Chapter 13 Betrayal Lurking
Ella walked into Alpha Moore’s office, the familiar scent of leather and aged wood welcoming her. As usual, he sat behind his large mahogany desk, composed and focused on a document in his hands. His face, though calm, had a glimmer of intensity in his eyes as he read. Without thinking, Ella moved toward him, her exhaustion weighing her down. She leaned slightly against the edge of his desk, seeking comfort in his steady presence.
“A patient lost his wolf today,” Ella said softly, her voice laced with frustration. “I don't know how I could have helped him. I…”
Alpha Moore’s eyes softened as he looked up at her, gently placing his palm over her hand. His touch was warm, reasurring her. “We’ll sort that out later, my dear,” he said in a soothing tone, cutting her off. “Right now, we have a more urgent matter to deal with.”
Ella raised an eyebrow in question, her attention shifting as Moore slid a letter across the desk toward her, its edges slightly crumpled from his earlier handling.. She picked it up, scanning the contents quickly. Her breath hitched as she read aloud, her voice filled with disbelief:
“If Doctor South refuses us again, we will resort to drastic measures…” Her voice trembled as she reached the signature at the bottom. “Silver Crest Pack…”
Ella’s heart clenched at the mention of Silver Crest. The very name made her blood run cold, memories of betrayal flooding her mind. Alpha Kevin—the man who had once been her mate was at the helm of that pack. The one who had cast her aside for her stepsister, Sandra. Now he was desperate, seeking her aid, completely unaware that the "Doctor South" he was pleading with was the very woman he had rejected and broken.
Alpha Moore stood, his eyes serious. “Kevin wouldn’t dare start a war over this, not when his pack is already on the verge of collapse.”
“He’s desperate,” Ella replied, her voice tight. “And desperate wolves do dangerous things.”
Ella’s thoughts raced as she considered the gravity of the situation. The plague spreading through Silver Crest was devastating, and Alpha Kevin, ever prideful, had run out of options. But he didn’t know the true identity of Doctor South, the mysterious healer who had remained hidden behind a cloak of anonymity. He didn’t know that the very person he was pleading with to save his pack was the woman he had tossed aside like she was nothing.
“I can’t help but wonder what he’ll do if he finds out,” Ella muttered to herself, gripping the letter tighter.
Alpha Moore stepped closer, his gaze filled with concern for her. “Ella, if you don’t want to face this, I’ll send someone else. No one knows Doctor South’s identity. You can stay hidden if that’s what you choose.”
Ella shook her head, a mixture of determination and old pain coursing through her. “No. This is something I need to deal with, Moore. Kevin needs help, but he doesn’t deserve my kindness. Not after what he did. Yet if I let his pack fall, countless innocents will die, and I’m not that heartless and besides I already informed Alpha Derek I am going to help them.”
Moore nodded, understanding her internal conflict. “I’ll support whatever decision you make.”
Meanwhile, miles away in the heart of Silver Crest Pack, Alpha Kevin sat at the head of a long table, surrounded by his elders. His face was a mask of frustration and cold fury, his piercing eyes scanning the room as he listened to their complaints. The plague that had ravaged his pack was spreading rapidly, and the death toll was rising. His wolves were growing weaker by the day, and no amount of pleas had brought the assistance they desperately needed.
“Alpha Kevin, our people are dying out fast,” one of the elders began, his voice heavy with concern. “When is Doctor South going to arrive? We’ve waited long enough.”
Kevin clenched his fists under the table, struggling to keep his composure. “I’ve sent out several letters asking for assistance,” he replied, his voice tight with barely contained anger. “But every single one has been rejected. Doctor South refuses to come, nor take any real action to help us.”
“So, what are we supposed to do?" another elder chimed in, his voice rising with desperation. "Should we wait until we’re all wiped out by this plague? We can’t just sit here and let this happen, Alpha.”
Kevin’s patience was wearing thin. He stood abruptly, his hands slamming down on the table, the impact echoing through the room. His face was a storm of fury as he met the eyes of each elder in turn.
“This time,” he said coldly, “I’ve sent out a warning. If they refuse us again, we won’t be left with any choice but to take matters into our own hands.”
The elders exchanged uneasy glances. They all knew how thin the thread of their survival had become.
As the meeting dragged on, Kevin’s mind wandered, thinking of the healer who had been his last hope. He had heard of Doctor South’s unmatched skill in healing and had desperately sought assistance, but the constant refusals had pushed him to his limits. He was on the edge of losing everything.When the meeting finally adjourned, Kevin stood up, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension.
Without wasting another second, he opened his mind link to his trusted beta,
His beta, Theron, approached, cutting into his thoughts. Theron was a calculating, loyal wolf, always ready to do Kevin’s bidding without question.
“How’s the plan progressing?” Kevin asked through their mind link, his voice cold and decisive.
“It’s in motion, Alpha,” Theron replied. “We’re only waiting for your signal.”
“Good,” Kevin said, his lips curving into a wicked smile. “Let’s see what Doctor South has to say this time.”
He severed the mind link, his smile darkening. He would force the healer’s hand if necessary. There was too much at stake to let anything or anyone stand in his way. If Doctor South refused him again, he would do whatever it took to save his pack, even if it meant going the extra mile