There had been no breakthrough.
It had been two days now since Priscilla had been almost an inert body barely breathing, not moving, just lying there unresponsive. The only reason Layan knew his wolf was alive was the fact that Nebraska was the one keeping her in that state and had been more reluctant to wake her up after learning Liam was inside her.
Fucking Liam. Why the hell didn't he just stay in his fucking grave and let them rest easy.
He couldn't help but growl baring his long fangs. By now the stress was getting the better of him and sleep wasn't getting the best of him. Dark circles adorned under his eyes making the blue of his eyes more intense and they really hurt from exhaustion. But in his head there were too many things to think about.
He felt his sister's body move behind him and ran his hand down her furry back earning a slight whimper from the peacefully snoozing wolf. At least Leila was positively improving. Her pelt had spasmed badly but in her wolf form it was easier to overcome her injuries.
The puppy they had saved was already awake along with his brother who was recovering from his wounds, and both under guard, just to avoid any more unpleasant situations. Neither of them remembered what had happened, as if their minds had deep mental gaps. But there was still the danger that they would be used again despite having been victims.
On the other hand, Kei was also improving, albeit more slowly. Victore had spent the whole time at his side. He had not seen him as the commander refused to leave him. He was like his guardian wolf and he himself tended to him by healing his wounds both physically and mentally. And he understood him. He knew about their feelings for each other and it was normal for him to be worried and prayed that everything would end well between them. Both needed to be happy.
Everything had gotten totally crazy in the last few days. So many injuries. So many deaths and he as alpha felt helpless. Powerless to have done anything to notice. Only focused on running away from his destiny, one that he himself had mapped out from before.
He sighed dropping his head in his hands. The reddish hair that had lost its luster ran down his shoulders and fell around his body. The dark handle braided with Priscilla's hair and the stone danced on his wrist and he looked at it. He ran his thumb over the reddish stone sensing its glow.
-Priscilla,- her name left his lips and his chest tightened.
-Where is my she-wolf?- a familiar voice echoed in his head again and Layan became alarmed.
-Is that you?- he asked, closing his eyes and concentrating. It wasn't Liam, it wasn't Priscilla- Who are you?
There was a few seconds of silence. Then a laugh.
-You should know who I am.
Layan remained thoughtful. Even though he was talking to something inside his head, he didn't feel bad or uncomfortable. He wasn't afraid either, rather, it was as if....
-I am you, and you are me- the voice resounded again deeper than before.
Layan's mouth opened slightly. Those words left him in a trance for a few moments. And no, it wasn't crazy.
-You...
-Imbecile- this time what there was was a growl and before Layan reacted an image of a fanged mouth appeared within his range of vision causing him to startle.
-That's enough.
The image disappeared and Layan was forced to open his eyes ending up on the floor, his back against the bed. He was sweating and panting heavily.
-Alpha, are you okay?
Layan raised his head and watched as Victore knelt in front of him and held out a hand. Her face was pale and tired. But the gleam in his eyes did not abate. Like any wolf accustomed to being on the front lines in the defense of his pack.
He grabbed the wolf's hand and let the wolf help him up. His body felt heavy and his head ached. And he was still processing what had just happened.
-Did you talk to him?- the question that suddenly fell between the two of them made Layan flinch.
-What did you say?- he asked slowly, slurring each word.
Victore looked down the side of the larger wolf's body to where Layan stood and grimaced. He straightened up and bowed his head.
-Alpha, please follow me. I need to talk to you about something important and perhaps we can find a way to help the princess.
At the last thing Layan nodded. Yes, he cared about her condition and really knew what was happening to her but the priority at that moment was Priscilla. So, without hesitation, after checking that his sister was safe, he followed Victore out of the room closing the door behind his back.
-What do you have to tell me?- she assaulted him when they were alone.
The lips of Victore's mouth turned into a thin hard line.
