Chapter 92 Welcoming Of Guests
Alberto woke slowly, the world returning in fragments of light and sound. His eyelids felt heavy, as though weighted with sand. A dull ache throbbed through his entire body, centered in his chest where the drain of his powers had left a hollow space. He lay on a cot in the infirmary, the familiar scent of herbs and clean linen surrounding him. The room was quiet except for the soft rustle of movement nearby.
Samael sat on a stool beside the cot, elbows on his knees, watching him with quiet intensity. A bowl of water and a clean cloth rested on the small table next to him. When Alberto's eyes opened, Samael leaned forward immediately.
"Easy," Samael said, voice low. "You are back."
Alberto tried to sit up. Pain flared across his back and thigh. He hissed and fell back against the pillows.
Samael placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Stay down. You have been out for hours."
Alberto swallowed, throat dry. "What happened?"
Samael dipped the cloth in the water and pressed it to Alberto's forehead. "The midnight wolves. They took you. Cut you. Drained you. We got you back."
Alberto closed his eyes briefly. "I remember the camp. The female. The blade."
Samael nodded. "Darius talked them down. Said you were his mate. They let you go."
Alberto's lips curved faintly. "His mate. That must have surprised them."
Samael chuckled. "It surprised everyone. But it worked."
Mira entered then, carrying a tray with fresh bandages and a vial of glowing liquid. She set it down and moved to Alberto's side.
"You are awake," she said, relief clear in her voice. "Good. Do not move too much."
She checked his pulse, then his eyes, then the bandages on his thigh and back.
Alberto watched her. "Thank you for healing me."
Mira shook her head. "You did most of it yourself. But you pushed too far. Your energy is drained. The midnight wolves took more than blood. They took from your power."
Alberto frowned. "How?"
Mira's hands glowed as she adjusted a bandage. "They have ways. Cursed blades. Dark rituals. Your keeper powers were used to heal them, and it weakened you. The bond with Fernando is holding you together, but barely."
Alberto nodded slowly. "I understand."
Mira's voice grew firm. "No more powers. No more forest. Not for a while. You need time to recover. If you push again, you might not come back."
Alberto met her gaze. "It is fine. I will rest."
Mira finished the bandage and stood. "Good. Do you want to return to your room?"
Alberto pushed himself up carefully. "Yes. I would like that."
Samael stood. "Do you want to stay in my quarters? More space. Better bed."
Alberto smiled. "I appreciate it. But I want my own room. In the main pack house. The Alpha moved me there."
Samael nodded. "Then I will help you pack."
Mira stepped in front of Alberto as he tried to stand. "Do not punish Fernando too much."
Alberto paused. "Punish him?"
Mira's voice was soft. "He is hurting too. He made mistakes. But he loves you."
Alberto's smile was small and sad. "I should have known my place. A slave. A bed warmer. But I will prove to him one way or the other that I am not weak. And the forest power is not what makes me strong."
He stood fully, wincing but steady.
Samael offered his arm. "Lean on me."
Alberto took it. "Thank you."
They left the infirmary together, Mira watching them go.
\~~~~~~~
The pack house courtyard had been transformed into a bustling arrival ground. Banners of deep green and silver fluttered from the walls, marking the pack's colors for every visiting delegation to see. Long tables stood ready with bread, fruit, and pitchers of water for the travelers. Guards lined the gates in full armor, standing tall as pack after pack rode in under the afternoon sun. The mate duel was four days away, and the first arrivals had begun.
Fernando stood at the center of the courtyard, cloak thrown back, arms crossed, watching the procession. Darius stood beside him, hands clasped behind his back, expression neutral but eyes sharp.
The first group to dismount was from the eastern ridges, led by Alpha Torvald, a grizzled wolf with a scar across his brow. Fernando stepped forward and clasped his forearm.
"Welcome, Torvald," Fernando said. "Your pack is always honored here."
Torvald returned the grip. "We come for the duel. And for alliance."
Fernando nodded. "You and your wolves will have quarters in the east wing. Guards will show you. Maids are assigned for your needs."
Two guards stepped forward, bowing. A maid with a tray of fresh water followed.
Torvald inclined his head. "We appreciate the hospitality."
They moved off.
Next came the southern pack, smaller but fierce. Fernando greeted their Alpha, assigned quarters, guards, and maids. Darius quietly directed the logistics, making sure each group was settled without delay.
A third group arrived, then a fourth. Fernando greeted each leader personally, offered water, assigned rooms in the pack house wings, and detailed guards for protection and maids for service. The courtyard filled with the sounds of horses, greetings, and the clink of armor.
As the fifth group settled, Fernando turned to Darius. "Prepare some medicinal herbs for Alberto. The strong kind. For healing and strength."
Darius met his gaze. "I am doing no such thing. It is high time you focus on the duel."
Fernando's jaw tightened. "He needs them."
Darius shook his head. "He needs you to stop treating him like a secret. The duel is in four days. Focus on that."
Before Fernando could reply, hoofbeats announced another arrival.
A grand carriage rolled in, pulled by four black horses. The door opened, and Princess Eliana stepped down.
She was tall, with long dark hair braided with silver threads, dressed in fine riding leathers that hugged her form. Her eyes found Fernando immediately. She rushed forward, arms open, and hugged him tightly, kissing his cheek with a loud smack.
"Fernando!" she exclaimed. "I came as soon as I heard."
Fernando stiffened slightly but returned the embrace lightly. "Eliana. Welcome."
Darius bowed his head in respect. "Princess Eliana."
Eliana stepped back, smiling brightly. "Why did you not just ask for my hand in marriage? Why go through the stress of arranging this whole mate duel?"
Fernando pushed her away gently. "Prove your worth to be my mate. The duel is open to all."
Eliana's smile widened. "I promise I will win. No matter what."
She leaned in and kissed his lips quickly, a bold claim in front of the watching pack.
Then she turned and headed toward her assigned room, guards and maids falling in behind her, carrying her many bags.
Darius rolled his eyes. "Did she think we are here for a fashion parade? So many bags."
Fernando watched her go. "Do not underestimate her. She might be a spoiled princess, but she is strong and challenging."
Darius snorted. "We will see."
The courtyard continued to fill.
The duel drew closer.