Layan ran like crazy, leaving behind the two wolves that guarded his back. He was following a strange trail when he heard his beta howl telling him that Nebraska, the only Nebraska he knew, was with him, almost dying. His heart almost wanted to rush out of his chest.
How could she be there and in those conditions? What the hell was Hades doing? If it were him, he wouldn't let her suffer like that.
He growled as he approached the place that they had indicated but there was only snow, even so the smell of her was faint. The snow was an impediment and it was getting thicker. He paused for a moment, gasping, looking from side to side. He didn't see her, and that was upsetting him. He raised his head and howled to see if she would answer him, but nothing. He walked smelling the ground. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears, hoping he hadn't been late.
There, a few meters away, he saw something, a body almost buried in the snow. He gasped and ran there. The image petrified him for a few minutes. Nebraska's naked body was motionless, her skin so white to the point of turning blue, the blood from her back staining the snow around her that was barely visible anymore. Her fingers were almost torn and with the crimson liquid coagulated, as if she had been burying something.
Layan returned to his human form and quickly began to brush the snow off her, taking her in his arms feeling her so cold that he was scared.
-Nebraska, hey Nebraska, react,- he patted her cheek for no response.
The wolves following him finally arrived and saw the scene, their alpha collapsing alongside a she-wolf. They approached cautiously. Layan ignored them, rubbing Nebraska's arms as he held her in an attempt to warm her. He sought her lips and kissed her hoping that at least his ability was really useful, now she needed it.
Minutes later, only when he felt a groan against his shoulder was he able to breathe again. He touched her head and kissed her temple, relieved that she was still in this world. He looked at her torn back and frowned. Normally the wounds had to be closed after receiving their fluids directly but for some reason it had only stopped bleeding, but it threatened to remain open.
He also didn't see his beta around. He would settle accounts with him later. He growled in annoyance to the point that his guards fell back, but held back when he felt the wolf's body tremble again.
-Let's go back to the pack,- he announced and carried her in his arms, if it were not because she had been marked by Hades, he would not let her leave his castle.
***
Leila watched her brother enter the mansion with someone in his arms and followed him. Being smaller than the alpha, she almost had to run to keep up with his long strides. He hadn't even been aware of her presence, but the smell and the atmosphere around him indicated that he was really upset and that was not good. Layan could be irrational when he was maddened.
-Brother,- she murmured almost reaching for him.
-Lei, not now, I have business to attend to, then I'll call you to help me- despite his condition, he spoke calmly.
-My lady- one of the guards stopped her by the shoulder and she turned confused -Please do not be alarmed, she is the queen of the silver pack, but for some reason she was found by our alpha in very bad condition, be patient, he surely will you explain later-
-Oh thank you,- she smiled at the guard before following him back to her room.
Leila didn't quite understand the situation yet, but if there was one thing she knew, it was that this wolf was related to her. His brother was not keeping a secret from her, so she would just have to wait for him to come and tell her, besides, he had never seen that expression on his face.
***
Nebraska was no longer cold, yet the pain and hole in her soul didn't go away.
-Are you awake, beauty?- Those words made her come to her senses and everything that had happened in the last hour that she was conscious hit her, making her sit up quickly in bed.
A cry came from her lips, an immense pain ran through her back and hands grabbed her by her arms to put her back on her side, carefully. She gasped uncontrollably and trembled at her flustered nerves as her head was cradled on someone's arm.
-Don't move like that- Layan's worried voice echoed again in her ears -The wound on your back is serious, don't make it happen again- his hand stroked her head.
-Layan- she managed to speak once the pain subsided until it was bearable -What happened? How many days have passed? - She looked upset.
-First calm down, it's not good for you- the wolf touched some pressure points on her neck and on her shoulder after sliding the nightgown that covered her a little, hoping that this would take the tension in her muscles- Don't worry about Hades and your son, they are fine-
He saw her eyes light up and he held her by the waist when she made an involuntary attempt to get up again.
-You have been completely unconscious for a day, Kei came back recently and told me that you gave him the antidote for the poison. The luck was that your blood helped them because little was left before we had to look for another alpha-
He heard her sigh.
-Did you punish him? - she referred to the beta -I was the one who told him to go to the pack of Hades, he is not to blame for leaving me there-
Layan grunted and Nebraska lowered her head avoiding his gaze.
-The same way he almost arrived when Hades only had a little time left, the same thing happened with you. In what state do you think I found you? - He almost shouted but then retracted, clenching his fists -Nebraska, you were frozen, you are very young and barely control your body temperature, you have no idea what I had to do to keep you from dying-
She pursed her lips, she knew he was right but it was her or Hades and her son, and everyone that mattered to her was ahead of her, even Layan. But as if the wolf had read her mind, he moved her chin until she was looking at him.
-I know you care about everyone's safety, but have you ever sat down to wonder how important you are to others, to Hades, to your children, to me-
Nebraska couldn't answer, her eyes filled with tears that ran down her eyes. Receiving affection unconditionally without giving anything, caring for someone, that they felt worried about her, were feelings to which she was not used. Layan drew her to her chest and rubbed her head as silent tears trickled down her cheeks.
-Don't cry, beauty, you have no reason for that, we love you in the same way that you love us. Therefore, from now on, I want you to think a bit about your safety, because if something happens to you again, I swear I will kick Hades's ass and lock you up here in the castle so that you are safe- he kissed her crown.
Nebraska smiled in her arms. In a way she felt happy after the storm. She had lost a daughter but now she knew there were other people waiting for them, and that felt really good.
-Now precious, I know that you are recovering but I need you to tell me what happened, otherwise I will not be able to set the Council in motion and from what I believe the situation is quite serious. There are even suspicions of your collaboration in the plot with Rudoc, although I'm sure Hades suppressed them-
The omega broke away and nodded.
-I will tell you everything, and the most likely thing is that you do not believe me-