Chapter 9: Crisis
1248words
"Lillian!" I rushed to the bedside, touching her burning forehead, the temperature frighteningly high. "Baby, hold on!"
With trembling hands, I took out my phone, simultaneously dialing Derek and Owen. Lillian's body began to show slight, uncontrollable convulsions, and my fear peaked.
"Mom... it hurts..." her weak voice shattered my heart.
Less than ten minutes later, urgent knocking sounded at the door. I opened it to find Derek and Owen almost simultaneously appearing at the doorway, both with equally tense expressions. Derek wore a black T-shirt and jeans obviously hastily thrown on; Owen still wore his hospital white coat, carrying a medical kit.
"Where is she?" Derek's voice was low and urgent.
"Bedroom," I turned to lead the way, my legs weak with fear.
Owen immediately rushed to Lillian's side, professionally checking her condition, his fingers gentle yet firm. "Temperature 106°F, pulse too rapid, pupils completely discolored," he quickly diagnosed, taking out a syringe from his medical kit. "This is a special stabilizer I developed. It can temporarily suppress the conflict between the two Alpha genes in her body."
Derek frowned, muscles tensing beneath his T-shirt. "Drugs are only a temporary solution, Owen. What she needs is the Alpha power-sharing ritual passed down through generations in the Silver Moon Pack."
"Any ritual is too dangerous before her condition stabilizes," Owen countered, his eyes behind his glasses flashing with determination. "The stabilizer is proven, while your ritual has never been tried on a child of the dual moon."
"Our ancestors—"
"Enough!" I stood up abruptly, my voice trembling with anger. "This is my daughter, not a battlefield for your power struggle!"
Both brothers looked at me, expressions both surprised and ashamed. I had never spoken to them in this tone, but at this moment, maternal instinct overrode everything.
"Lillian needs help, not your arguments," I continued, my voice calm but resolute. "Now, who has a practical solution?"
Just then, a loud crash interrupted our confrontation. Window glass shattered, and several dark figures leaped nimbly into the room. Leading them was a red-haired woman, her eyes flashing an unnatural red, a cold smile on her lips.
"The child of the dual moon has finally appeared," her voice was like an icy blade. "She belongs to the Blood Moon Pack."
Derek immediately stood in front of Lillian, his body posture instantly becoming dangerous and threatening. "The Blood Moon Pack has been banished from Silver Moon Town's borders. You have no right to appear here."
Owen quickly stood beside me, protectively shielding Lillian and me behind him. His usually gentle expression completely disappeared, replaced by a cold determination I had never seen before.
"Take Lillian to the safe room," he said softly to me, his eyes fixed on the intruders. "There's a hidden door behind the storage room at the end of the hallway."
I picked up Lillian, her body burning and weak. Just as I was about to leave, Blood Moon Pack members suddenly attacked Derek. Their movements were so fast they were almost blurry, but Derek was faster—his body partially transformed in the moonlight, nails turning into claws, eyes flashing dangerous silver.
Owen escorted us toward the door, but a werewolf suddenly appeared behind us. Owen turned to meet the attack, his movements elegant and deadly, completely different from his scholarly image.
"Go now!" he shouted, his voice tense from battle.
I ran down the hallway with Lillian, when suddenly a severe headache struck me, accompanied by flashback memory fragments—my father lying in a hospital bed, weakly holding my hand: "Beware the Blood Moon, Bella. They covet the power of the dual moon. Protect yourself."
I stumbled but forced myself to continue. Finding the storage room, I pushed open the hidden door, entering a small safe room. It had basic necessities and medical supplies, obviously prepared by Derek in advance.
I placed Lillian on the small bed, her breathing becoming more difficult. The door suddenly opened, and I turned tensely, seeing Owen slip in, quickly locking the door.
"Where's Derek?" I asked nervously.
"He's holding them off," Owen answered briefly, immediately checking Lillian's condition. "Her condition is worsening."
I held my daughter, and suddenly more memory fragments surfaced—scenes from eight years ago, meeting "Derek" in the library, him gently explaining constellations to me; the next day, another "Derek" helping me complete a biology assignment in the lab, his touch more careful... I had been intimate with both brothers, not knowing they were twins.
The safe room door opened again, and Derek rushed in, bearing marks of battle—torn clothes, a shallow scratch on his face, but his eyes showed only concern for Lillian.
"They've retreated for now," he said briefly, immediately going to Lillian's side. "How is she?"
"Not good," Owen answered, his voice tense. "Gene conflict is intensifying, temperature still rising."
I looked at the two brothers, their argument seemingly forgotten, replaced by shared concern for their daughter. A decision formed in my mind.
"We need to combine both your methods," I said firmly. "Lillian has both your genes; her treatment needs both your participation."
Derek and Owen exchanged a glance, years of brotherly understanding allowing them to reach a silent consensus.
Owen first injected Lillian with the stabilizer, his movements precise and gentle; Derek took herbs and crystals from the safe room cabinet, preparing materials needed for the ritual.
Moonlight shone through the safe room's small window. The two brothers each held one of Lillian's hands, beginning to chant ancient incantations softly. I was amazed to see the moonlight seemingly attracted to Lillian, forming a silver halo around her.
Derek and Owen's eyes changed color simultaneously—Derek's turning deep black, Owen's bright gold. They transferred their Alpha energy to Lillian in a balanced way, forming a miraculous energy cycle.
Gradually, Lillian's silver eyes began to return to normal, and her fever subsided. Her breathing became steady, and her face regained a healthy flush.
"It's working," I said in surprise, my voice trembling with joy.
Derek explained softly, "She needs both of us, Bella. A child of the dual moon needs the strength of both fathers to stabilize."
Owen added, "The Blood Moon Pack has been searching for children like Lillian. They believe controlling dual moon power would let them rule all packs."
Lillian slowly opened her eyes, the silver glow receding, returning to her usual gray-blue. She looked confusedly at the three adults surrounding the bed. "Why are there two dads here to save me?"
This innocent question silenced all three of us. Derek and Owen exchanged a glance, their expressions complex. I didn't know how to answer my daughter's question, as I was still processing this fact myself.
"Because you're special, Lillian," Derek finally said gently, his fingers lightly brushing her forehead. "You need special protection."
Lillian seemed to accept this explanation and tiredly closed her eyes, falling asleep again. I sighed in relief, watching her peaceful sleeping face.
I stood at the door, quietly watching Derek and Owen keeping vigil at Lillian's bedside. Two powerful Alphas temporarily setting aside years of grievances to protect their child. This image filled my heart with mixed emotions.
Perhaps this was our destiny. Perhaps this was how we were meant to be together.
