Chapter 130

“One thing at a time,” Darren whispered against my head as we stood in the infirmary. Eira purified water last night, and it was being delivered to those affected. Darren was giving his dad a private moment with his mother. No one knew exactly how everyone would act once the brainwashing was completely lifted. However, we could imagine there would be a lot of tears and anger. Counselors were waiting with everyone to help them through the process.

Dara, one of the prior waiting ladies, had volunteered to take the water first. To her knowledge, she had done little and felt that she would be able to explain how it worked without having a lot of trauma. She said that after taking the water, she remembered being ordered to stay away from the king. It even enhanced her fear of him. Lucky for her, she wasn’t a key player. She was brainwashed but didn’t do anything negative. She said she now remembered when she was brainwashed. She was only a teenager when she was taken. Everything had become clear within an hour of taking the water, so we could only assume it would be the same for everyone else.

Darren and I were sitting with Alfred, waiting for him to wake up. The healers did wonders with him, and he was expected to make a full recovery. He had been administered the water through an I.V. When he woke up, he should be cured of the brainwashing as well, and I wanted to be with him when he opened his eyes. Now that I knew everything wasn’t his fault, I wanted to be there to help him. A familiar face. Darren didn’t like the idea. I think he was nervous because of my previous relationship with Alfred. I guess I couldn’t blame him, but I assured him there was nothing there now, and there couldn’t ever be. I hoped Alfred and I could maintain a type of friendship now. We had both been through a lot.

“So … I’m alive.” My head snapped down as Alfred slowly opened his eyes, meeting mine instantly. For a moment, he just stared at me. The eyes I used to know had returned. “I think I would rather be dead,” he finally whispered out.

“The brainwashing has been reversed.” I moved next to his bed and sat beside him, taking his hand in mine. “You saved my life. I kept my promise to save you.”

“I remember everything. I remember refusing Ivy and being brainwashed to accept her. I—” His voice croaked as tears welled up in his eyes. “All the horrible things I did. It’s all so clear now, as if I was watching a movie of someone who looked like me. I had no control over that person. What is there for me now?” I squeezed his hand, giving him a small smile.

“You have your pack. Darren and I have already spoken about it. You’ll be reinstated as the alpha, and—”

“And return to my pack without my luna.” He gave me a weak smile. I listened as Darren growled lowly, coming up behind me. Alfred met his gaze confidently. He wasn’t looking at him as the king but as the man who had claimed his mate. “I wanted her the moment I laid eyes on her. My beast stirred in excitement. I would never have—” He stopped with a sigh. “I know it’s over now. Even if I wasn’t in control, the things that happened … happened. I understand that. Dammit, life was great. I had everything I could have ever wanted, and I lost the most important parts of my life. Losing my child, my luna … these damn memories that aren’t mine. It’s too much.” His voice broke, and Darren moved to stand next to the bed.

“I won’t apologize for taking her. She is such an amazing person, and the best mate, as you know. I won’t apologize for loving her. I will keep her safe. I’ll protect her. I’ll keep her happy and I’ll love her unconditionally. I won’t apologize for all of that, but I am sorry for what’s happened to you. I know in your eyes, she’s yours, and—”

“No.” Alfred’s voice was a whisper as he sat up. “She was mine. The woman that she was before … was mine. But this woman who is sitting next to me, heavy with your child, isn’t mine. I know that. I recognize it … hell, even her scent has changed. It’s not mixed with my own but yours. Now that I have a clear mind, I can recognize it. My luna disappeared when my mind did. And it’s her past version that I mourn.” His eyes watered slightly as he put on a brave face. “I’ll always have this regret, but I’m going to move forward. I’ll go back and reclaim my pack. I’ll start over again.”

“You’re a good man, Alfred, and you deserve your own happiness.” I smiled and squeezed his hand slightly. He gave me a small nod.

“Ugh. I’m going to miss you. You held me together and challenged me in the best of ways.”

“I know it might take some time for you to get there, but we can still be friends.” I watched as he nodded his head with a smile, a small tear creeping out from the corner of his eye.

“Yeah, I’d like that.”

I knew this was hard for him. There was no way to fix this. I couldn’t ever go back to him. I didn’t want to. My life was with Darren now … my future was intertwined with his. We were meant to be together, but it sucked that Alfred had to endure this pain alone.

“Soup and jello,” Dara said as she wheeled in a cart. Dara had been taking shifts helping out where she was needed. She was trying to rediscover herself after being a Waiting Lady for all those years.

“Thank you, Dara.” I moved back and stood from my seat. I looked at Dara to see her eyes locked on Alfred.

“What is it?” Darren asked, noticing her shocked look.

“He’s … my mate.”

I snapped my head to Alfred and could see his eyes soften. A small smile reached his lips as Dara reached the side of the bed.

“I think you showed up at the perfect time in my life.” Alfred took her hand in his.

