Chapter 18

"So, they're working on new drugs to kill us?"

"What do they do?"

"What did the hunters do to you?"

"Who's the traitor?"

I could feel the room begin to spin as I went over their questions in my head, the overwhelming feeling holding me in its tight grip. My lungs felt as if they were shrinking, the air slowly being pulled from them but none going back in. I tried fighting the panic, but the more they questioned me the more memories played through. I could feel the cold sweats, the shaking of my hands and the strangled breaths coming from my mouth. I slowly began to shrivel before them, the hysteria of the situation suffocating me. 

"Everyone knock it off!" 

The voices suddenly stopped as my father's strong tone echoed throughout the room, bouncing from the walls. I didn't focus on him though, I was more focused on the pounding of my heart, it felt as if it were about to burst from my chest. My dad quickly walked over and pulled me into him, hugging me until I could feel myself begin to calm down. Closing my eyes, I pushed back the tears and hid my face into his shirt, taking deep breaths. 

"I'm okay," I mumbled. "I'm not traumatized." 

His arms tightened, "Yes you are and that's okay." 

Once I had control of myself, I smoothed out my shirt and forced a smile, "My apologies."

"No, no it's okay.... you've been through a lot," Malachi quickly voiced, his eyes holding a certain understanding. 

He knew the horror we had gone through, the pain and confusion. Deep down, I know I have some PTSD from it all, but I also didn't want to show it. I needed to be strong for my pack, my family, everyone. Pulling strength from Malachi's comforting words, I nodded silently and walked to the center of the room. 

Breathe.

"I'm not entirely sure what each drug was made from.... I'm sure there was wolfsbane, nightshade and other ingredients in them. They didn't kill me, obviously, but they made it hard to do anything. I couldn't think straight, I couldn't walk or talk.... I couldn't do much of anything. They block your wolf, you can't shift, use your abilities, nothing. You're basically a vegetable," I explained. 

"And what of Obsidian?" A king asked, his lips in a tight frown.

I bit the inside of my cheek before turning to Malachi, unable to say anything about the king's condition. Malachi raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching a little as he shrugged, causing me to gape at him. I gave him a death stare before recollecting myself and smiling towards the man who had asked. 

"I'm not entirely sure of when he'll be able to give us information on what he went through. While we were together in a cell, we were separate during the.... interrogations. They wanted me to be their guinea pig and they wanted the answers from him. While they barely got any information, I'm sure they learned from their mistakes while keeping us captive. We need to be extremely careful from now on," I spoke, my voice growing stronger. 

I could feel the anxiety trying to make itself known, but I held it down with all my strength. I couldn't afford another breakdown in front of my peers, it was already embarrassing enough the first time. My father must have noticed the fear building within me as he quickly cut the meeting short, wrapping it up by revealing they're getting closer to finding the traitor. I was a little discouraged that they hadn't found him yet, but I knew it would take some time. Knowing how my father works, it won't be long. 

As everyone began filing out, I grabbed Malachi and dragged him towards my dad, needing to catch him before he disappeared into his office. He has an awful habit of burying himself into his work when he's determined and considering how this traitor had a hand in hurting me, he isn't going to let go anytime soon. 

"Dad, can we talk to you?" I asked, apologizing to another king. 

My father quickly dismissed his friend before nodding, "What's wrong?"

I nudged Malachi a little, "Go on."

Malachi gulped and nodded, "I uh.... I was wondering if you could help me out? I... I can't handle substituting for Obsidian anymore, it's killing me. I'm his second man for a reason, I'm not made to handle all the chaos and stress of this situation. I feel like my head is going to explode! Your daughter...I mean, Princess Sylvia told me your general is a very smart guy and he has covered for you guys a few times. Could he maybe, help?"

My father raised an eyebrow, "Obsidian isn't better?"

"No, the infection in his leg is giving him a really hard time. He'll survive, but he needs a lot of rest. I'm trying not to go to him for help, I don't want to risk him deciding he needs to get up and work now. Trust me, he's a very stubborn man." 

"I bet," my dad laughed. "Yes, I can send someone to help you, but not my general. I need him right now to help train more warriors and come up with new patrols and battle plans. But I do have someone else in mind who's very good."

"You do? Who?" I asked, bewildered.

My dad smirked, "You."

Fuck my life.