Treyton had never driven so fast in his life; Maeve's cries echoed as Laoise was still unconscious in the back of his car. Patrisha sat in front, trying to calm Maeve down and remain calm. "Does Laoise have a certain hospital that she goes to!?"

"She goes to Kraiser Hospital! Please hurry Treyton!"

Patrisha gave Treyton the directions and, after driving past many red lights, got to Kraiser Hospital. He immediately parked in the nearest parking lot, where he carried Laoise into the emergency room. There was a long line, but the group cut in line. The security guard got in front of them, telling them to go to the back of the line.

"S-Sir, my mother has fainted, and she's not waking up! Please, she has to see a doctor!"

The security guard was about to argue, but Treyton stepped forward, and his eyes widened. "Don't make a scene, boy. I can easily gather your information and bring a lawsuit against you. If something happens to my girlfriend's mother, I will sue you for endangering a person. No matter what lawyer you have, I can afford something better."

The security guard was about to talk back, but he noticed Treyton's eyes change; his eyes frightened him. The group was let inside. Once inside, they went to the front desk, where the nurses saw Laoise unconscious. They were instructed to go to one of the rooms where Laoise was put on a bed. "You all need to go to the waiting, and we will come by and inform you of our findings."

"How long will it take?" asked Maeve as she tried to refrain from crying.

"We don't know. If she had insurance through us, it might take less than an hour. If she doesn't it can take hours."

Treyton wrapped his arms around his mate; it hurt his heart that Maeve was hurting. He motioned her out of the room as the door was closed behind them. Patrisha walked beside them and couldn't help but notice how supportive Treyton was. "I think Maeve will be alright." However, she was still worried for Laoise and hoped whatever caused her to faint wasn't too serious. "Hey, you guys, I will bring us something to drink. Maeve, you will need to drink something to soothe your nerves. Would you like some tea?"

Maeve didn't have the energy to drink or eat anything, but knowing Patrisha, she wouldn't let it go. "Th-That would be fine."

Patrisha nodded and went on her way while the couple walked back to the waiting room. Maeve was motioned to sit, and as Treyton was about to do the same, his phone rang; it was Aidoneus. "Maeve, my son is calling me. I'll be back." He walked away as he answered.

"Hey Pops! Sorry for calling you early! I don't know if you're home or not, but I was wondering how it went with your mate. Also, my plan worked and-!"

"Son." Aidoneus was silent on the other end as he noted his father's tone. Something was wrong. "Maeve and I are at the hospital."

"What!? Are you and Maeve okay!?"

Treyton glanced at Maeve, who sat silently. "Don't worry, son. Maeve and I aren't hurt. Maeve's mother is in the hospital getting checked."

"I see; which hospital are you both at? It would be an excellent opportunity for me to get to know her. I know it's not the greatest place, but Maeve will need support."

Treyton was proud of his son, who was taking the initiative to get to know Maeve. He eventually told his son the hospital address, and both hung up. Once done with the call, Treyton returned to Maeve and sat beside her. Patrisha eventually arrived with the drinks on hand. She gave the couple their cups while keeping one for herself. Maeve took sips of the tea but put the cup on the floor beside her. "How are you holding up, Maeve?"

"I'm trying to hang in there, Trish. I'm worried about my Mom."

"I know, hun. Just have faith that everything will turn out to be okay."

The trio sat together and waited. Forty-five minutes later, Treyton noticed his son but wasn't alone. "Is that his mate?" He stood up from his seat. "Son, you arrived."

"Hey, Pops." Father and son hugged and then separated. "Sorry I was late, but I thought it best to bring my mate, Persefone."

Persefone was silent since she was still processing everything that was happening. She was shocked that Laoise was in the hospital. Not only that, but the man before her was Aidoneus's father. Persefone never imagined meeting her mate's father so soon, but there was no other choice since Maeve's mother was in a dire situation. "H-Hello, sir."

"Hello there, Persefone. I know it is too soon for us to meet, but I'm glad you came for Maeve." Treyton motioned out his hand, which Persefone held; they shook hands. Aidoneus and Persefone were motioned to Maeve where was. "Maeve, Persefone, and my son are here."

Maeve slowly looked up and saw the couple; she slowly stood up. Persefone immediately went to Maeve and hugged her. Maeve did the same, and the friends separated. "I didn't expect you to come by."

"I was brought here by Aidoneus, who told me everything." Persefone motioned her hand to Aidoneus, who stood by his father; Maeve's eyes widened when she saw the young man. It amazed her how much Aidoneus and Treyton looked alike.

"She is beautiful," Aidoneus thought. He went forward and raised his right hand. "Hello Maeve, I'm Aidoneus. "I'm sorry we had to meet this way."

"It's nice to meet you too, Aidoneus. Your father told me so much about you." Maeve took his hand and shook it. "I-I appreciate you coming here. You shouldn't have. I-" Tears slowly formed in Maeve's eyes; she let go of his hand.

Aidoneus noticed, and he gently motioned her back to the chair. "It's no trouble at all. We were going to have to meet anyway. Besides, I was always curious about meeting my Pop's mate."

