“We can engage in this discussion indefinitely, as I am available for it. However, Molly ought to prioritise rest.” Colton directed his attention towards her, revealing a hint of tenderness. He scrutinised her with his gaze, and she yearned to submerge into the mattress and vanish eternally. “You appear unchanged; are you certain you are well?”
“I feel overheated throughout my body,” Molly confessed. Colton’s eyebrows knitted together.
“That is peculiar; I will extinguish the flames prior to my departure.”
“We understand,” Jayce retorted. Once more, Colton disregarded him. He exhibited remarkable bravery in challenging Jayce to such an extent.
“I recognised your uniqueness upon our initial encounter,” Colton remarked, tapping her hand. “However, a white wolf? I would not have anticipated that for anyone other than a queen.”
“There must be an error. I cannot be this.” Molly clutched the edges of her blankets. “I am unable to.”
“I comprehend your feelings; however, I urge you not to doubt yourself. Your essence is remarkable, and although you may not currently recognise it as a source of gratitude, I assure you will come to value your inherent qualities. The initial transition is invariably the most challenging.”
His words endeavoured to assuage her fears, yet she could not quell her racing heart. The more she thought about it, the more scared she felt. Her mind rejected the notion that this was her current existence. A few days prior, she was merely a pitiable servant. Now, she was a white wolf, of all creatures?
What is her current life situation? How could she coexist with herself? What actions would she take?
Colton clasped her hand, perceiving the fear manifesting on her face. Jayce approached, and she briefly glanced at him, observing his jaw clenched in a rigid, taut line as he glowered at their hands.
“You’re not alone, Molly. Don’t let your thoughts drown you before you get a chance to learn about yourself. It won’t feel like your body at first, but you’ll learn how to tame your wolf in time.”
“I think Molly needs to rest.” Jayce said before she could respond. Perhaps it was good he did, she had a million questions to ask him about what was to come.
Colton kept his eyes on her and smiled. “He’s right,” he leaned closer to Molly and lowered his voice. “As irksome as that may be,” Jayce scoffed and averted his gaze. Colton gently patted her hand again and rose to his feet. “I will visit to check on you later. Please, consume food.”
Molly acquiesced with a faint smile. She removed the perspiration from her forehead and reclined deeper into the pillows as he approached the door. Beckham poured a glass of water on the fire, but it proved ineffective.
Jayce forcibly opened a window above her bed, which she had diligently attempted to keep closed during her nocturnal fears. The refreshing air contrasted with her warm body, yet she remained uneasy in her own skin.
“You might consider attempting to sleep once more.” Jayce gestured to Beckham, who bowed before exiting the room. Molly anticipated Jayce’s departure, yet he remained seated in the chair beside her bed.
“Shouldn’t you rest?” Molly enquired as she sank into the sheets. Her eyelids descended gradually.
“I would be incapable of succeeding even with effort.”
Jayce remained present when she awoke in the nocturnal hours with a fever. Upon observing her expression, he rose from the chair and hurried to the bathroom to retrieve cold water. Molly discarded the blankets and tossed restlessly in her bed, yearning for respite from the heat. Did she awaken in hell?
He applied a cold cloth to her forehead, and for a moment, she believed she was experiencing a hallucination. It appeared that two Jayces hovered above her, submerging the cloth in water after she had ignited the first one. He placed the bucket down and swept her hair away from her face; she could scarcely articulate the relief of having her hair secured at the top of her head with a length of loose rope. Each strand was distant from her heated skin; she nearly contemplated severing it all to eliminate the sensation permanently. She was oblivious to the repulsiveness of her appearance should she engage in such an action.
