Chapter 40 Never leave you alone

Nathaniel gulped down water before starting and Erica could sense the fear emanating from him. Why would someone like him be afraid at the mention of a name? Sure, the Infernal is a legend. To some, even a myth. His exploits are things to be etched into timeless memories. A sea of unending tale of valor. As a child, even Erica was told these tales and she grew up with them.

Yet, the idea of being afraid at the mention of a name still seemed off. Nathaniel seemed to her like someone who could dare anything; not in the brave way but in a more cunning manner. Yet, what she felt from him was an intense kind of fear, like the Infernal had something against him or could hurt him where he sat.

"The Infernal is the only wolf I know that can expend that amount of resources in finding a target. And he is probably the only one that has a bone to pick with Beatrice. "

"What do you mean?"

"I believe Beatrice had once clashed with him, I dont know much about the details, it was at the time she would become a council member," he said. "The only things that don't just add up is the fact that the Infernal doesn't assassinate, he'd rather face his foes head on and crush them." he said. "He was once my mentor, and he found my ways a little too underhanded for him."

Erica now understood where that fear came from. If the infernal was really his mentor, he would understand him firsthand, "Your mentor?"

"Yes, he is the reason why I am whatever I am," he said.

Loki exhaled. "So from what you just said, you don't believe whoever wants to kill Beatrice wants to do it because of the Luna."

"Highly unlikely, the Luna… pardon me but my lady, isn't seen as a threat."

"What do you mean?

"You know, businessmen like me hear whispers on the streets. And the whispers are, that the Luna has a mate that would take over once they are married."

Erica smirked, she knew Ronald would have found a way to spread those rumors, but it would only exist as a rumor till she found a way to shatter their bonds. She could feel the tingling of his mark on her shoulder but she shrugged it off, she didn't have time to think about that yet.

"Then why did you decide to give me an open support?"

"I want things to change, and the way you spoke, it showed character. I am a businessman, and that almost makes me automatically a gambler. It is in my trade to understand people and read them," he explained.

"So you are supporting me on a gambler's hunch?"

"Precisely so," he said.

Erica glowed her eyes, she mostly didn't like using this aspect of her royal physiology, but she would today, she wasn't interested in half assed statements.

"Open your wolf to me," she said. Her telepathic waves breaching into his.

What she was doing is called the Alpha's will. Wolves from the royal blood have the ability to put their underlings in a state of complete fear, where every word they command if resisted will cause great pain.

Nathaniel didn't bother resisting, he opened up his mental barrier and Lena met his wolf. Erica stood up from her seat, pinning him to his sit with a telepathic command. This was one of the few reasons why wolves don't talk to each other telepathically,

unless it is someone you are sure you are stronger than. Also, if you are sure the person won't hurt you.

She stood above him for a while then asked him," Are you loyal to me?"

"Yes," he said, his body pinned to the chair.

Erica released him, and he jerked from the chair, breathing haggardly. She also felt blood, rolling down her nose. She'd strained herself a bit. She wiped the blood with her wrist. She'd confirmed his loyalty and now she could say for certain that Beatrice was safe.

"I am done eating," she announced and walked out of the dinning. She steadied herself so she won't fall over, her knees were weak. She hadn't taken two more steps, when Loki's comforting hands helped her steady.

"Are you okay?"

"Not really."

"Understandable," Loki said as they walked out of the entire house.

Nathaniel walked out with them almost immediately, "We should go get a status report on Beatrice, should I call the nurses?"

"No. I need to see her," she said.

Her words were short and precise. She was almost as angry as she was when she realized Ronald betrayed her. She hated this mystery that came with the whole thing. Everything she'd solved had always being her one step ahead of her opponents. But this… this was a new turn around. She discovered she'd made more enemies, even though Nathaniel believed that it wasn't related to her, she knew otherwise. Beatrice was never attacked like this in her past life, whoever did it knew that she was connected to her and wanted to get through to her with Beatrice.

"Get in the car then," Nathaniel announced.

They got in the car and zoomed off towards the hospital, a literal two minutes drive. They entered the hospital and everyone kept their head bowed. "Why are they doing that?"

"I told them the Queen of Dunham is here," Nathaniel answered.

She scoffed, this guy really trusted her more than she thought.

A doctor rushed towards them, his head bowed.

"Raise your head and speak," Erica commanded.

"Her vitals are stable, but she is still unconscious," he said.

Erica exhaled. "Where can I seat? I will be here till she wakes."

"You can't do that," Loki interjected.

"Why not?" she asked in a relaxed tone

"The next council meeting is coming up, you need to rest for that," he said.

She understood what he was saying. She needed to be in a tiptop shape. "It is still in two days right?" she inquired.

"I think," Loki said. "But you need to be at home right now."

"No, Loki," she remained adamant. "I will only leave when she wakes! I will never leave you alone."