Chapter 53 The Alpha's Burden
Fernando sat alone in the council chamber, staring at the empty seats where the traitors had once schemed. The air still carried the faint scent of blood from the executions, and the weight of the pack's recovery pressed on him like an invisible chain. He had banished Vargus and punished the council, but Liana's fate haunted him more than any battlefield wound. She was safe in the healing ward, but Mira's words echoed in his mind: the bond with Vargus was her only salvation.
The door opened quietly, and Darius entered, his steps measured and deliberate. He carried a scroll under one arm, his face etched with the same exhaustion that plagued the entire pack. He stopped before Fernando and bowed slightly.
"Alpha," Darius said. "We need to talk about Liana."
Fernando looked up, his eyes heavy with unspoken grief. "What is there to say? I will not send her back to that monster."
Darius pulled up a chair and sat, unrolling the scroll. "You have to let her go. Find a way to either break or seal the western alliances without her marriage. It is obvious Liana cannot live without Vagus. And Liana might be the one to change him."
Fernando's fist slammed on the table. "Change him? He abducted her, forced himself on her, used her as a tool to strike at me. And you think she can redeem that bastard?"
Darius leaned forward. "The mate bond is powerful. It binds souls. If she returns, she could influence him, turn him from his hatred. But keeping her here means death for her and the pup."
Fernando stood, pacing the room. "Why can I not be happy for once in my life? Why does the moon goddess always have to throw different obstacles at me? First Vargus's betrayal, then the attack, now this? I just got my sister back, and now I have to lose her again?"
Darius's voice was steady. "You are the Alpha. You cannot break down. You have to shoulder all responsibility. The pack looks to you. If Liana dies, the western alliances crumble anyway. Let her go. Seal the fate and find a new path."
Fernando stopped, shoulders slumping. "I just need time to sort my thinking. Leave me."
Darius rolled the scroll and stood. "As you command. But time is not our ally here."
He left, the door closing softly behind him.
Fernando sank into his chair, head in his hands. The room felt colder without Darius's presence. He stared at the flickering candle flame, mind racing for solutions that refused to appear. Liana was his sister, his blood. Sending her back to Vargus felt like handing her to the enemy. But Mira's words rang true: the bond was her only chance.
He rose and walked to his chamber, the corridors empty at this hour. Guards nodded as he passed, but he barely saw them. His bed welcomed him, and he collapsed into it fully clothed, sleep claiming him swiftly.
In the middle of the night, a pounding on the door shattered the silence.
Fernando bolted upright, heart racing. "Enter!"
The door flew open. Two guards burst in, followed by Darius, their faces pale in the torchlight.
"Alpha!" Darius said. "Something is wrong with Liana."
Fernando was on his feet in an instant. "What happened?"
"She collapsed in the healing ward," one guard said. "Mira sent us. She says it is the bond. She needs you now."
Fernando ran, the others following. The healing ward was a short distance, but every step felt like an eternity. He burst through the door to find Liana on the cot, writhing in pain, her face contorted, sweat soaking the sheets.
Mira looked up, her hands glowing with healing energy pressed to Liana's stomach. "Fernando. It is worse than I thought. The pup is rejecting her without the bond's full strength."
Fernando knelt beside the cot. "Liana. Hold on."
Liana's eyes fluttered open. "Brother... it hurts so much."
Fernando took her hand. "I am here. Tell me what to do, Mira."
Mira's voice was grim. "The spasms are killing her. She needs her mate. Now."
Fernando's face twisted in rage. "No. I will not send her back."
Liana screamed as another spasm hit. "Fernando... please... I cannot take this."
Fernando's tears fell. "I cannot lose you."
Mira knelt beside her, hands glowing with healing light pressed to Liana's belly. "Fernando! It is the bond. She needs her mate, or she will die."
Fernando dropped to his knees beside the cot, taking Liana's hand. "Liana, I am here. Hold on."
Her eyes opened, filled with tears and desperation. "Brother... it hurts... so much..."
Fernando squeezed her hand. "Fight it. You are strong."
Liana's body convulsed. A cry tore from her throat. "The pup... it is killing me..."
Mira's voice was urgent. "The separation is tearing her apart. The bond demands completion. Without Vargus, she cannot survive this."
Fernando's face twisted with rage and grief. "No. I will never allow her to go back to that bastard."
Liana screamed again, back arching off the cot. Her free hand clawed at her throat. "Fernando... please... I cannot breathe..."
Mira pressed harder, light flaring. "The pup is draining her life. The bond is the only thing that can balance it."
Fernando shook his head, tears falling. "There has to be another way."
Liana's eyes locked on his. "Brother... I am sorry... I love you..."
Her grip went slack.
Her body relaxed suddenly, the tension draining away. Her chest stopped rising. Her eyes stared at the ceiling, empty.
Fernando shook her. "Liana? Liana!"
No response.
Mira moved closer, checking her pulse. The colour in her face drained as she faced Fernando with eyes filled with pity and with heaviness of the heart she announced Fernando's worst fear.
"I Mira Mesa announced the death of Princess Liana, may the moon goodess accept her soul and give her peace she deserves. Here is my condolences and respect Alpha" Mira said bowing to Liana's dead body and also to Fernando while others in the room followed her bowing their head.
He pulled her into his arms, cradling her lifeless body. "No. No. Come back. Liana, come back to me!"
Sobs tore from his throat, raw and broken. He rocked her, tears falling onto her pale face.
Fernando held her tighter. "I should have let her go. I should have..."
The room fell silent except for his grief.