Eris was a servant who knew a few healing techniques. Like Gaia, she was able to identify the root cause of her father’s demise. When Alpha Prince Felix heard this confirmation, he sent his assistant, Max, to find the cure immediately.
“Thank you, Alpha Prince,” Eris told him with her head lowered, hiding her swollen eyes. “I will repay you and serve you forever.”
Felix's gaze lingered on her briefly before shifting to the man lying on the bed. “Your father hasn’t spoken yet?” he asked. He had heard the old man had woken, his eyes had opened, but he still hadn’t uttered a single word.
Eris kept her head lowered, emitting a silent sigh, “I’m afraid he hasn’t, Alpha Prince.”
Gaia, Felix’s temporary arranged mate, interjected, “His nerves were heavily damaged. It will take time for him to recover. At most, we can expect him to talk after two weeks.”
Felix and Max exchanged concerned glances. The drought was imminent, and there was no guarantee they could secure more medicine once the alpha announced a temporary lockdown.
Max wanted to remind Felix of this, but before he could speak, Felix had already decided and said, “We’ll prepare all the medicine he needs. Just make sure none of this gets out.”
Eris nodded, “Yes, Alpha Prince.”
Soon, Felix, Max, and Gaia were exiting the shed. They had kept the father and daughter in that shed for the last three days, trying to heal the carriage driver while Felix sought the truth behind Alpha Prince Zeke’s attack on him. He was more than surprised when he heard Max’s news.
“Someone from the border reported that on the day those rogues were taken to the main dungeon, Alpha Prince Zeke wasn’t around,” Max said. “And when he returned, he carried a strange scent.”
“A scent?” Felix asked.
Max nodded, “Yes, Prince. The soldier said it’s the scent of a woman… But strangely, it doesn’t come from our pack. He suspects that Alpha Prince Zeke went out to see that woman and only returned later, carrying her scent.”
Everybody knew the weight of these assumptions carried. In all packs, there was a rule that everyone must follow regarding relationships - they had to bring their mates, chosen, arranged, or fated – to the pack before anything happened. Yet, Zeke had gone out to meet a woman without informing Alpha and Luna…
Eager to find out more about the truth, Felix decided to head to the border. Along the way, his chest began to hurt, receiving a worried look from Max, but he ignored it and continued.
After confirming with the soldier, Felix became more convinced something was strange with Prince Zeke. Just as he was about to head back, the man himself appeared before him.
“What brings you to this border?” Zeke asked, his aura as domineering as usual. They had never spoken beyond casual greetings, their encounters brief fulfilling the roles of estranged half-brothers who seldom crossed paths in the main village. Additionally, amongst all the first family’s brothers, Felix’s mother, Luna Sierra, feared Zeke the most. Although Felix didn’t hold any interest in this matter, he didn’t want to worry his mother about this meeting.
Maintaining his cool and detached demeanor, Felix responded, “I heard about the springs and wanted to see for myself.”
Zeke remained silent.
“We are done checking. We’ll be on our way,” Felix said, turning to leave with his assistant, Max.
“Wait,” Zeke suddenly said. His piercing eyes fixed on them. “Drought is around the corner. Everyone is busy trying to store water for the pack. I’m tasked with monitoring the water levels of the river and the spring. Would you like to help?”
Felix paused. This was another way of saying, “Would you like to stay so I will know what you really came here for?” Yet, it was also exactly what he needed—to find out the truth.
Thus, he responded with the same clear, emotionless gaze, “Sure. I’d be glad to help.”
. . .
Inside the Border Tower.
“Are you sure this is the right method, Alpha Prince?” Max asked Prince Felix as they entered his temporary chamber.
Felix removed the bracelet his mother had given him and placed it on the wooden table. The soft clink of metal against wood echoed in the small room. He let out a deep sigh, his expression calm but tired. “It can’t be helped. We also need to get more medicine for Eris’s father.”
