Chapter 134 Tomorrow We Go Home!!
It had been over three months since Mira, Lucia, Fernando, and Alberto arrived at the ancient healer’s home. The days had blended into a quiet routine of treatment, rest, and slow progress. Alberto had finally regained consciousness two weeks earlier, though his memories of the attack remained a blank void he could not recall Darius’s betrayal, Samael’s puppet wolves, or the moment he used his last strength to seal Lucia’s curse.
Fernando’s sight had returned fully, the darkness lifting like a curtain after weeks of blindness, but his legs remained weak, only partially healed, and his wolf stayed distant, a faint presence rather than the powerful force it once was.
Lucia hurried across the open courtyard carrying a steaming bowl of broth. She spotted Alberto sitting up on his pallet, looking stronger than he had in days, and smiled with genuine relief.
“You’re awake,” she said, kneeling beside him and pressing the bowl into his hands. “Eat. The healers said you need strength if you’re going to keep pushing yourself.”
Alberto took the bowl, inhaling the scent of herbs and meat. “Thank you, Lucia. I feel like I’ve slept for years. How long has it been?”
“Over three months since we arrived,” she replied, sitting cross-legged next to him. “You were out cold for most of it. We weren’t sure you’d wake up at all.”
Alberto stared into the broth. “I don’t remember much after the garden. Just… darkness. What happened to me?”
Lucia’s expression tightened. “You were attacked. We think Samael was involved, but we don’t have the full story yet. You used your power to seal my curse before you collapsed. Saved my life.”
Alberto’s brow furrowed. “Samael? I defended him. Why would he—”
“We don’t know,” Lucia interrupted gently. “But we’re here, and you’re alive. That’s what matters.”
Across the courtyard, Mira supported Fernando as he attempted to walk between two parallel wooden bars the healers had constructed. His hands gripped the bars tightly, knuckles white, legs trembling with every careful step.
“Slow,” Mira instructed, her arm steady around his waist. “One foot at a time. Don’t force it.”
Fernando gritted his teeth. “I’ve been slow for months. I’m tired of slow.”
“You’re walking,” she reminded him. “That’s more than we expected when we arrived. Your sight came back fully be grateful for that. The wolf will follow when the body’s ready.”
Fernando took another step, wincing. “The wolf feels like a ghost. I can sense it, but it won’t answer. Like it’s locked behind glass.”
Mira adjusted her grip. “The poison did deep damage. The healers said it could take time maybe more time than we want. But you’re progressing. That’s what counts.”
Alberto watched them from his pallet, concern etched on his face. He set the bowl aside and called out, “Mira when will Fernando be fully recovered? We need to go back to the pack. We’ve had almost no word from anyone there in months. What’s happening at home?”
Mira helped Fernando lower himself onto a low bench before turning toward Alberto. “We’ve had scouts bring occasional messages nothing major. The elders are holding things together, or so they claim. But yes, it’s time we returned.”
Alberto leaned forward. “So when? Fernando’s walking now. He’s getting stronger every day.”
Fernando answered before Mira could. “Soon. Very soon. I’ve had enough of being carried and propped up like an invalid. I can stand on my own now, even if my legs shake. That’s enough to show the pack I’m still their alpha.”
Lucia frowned. “You’re not fully healed. Your wolf is still weak. If we go back too soon and Vorn or someone else has consolidated power—”
Fernando cut her off. “Which is exactly why we go back now. The longer we stay away, the more they’ll believe we’re gone for good. I need to walk in there myself, look them in the eye, and remind them who leads this pack.”
Mira crossed her arms. “Fernando, the healers said six months minimum for full recovery. You’re at three. Pushing too hard could set you back months.”
Fernando met her gaze steadily. “I’m not asking for permission, Mira. I’m telling you. I’ve recovered well enough to rule. I can feel it. My sight is back, my voice still carries, and my legs will hold me long enough to stand in front of the council. That’s all I need.”
Alberto looked between them. “I haven’t sent word to anyone in the pack since I woke up. I was thinking about it maybe send a scout ahead to let them know we’re coming.”
Lucia shook her head sharply. “Don’t. Not yet. A lot of people don’t wish for us to come back. If they know we’re returning, they’ll prepare, set traps, spread lies, rally against us. We need surprise on our side.”
Fernando nodded in agreement. “She’s right. No messages. No warnings. We arrive unannounced. Let them see me walk in under my own power. Let them see Alberto alive and conscious. Let them see Lucia standing tall. That will do more than any scout’s report.”
Mira studied Fernando for a long moment. “You’re sure? Your legs still give out after ten steps.”
Fernando pushed himself up from the bench, gripping the bars again. He took three careful steps toward her, then three more, stopping only when he reached her side. “I can walk. Not run. Not fight a full battle. But I can walk into my own pack house and take back what’s mine.”
Alberto rose slowly from his pallet, still weak but determined. “Then we go. Tomorrow. We leave at first light.”
Lucia stood beside him. “I’ll be ready. I’ve been practicing with the healers my curse is sealed, but I’ve learned control. If anyone tries to stop us, they’ll regret it.”
Mira sighed, but a small smile tugged at her lips. “You three are impossible. Fine. We leave tomorrow. But we move carefully. No heroics. No rushing. We get you back to the pack in one piece.”
Fernando looked at Alberto across the courtyard. “You ready for this? You don’t even remember what happened. You’ll be walking in blind figuratively, at least.”
Alberto gave a faint smile. “I remember enough. I remember you. I remember the pack. I remember promising you we’d come back together. The rest… we’ll figure it out when we get there.”
Fernando nodded slowly. “Then it’s settled. Tomorrow we go home.”