"Please, Akira," Theo said, his voice softening. "You need to rest. Your body can't take this kind of stress."
But I shook my head, trying to clear the fog. I couldn't give up now, not when I had so much to say to my brother, to the pack. I had to keep going, no matter what.
As I stood there, a fit of coughing seized me, wracking my body with violent spasms. I felt a surge of panic as blood speckled my lips. Theo rushed to my side, his face etched with concern.
"Akira, stop pushing yourself," he begged. "You're only making things worse."
But I couldn't stop. I had to keep going. I took a step forward, but my legs buckled beneath me, sending me crashing to the floor. I felt a searing pain in my chest, like a knife twisting deep into my lungs. I knew then that my time was running out, that the cancer was spreading fast.
Theo helped me to my feet, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. "Please, Akira," he whispered. "Let me help you."
But I just shook my head, my vision blurring. I knew I had to keep moving, no matter what. I had to make my brother understand, had to make him see.
With a Herculean effort, I pushed myself up, my legs trembling beneath me. I took a step forward, then another, each one a battle against the pain and the darkness that threatened to consume me.
And then, everything went black.
I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. From the entrance of the pack house, I must have been rushed back to the pack hospital. I am now surrounded by the familiar scent of antiseptic and the soft beeping of machines. Doctor Theo's face came into focus, his expression stern but his eyes filled with concern.
"Akira, you're going to be the death of me," he said, shaking his head. "You know you only have a few months left, and yet you're still pushing yourself to the limit. Why?"
I tried to speak, but my voice was hoarse from coughing. Theo handed me a glass of water, and I sipped it gratefully.
"I...I just want to make things right," I whispered. "With my brother, with the pack. I don't want to leave with so much unfinished business."
Theo sighed, his expression softening. "You're a stubborn one, I'll give you that. But you need to take care of yourself, Akira. You're not going to be able to make amends if you're dead."