“Mine, too.”

Dara squeezed his hand, and Darren and I made our way to the far end of the room. I watched as Dara leaned her head in against his, and the two of them closed their eyes. They had accepted each other. Alfred was going to be just fine. Now that he had his fated mate, she could heal his pain. They could heal each other’s wounds. Honestly, this was the best possible outcome from all of this, and I wondered if maybe the gods had planned this as well. Neither of them had done nothing wrong. They both deserved happiness.

“You’ll need to stay for a couple of weeks while we observe if there are any after effects from the brainwashing. After that, you’re free to return home. We’ll provide you a place to stay—”

“No need for that. He’ll be staying with me. I have my own place. It’s small, but it’s mine.” Dara kept her eyes on Alfred. She’d had issues with her family when she was dismissed as a Waiting Lady. However, they’d been brainwashed too. It was another delicate situation, but with her mated to Alfred, it wouldn’t be an issue. She would leave with him and become his luna … a happy ending for her.

“You’re free to take him with you at the end of the day. Dara, Alfred is an alpha, and being with him will mean becoming his luna.” Darren wrapped his arm around my waist as Dara nodded her head.

“None of that matters to me.” A gentle smile rested on her face. “Can I feed you?”

“Please.”

And on that note I don’t think we’re needed here, I linked to Darren, who chuckled in agreement. We quietly left, though I don’t think they even noticed us at that point. We walked down the hall together and I leaned against his side, feeling a wave of relief wash through me. I didn’t need to worry about Alfred. I knew what it was like finding your mate. Darren had healed my mental wounds and grounded me before I could spiral.

“I wonder how my parents are getting along?” Darren murmured.

“Do you want to check on them?”

“Not yet. I don’t want to interrupt.”

I nodded my head. “Speaking of not wanting to interrupt, I notice that Eira and Squall have disappeared, now that she’s done creating the pure water. We might end up with baby dragons running around here soon.” I wiggled my brows as Darren laughed, but the laugh didn’t quite reach his face.

“Dare, what is it?” I watched as he frowned and turned to look at me.

“I guess I’m thinking that the dragons and Lyle have reached the front line by now. I wonder how everyone is doing. I haven’t heard from Finn or Ivan since I left. I guess my heart is here, but my mind is on the battlefield. I can’t help but worry.”

I nodded my head slowly. I knew what he meant. I was trying not to think about it, but I was worried too. It was a horrible feeling not being there and having to wait for news. I’d been through it, but this was new for Darren. He had always been right in the middle of all the action.

“I will be okay, if you want—” His lips covered mine, my words swallowed by him.

“Not a chance. I’m not leaving you.” He pecked my lips once more before he pulled me into his warm embrace.

Your majesty, we picked up the scent of another lycan. This is the same one that had attacked Alfred. We matched the blood sample under his fingernails. What are your orders?

The mindlink entered both mine and Darren’s heads. I glanced up at him and already knew what he was going to say.

Wait for me. I’m on my way.

The pain hit hard and squeezed across my stomach. I inhaled sharply and his eyes met with mine.

“Ally.”

“It’s okay. It’s a contraction, but I’ve felt these before.”

“You’re staying here.” There was no room for objection in his tone. “If this man really was my father’s half brother, then it will take my strength to bring him down. The problem is if he was brainwashed. We know he used the brainwashing, but he could have become a victim as well, at any time.”

I wanted to argue with him and say I was going, but my maternal instincts were kicking in. I felt it inside that this one was not a drill.

“Ally … I can stay here. Is this the real thing?” I noticed his eyes shifted to my stomach as creases formed on his forehead.

“You have to end this. It’s a loose end we don’t need. End it and get back to me quickly, because we’re having our baby today.” I watched as he slowly shook his head.

“I can’t. This is why I’m here … to be with you.”

“You might lose the trail. You have to go.”

“I’ll stay with her.” I heard Eira running down the hall. “I sensed your distress.” She gave me a smile. “Part of our bond.” She then looked at Darren. “Squall left to grab some things from his kingdom. When he returns, I’ll have him find you if you haven’t returned.”

Darren pulled me close and buried his head in my neck. “We don’t know how long it will take. What if it happens while I’m gone? I can’t leave you.”

“Eira is with me. You have to end this. Just come back to me as soon as you can.” I pulled away and kissed the tip of his nose. We were leaders, and this was our duty. I didn’t want him to leave, but I also didn’t want this to come back and haunt us. Ivy’s father was a loose end, one we couldn’t afford to lose.

“I’ll be fast.” He pressed a rough, urgent kiss against my lips and ran down the hall. I watched him until he disappeared, feeling another cramp squeeze across my stomach.

“Let’s get you someplace more comfortable.” Eira placed her arm around me.

I was having labor pains. Lyle was gone, and Darren might not make it back in time. But I was okay. We each had a job to do, and right now, mine was delivering the future to the world.