offer her anything animal based, oh and she doesn't like being told when to go to bed. She's just very independent."
"I know," Jane said, "She's not at all like Jessica, my other foster daughter. I'm hoping that being around someone like that might make Ellie act a little bit more like a kid, she always seems too serious- always planning this or that, talking about college or exams. I just wish sometimes she'd relax a bit more and let someone else help her out a bit. I know she used to be disabled, I wonder how she coped with something like that being as independent as she is, having to rely on other, I worry it's only made her more independent and determined to do things for herself."
Rhydian nodded, "Jana used to be sick quite a lot when she was younger. She's got quite a large family, so there was always someone looking after her but she always complained about being treated like a little baby. She was always so stubborn and argumentative."
Jane smiled, "She a right temper when she was younger. I guess a lot of kids are like that though. I wasn't prepared for her to be the kind of kid who got into fights, I thought she'd be like most other girls her age, you know, just a bit of meanness."
"Yeah, Jana's not at all like other girls," Rhydian said, watching as Jana began to toss and turn a little, "She'll be awake in a minute."
Jane passed a bag to him, "Just a few little things. I was originally hoping that we'd be able to watch the videos together at your place- it's just a home video of some of our trips to the park, and do you remember that trip to the zoo?"
Rhydian laughed, "Jana's been petrified of ducks ever since. She won't go anywhere near them. And she never has really like pasta- I don't know why- although she likes ice cream a lot, chocolates still a work in progress."
"I got her some fizzy worms," Jane said, "I know how much she likes them, though I don't know why, they always tasted like sugary cardboard to me.
"Rhydian," Jana mumbled, drowsily trying to pull at the IV in her hand.
"Don't do that, dear," Jane said, putting her hand over Jana's.
Jana's eyes flew wide open in surprise.
"Jana, it's ok," Rhydian reassured her, "It's not like before. Everything's ok."
Jana relaxed a little, "I already feel a bit better. Do you know when I'm going to be able to go home?"
Jane laughed, "You used to ask that every day you were at the hospital. You know, after the car accident, you were always so impatient. I'm sure they'll let you go home soon, Jana."
"You're just worried about those dreadful soups aren't you?" Rhydian asked, "I don't blame you. Even your step-father's cooking is better than those soups."
"Where's Xander?" Jana asked.
"He said something about cake," Jane explained, "I'm sure he'll bring some back for you."
"I hope so," Jana said, "But if it's the Belgian chocolate one it usually sells out in a heartbeat."
Rhydian smiled, "Jana works here as part of the security team. She met Xander here and they've been dating for a little over two months. They're going to be moving in together once Jana's better."
"Ellie told me," Jane said, "I know I don't really have any right to be saying this but please be careful Jana, you're only young and I don't want you finding out you're pregnant and panicking because you don't know what to do."
"Don't worry," Jana said nonchalantly, "I've already told everyone I'm not having kids until I'm twenty five. Actually, you should give that speak to Rhydian."
Jane raised her eyebrows, "Is there something I should know?"
"Oh, thank you, Jana," Rhydian said sarcastically, "I'm going to be a father in six months' time, Maddy, my fiancé, and I, we're having twins- a little girl and a little boy."
"Wow," Jane said, "I'm sure you'll be a great father. You always did such a good job of looking after Jana."
Jana smiled, "I know he did. Adrian and Cassidy will be so happy to have a father like him."
"Aw, stop it you two," Rhydian said, as they all burst out laughing.
Xander walked in with Ellie, carrying a large cardboard box.
"We might have lied about earlier," Xander said passing the box to Jana, "But I'm sure you'll forgive us."
Ellie smiled, "Go on! Open it!"
Jana opened the box carefully, inside was a large chocolate cake, with 'Get well, soon!' written in purple icing and tiny fizzy worm sweets around the edge.
Jana smiled, "I love you, guys!"
"Love too, Jana," Xander said, kissing her cheek, "I'm sure you'll be better soon."