Chapter 87: Second antidote

“Oh, now it was to negotiate? I never knew you cared so much about this pack,” Rhea mocked, causing the onlookers to burst into laughter.

“It is foolish of you to think you are the only one that cares about this pack. Some of us protect this pack too, not just as loud and aggressive as you.” Florence retorted, angering Rhea whose face hardened.

“I never said anything like that. Your conscience is just eating you up because you know you are guilty.” Rhea countered.

“I did what I had to do to save the pack. It may have been seen as betrayal, but how is it any different from what you did?” Florence said, and Rhea nearly lost it.

“She’s coming for me now. Typical Florence,” Rhea said, clapping slowly before ending it with a smirk.

Florence held her gaze, the look in her eyes clearly saying that if she was going down, Rhea would be dragged along with her.

“Lady Florence, if you truly intended to save the pack, why did you deny granting the invaders access to the pack earlier?” The man inquired.

“Because of people who would misunderstand my intentions, just as you are doing now. I am being accused,” she answered.

“Savior Florence.” Rhea mocked.

“But you were willing to let an innocent person die for that cause? If he had died, would you still think so?” Rhea asked. Florence said nothing, keeping her gaze fixed forward.

“Alpha, what do you decide we do?” The man asked, and Casimir rose to his feet.

“This was entertaining, but I have a wedding to plan. Rhea will be punished with additional duties. Rio Blackfang will be punished by being sent along with the men going to the north with me,” Casimir began, then turned to Florence and ordered, “Florence will be punished by confinement. She will be sent to the prayer house on the mountain, where she will be locked up and not allowed to leave until I return from the north.” He watched her scream in agony.

“Casimir, how dare you do this to me? Have you forgotten who I am?!” She yelled, glaring at him.

“It is precisely because of who you are that I am not sentencing you to death,” Casimir replied, silencing her.

“If anyone, I repeat, if anyone dares to offer her comfort while she is being confined, you will pay with your head and your families!” Casimir barked. “I will leave one of my men to supervise the punishment.” The atmosphere shook as everyone lowered their heads in submission, including Rio.

“Finish this up,” Casimir ordered the man as he began to walk away.

“Rhea, follow me,” he commanded.

“Yes, Alpha,” she replied, immediately following him.

…

As they walked, Casimir asked, “Is she awake?”

“Don’t you already know?” Rhea replied, and he halted.

“Is that any way to answer your Alpha?” He asked. She scoffed, folding her arms across her chest.

“Why? Are you going to kill me or behead me like the others? Do it so I can join our mother. I can’t wait to see her anyway,” she said, and Casimir smiled.

“He didn’t want you to know because of your temperament. He was afraid you wouldn’t play along and would make the invaders suspicious,” he revealed, causing her to unfold her arms.

“Wow, so I am that temperamental, unreliable person who can’t play along? And you thought so too?” She said, scoffing at him repeatedly.

“All I had in mind was protecting Leia. I am sorry for not considering your feelings,” Casimir said, his apology startling Rhea.

“Did you just apologize? Like, apologize to me? I wish I had recorded that. The almighty Casimir just apologized to me,” Rhea said dramatically, planting her hands on her waist as she stared at him in disbelief.

“How is your wound?” He asked, ignoring her theatrics.

“Luckily, the bastard missed, or I wouldn’t be moving this easily. It didn’t damage anything, but it hurt because it was a silver bullet. And you know I am strong,” she explained, causing Casimir to smile.

“Try to get some rest before we depart for the north. The weather won’t favor us there,” he urged.

“And what about you? Are you truly going to marry Violet now that Leia has finally opened up to you?” She asked, hoping for a different answer.

“I am not doing it out of love. Even if I want to reject it, I can’t anymore. We lost many men during the invasion, and we can’t delay the journey further. Without Alpha Damien’s men, this mission won’t work. Also Leia is still poisoned,” Casimir revealed, causing Rhea’s eyes to widen.

“What? How?” She asked, her mouth parting in shock.

“Did you really think Florence would easily give us the antidote, knowing I could back out afterward? Once we get to the north, the second antidote will be sent over. Until then, I have to pretend and play along,” Casimir answered. Rhea cursed under her breath, her gaze filling with deadly intent.

“I suspected as much. Could that be the reason for Leia’s three-day slumber?” She asked.

“I questioned the doctor, but he said it might not be the case. She should be in pain, not unconscious. Still, it hasn’t been completely ruled out, so I won’t take any risks with her,” Casimir said, making Rhea sigh.

“Is there no way we can find the second antidote?” She asked.

“The doctor who treated her back then is missing. My men are searching for him, but I can’t wait. The longer I stall, the more danger she’s in,” he said.

“I wish Leia knew all of this was for her. She will hate you without knowing the reason. Why don’t you explain it to her? She might understand,” Rhea suggested.

“I need Violet to think I hate her like the rumors say. I don’t want her targeting Leia, it would be harder to protect her in the north,” he explained, earning an understanding nod from Rhea.

“Then I will take good care of her until all of this is over,” Rhea assured him.

“Do that. What do you want to do about Rio?” He questioned.

“As long as he can’t let go of his ambition, it will never work between us. I will just keep toying with him,” she replied.

“And if you catch feelings again?” Casimir asked, though it sounded more like a statement, one he was certain would come true.

“Well, I suppose that’s my fate, bound to suffer for love,” she joked, though Casimir knew she was hurting deep down.

“If one day I have to fight him to the death, will you forgive me for killing him?”