Chapter 91 He Will Be Fine
Samael and Darius moved through the night like shadows, their horses' hooves muffled by the damp earth. The pack house lay far behind them, the lights of the celebration reduced to a distant glow. The moon hung low, full and heavy, casting silver light across the rolling hills. The air was cool, thick with the scent of pine and wet grass. They had been searching for hours, riding from the pack house to the forest edge, then circling back through the training grounds and the old school ruins. No sign of Alberto.
Darius reined in his horse at the crest of a ridge, scanning the dark valley below. "He is not at the school. Not in the forest outskirts. Where else would he go?"
Samael stopped beside him, breath fogging in the cold. "He was weak when he left. If he pushed his powers again…"
Darius's jaw tightened. "Then we keep looking."
They rode on, following a narrow trail that led toward the western borders. The path grew rougher, trees thicker, the ground uneven. The bond between Alberto and Fernando was silent, no pull to guide them. That silence worried them more than anything.
Darius suddenly pulled his horse to a stop. "Wait."
Samael reined in. "What?"
Darius pointed down the slope. "The midnight wolves' camp. Look."
In the valley below, hidden among the trees, a cluster of fires flickered. Dark figures moved around them, their movements sharp and predatory. The midnight wolves. The pack Fernando had invited to the duel. The ones no one trusted.
Samael growled low. "Why would Alberto go there?"
Darius's face was grim. "Because he is desperate. Or because they took him."
They dismounted and crept closer, leaving the horses tied. The camp came into view: rough tents, a central fire, wolves in humanoid form sharpening blades. At the edge, tied to a tree, sat Alberto.
He was barely alive.
His head hung forward, hair matted with sweat and dirt. His tunic was torn, blood staining his chest and thigh. A fresh gash ran across his leg, still weeping. His breathing was shallow, ragged.
Samael's eyes flashed gold. He started forward, axe already in hand.
Darius grabbed his arm. "Wait. We are outnumbered. We do this smart."
Samael snarled. "They hurt him."
Darius's voice was low. "And we get him back by being smart. Follow my lead."
They stepped into the firelight.
The midnight wolves turned as one, blades raised, growls rumbling.
Darius raised both hands, palms out. "We come in peace. We want the keeper returned."
One of the wolves, a tall female with scarred arms, stepped forward. "Why should we give him back?"
Darius kept his voice steady. "He is not a rogue. Not a spy. He is one of ours. Elite warrior. Forest keeper."
The female laughed. "Forest keeper? There is no such thing."
She walked to Alberto and slashed open his thigh with a quick flick of her blade. Blood welled fresh.
Alberto groaned, head lolling.
Samael lunged forward. "You bitch!"
Darius yanked him back hard. "Stop!"
Samael trembled with rage, but he held still. They were outnumbered ten to two.
Darius spoke calmly. "I will find you another slave to warm your bed. Alberto is off limits."
The female tilted her head. "Why? What is he to you?"
Darius's voice cracked slightly. "He is my mate."
The camp went still.
The female stared. Then she laughed, but it was without humor. "Your mate? Isn't he the Alpha's toy?"
Darius stepped forward. "He is mine. Return him."
The wolves exchanged glances.
The female sheathed her blade. "Fine. Take him. But tell your Alpha the duel is still on."
They cut Alberto's ropes. He slumped forward.
Samael caught him, lifting him carefully. "Hold on, brother."
Darius faced the female. "Thank you."
She smirked. "Do not thank me yet. The Alpha invited us for a reason."
They turned and left, Samael carrying Alberto, Darius walking beside them, eyes hard.
The infirmary doors burst open with a crash. Darius and Samael stumbled in, carrying Alberto between them. His body hung limp, head lolling forward, blood dripping steadily from the fresh gash on his thigh and the older wounds reopened by the midnight wolves' cruelty. His breathing was shallow, face pale as death. Mira was already on her feet, hands glowing the moment she saw them.
"Over here!" she shouted, pointing to the nearest cot.
They laid him down gently. Mira moved fast, ripping away the torn fabric of his tunic and breeches. The thigh wound was deep, ragged, still oozing. His chest rose and fell unevenly, the bond with Fernando flickering weakly.
Fernando was already on the next cot, weak but conscious, propped up against pillows. His own collapse earlier had left him drained, blood still staining his lips from the wolf's cry. He saw Alberto and tried to rise.
Mira pushed him back down. "Stay down. You are not healed."
Fernando's voice was hoarse. "Alberto—"
Mira ignored him, hands over Alberto's thigh. Green light flared, knitting muscle and skin. She worked quickly, pouring a vial of clear liquid into his mouth, then stitching the worst of the cuts. Alberto did not stir.
Darius paced. "Will he live?"
Mira's jaw was tight. "He will. Barely. The poison from the serpent breath is gone, but the strain nearly killed him. The bond with Fernando kept him alive. Barely."
Samael stood by the door, fists clenched. "The midnight wolves. They cut him. Said he was just a bed warmer."
Fernando's eyes flashed. "They will pay."
Mira finished the stitches and bandaged him. "He needs rest. No one disturbs him."
Fernando pushed himself up again. "I need to see him."
Samael stepped in front of the cot. "Stay away from him. From now on. If you have anything important to discuss, you go through me."
Fernando's face twisted. "You cannot give me orders."
Samael smiled, cold and sharp. "Before you became Alpha, you were my friend. This is a friendly warning. You hurt him enough."
Fernando looked at Darius. "Say something."
Darius rolled his eyes. "Alpha, it is time for your meeting. The mate duel is in four days. Packs will start arriving soon."
Fernando stared at him, then at Alberto's still form.
He stood slowly, wincing. "I will go."
He left the infirmary without another word.
The room fell quiet.
Mira adjusted Alberto's blanket. "He will wake soon."
Samael nodded. "And when he does, we keep him safe."
Darius sighed. "From his own mate."