Chapter 22: Jeremy Stanton vs. Ryan Hicks Feral attraction in the midst of hatred… Recovery!

***

Ryan looked up at the elegant woman and gave her a grateful smile. “That would be great. Thanks.”

Gloria nodded as she dialed a number. “Philip, how are you? Great. Could you please get Ryan an i-pad immediately? He needs to inform his school that he’s indisposed.” She went quiet for a moment, obviously listening to whatever Philip was telling her. “That won’t be a problem Philip. I’ll be waiting in his room. Thanks.” She hung up and turned to look at Ryan. “Done.”

“Thank you.”

“He was worried you would probably send a mail to the police or something like that. But I told him that wasn’t going to be a problem. I hope I’m right Ryan.” Gloria watched the beautiful man.

“And what exactly would I tell them?” Ryan raised an eyebrow. “That someone bit me and now I’m a wolf? Or that I’ve been raped? Your son threatened, whilst raping me that he was going to make me shift immediately after he was done so that I could heal. He said that healing would enable him inflict the same pain the next time he took me.”

“Oh my God!” Gloria gasped as her hands went to her chest.

“He didn’t make me shift as he’d threatened but I was so angry I did anyway. So I guess I healed after all. So tell me, Gloria, what evidence would I have to prove that I’ve been raped? I can’t go to the police with any of this. I don’t have a case. And I want to remain sane in the eyes of the public, thank you very much.” Ryan blinked when Gloria abruptly turned and dashed into the en suite bathroom. But thanks to his newly heightened senses, he could hear her crying. “Shit.” He could have kicked himself for his insensitivity. Ryan cursed his leg, wishing he could go in there and comfort her. “I’m sorry, Gloria.” He said, knowing Gloria would hear him.

When Gloria eventually came back to the room, she looked composed but her face and eyes clearly showed she’d been crying. “I’m sorry,” Ryan said softly.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. I should be the one apologizing. Please do me a favour here…let’s forget about my son for a while shall we?”

“Gladly.” Ryan smiled.

“Good. Hope you like muffins.” Gloria said, going to pick up the basket.

“I love muffins.” Ryan grinned.

“Great. ‘Cause not to blow my own horn, but I make some mean ones.” With that, Gloria went to sit beside Ryan on the bed with her back to the headboard too. Then uncovering the basket, they both dug in.

By the time Philip came in with the i-pad, the two were laughing at some funny stories Gloria was telling about their ‘species’ as they decided to call the werewolves.

“Are you okay, Mama G?” Philip asked with a frown. Though he’d found Jeremy’s mother laughing heartily with Ryan, he could see from her eyes that she’d been crying.

“I’m very fine, Philip. Thanks for asking. Could you please ask Vincent to come and see me? There is a list of books that we need to get for Ryan.”

“Let me have the list, Ma’am. I’ll get them.” Philip responded.

“Oh no. I wouldn’t want to bother you. I know you’re busy.” Gloria chuckled.

“It’s no bother at all,” Philip said with eyes filled with amusement. “I’ve delegated all my work to Jake. You’re my main focus now Prof.” He smiled at Ryan. “Whatever you need, just ask. Okay?”

“Thanks, Philip. I appreciate it.” Ryan gave the first person he’d really liked in Jeremy’s home a grateful smile and began scribbling on the pad that had been left on his bedside table.

**

And for the next ten days, Gloria spent all her time with Ryan. She told him all he needed to know and even more, about werewolves. Whenever Ryan needed to work, Gloria would read her book and give him space. The doctors were very surprised and impressed at how fast Ryan was actually healing. He began to go on short walks with Gloria. He did use a walking aid though. All in all, Ryan was content. He was doing his job alright. He even received a mail from Timmy York asking whether he was alive. He’d replied that he was injured and recuperating in a special hospital.

Timmy York had obviously taken them to the Stanton Woods to watch men turning into wolves and vice versa. That was the new species the young boy had hoped would boost up his grades. But how was it that such a young boy not only knew about werewolves but actually hunted them too, Ryan wondered. Timmy had later sent another mail after Ryan had informed the school about his injury. He’d told Ryan that the school had informed them that he wasn’t well so would be absent for a while. Then he’d apologized for causing Ryan’s injury by taking him to Stanton Woods, and wished him a speedy recovery.

Ryan and Gloria continued to spend time together. She would sometimes unintentionally begin to tell him stories about Jeremy, which was only natural as he was her only living child. But she always caught herself and would quickly change the subject. But much as Ryan got angry at the mere mention of Jeremy’s name, he couldn’t deny the feeling of excitement that always burst forth within him whenever he was told stories about Jeremy. What bothered him, even more, was how his dreams were always filled with the blue-eyed sexy hunk. Almost every morning he had to wake up quickly and take a shower before the nurses arrived because he was constantly having nocturnal emissions. That pissed Ryan off to no end because he wasn’t a fucking teen.

Fuck Jeremy.