Chapter 43 043

Chapter 43 043

Ria's POV

My legs barely held me up as I pushed through the last tangle of vines. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest, begging me to stop, to rest, to give up.

But I could not, Not when I was this close.

I could see The silver flower, It grew in the center of a small clearing, surrounded by plants that looked just as deadly as everything else in this cursed garden.

I had been cut, scratched, and poisoned more times than I could count. My arms were covered in angry red welts, some oozing a strange yellow liquid. My ankle throbbed where the first thorn had pierced my skin, even though I had managed to slow the poison with that root I found earlier.

But this was different, Every new wound brought a new kind of poison, and my body was struggling to keep up.

I could feel it in my bones and in my blood. The way my heart raced too fast, the way my vision kept blurring at the edges.

I stumbled forward, my hand reaching out for the silver flower. Just a few more steps and I would achieve my goal.

A vine caught my foot and I went down hard, my palms slamming into the dirt. Pain surged up my arms but I gritted my teeth and kept crawling. I was not going to die here. Not like this. Not when I was so close.

My fingers closed around the stem of the silver flower and I yanked it free from the ground, roots and all. I clutched it to my chest like it was the most precious thing in the world.

Because right now, it was to me and the only way to secure my position to get revenge on all those that has hurt me.

I forced myself to stand, swaying dangerously. My head was in immerse pain and my eyes was spinning around, if was so difficult for me to stand at a spot, but I was so determined to get out.

I turned toward the gate, using every last bit of strength I had left. My feet dragged across the ground, each step feeling like I was walking through thick mud. My breathing came in short and painful gasps.

The gate was right there. I could see it through the twisted branches and poisonous blooms. Just a little further and I should be out of here.

My body was shutting down. I could feel it happening, like someone was slowly turning off a light inside me. My fingers had gone numb and My legs were barely responding to my commands.

But I kept moving, staggering around but this time, I was moving through the vine that wasn't poisonous.

Finally I stood before the gate and let out a deep breath, I pushed through it with the last of my strength. The moment I crossed the threshold, my legs gave out completely.

I was falling, the ground rushing up to meet me and even when I try to hold myself, I knew it was not happening.

But then strong arms caught me, pulling me against a solid chest. The scent hit me first, it was very familiar and comforting even through the fog in my mind.

It was Lucien!

"I have got you!" he whispered into my ear, his hands carefully caressing my cheek, my wolf stirred within me, even at this point, he was still able to make me feel things.

I tried to focus on his face but everything was blurry. I could make out the sharp line of his jaw but the worry and anxiety etched through his expression.

He scooped me fully into his arms, cradling me like I weighed nothing. One of his hands came up to brush a strand of hair from my face, his touch surprisingly gentle.

"You stubborn woman," he said, and I could hear something breaking in his voice. "Why would you agree to this? You knew this was a death sentence. You know no one survives this place."

Even through the poison coursing through my veins, even with my lips that felt strange and numb, I forced myself to look at him and meet those pale eyes.

"I do not care," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I am the Luna. I would walk through fire to prove myself."

His jaw clenched and gave me that look. There was a flicker of fear and admiration in his eyes, something was definitely going on through his mind.

He did not respond, Instead, he turned and started walking, holding me close against his chest. I could feel his heart pounding, could feel the tension in his muscles as he carried me.

We must have reached the pack house because suddenly there were voices. Lots of voices. Screaming, shouting, gasping.

"She is alive!" “The Luna brought back the Sliver flower!” I also heard the voice of the chief council yelled out like he was making a very important announcement.

"How is that possible?"

"Look at her, she is barely breathing!"

"Someone get the healer!"

Through the haze, I heard one voice rise above the others, they were Cold and sharp and filled with disbelief.

"It is not possible." Dante gasped, but our eyes locked together as he stared at me with what seemed like fright in his eyes.

I wanted to laugh but I did not have the energy. Not possible? I had just done the impossible. I had survived the garden of death. I had proven myself worthy of becoming their Luna.

More hands touched me, helping to support my weight. Another scent joined Lucien's, one that was similar but different.

It was Silas.

"Careful with her" Lucien growled, but he allowed his brother to help carry me.

They began to hurry through the stairs and even as pack members wanted to get a glimpse of what was going on, they weren't allowed.

Finally, they laid me down on something soft. My bed, I realized dimly. The familiar scent of my own room surrounded me.

"Get the doctor!" Silas ordered, his voice tight. "Now!"

"I am going," someone responded, and I heard running footsteps fade away.

I felt hands on me, checking my wounds, pressing against my neck to feel my pulse. Everything hurts. Every touch sent new waves of pain through my body.

"Stay with us," Lucien's voice came from somewhere above me. "Do you hear me? Stay with us."

I wanted to tell him I was trying. That I was fighting as hard as I could. But my tongue felt too heavy, my lips would not form the words.

The silver flower. Where was the silver flower?

Panic surged through me and I tried to sit up, tried to make sure I still had it. But firm hands pushed me back down.

"Do not move," Silas said. "You need to stay still."

"The flower," I managed to croak out. "Did I... did I drop it?"

"We have got it," Lucien assured me. "It is right here. You did it, Ria. You survived."

Relief flooded through me and I let myself sink back into the bed. I had done it. Against all odds, against everyone's expectations, I had survived the trial.

More footsteps rushed into the room as The strong scent of herbs and medicine filled the air.

"Move aside," a deep and professional voice commanded. "Let me see her."

The doctor. They had called the doctor.

Hands began examining me pressing here, prodding there. I heard the doctor muttering under his breath, words I could not quite make out.

"How many different poisons?" the doctor asked.

"We do not know," Silas answered. "She was in there for hours."

"I need my supplies, All of them. And I need hot water, clean clothes, and someone to assist me."

"Ria," Lucien's voice cut through the chaos. "Stay awake. Do you hear me? Keep your eyes open."

I was trying But my eyelids were so heavy, and I was so tired. So incredibly tired.

"Ria!"

The last thing I heard was the doctor's calm, voice giving orders. And then the darkness swallowed me whole.