NINETY THREE

_

"Did it work? How do you feel?" Henry poured out questions while standing beside me, looking ready to offer assistance in case the antidote turned out to be a failure.

"Better," I responded and he breathed out in relief when I sat up effortlessly. "How is Meredith?"

"She's alive," Randolph answered. I studied him for a few seconds and I knew that Meredith was in safe hands.

Randolph was going to protect her.

"I'll go stay by her side," he took permission and left the room.

"You don't plan on crying, do you?" I faced Henry, seeing all the emotions that he was locking up. It was one of the perks of being powerful, not showing petty weakness.

He shook his head at once and faced away to comport himself.

"I'm sorry, I'm just really glad you're alive. It's so good to see you again," his words were soft and tugged at my heart. It was my first time seeing Henry act that way and also my first time feeling that way towards him.

I missed him too. I couldn't tell him that but I couldn't deny it as well.

"You came just in time."

"I should have been here soon, but I'm glad I was able to save you."

I patted his shoulder, "how did you know I was here?"

"It started as a rumor. It wasn't the first, so I was going to ignore it, but I noticed some Alphas were already making a move, so I thought I'd come to check it out, too. I wasn't sure of anything so I came here by myself," he began explaining. "Also, thanks to the letters I knew to come here first."

I nodded, "it was the perfect timing."

The door opened, and Odysseus walked in; he lowered his head and breathed out despondently.

I signaled to Henry and he nodded in understanding.

"I'll go prepare the helicopter for take-off, " he excused himself.

With his head still bowed, Odysseus took another step. "I'm sorry for whatever trouble my daughter must have caused, I will gladly take responsibility-

"Just take care of her," I cut him off, climbing out of the bed. "And do not involve her in your bargains anymore, she is not a tool you can use to cover your mess."

His gaze shot up at me, the fear in his eyes diminishing, and he nodded in gratitude.

"I know I'm not worthy to say this, but I'm glad you grew up so well; your parents must be super proud of you."

I held my breath, letting the emotions that came with his words wash off.

"Your dad wanted nothing more but to ensure you become as powerful as him, he must be so proud."

Again, I shook off the emotions, "I must leave immediately; further delay might put your country at greater risk."

He nodded, "I understand, thank you for everything."

He turned around to leave, but I stopped him.

"Odysseus?"

He faced me. "If you ever need help, you can reach out to me. If it is within my capability, I will do my best to help you."

He sniffed, "I wish I would not have to trouble you. I am too ashamed and I do not deserve your help."

"That's right, you don't. But Meredith does not deserve to share in the repercussions for your sins. She's innocent and to me, she is a friend, so I will do my best to protect her, regardless of how you feel."

He breathed out, pinching his eyes and slouching his shoulders.

"Thank you."

The words were simple yet heavy and the guilt appeared again on his face.

-

"We should arrive before midnight, I will send words to the packhouse-

"No. No one must know about this yet," I cut him off. "You must return alone, there is something I must take care of first. I will drop at the crescent spring and you must continue on your own from there to the pack house."

He hesitated, the excitement on his face slowly fading, "perhaps, is it because of.." his words lingered.

I nodded, "I will find her first."

The objection was boldly written on his face, but he contemplated spewing it, "Then I will go with you; it is too dangerous."

"That is why I must go alone. I cannot risk anyone's life in this quest."

"Alpha, please. I cannot let you go by yourself to the same place where you-" he stopped himself, breathing out. "Please take me with you. No, I have to come with you."

"The pack needs you; you must continue to run its affairs until I am back. Now, everyone will- without a doubt- believe that I am alive and you will not have any trouble. No matter what happens, you must continue to live."

"What about you?" His voice broke. "What if something goes wrong again?"

"I will be fine-

"You don't know that!" The glint in his eyes showed how hard he was fighting to control his emotions, and whatever was going on in his head. He breathed out, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have cut you off. I'm just saying that it's too risky, and It is my duty to be by your side in times of risk."

"It is also your duty to obey me, no questions asked, even though you don't want to."

"Alpha-"

"It's final, Henry."

"I will not be able to forgive myself if something happens to you again. The guilt will kill me. What if this is my second chance to help you live?"

"I've come this far, and I am now more familiar with the crescent spring and surroundings; I have a good plan too. If I was meant to die, I would not have survived back then, my being here proves that I will not die, at least not anytime soon. I will return but I must find her first."

"And then what? She betrayed you. She's not your mate anymore-"

"More reason why I must find her first, I need answers. You said it yourself; she walked into Ryker's den to find me... she risked her life.

"What if I was wrong? What if she lied and it was all part of her plan so she could join forces with Ryker?" Henry asked. "What if she had it planned out all along and deceived all of us?"

"Why would she abandon an Alpha to be with a rogue?"

"I.. I don't know. Maybe she couldn't take the pressure anymore, or she grew feelings for him after spending time with him or she became greedy and hungered for more power," he shrugged.

"Do you believe that?" I arched a brow at him. "You really think she is capable of scheming something like that?"

He was quiet, but the curling of his fists gave his answer away.

"Tell me, Henry, has she ever given you a reason to doubt her since she walked into our lives?" I questioned. "Has she ever given you a reason to believe that she is that kind of person?"

"People change. She used to be an Omega-"

"And Brittany used to be a thug, but you loved her because you believe she became a better person," I cut him off.

"Ellen is the healer now and you know better than anyone else how important she has become because of that. With just that ability, she can become a powerful wolf on her own, she doesn't need Ryker. I was in doubt today, too; just a minute ago, I was still in doubt, but everything you said made me realize that I can't conclude without finding her first, without hearing from her.

Ellen is my mate, and Ryker is a devil who will do anything for power, even the impossible. I want to have a little hope, and I want to believe that there is an explanation to everything that happened, and only Ellen can give me that."

A brief quietness cut in and I let it flow, allowing Henry to trust me.

After he briefed me on everything that had happened in my absence, my wrath subsided, and I knew that I needed to be calm in my judgment this time.

With Ryker, anything was possible and Ellen was too emotional for someone like him. It was more suspicious that she had escaped from Derek and he was searching for her. If anything, she would have run to him first for protection, knowing her life was now on the line.

With Derek's insatiable hunger for her ability, she could have acquired enough strength to help her live a decent life, or she could have started afresh in a different country, but she chose to run from him. It was suspicious and it had me rethinking my stand.

"What if you're wrong?" Henry finally spoke, "Will you forgive her?"

I looked ahead, "I am not capable of forgiving betrayal," my voice was stoic and I felt Henry's gaze on me. "I will kill her with my own hands."