Max nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. The medicine needed to cure an illness caused by the Light of Memory was even rarer than the plant itself. In fact, for centuries, only two packs had successfully cultivated this rare plant, and it was believed they also possessed the cure. These packs were the Crimson Stone Pack, situated in the Northern Hills, a hundred miles away from the West Wood Pack, and the Lotus Maiden Pack, located in the far eastern mainland territory.
Since turning 18, Prince Zeke had managed the trade of goods between their pack and the larger mainland packs. Most of their medicinal herbs came from the Crimson Stone Pack, but recently, trade had inexplicably ceased.
Prince Felix knew he couldn’t ask Zeke for the medicine for Eris’s father, given Zeke’s involvement in the driver’s condition. Staying at the border meant putting his life in danger, but it seemed like the only option to get both of his objectives – the medicine and the truth.
“Max,” Prince Felix called, interrupting Max’s thoughts.
“Yes, Prince?”
“I want you to return to the village and aid Gaia.”
Max was stunned. “But, Prince, you will stay here. Alpha Prince Zeke—”
“He will not do anything,” Felix said firmly. “And I can handle him if he does.”
The room fell silent. Felix’s eyes, usually so calm, now gleamed with a determined resolve, devoid of any humor.
Max lowered his head. “I understand. I shall assist Miss Gaia.”
Felix nodded, his expression softening slightly.
Receiving Alpha Prince Felix’s order, Max left the chamber. As he made his way down the narrow corridor, he couldn’t help but stop and glance back over his shoulder. Felix had so much on his mind, and the obstacles their pack faced made his plans seem distant and unattainable.
Sighing inwardly, Max continued towards the village, the cool night air filling his lungs. He could only silently pray that his prince’s illness wouldn’t flare up again before he returned.
***
“Kael and his mate have arrived?” Prince Zeke repeated the messenger’s words. He had been on patrol earlier and had only stopped to rest momentarily by the open hut near the tower. The scent of pine and earth mixed with the metallic tang of his sharpening tools as he honed his weapons, made specifically for his longtime enemies—rogues.
The messenger replied, “They have entered the Southern Borders, Prince. Prince Kael’s beta, Sir Jed, said they don’t need escorts…”
“But rogues have been seen there recently,” Zeke said. He stood, his movements fluid and purposeful, carrying his dagger before placing it to the side. “Inform General Argus of their arrival and send five people to assist them.”
“But—”
Zeke stopped sharpening his weapon and glanced up, his face a mask of seriousness and deadly intent. The messenger instantly fell silent, his face pale with fear.
“I-I understand. I’ll inform General Argus now, Prince,” the messenger stammered, saluting hastily before scurrying away.
At that moment, Colton, Zeke’s assistant, came rushing over, his footsteps echoing on the wooden floor.At that moment, Colton, Zeke’s assistant, came rushing over, his face etched with urgency.
“Prince, we have a situation in the Southeastern Spring.”
Ignoring Zeke’s cold eyes, Colton continued, “One of our soldiers reported a group of men camping near the spring. There’s also a lifeless body found—it’s one of our messengers…”
Zeke’s eyes flashed red, a growl rumbling from deep within his chest. “Rogues,” he muttered with disgust and pure hatred.
“No, Prince,” Colton quickly clarified. “Our soldiers said the scent they carried isn't that of rogues.”
“If not rogues, then who?” Zeke demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
“It’s still not confirmed, but that soldier, who used to work as a carriage driver, said it’s similar to that large pack from the East—the Night Ridge Pack.”
Zeke’s jaw tightened, and he clenched his fists.
“Gather the soldiers,” Zeke ordered, his voice steady yet edged with rage. “We need to find out what they’re doing on our land.”
Colton nodded and swiftly turned to relay the orders. Zeke picked up his dagger again, the cold steel gleaming with the fire in his eyes. He would protect his pack at all costs, and anyone who threatened it would face his wrath.