Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Clara followed Xander as he showed her around the park house. She smiled sweetly and nodded her head to everything said by him. She never asked a question of her own, only nodding and smiling which irked Xander's wolf. Yes, he wanted obedience and submissiveness but stupidity and dumbness wasn't part of what he wanted.

He growled at Xander, asking him to take Clara away from him but Xander managed to stay in control the whole time.

"Come, let me drive you home "He said, taking Clara's hand in his, he let her out of the pack house and into his car and Xender too entered the car from the driver's seat and drove off.

Clara was silent all through the drive back to her house. Unknown to them that something very strange was happening to Clara's body. The birthmark on her lower neck had been glowing since the moment she stepped foot inside the pack house, but it stayed hidden behind the black leather jacket.

Xander pulled up in front of Clara's home. He turned to face Clara who was staring silently at her intertwined finger.

"I will send you the dress for tomorrow and I will pick you up by 8 am sharp " he told her.

Clara nodded and silently reached for the door handle and pulled it, pushing the door open. She stepped down from the car and waved goodbye to Xander with a tight smile on her face.

"Dumbass "Bardulf snorted.

"I know, I know okay, but we need her at least for now " Xander retorted.

"Let us be Alpha and we will find a way to deal with her "

"You better do, I can't stand her,''said Bardulf.

Gina and Raya were seated in the living room watching TV when they heard the clicking sound of keys, thay craned their necks to look at the door when Clara came into view. Her pale expression was the first thing they took notice of.

"What is wrong "said Gina, getting up from the sofa and walking to meet Clara who remained standing at the door and Raya followed behind too.

"What happened? You look so pale" Question Raya, her eyes traveling up and down Clara's length to make sure she was okay.

"I…. I don't know, "said Clara, shaking her head. Indeed she really did not know what exactly was wrong with her. She felt hot all over as if something was about to burst through her body.

"That bastard, did he touch you inappropriate……"

"No,he did not " Clara was quick to refuse.

"What is it then? "Asked Raya as she raises her hands up to Cara's forehead to feel her temperature.

" Ah! "

"You're burning, Clara."

"Now take off your jacket" she ordered.

Clara was about to take off the jacket when Gina's words made her pause.

"What's that on your neck?" Asked Gina as she moved closer to Clara to take a proper look.

"The fuck is this?" she uttered. Her eyes widened in shock and surprise as she stared at the spot on Clara's neck. Raya, unable to contain her curiosity, went over to have a look for herself, and she too had a look of surprise on her face.

"Guys, you are freaking me out" came the nervous voice of Clara. Gina and Raya snapped out of daze and stared back at Clara.

"Your birthmark is glowing," Gina said. the surprise not leaving her voice.

"What!" Clara exclaimed. She rushed over to stand in front of the mirror to see for herself and she couldn't believe what she was seeing. She blinked her eyes several times to make sure she wasn't seeing wrongly.

She turned back to face her friends who were standing behind her with a more confused expression. Clara opened her mouth to say something when a sudden pain pierced through her chest and Clara fell on her knees, clenching her chest tightly as she writhed painfully.

"Clara, what's wrong with you," asked Gina in panic, they rushed over to Clara's side to help her stand on her feet. But they let go quickly as her body became steaming hot. Taking a step back one at a time as the glow that emanated from Clara's birthmark was quickly spreading to all parts of her body and in no time, Clara was engulfed in the bright glow that illuminated the entire living room like a shining crystal. Her friend's had to shield their eyes from the light with their hands.

As soon as their eyes were able to adjust to the lighting, their worries intensified. Clara was still counching on the ground in intense pain. Gina paced back and forth, not knowing exactly what to do.

"Should we call the hospital?" Said Raya.

"And say what?.Our 18 years old friend is dying of a heart attack and she's literally glowing all over?" Gina yelled.

"We should call the cops," suggested Raya.

"Jeez! Raya, are pretending to be dumb or what?"

"Then what should we do?. she's dying, Gina, we just can't fold our hands and let her die"

"We have to do something"

While Gina and Raya were in a complete dilemma. A raven stood on a branch, in one of the trees and watched. She was torn between going to help the girls and revealing herself to the girls. She knew exactly what was happening to the girl. The pain is a result of the potion that she had fed Clara with. The potion had triggered the powers that had stayed dormant for a long time and is now fighting to come to surface. It could be dangerous for people to be around her at this time when her power is surging out of control. The raven remained on the tree, unable to decide what to do.

Inside the living room, Raya was unable to hold back her fears anymore. She rushed to the sofa and collected her mobile phone. She dialed the emergency number and immediately the call went through.

" How can I help you?" came a female voice from the other end of the phone.

"My friend is dying, 343 Alana way, mystic falls, please hurry" said Raya.

"Stop it Raya, you are going to put Clara in more trouble, they will think she's some kind of alien or something'' .Gina yelled.

