Chapter 57: Chapter 57
ALARIC'S POV
For the first time in eternity, I could feel my body being tense as it shook from fear and worries. Why does this have to happen now and why does she have to pass out at this moment.
This is one of those times she needed to be really strong yet she had passed out and has remained like that for some few hours. It's almost midnight yet she still remained like this whereas tomorrow would determine our fate.
I had called all of the best doctors in the pack and nearby pack to check up on her and the reason why she wasn't waking up but they all had nothing to say to it.
I had requested Josh to take the Jet and fly down to a far town to bring the best wolf doctor that has ever existed and when I thought everything was going to be fine as he already had a hint of what was happening, It failed again as he said he wasn't able to do anything.
I felt so scared but this time I wasn't scared for the competition anymore but I was genuinely worried about my Lenora. She suddenly passed out without being sick and now she won't wake up. I've tried everything in my power to revive her yet nothing is happening and it made me feel hopeless as I buried my head on her chest.
My beast wasn't happy with the situation itself as we were hopeless and hated to be hopeless, she's still breathing which means she would definitely wake up soon but it was taking forever and if she doesn't open her eyes then Asolph would have a reason to force me to mark another wolf which I really don't want to.
"Ricky" I heard a soft knock on my door and immediately recognized who it was but why the hell was she knocking on my door this late rather than serving her husband in her room as she always claimed.
I decided to not respond to her and maybe she would get tired of knocking and leave but she never got tired as her knocks soon started to irritate me as I rushed towards the door.
"What the fuck do you want " I growled but tried my best to keep it low so I don't end up waking up Adolph.
"Just let me in will you?" She requested as she tried to walk past me but my grip on the door was no match for her as she soon gave up.
"Let me in please, let me see what I can do to help her" she said and I suddenly remembered that she came from a reputable family that is well known for creating cures to the most incurable illness. They were good doctors and that was why my father marked her because he felt she could cure his armies whenever they went out for war.
I wouldn't have wanted to let her into my room because of the spite I had for her but I had to do it because of Lenora's sake so I released my hand from the door as she walked into the room with her head up high and it made me scoff in spite. I hated her so much.
"She really doesn't look well and you didn't think of calling me?" Diane said with her voice high but when she realised, she immediately apologized and focused on Lenora.
"I didn't think you would think about someone else apart from your husband. Knew you would be too busy serving him" I scoffed, she looked at my face and was about to say something but immediately swallowed her words and continued to examine Lenora.
"She was poisoned " she announced after some while while my brows cocked in confusion.
"Poisoned?" I asked rhetorically as I didn't see it happening, who the hell would have the audacity to poison her in the Palace here.
"It's a special kind of wolfsbane and might take time to heal " she said and took an injection from the clinical tray her servants had brought for her as she slowly withdrew blood from Lenora's body.
For some reason it triggered me to see her sucking out Lenora's blood as it brought back bad memories of our family but I decided to brush it away. She was only trying to help.
After some while of examining the blood, she gasped and turned to look at me with sad eyes.
"What has she been eating Alaric?" She asked and I thought it was a stupid question until she continued.
"Her body has a high intake of wolfsbane, who has been feeding her?" She added and I was shocked because Lenora has been in the Palace all these while and I have been watching over her which means the only way she could have consumed that much is if someone here in this Palace constantly feeds her wolfsbane.
"Is there a way you can help her out?" I asked and she nodded her head.
"I can but it's a slow process that can't be rushed. She'll heal slowly" she announced while I pinched the bridge of my nose tightly.
If it's a slow process then the opponent would definitely win and might lead to Adolph forcing me to mark another wolf. I honestly don't want that.
I watched how Diane finished up with Lenora and promised she would wake up when It's dawn. I hadn't spoken a word to her afterwards but decided to ask for a favor only if she wouldn't be a bitch.
"Diane" I called her name as she was about to leave the room, making her halt on her steps.
"Do tell your husband to postpone the date for the contest " I finally said after mustering up all of the courage but my anger only resurfaced after she refused by shaking her head.
"I'm sorry I can't " She said in a low tone as I scoffed at my naiveness, why did I think a bitch like her would actually talk to her husband.