-Alpha, I know this is a very personal subject but I think we should also discuss it with the alpha of the silver pack and his queen. He asked you because it's a sensitive subject and that thing inside you is more tied to the princess than you think-
Layan stood stiffly for a few seconds to nod his head slightly. Victore relaxed his face and half turned to go after him when Layan's hand wrapped hard around his arms. The wolf's claws were out and buried themselves in his skin breaking it slightly. Victore swallowed dryly though he showed no expression on his face. More not Layan who looked at him out of the corner of her eyes where her orbs danced between blue and gold.
-I'm only going to let you off this time because Priscilla is more important, but you're going to have to explain in detail why you know more about me than I do,- Layan's fangs grazed his lower lip and the image was not a pleasant one.
Victore had seen everything in his life. He'd even killed wolves twice his size, but none of that was buying facing his alpha, annoying, really annoying. He was sure that if he were in his wolf form at that moment he would have his tail between his legs and his ears pinned back on his head. He might be the pack commander, be lethal when it came to killing, but Layan was a wolf with alpha genes, so it was only natural that he would fear him. And not just any alpha. He wasn't by taste the leader of the Council and that inside him was one of the reasons he was strong. But he knew that if everything inside Layan really was as it should be, he would be an unstoppable wolf.
-Alpha- he lowered his head in submission- I promise I'll tell you everything. It was for her safety.
-I'll decide that when I hear it- Layan's hand slowly released him and Victore stepped back putting distance.
It wasn't normal for the alpha to react like this, but if there was one thing he hated it was lies. And Victore had hidden an important part of his life for many years. He knew things would get complicated. He would have to tread carefully.
-I'll wait in the den,- the red-haired wolf said before turning and walking away.
Victore waited until Layan turned down the hallway before dropping against the wall behind him. His forehead drenched in cold sweat and his legs trembling slightly. Now he questioned whether it was a good idea to tell his alpha about him, about his true nature. More was needed if they wanted to totally destroy Liam.
He hoped his assumptions wouldn't fail.
***
Nebraska stirred opening her eyes slowly. A hand rested on her head and stroked it lovingly.
-Did you rest?- hades' voice sounded warm.
She blinked several times before looking down at her body and moving her head to rest on her husband's thick thigh. She didn't know at what point she had fallen asleep together with him on the couch where Priscilla slept. She nodded her head at her wolf's question.
-I think she needed it,- she ran her hand over her face. Worry was plaguing her, especially since they had no answers despite all the time they'd been figuring out how to solve Liam's problem.
Hades helped her sit up and kissed her cheek. He stroked the rim under his she-wolf's eyes.
-She'll be fine-- he hugged her against him even though he wasn't in the best shape, but he had to be strong. He was thankful his children weren't there because he didn't know how to handle the situation- Our Pris is strong-
Nebraska nodded her head and let go of his arms to move closer to her daughter. Her nose twitched. Even though most of her functions were blocked there was one that was hard to suppress.
Her jealousy.
This one had fully awakened, and although her body wasn't showing all the normal symptoms like sweating, panting and the characteristic pain and lubrication, it was only a matter of time before it was a necessity to have sex to relieve herself. Or her body would suffer the consequences.
-Hades- she spoke with a deep voice- we'll have to do something fast- Priscilla's heat is here-.
The alpha got up and stood beside her, slipping his arm behind her waist. He was aware, he had smelled it when they entered the cave. And he knew who she would want to bond with. Only now with the two bites on his body it was hard to predict what would happen. The contamination in her daughter's veins had stopped, but it was still possible to see the dark marks.
The door was knocked startling them both. Hades had the urge to growl. He was very protective at that moment. Both his wife and daughter were there and he had to protect them. But when he smelled Victore's scent he calmed down a bit.
Victore opened the door and peeked his head in seeing the couple at the side of the bed.
-Alpha, Queen, I need to speak with you for a moment. It is necessary. We can save the princess.
And the couple's faces lit up.