Treyton cleared his throat as he nudged his son. He got close to his son's ear. "Maeve's other friend is here; she doesn't know that we're werewolves. Careful what you say."

The young man nodded as he noticed Patrisha looking confused but didn't say anything.

"Family of Laoise Connor?" announced a nurse.

Maeve immediately stood up, trembling. She went to the nurse, who stood by the emergency room door. "Y-Yes, I am her daughter."

"Alright, the doctor is in your mother's room. He wishes to speak with you."

"May I come along?" asked Treyton as he approached Maeve.

The nurse was about to interject, but Maeve said, "Please, he is my boyfriend. I would be comfortable with him by my side."

"Alright, just you two. Please follow me." The duo followed the nurse to the hallways, where they passed many rooms full of ill and injured people—seeing them made Maeve nervous. Treyton gently wrapped an arm around her, trying to comfort her. His touch made Maeve calm down, but the anxiety lingered; she had to know what her mother had.

They eventually arrived at the hospital where her mother was being kept. Laoise was in bed and connected to IV administration sets, which hurt Maeve. The doctor stood before Laoise's bed, reading some documents. "Doctor, I brought the patient's family."

The doctor looked up. "Thank you, you two. Please enter." Maeve and Treyton did what they were told. However, Treyton smelled Laoise's potent scent again, which almost gave him a headache.

"S-So, did you find out what my mother has, doctor?"

"Yes, her condition was already on file. I assume your mmothernever told you of her condition."

Maeve shook her head. "What is it? Please tell me."

The doctor's expression was nonchalant, but there was a slight hesitation. "I'm so sorry that I have to tell you this, but your mother has stage four breast cancer."

❄

Stage four breast cancer.

The words echoed in Maeve's mind, and her soul immediately wanted to leave her body. A voice gently called out to her, "Maeve?" The voice sounded distant but felt close.

Treyton stood beside his mate as he gently called out to her. He, too, was shocked by the news. However, some of him knew something was wrong because of the scent he smelled from Laoise. Treyton didn't know the scent in particular since he needed more time to understand what she had. Everything made sense; Laoise had cancer. "Doctor, do you know when Laoise discovered she had cancer?"

The doctor looked at the paperwork carefully. "She had a mammogram in late November, and her results came out in the first week of December. It was found that she had a lump in her right breast, but unfortunately, it was in an advanced stage."

"I see, but isn't there a possibility to begin treatment?"

"We could start, but I have to be upfront. Getting cured has minimal possibilities, but it was also found that there were other mutations on her lymph nodes and more. The cancer is slowly spreading throughout her body. Even if she did get cured, there is an eighty-two percent possibility of it returning."

Treyton slowly shook his head. "How long does she have to live?"

"If Ms. Connor chooses to have treatment, it can prolong her life for eight months at most. Without treatment, she could have between a few weeks to two months. According to the notes here, Ms. Connor stated that she refused treatment."

The couple violently flinched. "She did? The thing is, Maeve, her daughter, didn't know that her mother had cancer. Wouldn't it be best for the two to talk about it? Maeve could probably change her mind."

The doctor sighed. "We can give them time, but we need to know in the next thirty-six hours since the cancer is in such an advanced stage." Then, the doctor noticed Maeve slowly swaying back and forth. "Sir, it would seem Miss. Maeve is going to faint."

"Huh?" Treyton reacted quickly and held onto her before she hit the floor.

Maeve fainted.

The doctor ran out of the room and called for some nurses, who then entered. Treyton was instructed to gently put Maeve on the floor to ensure her breathing wasn't too low. Once the nurses and doctor checked, a stretcher was called for, and the unconscious young woman was put on it and led to another room. "Please be reassured that Miss. Connor, we want to ensure that her vitals are normal and that she wakes up. Once awakened, she will be able to go home."

Treyton didn't want to leave Maeve, but he knew she would be in good hands. He knew everyone else had to know the news, so he said, "Alright, I will return to the waiting room and tell our friends and family the news. Which room will she be in?"

"She will be two rooms to the left of this one. I predict that she will awaken within the hour."

Treyton felt so helpless; he wanted to take Maeve's pain away. What was worse was hearing that Laoise had cancer during the holidays. He slowly walked toward the waiting room, where the others stood patiently. Everyone noticed him and immediately went to him. "So, what happened? Did they find out what happened with Laoise?" asked Patrisha.

Everyone noticed Treyton's grim look and knew something was wrong; they braced for the news.

"We found out what Laoise has. She has stage four breast cancer."

Patrisha and Persefone were petrified. "C-Cancer!?"

"Wh-Where is Maeve?" Persefone asked.

"She fainted, and the nurses are looking into her vitals. She will be dispatched once she wakes up. Laoise has still not woken up, and we don't know when she will."

Patrisha was worried for Maeve and feared for her friend's mental health. "So what will happen now? Will treatment begin?"

Treyton massaged his forehead. He didn't like to be the bearer of bad news, but he explained everything the doctor told him about. Everyone looked grim. "Patrisha I was hoping you would inform her workplace about the current situation."

"Don't worry, I will take care of work; for now, we need to be by Maeve's side. We have to expect the worst."