Chapter 50 The Hidden poison
Samael came to consciousness slowly, the way a drowning wolf claws back to the surface. Pain throbbed behind his eyes, and the side of his jaw ached where Fernando's fist had landed. He lay on a narrow cot in one of the keep's spare chambers, the air thick with the scent of blood and smoke from the hall below. His armor had been removed, tunic unlaced, but the wound in his side from earlier fights still seeped through fresh bandages.
He groaned and pushed himself up on one elbow. The room spun briefly, then steadied. Darius sat in a chair across from him, arms folded, face grim in the torchlight.
"What happened?" Samael rasped, voice rough as gravel. "While I was out."
Darius leaned forward. "You blacked out after Fernando knocked you cold. Her highness Liana is back. Mira brought her in. Fernando reunited with her, but the strain was too much. He collapsed right after."
Samael sat up fully, wincing. "Liana is alive? How?"
Darius shrugged. "Mira found her. Details are scarce. She is weak, injured, but alive. Fernando held her, cried like I have never seen, then went down hard. Mira is tending to both now."
Samael rubbed his jaw. "And Vargus?"
"Escaped," Darius said. "Fernando let him go. Some vow to their father about not spilling his blood."
Samael’s eyes narrowed. "Vargus is Fernando’s stepbrother?"
Darius nodded. "Yes. They were blood brothers in childhood, before the disaster. You may not remember well because of your illness back then."
Samael leaned back against the wall, mind racing. "The fever. It took weeks from me. But Vargus... I thought he was just a rival Alpha."
"He was more," Darius said. "Their father had Vargus with a concubine. Fernando was the direct heir. After the disaster, Vargus was banished. Fernando never spoke of it much."
Samael opened his mouth to reply, but pain exploded in his stomach. He doubled over, clutching his side, a raw scream tearing from his throat. Blood bubbled up and spilled from his lips onto the floor.
Darius rushed to him, catching his shoulders. "Samael! Is it the poison acting up again?"
Samael nodded, coughing more blood. "It happens every month now. I cannot keep sneaking out of the pack to recover alone. It leaves the pack defenseless. I will not risk that."
Darius’s face tightened. "Do not be stupid. I will call Mira."
Samael grabbed his wrist, grip like iron despite the pain. "No. Do not. Just buy me time. I will confine myself to my room. It will pass."
Darius shook his head. "You are spitting blood. Mira can help."
Samael shoved him back. "I said no. She has Fernando and Liana to tend. The pack needs her there, not wasting time on me. I have handled it before. I will handle it again."
Darius stood. "You are the gamma. We need you strong."
Samael wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, leaving a red smear. "Then let me be strong in my own way. Buy me time. Tell them I am resting from the fight. No one enters my room until I say."
Darius hesitated. "If it gets worse?"
Samael met his gaze. "It will not. Now go. The pack needs its acting Alpha."
Darius turned and left, the door closing behind him with a heavy thud.
Samael collapsed back onto the cot, clutching his stomach as another wave of pain hit. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He closed his eyes and waited for it to pass, alone in the dark.
Fernando stirred in the dim light of his chamber, the heavy curtains blocking most of the morning sun. His body ached from the recent battles, but the bond's steady hum grounded him. He opened his eyes to find Mira sitting beside the bed, a tray of herbs and vials at her side.
"You are awake," Mira said softly. "How do you feel?"
Fernando sat up slowly. "Like I have been dragged through hell. But alive. Where is Liana?"
Mira set down a cup of steaming liquid. "She is resting in the guest chamber. Her wounds are healing, but there is something we need to discuss."
Fernando took the cup and sipped, the bitter brew clearing his head. "Speak."
Mira met his gaze. "Liana is pregnant. With Vargus pups."
Fernando's hand tightened on the cup until it cracked. "What?"
"She has tried different ways to abort it," Mira continued. "Herbs. Rituals. Each attempt has weakened her wolf and poses a great threat to her life and the pups. The only way to stabilize her is for her to have her mate with her."
Fernando set the cup aside. "Her mate?"
Mira nodded. "Liana says Vargus is her fated mate."
Fernando exploded to his feet, the cup shattering on the floor. "No! I will have his head on a platter! He will not touch her again!"
The chamber door burst open. Liana rushed in, her face pale, the cloak from earlier draped over her shoulders. "Brother, please."
Fernando turned to her, anger freezing into shock. "Liana."
Mira coughed into her sleeve. "I will give you space."
Liana waved her off. "Stay. He needs to hear this."
Fernando crossed to her, hands hovering as if afraid to touch. "Tell me it is not true."
Liana's eyes filled with tears. "It is. Vargus abducted me. He forced himself on me, tied it to the mate bond. But I do not love him. I hate him for what he did."
Fernando's voice softened. "Then why say he is your mate?"
Liana placed a hand on her stomach. "The bond formed during the... the act. My wolf recognized it. But I need to keep my pup alive. The only way is to return to him. I know my fate is sealed, but the pup deserves a chance."
Fernando shook his head. "No. I will not allow it. There must be another way."
Liana clutched his arm. "The attempts to abort have nearly killed me. My wolf is weak. The pup draws from me. Without the mate bond to stabilize, we both die."
Mira interjected. "She is right. The fated bond provides strength no herb can match."
Fernando paced the room. "I will find another solution. You are not going back to that monster."
Liana followed him. "Brother, listen. I do not want this. I fought him every night. But the pup is innocent. If I stay, we both perish."
Fernando stopped and pulled her into a hug. "I cannot lose you again."
Liana hugged back. "You will not. But I must do this."
Fernando released her and turned to Mira. "Give us the room. I need to think outside the box. There is no way I will allow Liana to return to Vargus."
Mira nodded and left quietly.
Liana touched his arm. "What will you do?"
Fernando stared at the wall. "I will find a way. I always do."