Chapter 65 His Innocent
Alberto stumbled through the corridors of the keep, his vision still blurry from the lingering effects of the poison. His skin itched where the bumps had faded, but the weakness in his limbs made every step a battle. He had to find Fernando. The thought of Kael suffering for a crime he did not commit drove him forward, pain be damned.
He reached the main doors and nearly collided with two guards on patrol.
"Where is the Alpha?" Alberto demanded, voice rough.
One guard pointed toward the elite training ground. "There, keeper. But he gave orders not to be disturbed."
Alberto pushed past them without another word and ran, bare feet slapping against the stone path leading to the yard. The sun beat down, but he barely felt it. His heart pounded with urgency.
He burst through the gate into the training ground and froze.
Kael knelt in the center, body a ruin of blood and torn flesh. His chest had been opened and crudely stitched, eyes gouged out, face a mask of agony. Darius stood over him, dagger raised for another cut. Samael held Kael's arms pinned. Fernando watched from the podium, expression cold as winter stone.
The elites formed a silent circle, faces pale with horror.
Alberto's blood ran cold.
He rushed forward without thinking. "Stop!"
Darius's dagger slashed down for the next cut.
Alberto threw himself between them, body blocking the blade. The steel bit deep into his back, slicing through muscle. Pain exploded white-hot. He staggered but stayed on his feet.
The dagger fell from Darius's hand with a clatter. He rushed forward, pulling Alberto away. "What are you doing?"
Samael released Kael and moved to help.
Fernando stormed to his feet, face twisting in fury and fear. "Alberto! What are you doing here?"
Alberto turned to him, blood soaking his tunic from the fresh wound. His voice was calm despite the pain. "Kael knew nothing about this. He is innocent."
Fernando's eyes flashed. "All evidence points to him. He confessed under pressure."
Alberto shook his head. "He might confessed to save his family. Kael is not the culprit."
Fernando stepped closer. "You risk your life for a traitor?"
Alberto met his gaze. "For an innocent wolf. Yes."
Kael's breathing grew heavy behind them, ragged and wet. Blood bubbled from his mouth.
Alberto pushed Fernando aside with surprising strength and rushed to Kael's side. He placed both hands on the ruined chest, green light flaring from his palms as he poured his keeper power into the dying wolf.
Kael's body jerked. Wounds began to knit slowly, blood flow easing.
Alberto coughed, blood spattering his lips. His vision blurred further.
Fernando reached for him. "Stop! You will kill yourself!"
Alberto raised a hand. A barrier of green energy erupted around him and Kael, shimmering like heat haze. Fernando's hand struck it and he flew back, body convulsing from the electric shock.
Samael tried next and was repelled the same way.
Darius shouted. "Alberto! Lower it!"
Alberto did not respond, focused on healing Kael. More blood coughed from his mouth, his body swaying.
Mira arrived, running into the yard. She took in the scene and screamed at Fernando. "Break the barrier with your wolf! Now! Or Alberto will lose all his powers! Or worse, his life!"
Fernando's eyes flashed gold. His wolf surged forward.
He charged the barrier, body shifting mid-leap, fur rippling, claws extending.
The impact shook the ground.
Alberto knelt beside Kael's ruined body in the center of the elite training yard, his hands glowing with green light as he poured every ounce of his keeper power into the dying wolf. Blood seeped from Kael's gouged sockets and crudely stitched chest, but the light knit flesh slowly, forcing the heart to beat stronger. Alberto's own wounds from the earlier slash across his back bled freely, soaking the ground, but he ignored them. His focus was absolute.
Fernando's wolf form slammed against the barrier Alberto had erected, the golden-furred beast snarling and clawing at the shimmering green wall. The impact shook the yard, sending dust rising from the earth.
The distraction shattered Alberto's concentration.
Anger surged through him like wildfire. He rose to his feet in one fluid motion, eyes shining brilliant green, the color of ancient leaves under moonlight. Tree veins spread across his skin, dark green lines pulsing with life, branching from his neck down his arms and across his chest. The air around him thickened, charged with the raw power of the Thornwood itself.
He turned toward Fernando's wolf, the beast still raging against the barrier.
With a sharp gesture of his hand, Alberto threw the wolf away. Fernando flew backward, crashing into the far wall of the yard with a thud that cracked stone. Before he could recover, thick vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around his limbs and torso, binding him tight against the wall. The vines pulsed with green energy, holding the powerful Alpha wolf immobile.
Mira arrived at the edge of the yard, breathless from running. She took in the scene and shouted. "Stay away! Everyone! He is in the keeper's form! His instinct is killing intent! Do not approach!"
The elites backed away, faces pale. Guards froze at the gates.
Darius, Samael, and Mira rushed forward toward the bound wolf.
Darius reached first, hand extended to tear at the vines. The moment his fingers touched them, green energy crackled, electrocuting him. He flew back, body convulsing, smoke rising from his armor.
Samael tried next, axe raised to hack the vines. The same energy struck him, sending him sprawling, muscles seizing.
Mira stopped short, hands raised. "Do not touch! The barrier will kill you!"
Darius staggered to his feet, teeth gritted. "We have to release him!"
Samael rose, shaking off the shock. "Alberto is weak. He cannot hold this long."
Mira shook her head, voice urgent. "My power does not amount to the keeper's. Only Fernando can save himself. And Alberto will have his reasons for trying to save Kael at the expense of his own life."
Darius looked at Alberto, who stood unmoving, green eyes glowing, veins pulsing across his body. Blood dripped from his back wound, but he did not falter.
Samael clenched his fists. "He is killing himself to save a traitor."
Mira's voice trembled. "He believes Kael innocent. The keeper's form amplifies everything. Protection. Justice. Rage."
Fernando's wolf struggled against the vines, golden eyes locked on Alberto, a low growl rumbling in his throat.