Chapter 130 This is Never Over
Mira stepped out of the infirmary and strode to the central gathering space where the elders waited. She raised her voice sharply.
“Elders, urgent council meeting. Now.”
The elders assembled quickly, faces tense. Elder Vorn took his usual seat at the head, others flanking him.
Mira stood before them, hands clasped behind her back. “Fernando is awake. But the poison did permanent damage. He’s blind. His legs are paralyzed. His wolf is completely locked away. He can’t shift, can’t walk, can’t see.”
A murmur rippled through the group.
Elder Vorn leaned forward. “Then the pack cannot be led by a broken alpha. The council should take over running the pack immediately. Fernando must be removed taken somewhere safe to recover. His mate, Alberto, hasn’t regained consciousness either. Without a functioning alpha pair, we are vulnerable.”
Mira’s jaw tightened. “Fernando is still alpha. Removing him now would fracture the pack further.”
Vorn spread his hands. “The law is clear. An incapacitated alpha cannot rule. We protect the pack first.”
Darius pushed through the gathered wolves, bandages visible under his torn shirt, limping but defiant. “The elders cannot rule while I’m still here. I’m Fernando’s beta, next in line. I’ll lead until he recovers.”
Elder Vorn rose slowly, eyes narrowing. “And where were you when the Southern Ember attacked? When they breached the western gate? When Kael died saving Fernando? When the pack nearly burned? You were gone. Conveniently missing.”
Darius stepped forward. “I was checking the ancestral building near the border. I was attacked by Samael. I barely survived. Then Lucia found me—”
Another elder cut him off. “Excuses. You disappeared when we needed you most. Now you want to claim leadership?”
A third elder spoke up. “You have no right, Darius. None. Fernando’s blood or not, you abandoned us.”
The room filled with agreement.
“You ran when the fighting started.”
“You weren’t here for Kael’s death.”
“You don’t deserve to speak for the pack.”
Darius’s face flushed. “I fought Samael! I was wounded defending—”
Vorn raised a hand. “Enough. The council will decide. Fernando is unfit. Alberto is unconscious. You, Darius, are untrustworthy. We take command until a new alpha rises or Fernando proves he can lead again.”
Darius clenched his fists. “You’re making a mistake.”
Vorn met his gaze coldly. “The only mistake would be letting you near power again.”
The elders nodded in unison.
Mira stayed silent, watching the exchange, her expression unreadable.
While the argument raged in the meeting room, a cloaked man slipped silently into Alberto’s ward. The guards were absent, drawn to the council noise. He approached the bed where Alberto lay unconscious, breathing shallow.
The man pulled a syringe from his cloak, the clear liquid glinting. “You’re of no use to the plan anymore,” he muttered. “Better off dead.”
He pressed the needle into Alberto’s arm and pushed the plunger. The liquid disappeared into the vein.
“Sleep well, Engima,” the man whispered. “Your blood was useful once. Not anymore.”
He vanished as quietly as he had come.
Back in the meeting room, voices clashed.
Darius slammed a fist on the table. “You cannot strip me of my rights! I’m Fernando’s beta—”
Elder Vorn cut him off. “You vanished during the attack. Your right means nothing here.”
Mira stepped forward, voice calm but firm. “Enough. Darius, just accepts the elders’ decision. The pack needs stability, not more division.”
Darius glared. “And you think the council can lead better than me?”
Mira ignored him and addressed the room. “I will take both Fernando and Alberto to the ancient healer’s home. They need specialized care no one here can provide.”
One elder leaned forward. “The ancient healer’s home? Is it even still in existence?”
Mira nodded. “It exists. But only those afflicted with the spirit plague can enter and see the city. I have the plague.”
The room fell quiet.
Elder Vorn studied her. “You’re certain of this?”
“Completely,” Mira replied. “I’ve been there before. The healers can restore what the poison destroyed, sight, legs, wolf. Maybe even Alberto’s life.”
Vorn nodded slowly. “Then I will release my personal guards to ensure their safety on the journey.”
Mira inclined her head. “Thank you. I also request permission to take Lucia, the acting gamma. Her curse needs full treatment as well. She cannot stay here untreated.”
The elders exchanged glances.
Elder Vorn spoke for them. “Granted. Lucia goes with you.”
Mira bowed her head. “I accept the responsibility. We leave at first light.”
She turned and left the room without another word, already moving to prepare the transport, supplies, and the three broken wolves who now depended on her.
After the meeting adjourned, Darius grabbed Elder Vorn by the arm and dragged him into a shadowed corner of the corridor.
“What kind of game are you playing in there?” Darius hissed, voice low and furious. “You think you can just push me aside like I’m nothing?”
Vorn yanked his arm free, straightening his robe with calm dignity. “I thought you had the spine to take back what belonged to your father from Fernando. Clearly I was wrong. You’re useless.”
Darius stepped closer, eyes blazing. “Don’t underestimate me, old man. The whole plan was orchestrated by me. Every move, every betrayal, every whisper. I won’t let you burn it all down because of your greed. Cross me, and I’ll rattle you out to the entire pack.”
Vorn burst out laughing, the sound sharp and mocking. “Rattle me out? And what will Fernando do when word spreads that your father was the one who killed his mother and father? That Vagus and his mother were manipulated by your father from the start? You think the pack will rally behind you after that truth comes out?”
Darius’s face darkened. “Don’t cross that line, Vorn. I won’t hesitate to kill you.”
Vorn’s smile turned cold and pitying. “You can’t do anything. If you were truly capable, Alberto would have died after the mate duel. You switched the bottle yourself, swapped the harmless energy boosting for something more poisonous and then blamed Samael. You failed then. You’ll fail now.”
Darius’s hand twitched toward the dagger at his belt, but he didn’t draw it.
Vorn leaned in slightly. “Run along, boy. The council has spoken. And soon, Fernando will be gone. Alberto too. Then the pack will be mine.”
Darius stared at him for a long moment, breathing hard.
“This isn’t over,” he said quietly.
Vorn only smiled wider. “It never was.”
Darius turned and walked away, fists clenched, leaving Vorn alone in the corridor with the echo of his own laughter.