"At least, I tried to save her first"

Gradually, the light began to subside, alongside the pain in Clara's chest. Her painful groans stopped and she tried to stand on her feet. Seeing this, her friends could only rejoice as their friend was almost recovered and back to her usual self.

"Jesus! Clara you scared us" said Gina.

Both Raya and Gina rushed to her side but Clara subconsciously took a step back and signaled for them to stay away.

"What, are you still in pain?" Raya asked, her voice showing concern but Clara only stared at them like they were strangers to her.

Gina and Raya looked at each other with a frown before turning their gaze back to Clara. Whose facial expressions had slowly contorted due to another pain that came from her neck. Clara quickly placed her hand on her neck where the burning pain was coming from.

"Ahhh!" She cried, falling on her knees again.

Her friends were about to rush over to help her when Clara released an ear piercing scream that shattered the window glasses and sent the two girls flying to the other side of the living room.

Mira, who was still hiding in one of the tree branches, could no longer wait to make a decision. She quickly moved to the side of the house and shifted into her human form and rushed out. She opened the door with a spell and went in. Her eyes landed on Clara who had already passed out on the floor and then at the other girl who was groaning and wincing in pain.

Mira offered help to Gina who was closer to her. She helped Gina to her feet and went to help Raya who was almost up on her feet.

"Mira, right?'' Raya asked, getting a nod from Mira.

"You know each other?" Ask Gina.

"Yes, I and Clara met Mira at the grocery store that first day we arrived at mystic falls" Raya told Gina and she nodded.

"What do we do now? the ambulance would arrive here any minute'' said Raya. Pointing at Clara who had passed out on the floor.

All three of them walked to where Clara was sleeping soundly. They picked her up from the ground and carried her to the sofa and laid her down carefully. Clara frowned slightly as her body temperature had not totally dropped.

"Get me a bowl of water and a towel," said Mira and Gina quickly made her way to the kitchen and came back with a bowl of water and towel. Mira dipped the towel inside the bowl of water and squeezed it before placing it on Clara's forehead. She turned to face Gina. " Please bring me a blanket," she watched as Gina made her way out of the living room, then she asked Raya to go close the curtains. As soon as Raya left, Mira placed her hands on Clara's chest and muttered a few spells and Clara's knitted brows finally relaxed.

Gina brought the blanket over and covered Clara with it. They sat on the sofa with a sigh and it was only then that their eyes scanned the room. The living room was a total mess. Shattered glasses and flower vases laid on the ground, books were scattered all over the place. They couldn't believe that a mere scream could cause a destruction of this kind.

"What could possibly be wrong with her?" asked Gina.

"Ding dong" the doorbell rang.

"I think the ambulance is here," Raya said. Standing up from the sofa and walking towards the door. She opened the door and a gentleman stood tall at the entrance with a box in his arms.

"Evening ma'am. I was asked to deliver these to Miss Clara, "he smiled.

Raya eyed him up and down, he doesn't look one bit like a delivery man. the way his shirt stuck to his wide chest. his muscled arms and chiseled jaw blue eyes. Raya's mouth was slightly agape.

"Ma'am?"

"Ahem!. Yes, let me take these if you don't mind. My friend is feeling feverish."

"No problem,"he said. handing the box over Raya. He turned around and left the place but Raya remained standing, watching him until he disappeared from her sight.

She shut the door and went back inside.

"Who was that? "Gina asked

"A delivery guy," Raya replied. Trying to hide her smile.

"What really is wrong with her?" Gina asked.

'' It's hard to explain, why don't we wait until she's awake" said Mira. And the girl agreed.

Meanwhile, on the other side of a street, stood a man, who had been watching every happening and every movement that came in and out from the girls apartment. He walked out from behind the trees he had used as camouflage and headed down the road where he parked his car and drove away from the place.

Nimue was seated in her front yard when a car came to park in front of her yard and a man highlighted.

"Jericho" Nimue uttered his name.

"Have a seat" she offered and the man took his seat opposite her.

What's the news?"she asked

"Her powers have been triggered," he said to Nimue,

"She almost killed her friends if not for the help of that witch," he added.

'And the werewolves, who is he?" Nimue asked.

Jericho became silent because he knew Nimue would not like the answer to this question.

"Pius's second son, I think she is his mate" he informed. " he wants Clara to attend the crowning ceremony with him tomorrow".

"We can not let them be mated," said Nimue.

In the meantime, the warriors have assembled in Lucas's cabin as usual, for the final briefing before the fight that would be taking place the next day.

Everything was in order and the warriors were ready to fight until their last strength.

"I just want to thank you all for devoting your time and energy to this course and I know by tomorrow, we will be singing Victory," said lucas.

"We would always do the right thing. Skyler is our Alpha and our friend too, we would do anything for him" said one of the warriors.

And the other cheered.

"To victory" said Lucas.

"To victory" all replied in unison.