While Cierce prepared the Calendula, Hunter appeared. His eyes narrowed as he observed the activity, and he approached with concern.
“What are you doing?” inquired Hunter, his voice laden with worry.
“Cierce is preparing Calendula to help with the boys' fever,” I explained, turning to face him.
Hunter nodded, understanding the situation. “The wolves haven't returned yet?”
“No, Hunter. No one has passed by here yet,” Cierce replied, holding the Calendula flower in her hands.
Hunter took a deep breath, realizing the gravity of the situation. “I'll check what might have happened. We need the antidote as soon as possible.”
As Hunter walked away to investigate, Cierce began preparing an infusion with Calendula petals. The warmth of the den contrasted with the chill of fear settling in my chest. I was torn between anxiety for my children's safety and uncertainty about the fate of the Garm-led expedition.
The Calendula dipped into boiling water, releasing a gentle fragrance that permeated the air. Hope renewed as I watched Cierce's careful handling. The infusion was ready, and Cierce brought a small jar to me.
“Let's try this, Fierce. It might make a difference,” she said, offering me a sympathetic look.
I accepted the jar with gratitude and approached my children. Carefully, I applied the infusion to each one's forehead, hoping Calendula's healing properties would take effect. Time stretched, each second laden with anticipation.
As we finished, Cierce looked at me, sharing the uncertainty hovering over the success of the treatment. “Now we wait, Fierce. The effect may vary depending on their bodies. It might take a little over an hour to take effect.”
I sighed, looking at the peaceful yet pale faces of the triplets as they rested, unaware of the drama unfolding around them. Dealing with helplessness, the feeling of not being able to do more to alleviate my children's suffering, was challenging.
“An hour seems like an eternity,” I murmured, sitting next to the boys.
Cierce approached, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. “They are strong, Fierce. They will overcome this.”
I nodded, understanding that the nature of each triplet's body would determine the time needed for the infusion to take effect. We sat in silence, keeping our gazes fixed on the serene but pale faces of the sleeping boys.
The ticking of the clock seemed amplified in the den, echoing the passage of time unfolding before us. The suspense of waiting was almost palpable, and as each minute dragged on, my anxiety grew.
During this waiting period, my mind wandered to recent events, to the threats my children faced. The memory of Ignis' attack and the revelation about Zora still reverberated in my thoughts. The weight of these issues mixed with the fear for the well-being of the triplets, created an emotional storm within me.
Cierce noticed my restlessness and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Fierce, trust that we've done the best we could. Now we need to trust that nature and our care will do the rest.”
I nodded, appreciating the sincerity in Cierce's words. As we waited, my thoughts turned to Hunter, who undoubtedly would do everything in his power to search for the antidote ingredients.
The minutes turned into an hour that seemed to stretch indefinitely. Then, gradually, I noticed a change in the triplets. Their peaceful features began to gain a healthier color, and their breathing became more regular.
Cierce also noticed the change and smiled, sharing the relief in our hearts. “It looks like it's starting to take effect, Fierce.”
Cierce confirmed that the Calendula infusion was taking effect. While not the definitive cure, it was a step in the right direction. I thanked Cierce for her expertise and care, recognizing that her presence and knowledge were invaluable at this crucial moment.
Zora, lying a bit away, directed her gaze toward us. Her eyes met mine, and she inquired about the triplets' condition.
“How are the triplets?” asked Zora, her voice sounding weak.
Cierce turned her gaze to Zora, bringing with her a reassuring smile. “They had a fever, but now they are fine. Calendula seems to have worked.”
A faint smile formed on Zora's lips. “I'm glad to hear that. Cierce, could you take a look at my poultices?”
Cierce nodded and approached Zora. Carefully, she removed the poultices covering Zora's wounds to assess her progress. I approached, curious about Zora's condition.
“The wounds are closing up very well,” announced Cierce after examining Zora's wounds. A sigh of relief escaped Zora, and her smile widened.
“It's reassuring to have good news,” commented Zora, expressing gratitude to Cierce with her eyes.
Cierce stared at Zora for a moment before changing the tone of the conversation. “Zora, would you mind recounting again how Ignis attacked? We would like to understand better what happened.”
Zora raised an eyebrow, surprised by the request. “Why do you want to hear it again?”
“I need to know exactly what happened during the attack,” explained Cierce. “There are aspects of the wounds from a Peeira attack that I need to check to give you the best treatment. If we know all the details, we can better understand how to handle the situation.”
Zora looked at me before turning her gaze back to Cierce. Hesitation lingered in her eyes before she began recounting the events of the attack.
“Ignis arrived with the boys and proclaimed that he wanted to restore the natural order of things, referring to the laws that dictate only the Luna can have an alpha's children. He wanted to kill the triplets, claiming that I was the Luna designated for Hunter, and the boys were Fierce's children, disrupting the natural order. I fought him to protect the triplets, and here we are.”
Cierce listened attentively, absorbing every word from Zora. When she finished, Cierce seemed even more intrigued, as if the information received didn't entirely fit into her previous understanding.
As Zora spoke, I narrowed my eyes. There was something in this narrative that didn't add up.
“It sounds strange,” I commented, my voice carrying a note of suspicion. “Zora, at what point did this happen, I mean, at what point did Ignis say about the natural order and that he would kill my children?”
“As soon as they arrived,” replied Zora, looking confused by my question.
“That's odd,” I commented, trying to understand what didn't align. “You mentioned making garlic pasta at Cassian's request. But if the attack started as soon as they arrived, who would have the presence of mind to prepare dinner?”
Zora seemed to reflect for a moment before answering. “Ignis was calm at first. He showed no hostility, so I thought he had brought the boys willingly.”
I pressed my lips, realizing the discrepancy in the information. “And when were the boys poisoned?”
Zora thought for a moment. “Possibly when I went to get juice for Kane. It was a brief moment when I lost sight of them.”
This answer raised more questions. “And what happened to Ignis after the attack?”
Zora shook her head. “I don't know. I passed out after protecting the boys. I don't know if he left injured, or...”
I furrowed my brow and insisted, “When we found you, you were awake.”
“I passed out after protecting the boys, your children. When I woke up, you and Hunter were already there,” Zora's expression turned somber. “Are you accusing me of something, Fierce?”
I sighed, trying to choose my words carefully. “I'm not accusing anyone, Zora. I'm trying to understand all aspects of this attack so we can face what comes ahead. We need to gather all the information to make the right decisions.”
Cierce remained silent, observing the interaction between Zora and me. Shadows of mystery and intrigue loomed over us, and the truth behind Ignis' attack still hid between the lines of the accounts.
Zora retorted, her voice laden with resentment, “You should be grateful they're in a bed and not buried by their own hands. And that's because of what I did for them.”
My breath caught for a moment, processing Zora's words. “I am grateful for your bravery, Zora. I didn't say it before, but thank you for protecting the boys.”
Zora continued with a hardened demeanor. “It doesn't seem like you're grateful. It seems like you're just looking for someone to blame.”
Before I could respond, Hunter entered the den, his expression serious. His eyes met mine and then turned to Zora and Cierce.
“Garm returned alone,” Hunter announced, scrutinizing each of us.
“What happened?” I asked, eager for information about the wolves' mission.
Hunter sighed, his expression heavy with regret. “The other wolves were attacked. Garm couldn't bring the Belladonna.”
The news was a blow. The hope we had that they would bring the fruits for the antidote now faded. The air in the den seemed to grow denser, and a shadow of despair hung over us.
“So, what do we do now?” I asked, looking between Zora, Hunter, and Cierce. We were facing a dilemma, surrounded by uncertainty and the urgency to save our children.