The wolf whined, then butted me with his head. It was like getting hugged by a wrecking ball, and shoved me off my feet onto the ground.
I stared up at the wolf standing over me, then slowly climbed to my feet, maintaining eye contact.
I had to think. I had to find some way to help.
I looked around, trying to see what could have caused Gideon to shift. There didn’t seem to be any immediate danger, and no one was attacking that I could see.
Everyone was in the Gala. The music and voices of the crowd spilled out into the night joyously. No one else seemed to see an issue happening.
“Something’s wrong ” I said out loud, more to myself than to him. Gideon’s wolf made a soft chuffing sound. I looked back into those golden eyes, trying to read what he was trying to tell me.
“You aren’t howling, or trying to get anyone else because…” I thought hard, “You don’t want anyone else to know?”
The wolf nudged me with his nose, gently this time.
“But you think I can help?”
The wolt whined. Low this time. A hesitant sound.
“Maybe. You think maybe I can help.” Although I had no clue how, I was touched. “Okay, we’ll figure this out together.”
Gideon’s wolf didn’t make a sound, but waited. He seemed more calm now, at least.
“Something hurt Gideon.” I reasoned, “But we were just dancing. I didn’t see anything hurt him. Something he ate? Poison?”
The wolf cocked his head to the side, then pawed at the ground.
It wasn’t exactly confirmation, but I got the feeling I was on the right track. But what could help a poisoned werewolf? And what could harm only the human side and not the wolf?
I knew that some substances were toxic to werewolves. Everyone knew the main ones. Silver. Wolfsbane.
There were others, less deadly, that could effect the bond between human and wolf. Potions that could suppress the wolf side. And then there were other balms for healing.
I racked my brain trying to remember what basic first aid I knew. What they went over in pack school.
Peppermint was a purgative and could help clear the blood. I knew my mother had made me eat it when I had been ill as a child, or ate something I shouldn’t.
When my wolf hadn’t manifested when I became an adult, it had been recommended that I drink peppermint tea in copious amounts, to try and clear any toxins that might be effecting our bond.
It hadn’t worked for me, but maybe it could work for Gideon.
I had just planted some plants in my garden. If the wolf ate them, maybe it could help?
“To the garden!” I snapped my fingers at the idea and turned and took off running. To my relief, Gideon’s wolf followed me, loping alongside easily.
We skidded down the garden path and through the gate. I led Gideon’s wolf over to the patch of dark green leaves.
“Eat this.” I said, pointing. The wolf looked at me and whined.
“I think it can help, if Gideon ate something bad. You might throw up, but it should be ok.”
The wolf lowered its head towards the plant. Instead of eating it, it buried its muzzle in the leaves and inhaled deeply. The scent of peppermint filled the air.
Breath after breath, the wolf took. Then he turned towards me.
I flinched and covered my face as he sneezed mightily right in my face.
“Gross!”
When I opened my eyes, Gideon was standing where the wolf had been.
“Gideon!” I exclaimed, “Oh thank goodness you’re back. I was so worried!”
He looked pale, but otherwise himself.
“Avery.” His voice was stern and commanding. “Get the doctor.”
I swallowed and nodded but didn’t leave.
“Are you… are you okay?” I asked.
“Go!” Gideon snapped.
I turned and ran.
Thankfully, Hudson, Gideon’s brother and the pack doctor was not hard to find in the Gala. He was surrounded by ladies at the bar, who were all laughing at some story he was telling. I only heard the end of it as I dashed up.
“…so then he said, ‘If you didn’t want me to drink it, don’t put in it a glass!””
I interrupted the peals of laughter and grabbed Hudson’s arm.
“Gideon needs you.” I whispered in his ear. Concern crossed his face and he quickly excused himself to follow me.
“Do I need my kit?”
“I don’t know yet.” I said, honestly. “He’s in the garden.”
Gideon was pacing along the fence when we arrived.
“Stay there, Avery.” He warned me back as I approached, so I stood at the gate while Hudson rushed to his brother’s side. They talked in low voices, then Hudson left. As he passed by me, his face was grim.
“What’s going on?” I asked, but he just pushed past.
I turned to look at Gideon, but he had his arms crossed and was staring at me.
“Gideon, you’re scaring me.” I said, softly.
Still, he didn’t respond. He just paced.
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