# Chapter 263:

# Chapter 263:
Melinda's POV

I clutched Michael tightly, feeling his increasingly shallow breaths against my chest as everything around me blurred into insignificance. Through my tears, I noticed the Alpha King staring at me with an odd expression—his eyes widening with a mixture of disbelief and recognition.

"Melinda..." he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "You are... my daughter."

The words struck me like lightning, but I couldn't spare a moment to process this bombshell. Nothing mattered except the man dying in my arms.

"Please, save him," I choked out, tears streaming down my face. "We can talk about everything else later. Right now, only he matters." I saw shock flash across the Alpha King's face before determination replaced it.

I felt dozens of eyes on me, filled with astonishment and curiosity, but I didn't care. My world had narrowed to just Michael and his fading life force.

The Alpha King's voice cut through my grief. "Take him to the medical chamber immediately!" Guards rushed forward, carefully lifting Michael. I gripped his hand fiercely, refusing to let go.

"Restrain Luna and Selena," the Alpha King commanded other guards. "Watch them closely." His voice was cold and resolute, but it barely registered in my consciousness.

My eyes remained fixed on Michael, watching the slight rise and fall of his chest—the only sign he was still alive. "Hold on," I whispered close to his ear. "We're getting you to the medical room now."

We hurried through long, ornate corridors, the guards' footsteps echoing against marble floors. My heart pounded harder with each step, fear coiling around it like a vise. I'd seen enough trauma cases to recognize when someone was slipping away, and Michael was fading fast.

The medical chamber was expansive and surprisingly well-equipped, more advanced than I'd expected for what seemed like a medieval castle. None of that mattered—I only cared if it could save Michael.

The royal physician, an older man with silver-streaked hair and deep-set eyes, quickly examined Michael's wound. His expression made my stomach drop to my feet.

"What is it?" I asked, though my medical training had already helped me recognize some signs.

"Unsolvable Poison, also called Wolf's Bane," he said gravely. "Luna's special concoction, designed specifically for werewolves."

The room tilted around me, and I had to brace myself against the wall to remain standing. "But there must be an antidote, right?" My voice sounded distant and hollow, like it belonged to someone else.

"I'm sorry," the physician shook his head, genuine regret in his eyes. "This poison has no known cure. We can only maintain his life temporarily."

My legs finally gave out, and I collapsed to my knees, the cold floor jarring my bones.

I watched numbly as the medical staff injected various medications into Michael and connected monitoring equipment. Forcing myself to regain composure, I began observing their procedures with my professional eye, seeking any insight that might help.

"How long will these medications sustain him?" I asked, my voice steadier now despite the storm raging inside me.

"A few days at most," the physician replied. "The poison will continue spreading through his system. We can slow the process but not stop it."

I nodded mechanically, already formulating a plan in my mind. If conventional medicine couldn't save him, I'd have to find unconventional means. "May I stay with him?" The medical staff nodded and quietly left the room.

The Alpha King remained, standing beside Michael's bed. We shared a moment of silence, broken only by the rhythmic beeping of monitoring equipment.

"For years, Luna drugged and controlled me," he finally spoke, his voice low and angry. "My memories and consciousness were manipulated until today, when the power you released helped me break free."

I barely raised my head, my eyes still fixed on Michael's pale face. "Why did she do this?" I asked mechanically, more out of politeness than genuine interest.

"Power," he answered simply. "And hatred of humans. She couldn't accept that I fell in love with a human woman... your mother."

That made me look up, but I quickly returned my attention to Michael.

The Alpha King seemed to understand I couldn't process this information now. He gently patted my shoulder. "I'll leave you alone with him," he said softly. "Call for me if you need anything."

After he left, I finally broke down completely. I collapsed over Michael's bed, my tears soaking the sheets. "Why did you do that?" I sobbed. "Why did you take that knife for me?"

My mind drifted to the first day we met, him sitting at the bar counter, vibrant and full of life. My world had changed irrevocably from that moment.

"You can't just leave me like this," I whispered, clutching his hand as if I could transfer my life force to him. "We have so many stories left to experience together, so many places to visit."

Desperation clawed at my chest as I remembered the times he'd healed me
with his touch. Maybe I could do the same for him now. I had to try.

I placed my trembling hands over his wound, closing my eyes and reaching deep within myself.

"Leah," I called internally, my mental voice echoing in the emptiness. "I know
you're exhausted, but please... we need to save him. He's our mate."

At first, there was nothing—just hollow silence and my own ragged breathing. Then I heard it—a faint whimper, like a wounded animal trying to respond. Warmth spread through my palms, and a weak green glow emanated from beneath my fingers. My heart leaped with hope.

"Yes, that's it," I encouraged, pouring every ounce of my will into the connection.

The warmth intensified, flowing from me into Michael's body. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I maintained the effort, but after several minutes, his condition remained unchanged. The monitors continued their steady, ominous beeping, and his breathing remained shallow.

I'm sorry, Leah's voice whispered in my mind, weak and defeated. This poison... it's beyond my power. I can't heal it.

The green glow faded, and I slumped forward, exhausted and devastated. "No," I pleaded, "please, try again."

But there was no response. Leah had given everything she had.

"I should be able to do something," I bit my lip, guilt crushing me. "I'm a doctor, I should be able to save you." But the harsh reality was that I was as powerless as everyone else.

As night fell, the medical chamber grew quiet except for the steady beeping of monitors and Michael's faint breathing. I stared at his pale face, a dangerous idea forming in my mind.

"Only one person knows the antidote," I whispered. "The person who created this poison."

I stood up, taking one last look at Michael. "I'll come back," I promised. "With whatever it takes to save you. No matter the cost."

I gently kissed his forehead, then turned toward the door.