Chapter 72 The Revelation
Fernando stormed off from the healing ward, his boots pounding the stone corridors with enough force to echo through the keep. His face was a mask of rage, eyes flashing gold as his wolf raged beneath the surface. The bond with Alberto pulled at him, a constant ache, but the image of Mira's lips on his mate burned hotter than any wound. He did not look back, did not slow, pushing past guards who bowed hastily and stepped aside.
Darius followed closely behind, shaking his head slowly. He kept pace without effort, his expression a mix of exasperation and concern. The beta had seen Fernando angry before, but this was different, raw and uncontrolled, like a storm about to break.
Fernando reached his study and shoved the door open so hard it slammed against the wall. He entered, chest heaving, and swept his arm across the heavy oak desk. Papers, inkwells, maps, and a silver candelabra flew in every direction, crashing to the floor in a cacophony of shattering glass and scattering parchment. Ink splattered across the rug like black blood.
Darius stepped in and closed the door softly behind him, leaning against it with arms crossed. "Do you know you are being childish with what you are doing at the moment?"
Fernando spun to face him, fists clenched. "You cannot understand."
Darius pushed off the door and walked closer. "Then make me understand."
Fernando paced the room like a caged wolf, kicking a fallen chair out of his path. "Alberto is also Mira's mate."
Darius burst out laughing almost immediately, the sound deep and genuine, echoing off the walls. He doubled over slightly, hand on his knee.
Fernando glared at him, eyes narrowing to slits. "You think this is funny?"
Darius stopped laughing, wiping his eyes, but a grin lingered. "Are you joking? You know exactly what you are saying?"
Fernando's voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "I am not joking."
Darius moved closer, the amusement fading into seriousness. "Claim your man before someone collects him from you right under your nose. Remember, overtaking is allowed."
He reminded Fernando with a pointed look, then turned and walked out, the door closing behind him with a soft click.
Fernando stood alone in the wreckage of his study, the words sinking in like claws.
Fernando paced the length of his study like a caged wolf, boots thudding against the stone floor in a relentless rhythm. The room felt smaller with every pass, the walls closing in as his thoughts churned. Papers and broken inkwells still littered the floor from his earlier outburst, ink stains spreading like blood across the rug. The bond with Alberto pulled at him, a constant ache that mixed with the fury from the kiss he had witnessed and the confusion of Mira's claim. He had stormed out of the healing ward, leaving Alberto to rest, but peace eluded him. The words Darius had thrown at him echoed: claim your man before someone collects him.
He stopped at the window, staring out at the darkening sky. The pack moved below, wolves going about evening duties, but he saw none of it. His wolf snarled inside, demanding he return to Alberto, demand answers, demand loyalty. But pride held him back. He was the Alpha. He could not appear weak.
Finally, he settled on a decision. He needed counsel. Darius had always been the voice of reason, the one who saw through his anger to the truth beneath.
Fernando left the study and strode through the corridors toward Darius's quarters. Guards bowed as he passed, but he barely acknowledged them. He reached the door and knocked once, then entered without waiting.
The room was empty. The bed was made, fire low in the hearth, no sign of Darius.
Fernando frowned and turned on his heel, heading instead to Samael's quarters. If Darius was not in his own room, he would be with the gamma. They were rarely apart when one was hurting.
He reached Samael's door and pushed it open without knocking.
Inside, Darius sat on a stool beside the cot where Samael lay, pale and sweating. Lucia stood at the foot, arms crossed, while Kael leaned against the wall, face serious.
Fernando paused in the doorway. "What are you all doing here?"
He looked at Samael, taking in the feverish flush and labored breathing. "What is wrong with Samael?"
Lucia muttered under her breath, just loud enough to hear. "Was it not you who ordered Samael and Darius to receive seventy lashes? And now you ask dumb questions?"
Kael stepped on her foot lightly, a warning to silence her.
Darius looked up, expression neutral. "What is wrong, Alpha?"
Fernando stared at him, anger flaring anew. "Speak up. What is wrong with him?"
Darius met his gaze steadily. "You know what is up with Samael unless you have forgotten. The poison acts up again."
Fernando's hands flew to his mouth in horror. He shouted. "Why did you not stop me when I was being unreasonable?"
Lucia made another comment, voice low but sharp. "I never knew the Alpha was this dumb."
Fernando glared at her, eyes flashing gold. "One more comment from you, and I will snap your head off your neck."
Lucia fell silent, bowing her head.
Darius smiled faintly. "You should not be that strict, Alpha."
Fernando moved closer to the cot, kneeling beside Samael. He placed a hand on the gamma's forehead, feeling the burning fever. "Has he taken the pill?"
Darius nodded. "Yes. It will ease it soon."
Fernando's voice softened with regret. "I was blind with anger."
Darius stood. "We all were."
Fernando looked at him. "Arrange a three days trip for both Alberto and Samael. To the countryside estate. Have the modern medics attend to them. They need recovery away from here."
Darius smiled, a real one this time. "Someone is finally caring for his mate when he has a rival."
Fernando glared but did not deny it and his face finally formed a smile.