Chapter 116 The Gray-Eyed Savior
Chapter 116 The Gray-Eyed Savior
Zoriana crossed into Black Rose territory. She hadn’t been to her childhood home in ages, but she had no time for nostalgia. With the speed of the wind, she rushed toward the hospital ward.
Mounia was sitting next to Aella’s bedside, the steady beeping of the machines filling the quiet room. Zoriana hugged Mounia, who looked completely drained.
“She doesn’t have any physical injuries. She’s just in shock,” Mounia told her. Zoriana squeezed Aella’s hand.
“Aella, please wake up. I need you more than ever,” she whispered. As if hearing the plea, Aella’s blue eyes flew open, blinking against the light. Mounia and Zoriana gasped with joy. While Mounia rushed to call a doctor, Zoriana leaned in and kissed her friend’s forehead.
“You scared us. How do you feel?” Zoriana asked.
Aella looked at her, her eyes flickering around the room as if searching for someone specific. Her disappointment was visible when she found the room empty.
“Better. Fabian... he killed all his officials in front of me. The ones... you know...” she trailed off.
“Shh, let’s avoid those painful memories for now,” Zoriana said gently. “But I need your help. Tristan saved you, and now he’s in jail for killing Fabian.”
Aella’s eyes widened, and she shook her head frantically. “Alpha Tristan didn't kill Fabian. My mate did.”
“What?” Zoriana exclaimed, utterly shocked.
“Before I passed out, I saw a magnificent wolf with grey eyes. He killed Fabian... and he was my mate.”
“Tristan’s eyes are blue...” Zoriana whispered, biting her lip. The realization hit her like a lightning bolt. Aella’s mate definitely wasn't Tristan; it was someone from his pack. If they could find Aella’s mate, Tristan would be safe.
“We need to find him!” Zoriana exclaimed.
Aella blushed, looking down at her hands. “Zoriana, I appreciate the thought. But I don't think I’m ready to accept a mate. Not after everything.”
“Tristan is in jail and facing execution,” Zoriana countered urgently. “Only if we bring your mate forward to testify that he killed Fabian because he was threatening your life can we save Tristan.”
Aella sat up immediately, her resolve hardening. “Let’s go.”
After a quick check-up and a final confirmation that both Aella and the pup were perfectly fine, they hit the road, heading straight for the Iron Heart pack.
At the same time, Roman stirred awake. He was shocked to find himself locked in a cold stone cell.
“What is going on? Where is my mate?” he roared, slamming his fist against the dungeon wall.
“Beta Roman, Alpha’s orders. He commanded us to keep you here for three days,” the guard said, bowing his head.
“This is ridiculous!” Roman barked. He was confused as to what crime could have possibly made Tristan jail him until the realization hit him like a physical blow. Tristan hadn’t jailed him out of anger; he was shielding him from the trial. He tried to mind-link Tristan, but his mind was met with a wall of static. The silver-lined cell was blocking his abilities.
“I need to speak to the Alpha, now!” he screamed.
“Impossible, Beta. Alpha Tristan was taken by the Royal Guards.”
Roman slid to the floor, burying his head in his hands. He had doomed his best friend. Tristan was nobly taking the blame for him. He had to stop him. He had to find a way out. He sat there, frantically trying to devise an escape plan, when he heard a commotion—loud bangs and screams getting closer to his cell.
“My word overrules your Alpha’s orders! I am here on behalf of the Council!”
Zoriana’s voice echoed through the corridor. The guards hesitated, their hands hovering over their silver-tipped spears. They were Tristan’s men, but they were bound by the strict hierarchy of the pack. Zoriana didn't flinch. She stepped into the lead guard’s personal space, her Alpha aura flaring to a suffocating level that made the torches on the wall flicker. She wasn't just a girl looking for her friend; she was the Alpha and Council member.
“Every second you waste arguing with me is a second closer to your Alpha’s execution,” she hissed, her voice echoing like a whip crack. “Now, move, or be moved.”
The guards bowed and stepped aside. A few minutes later, four fierce women led a group of warriors down the corridor. There was Fairuza, Alpha Zoriana, Mounia, and standing next to them was a beautiful angel with swaying blonde hair—Aella.
The air in the cramped dungeon corridor seemed too thin as their eyes met. For Roman, the world stopped; the smell of damp stone evaporated, replaced by the scent of sunshine and summer rain that clung to Aella.
She was smaller than he remembered, more fragile, yet her gaze held a strength that made his wolf howl in submission. Aella took a tentative step forward, her fingers trembling as she reached toward the iron bars. It wasn't just a bond; it was an anchor. In that silent exchange, Roman made a silent vow: he would burn the world down before he let anyone chain her again.
“Roman, I know you’re excited to see your mate,” Zoriana said, motioning for the guard to open the cell. “But first, we need to help Tristan.”
Roman looked at Aella with a gaze full of overflowing love, then nodded solemnly at Zoriana. He had a lifetime to spend with his mate, but right now, he had to rescue his Alpha.