Chapter 28: Poisoned

The chaos behind them was soon swallowed by smoke, the sound of swords clashing and screams for help faded into nothingness.

Hazel searched around but could not find the girl she had saved earlier, so she could only hope that the girl had made it back home safely.

Hazel did not remember how long she had run with Matilda, until the familiar iron gates of the loomed before her.

The royal guards sealed the gates the moment they entered, Hazel did not fail to notice how their numbers had increased compared to when she left for the market square earlier.

Entering the mansion, Hazel finally heaved in relief.

She was safe here.

It was only after thinking to that point that she froze.

Safe? In her enemy's mansion?

The word sounded and felt strange to her.

Matilda led her to the chambers beside Damien’s own and Hazel sat at the edge of the bed, relaxing.

Matilda noticed the trail of blood on her cheek and frowned, “You are injured.”

Hazel felt the wound with her fingers and shook her head, “It’s nothing.” She replied flatly.

If Matilda had not pointed it out, she would have forgotten about it. But Matilda could not just take it as nothing.

“I will be right back.” Matilda said before walking out of the chambers in quick strides.

When she came back in, she had a small basin of water and a clean fabric in her hold, together with herbs. Matilda cleaned the blood from Hazel's cheeks, her movement gentle and careful.

Hazel was suddenly reminded of her mother and her mood plummeted, but she said nothing.

Hazel sat quietly at the edge of the bed, she told herself that she was only waiting for Matilda to finish, but her eyes kept drifting to the door.

Again and again.

After tending to her wound, Matilda lingered.

“You should rest.” She told Hazel, but she shook her head with a frown.

“I’m not tired.”

Matilda hesitated for a brief second, but still nodded and withdrew.

Hazel remained seated. Minutes turned to hours.

The candles burned low, until the chamber was plunged into darkness.

Outside, the noise of the maids’ activities had lessened, but the door remained closed as midnight arrived quietly. Hazel lay down after cleaning herself up, she stared at the ceiling, sleep avoiding her.

A strange unease crept into her heart, making her slightly restless.

He was strong. Annoyingly strong and ruthless.

He was a beast. A single arrow shouldn’t make him fall, right?

Well, if he did, it would make things convenient for her. When she tried to close her eyes, all she saw was the battle from that day, the day everybody she knew was killed.

By dawn, her eyes were dry and hurting. She had not slept at all.

Matilda was surprised when she entered the chamber to see the dark circles under Hazel’a eyes.

“What happened? You had a nightmare?” She asked.

Hazel nodded without looking at her, “Yes. Of the night your lord decided to ruin my life. I couldn’t sleep.”

Matilda studied her face, then turned away.

“I will prepare your bath.”

“The Alpha, how come he didn’t come back?” Hazel finally forced herself to ask.

After cleaning up, Hazel noticed Matilda’s silence and the way she kept hesitating about something.

“What is it? Did he come back? I did not see him.” Hazel said while staring at Matilda.

Matilda inhaled slowly and said, “The arrow, it was poisoned.”

Hazel froze.

“What?”

“The rogue used the black viper toxin powder mixed with wolfsbane. It is slow, but poisonous. The healers managed to stop it from spreading to his vital organs, but…”

“But what?” Hazel demanded coldly.

“But the Alpha had been unconscious since last night.” Matilda added slowly and Hazel frowned.

“Thay bastard, is he intentionally trying to make me feel guilty?” Hazel mumbled to herself, her expression dark.

“Take me to him.” She finally said.

But, Matilda shook her head.

“I’m afraid I can’t. The Alpha ordered not to see anybody, he doesn’t want anyone to know about his condition, less it causes an unrest in the pack.”

Unrest.

Hazel could understand.

The dark rogues had found their way into the pack despite the security. Definitely, someone was helping them in the pack and it was definitely someone who has some influence in the pack.

But that was not Hazel’s concern at that moment. He took an arrow for her, it was only normal if she wanted to see how he is doing.

“I don’t care what he orders. But if he dies, I will laugh at him in his grave.” Hazel said coldly and Matilda fell silent.

After a moment, she nodded and led Hazel out of the chamber.

They did not go to his chamber, but into another wing of the mansion where Hazel had not been to before.

As they arrived before a chamber, two voices drifted out.

“Alpha, you can’t leave now. You need to rest more.”

“I said no, there are matters that need my attention. I have been resting since midnight, I am fine now.” Damien’s cold voice sounded.

“If you continue to resist the sedative, the poison will not fully settle. Your body is already at its limit.”

“I can’t bring myself to sleep. Resting last night was because I lost consciousness.”

“You will have to force sleep, or you can try repeating what you did yesterday that made you sleep.”

Silence ensued, followed by heavy breathing.

Hazel furrowed her brows and walked in without entering.

The first thing she saw was a young man, who seemed too young to be a healer or a physician, but seeing the potion in his hands, Hazel knew he was one.

Her gaze shifted to Damien who was busy putting on his clothes.

Seeing Hazel, Damien’s eyes darkened. “What are you doing here?” He demanded coldly.

Hazel ignored him and her gaze shifted to the wound on his shoulder.

“It seems that the Alpha is very much eager to join his ancestors.”