When We Were Mates (Demetra and Emris) novel Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Alpha Emris.

“Non–members of our pack or rogues who haven’t been tested for temperature are not allowed into our territory. How many hospitals in our territory have the best doctors on standby?” I glance down at the reports of Loo Fever spread across

my

desk.

“Our pack is the largest. There have been reports of eight infected so far. Two are children. The rest are adults. Our doctors are treating them, but it seems the children are harder to treat, Alpha. The fever…”

Hmm. Fever in pups never plays fair.

“The fever causes blood loss for some reason,” one of the doctors says.

Silver walks in late, still carrying the heavy look of someone who’s already seen the worst of it. “I saw one of the children myself, Emris. It was a lifeless body. We need to send condolences to the family.”

Mom rises from her chair. “Kids?” Her hand covers her mouth. “Moons.”

Jasmine, one of the doctors, steps forward. “The children need to stay indoors. That’s the best we can do right now. I’ve been speaking with Alpha Seth, who’s treating most of the cases. He says the adults are recovering, but the fever spreads far more easily among children, and their temperatures are much harder to bring down. The younger they are, the faster the fever spikes. We’re seeing dangerous drops in platelet counts, which explains the blood loss. Hydration and fever management are critical, but without an antiviral, we’re fighting symptoms, not the cause.”

“Who is Alpha Seth?” I put my finger on my chin, genuinely blank.

“He’s the Alpha of the Irish pack.” Jasmine scowls at me. “Alpha, please remember these names.”

“I keep a lot in my head. The name ‘Irish pack‘ does ring a bell, though.” I snap my fingers. “We recruited their doctors last year. Great benefits. Brought them into your pack. Took a lot of my money.” My eyes narrow. “I hope that investment was worth it today.”

“The best thing to do right now is regulate the bodies of every pup and child in the pack.” Jasmine says to everyone.

“Hot soups. Hot meals. Hot drinks. We need to make sure their internal systems are warm enough to fight the bacteria causing the fever. Cold is our enemy right now. That’s what we should broadcast to everyone in the pack. No playdates. No group activities. No exceptions.”

Another doctor walks into the room without knocking. “I’ve tested Milo’s vitals, Alpha. His temperature is stable, but I’ve told the chefs what he should be having for now until the Irish pack can produce something more effective.”

I stare at him for a beat, then ask quietly, “Are you mad?”

The other doctors in my office freeze and Jasmine closes her eyes. She knows exactly what mistake this idiot just made. “A–Alpha.. did I say something wrong?”

“Of course you did,” Jasmine says, turning toward him. “The Alpha didn’t buy us, invest in us, or turn us into members of this pack just so we could stand around waiting for the Irish Pack to solve the problem. Which means we have a full day ahead of us in the lab.”

“Yeah.” I glare down at the trembling doctor. “Get him out of my sight.”

Jasmine grabs his arm and marches him toward the door.

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10:20 am Ppp.

Chapter 80

“Alpha?” Another voice calls my name.

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I pinch the bridge of my nose. This meeting has been interrupted more than twenty times, and we’re not even close to saying anything that can stop the Loo Fever.

“What.”

“Elena is here.” Regan says as he pushes his way through the door. “She wants to see Milo. Her son.”

I unfold my arms. I’m guessing he told the housekeeper to get out of his way and let Elena in, so they ran to me…the only other person who can speak to him without getting their head bitten off.

“She’ll have to be tested first.”

“Good. Where’s the doctor?”

“You might have seen her on the way in if you hadn’t barged into my office like a mule.”

“Emris?” Teddy pushes past Regan next.

Regan glares before stalking out.

2

“Can no one see that we’re having a meeting about the future of the pack—”

“I’m not allowed to go out and see Eden!?” Teddy is breathless.

“No. You can do a video call.”

sit back in my chair and check my phone again. Demetra still hasn’t replied to any of my messages since we separated yesterday. I sent messages last night too…nothing. I just want to know she and Amira are safe, and that her pack is handling this properly.

“A video call-”

“Teddy. I think you’ve forgotten what it means to be an Alpha’s daughter,” my mother says sharply. “Instead of asking how the pack members are doing, you’re worried about whether you and that boy from the Lion Pride are still together.”

Teddy’s mouth snaps shut and I glance back at my phone.

“L… of course I care about our pack.” Teddy’s voice wavers, then hardens. “Especially now when the Lion Pride pack doesn’t even have access to its farm.” She lands her eyes on me, and smiles. “Oh, and by the way, Eden heard Demetra and Slade speaking. Demetra knows that you took their pack’s territory.”

“What!” I’m on my feet so fast the elders flinch back in their chairs.

“Yeah.” Teddy crosses her arms. “I warned you, didn’t I?”

I grab my phone and walk out of the meeting. Silver is there…..he can handle the rest.

I start calling.

Yeah. I was trying to be a nonchalant boyfriend. Especially since we spent so much time together. But now I can guess what she’s thinking. That I’ve fooled her. Lied to her. Used her. That I’m the same monster she’s always feared,

I’m not

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Chapter 80

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If she would just answer. I could explain. I could tell her the that I’ve been chasing my father’s answer in every direction 1 know, and her father and brother have shut every door in my face. I only want the truth.

The call rings.

And rings.

And rings.

She doesn’t pick.

Shit.

What do I do? She’s not going to pick.

I know Demetra. She won’t hear me out like this. I need to stand in front of her and make her understand.

A woman’s voice cuts through the air from downstairs. “I just want to see my son. How many more tests do I have to run?”

I look up just in time to catch Elena pushing a doctor backward and our eyes meet each other from the distance of the railing. Does she think I’m stupid? Milo is safest here. She knows that. This isn’t panic or being a good mother.

It’s not like anyone told her something happened to him. She’s just looking for any reason to come here. Any excuse to sink her claws back in.

“If she keeps fighting the testing, kick her out of my pack!” I snarl, already boiling with anger from Demetra shutting me out. Regan shoots me a warning look from below.

“Alpha. Alpha.”

Two gammas come rushing toward me like they’ve got anything else worth my attention right now.

“What?”

“Alpha Slade of the Lion Pride Pack and Demetra Pride are here.”

My heart stops.

Then it restarts at double speed.

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Chapter 80

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