CHAPTER 170: CHAPTER 170

Lily’s POV Aurora had a slight fever. After giving her some medicine, I held her worriedly all night, touching her forehead from time to time. It wasn’t until almost dawn that I fell asleep for a while. "Mommy." Airo’s small hand brushed my cheek, waking me from my slumber. I kissed her forehead, feeling her temperature had returned to normal. "Sweetie, how do you feel?" "Much better." She pointed to her mouth. "I’m hungry." "Okay, let’s get up and have breakfast." I was just about to get up when Ethan pushed the door open and came in, holding a pile of bacon and fried eggs. That’s how big a werewolf’s appetite is. "I brought breakfast. I saw you didn’t sleep at all last night." "I’m fine. I just caught a little nap and feel pretty good now." I stretched lazily, and Ethan gave me a "good morning kiss." "I canceled everything else this morning to stay home with Aurora. I know you’re worried about Celena. Go see her later." "You know me too well, dear." I quickly polished off breakfast for five people and headed to Celena’s room, where I met the excited Max at the door. Unlike yesterday, today his brown hair has all turned up. "Morning. How’s Aurora?" "Much better. How’s Celena?" My mood seemed lifted, though I still felt some worry. Max laughed heartily. "Not bad. She’s in a good mood and very cooperative. " I knocked lightly. "May we come in?" Opening the door, I saw Jacob holding Celena. He made a "shh" gesture, so Max and I tiptoed in. "You held her all night? Are your arms okay?" I whispered, my heart aching at the sight of Celena’s pale face. She looked so frail, like a porcelain doll that might shatter at the slightest breeze. Max set down breakfast. "Jacob, go rest. I need to discuss something with you later." "Yes, get some rest. I’ll take care of her. She’s too weak right now and needs to recover first," I urged Jacob as well. After they left, perhaps sensing the absence of her companion’s scent, Celena suddenly woke up. She instinctively recoiled before relaxing when she recognized me: "I slept too deeply." "That’s a good thing. Starting today, you need to eat well and sleep well to recover." I helped her sit up and offered her breakfast, but she shook her head: "I can manage." Yet after just one bite, her body began trembling violently. Her bones cracked and creaked, and she bit her lower lip to stifle a cry. The beads of sweat on her forehead made me suspect her wolf was about to emerge—she was enduring immense pain. I quickly moved the breakfast aside, gently cradling her as I laid her down flat. "Celena, listen to me. Don’t fear the changes in your body. The pain is temporary. Breathe deeply." She heeded my words, slowly matching my rhythm as she slowed her breathing. "Good. From now on, whenever you sense your body shifting, don’t panic. Surrender to the transformation, just like you’re doing now. Don’t hold back the pain—just let it out. No one here will blame you." No sooner had I finished speaking than Celena let out a hoarse growl and transformed into a small brown wolf. Her wolf instinctively bared its teeth at me, but soon she rubbed against me submissively before leaping off the bed. Max and Jacob rushed in upon hearing the commotion. Celena was startled and took several steps back. At the same time, she instinctively made a gesture as if she were about to pounced. Max and Jacob stood still, waiting for Celena to recognize them. She quickly identified their scents and slowly approached them. I crouched down and embraced Celena: "Her wolf is healthier than she is. Now we need to focus on restoring her physical health. Don’t worry about her state when she transforms." Celena had reverted to human form by then. She wrapped her arms around me, trembling like a wounded little animal nestled in my embrace. "Don’t be afraid, Celena. That’s who you are. We’ll help you adjust to all of this together. You’re too weak right now, so transforming would be painful." Celena lifted her face to meet mine: "I’m not afraid of pain. I... I can do this." "If you trust me, I can guide you through this part of the training. Is that alright?" I helped her up, but Jacob quickly stepped forward, cradling her back onto the bed. "Max and I were just discussing whether you could assist Celena with her training. I can support you, while Max needs to attend to that matter." Jacob gave me a knowing look. I guessed he meant Brett. It was best to avoid mentioning Brett around Celena now; it would help stabilize her emotions. "Of course I’m willing, as long as Celena is willing." I gently stroked Celena’s forehead. She clasped my hand. "I’m willing. Thank you, Lliy." For the next week, whenever Celena showed the slightest discomfort, I contacted Bulanda for assistance. Thankfully, Bulanda was always highly effective. Celena could now complete her transformation into a wolf smoothly, though it still only lasted a short while. Her physical condition had improved significantly. At the very least, she no longer looked like a porcelain doll that would shatter at the slightest touch. Celena’s POV I no longer fear my wolf. I’m truly happy for myself. Without Lily and Jacob’s help, I doubt my body would have recovered this quickly. I studied my reflection in the mirror and mimicked Jacob’s habit of pinching my cheeks. No longer skin and bones, I had gained a little flesh. They always worry about my tolerance for pain, but honestly, this discomfort pales in comparison to what I endured in that hunter base basement. I wonder how Brett is doing now? I’m truly worried about him.