Chapter 79
Gradel
I was in the midst of a meeting with the elders when a guard barged into the courtroom, sweating profusely and panting heavily.
"How dare you..." Simon rumbled.
"I'm sorry, head sentinel, but there's trouble. Our future Luna has been attacked by the women at the market and I'm afraid that she might not survive it if she isn't saved immediately." He rushed the words and I jerked to my feet.
My heart slammed hard against my ribcage and cold sweats broke out on my forehead and trickled down my face as I replayed his words in my head.
I had several questions to ask but this wasn't the right time for them and I hoped that Elda was by her side or he'd be dead meat.
Impulsively, I shifted to my half-form, ready to tear apart anyone who came in my way. Those women whom I cared for and protected would feel my wrath if Iris didn't make it.
There and then, I realized how wrong I'd been to suspect my mate from the beginning. That should be the reason for my wolf's restlessness. He knew that she was innocent-at least, he listened to our instincts than I did.
"I'm so sorry, baby," I groaned, feeling her pain as I drew closer to her.
She'd have been able to defend herself if she had a wolf but it was latent and I wondered if it would ever show up.
By the time I got there, some of them had dispersed and a few of them that were fast enough were captured by my sentinels. My breaths came out in quick pumps while I searched for my mate.
My eyes caught the sight of a petite woman, who had folded herself into a ball with Elda beside her. He had some injuries on his skin but I wasn't bothered because he'd heal in a few days.
But her...
Fury shot through me like a volcano waiting to erupt and I passed a decree.
"Arrest anyone who had a hand in this. Make sure that they suffer twice for what they did to her." I growled and immediately, the sentinels went to work.
I raced to Iris and crouched before her, praying fervently that she didn't give in to death.
Elda acknowledged my presence with a bow and gave way while I checked her pulse to be sure that she was breathing. My breathing ceased when I checked her wrist and didn't feel anything.
That was the first time I experienced the true meaning of fear.
She can't be dead, I thought to myself and placed my ear on the left side of her chest, listening intently for a faint sound-a sign that she was still alive.
Fortunately, I heard it and relief and hope coursed through me. With great tenderness, I scooped her into my arms and lifted her.
Blood had stained her face and her dress was drenched with the thick red liquid. Her hair was a mess and her face was turning pale.
"Quickly, Elda, ensure that Silas is in my room." I barked an order and he bolted.
Upon ensuring that she was stable in my arms, I made for the pack house. As much as I wanted to run, it would only expose her to more danger and with how limp she was, I suspected that some of her bones might have been fractured, if not broken completely.
By the time I got to my room, a bath filled with herbs potent enough to heal wounds with the speed of light had already been prepared by one of the maids and Silas.
They wanted to follow me into the bathroom but I stopped them as I didn't want to her body to be revealed to the public.
I peeled the dress off her body gently and stripped her of every single piece of clothing until she was naked. Then I put her into the bath, washing up her body with a heavy heart.
Guilt gnawed in my chest and deep regrets rested heavily on my shoulders. Seeing her eyes closed for a moment brought some relief to me because I wasn't sure I could face her if she woke up.
I was trying to protect the people from the idea I had of her, but they took laws into their hands and made me realize how stupid I was.
"Please, wake up, baby," I pleaded, washing away the blood from her face. "You have every right to be angry at me for being so dumb and unreasonable. You can decide to hate me for the rest of your life and I will accept it because I deserve it, but I ask that you wake up. You are innocent, I can see that now. I know that now, but it breaks my heart that I failed to realize that a few days ago."
She might have been impersonated because if she wasn't innocent, she wouldn't have tried to prove it. She would have disappeared the moment we found her out.
"Don't beat up yourself, Gradel. Anyone would have done what you did if they were in your shoes," A familiar voice resonated in the bathroom.
I turned around and my lips stretched into a thin smile. "Brother, you're here," I acknowledged him.
"I'm sorry that I couldn't make it to our father's burial, though I'm happy that I missed it." He admitted in a low tone and smirked.
That was just like Devin. Blunt and precise.
"And I wished that I didn't have to bury him," I agreed.
He sighed, standing by the door. "I heard what happened to your mate and I'm yet to come to terms with what our people did. What could have made them lose their regard for you in this manner?"
A fresh wave of anger rode through me but I contained it as this wasn't the place to unleash it.
"I don't care about it. If they can't respect me and the woman who will rule over them soon, then they should forget about having a leader. And you know that means,"
"Yes, I do. They'll become like a city without walls and other neighboring packs will be so excited to do as they please with them. But the question is, what will you do?"