Chapter Sixty One

I could feel Nikolai desperately trying to reach me, I could feel him at the other side of our bond trying to get in, to get me to respond to him but I couldn't… I wouldn’t.

The pain I got from being lashed held nothing in comparison to the pain I felt from the sense of betrayal I was currently experiencing.

Nikolai had a son. I hadn't heard wrong, Elena hadn't been wrong, Nikolai had a child with Ada, a son with Ada and I knew nothing of this because he hadn't thought to tell me something this important.

I’d thought it over and over again and nothing made sense to me. Why wouldn't he tell me?

Why?

Why?

Why?

It was the only word that kept ringing in my head even as I lay naked on the cold floor of my cell and the physician helped treat my wounds to aid them heal faster than they usually would. It was a great gesture but I didn't need it; I hadn't needed anyone to come to see me at all but I realized it was no use being weak and waiting for the next two days for my wounds to heal themselves.

I flinched when the physician applied salve all over my back, her hands digging into my skin as she massaged it in.

“I'm sorry,” she said but I ignored her and kept my eyes closed counting the seconds until she leaves and I was left alone.

“You know” —her voice dropped— “they're planning to kill you.”

I remained still.

“You aren't supposed to be here,” she whispered. “It was never meant to be you but the Alpha’s hate for Nikolai made them replace you.”

“If it wasn't supposed to be me, who was it then?” I asked, speaking up for the first time since she stepped into my cell.

“You must think of a way to save yourself, Natalie. There is no fair trial waiting for you, you were brought here to be killed, and nothing more.”

She got up and made to leave.

“Wait,” I said. “Tell me, what has Nikolai done to make the Alpha despise him so much…”

“His daughter is dead because of Alpha Nikolai!” the woman snapped, almost angry that I didn't possess this knowledge.

“What? How does…”

But she’d already left, slipping out of my cell as noiselessly as she had slipped in.

I let Nikolai through our bond. “What are you hiding from me and I need answers now!” I said to him, “Natalie, do you have any idea how worried I've been? I haven't been able to properly function without you. Did he harm you? Did he touch you?”

“You knew…”

“What?” His response floated into my head.

“I was a fool to have believed you, Nikolai. I was a fool to have believed a single thing you had to say and I regret knowing you.”

With that, I yet again shut him off the bond.

I wanted to listen to him, a small part of me told me that there would be a perfect explanation for this but the sensible part of me that wasn't marinated in love with Nikolai reminded me that he had all of this time to have told me about his son but he had kept quiet about it, he had intentionally refused to tell me about it.

Whatever happened to cause Ada’s death wasn't any of my concern but he was being blamed for it and he was well aware that the Alpha of Emerald pack would kill me because of how deep the hate ran and he still allowed me to stay here regardless.

My heart shattered over and over again. What if he had done something to her? Something so despicable everyone knew but me? Something so despicable Nikolai kept it hidden.

I shook my head. He wouldn't kill her, I was speaking from a place of fury.

With a sigh, I got up and pulled my shirt over my head —I only had myself to save me. If what the physician had been saying was true, only I could save myself from death because yet again, I was alone.

I was alone, and it was a terrible thing to realize.

****

“He's done something to her,” Nikolai yelled out. “The bastard is hurting her and we remain here delaying!”

“Shut up!” Callan said, slamming his fist on the long desk that demarcated the few warriors and their generals of his pack and Nikolai’s.

“We are here tonight planning this fool’s war for your sake and I will not allow you to undermine the efforts of every person here.”

Nikolai could feel insanity swallowing him up. He hated not knowing and that was where he was at.

For years, he’d had to put up with Ada’s father long after her death because he suspected the man had possession of his child and he’d done all he could to be in his favor but that never happened and now he was done.

Yes, he was going to invade Emerald pack for Natalie but his trusted warriors were back and ready to prove their loyalty by scourging every nook there was in that pack for his child.

“I was a fool to have believed a single thing you had to say and I regret knowing you.”

And Nikolai prayed to the Goddess with everything in him that Natalie knew nothing of the things he kept from her. He hoped that wasn't it.

“Make haste!” he screamed. “I need us done with this and to make proper physical planning on the routes to take.”

Callan stood upright. “Nikolai, is there another way I can convince you to not do this? We will be attending the trial. I am among the recognized council members and I can stand for Natalie.”

“Only death shall stop me!” he swore.

A small knock on the door turned their attention to it.

“Who is that?”

“The Salutary’s assistant, Alpha,” a small, feminine voice said from outside the door. “Something has happened at the infirmary and the Salutary wants you there.”

Nikolai rubbed his eyes in frustration. “I am busy and you can ask him who he thinks he is to summon me?”

“I am sorry, Alpha. I believe the reason the Salutary needs you urgently is that Florence is awake and she has been calling out for the Luna but if you would prefer…”

“She is awake?” he asked.

“Yes. She wants to speak to the Luna first. She is impatient about informing her of who it was that attacked her.”

This caused Nikolai to stop in his tracks. If he had evidence, he could…

He didn't want to think about it too much and have his hopes raised.

No, not yet.

But he stormed off, on the verge of breaking into a run as he made his way to the infirmary. He knew Natalie would be pleased about Florence being awake. It was one of those things he would first tell her when he saved her and he would and when he did, everything would be alright.

But for now, he needed to know the bastard who’d hurt Florence so much she fell into weeks of coma and something told him he was about to receive some of the most shocking news ever.