Chapter 167 I Deserve Death
Fernando walked through the long stone corridor with Lucia beside him while the sound of their footsteps echoed softly against the walls. The torches mounted along the passage cast shifting shadows that followed them as they moved toward the healer’s chambers.
Lucia kept her arms folded across her chest while her expression remained tense.
Fernando looked ahead while speaking quietly.
“Have you heard anything else from Mira?”
Lucia shook her head slightly.
“No.”
Fernando exhaled slowly.
“He looked barely alive when they brought him in.”
Lucia glanced at him.
“Mira is one of the best healers we have.”
Fernando nodded.
“I know.”
Lucia’s eyes moved toward the corridor ahead.
“If anyone can stabilize him then she can.”
Fernando slowed his pace slightly.
“Darius has survived worse situations before.”
Lucia studied his face carefully.
“You sound uncertain.”
Fernando did not answer immediately.
His thoughts remained fixed on the story Darius might tell once he regained consciousness.
Lucia spoke again.
“You think something about this situation feels wrong?”
Fernando’s brow furrowed slightly.
“I do not know yet.”
Lucia raised an eyebrow.
“You believe he might be hiding something?”
Fernando finally looked at her.
“Darius has always been loyal.”
Lucia waited for him to finish.
Fernando continued speaking slowly.
“But loyalty does not mean a man cannot be forced into difficult choices.”
Lucia nodded slightly.
“That is true.”
Fernando reached the healer’s door and pushed it open.
The warm scent of herbs greeted them as they stepped inside the chamber.
Mira stood beside a table while carefully arranging several bottles filled with liquid. Her assistant stood nearby grinding herbs in a small stone bowl.
Mira lifted her head when she saw them enter.
“You should not be here.”
Fernando looked toward the bed where Darius lay resting.
“We came to check on him.”
Mira placed one of the bottles aside.
“He has not fully recovered yet.”
Lucia stepped closer.
“It will not take long.”
Mira’s expression remained firm.
“He needs rest.”
Fernando walked toward the bed despite her warning.
“We will only ask a few questions.”
Mira sighed softly but did not attempt to stop them.
Darius lay still beneath the blanket while his breathing remained slow and steady.
Fernando studied his face carefully.
“He still looks weak.”
Lucia nodded slightly.
The faint sound of movement caused them to look closer.
Darius’s eyelids slowly opened.
His gaze moved across the room before settling on Fernando.
The moment recognition crossed his face he suddenly pushed himself upright.
Mira frowned immediately.
“You should not move like that.”
Darius ignored her warning.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood quickly despite the weakness in his body.
Fernando took a step forward.
“You should remain resting.”
Darius shook his head quickly.
He lowered himself onto his knees in front of Fernando.
“Alpha.”
His voice sounded strained but determined.
Fernando’s brow tightened slightly.
“What are you doing?”
Darius kept his head lowered.
“I deserve death.”
Lucia exchanged a brief glance with Fernando.
Fernando looked down at him.
“Why would you say that?”
Darius’s hands trembled slightly as he remained kneeling.
“Because I failed you.”
Fernando’s voice grew firmer.
“Explain yourself.”
Darius lifted his head slightly while keeping his posture respectful.
“I failed to protect Alberto.”
The room fell quiet.
Lucia stepped closer.
“What happened?”
Darius inhaled slowly as if gathering strength.
“We were on our way to the old temple.”
Fernando nodded once.
“Continue.”
Darius’s eyes dropped briefly toward the floor.
“We were ambushed.”
Fernando’s expression hardened slightly.
“Where?”
Darius answered carefully.
“Near the forest path that leads to the temple.”
Lucia frowned.
“How many attackers?”
Darius shook his head slightly.
“I could not count them.”
Fernando’s gaze sharpened.
“They overpowered all of you?”
Darius nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
Lucia folded her arms.
“And Alberto?”
Darius’s voice lowered.
“They separated us.”
Fernando’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“You did not see where they took him?”
Darius shook his head again.
“No.”
Lucia studied him carefully.
“What did they do to you?”
Darius raised one arm slightly revealing the faint marks left by injections.
“They tested different poisons on me.”
Fernando’s jaw tightened.
“Different poisons?”
Darius nodded weakly.
“Yes.”
Lucia glanced at Mira briefly before looking back at him.
“That explains the condition they found you in.”
Darius continued speaking.
“I barely remained conscious.”
Fernando looked at him carefully.
“How did you escape?”
Darius paused briefly.
“I waited until the guards left me alone.”
Fernando did not interrupt.
Darius continued.
“They believed the poison would kill me.”
Lucia tilted her head slightly, while Darius gave a faint smile.
“I suppose my wolf is stronger than they expected.”
Fernando studied him for several seconds without speaking.
The silence made the tension in the room grow heavier.
Lucia finally spoke.
“You did well to survive.”
Darius lowered his head again.
“I should have done more.”
Fernando’s voice softened slightly.
“You are alive.”
Darius’s hands tightened slightly.
“That is not enough.”
Fernando crouched slightly so he could look directly at him.
“You did what you could.”
Darius’s eyes lifted again.
“But Alberto is still out there.”
Fernando straightened slowly.
“We will bring him back.”
Lucia nodded in agreement.
Darius remained kneeling while watching Fernando carefully.
Fernando finally spoke again.
“You need to rest.”
Darius lowered his gaze.
“I understand.”
Fernando turned toward the door.
“We will gather everyone and begin planning a rescue.”
Lucia followed him toward the exit.
Darius remained still while watching them leave.
Fernando paused briefly near the doorway before glancing back at him.
“Recover your strength.”
Darius nodded.
“I will.”
Fernando stepped out into the corridor with Lucia close behind him.
The door closed quietly.
For several seconds the room remained silent.
Mira turned slowly toward Darius.
Her expression carried a mixture of caution and curiosity.
Darius slowly pushed himself back onto the bed.
His breathing steadied as he relaxed against the pillow.
Mira watched him carefully.
“You performed quite well.”
Darius gave a faint smile.
“I had to be convincing.”
Mira crossed her arms.
“You nearly collapsed while kneeling.”
Darius shrugged slightly.
“That part was not entirely an act.”
Mira studied his face.
“You lied to your alpha without hesitation.”
Darius looked toward the ceiling.
“He believed the story.”
Mira remained silent for a moment.
Then she spoke quietly.
“I have made my decision.”
Darius turned his head toward her.
“And?”
Mira hesitated briefly before answering.
“Yes.”
Darius’s smile widened slightly.
“I knew you would understand.”
Mira’s voice remained serious.
“I am only doing this for my d
aughter.”
Darius nodded.
“Of course.”
Mira stepped closer to the bed.
“What do you need me to do?”
Darius lowered his voice slightly.
“There is a location outside the territory.”
Mira listened carefully.
“You will go there under the excuse of gathering herbs.”
Mira raised an eyebrow.
“And then?”
Darius looked directly at her.
“You will retrieve something for me.”