"Leave" I threatened as she was trying to walk towards me but later walked out of the room.
I couldn't bring myself to sleep as I stared at Lenora all through the night until her eyes finally fluttered open and I was glad.
"Lenora "I called her name as I hugged her gently but she said nothing in return and I could still tell she was weak so I instantly gave her the medicine Diane had prescribed.
"I don't think I'll be strong enough for the battle " Was the first word she said and it hurt me to know she was trying to really fight for this.
"It's fine, I'll figure another way out" I assured her as I brought her hands to mine and kissed it gently.
I let her lay on the bed till she got better as I rushed into the kitchen to prepare something for her while I thought of who could have possibly been poisoning her all these while.
That would be a case for another day as I would make sure she eats only my food until we settle the case with Adolph then I would hunt that stupid person down.
I made a simple but healthy breakfast for her as I carried the tray to her room but as I was walking through the corridors I bumped into a woman whose face was strange and on noticing me she immediately went to the floor as she apologised and I decided to forgive her since I had a hungry Lenora to feed.
Something was strange about the woman though as she looked familiar even though I don't think I've ever met her until now.
I entered the room and fed Lenora as she ate really slowly and weakly. Almost like she was forcing herself to eat and I hoped the contest wouldn't hold today since she was sick but I was wrong.
The trumpet blew immediately as she finished eating as one of my fathers guards made an announcement.
"The battle will begin In an hour's time, there shall be three rounds on separate days and the one with the most wins wins. The contestants include Lenora Hunter and her opponent Tala hunter." The guard announced while my eyes opened in dismay, same with Lenora as we both found it hard to believe.
"I'll be right back" I said to Lebora as I rushed out of the room to talk to Adolph in hopes of him reconsidering this. Even if I was going to mark someone else it can not be Tala because I hated her and she was also Lenora's sister but with her present condition. Tala might show no mercy on Lenora.
"Father " I called his name as I barged into his room but almost regretted not knocking.
"I'll pardon you" He responded and my chest suddenly became too heavy to say words. His aura was just too much that it deeply affected me.
"Lenora was poisoned, can the contest be shifted to another day?" I begged and found it amusing as I have never begged for anything in my eternal life but here I am begging for the sake of love.
"Are you becoming a weak son? Since you left London, you're no longer the Alaric I knew of but rather you're becoming more of your late brothers" he said and my eyes twitched at the way he spoke of my brothers which he brutally killed.
"The contest will still take hold today" He finalized it and used his hands to gesture at me out of his room. I had no choice but to obey even if it made me feel really mad at myself that there was nothing I could do.
"If she refuses to join the contest then I might as well kill her " He said as I walked out of the room. I would say this was the most awful word I have ever heard as it made my pupil narrow in fear and anger on how he talked about Lenora but there wasn't anything I could do about it either.
I rushed to my room to meet Lenora seated on the bed, she wasn't looking any better and it hurt me to know the conditions I got weren't helping a bit.
I can't lose her and I definitely can't tell her about what Adolph had said about her else I'll make her more tense.
"I heard everything, " she said as she looked at me with pale eyes that held fear deep in them.
"What do you mean?" I asked in shock because it was basically impossible since the rooms were far from each other.
"I heard your discussion with the King. I don't know how but my ears became more sensitive and they hurt badly "She answered and I understood the phase she was going through.
Since she accepted to be with me, she would slowly transform into a lycan but won't be a full lycan until I mark her yet her current situation would make everything worse for her as she can't transform in her current state. She can't have those attributes now else it'll mess with her body and I might end up losing her.
Why does this have to happen to her and why is it because of me, somehow I managed to find love but now she's on the brink of death because of me.
"Forget about everything you heard, it's not important..."
"You don't have to worry about me, I'll try my best to fight " She announced even though she had to say her words slowly as she inhaled deep breaths amidst every word and I hated myself for causing her this much pain.
"I should dress up now" She said and tried hard to stand up from the bed while I watched her in pain. How did all of these happen to us in a very short while. Adolph showed his ugly head now it involves life or death.
When did all of these start, just some days back we were happy and she kissed me for the first time, where did all those times go and why does it have to be this way right now. Why can't I just take her out to get drunk and sleep and be alright. Why does my father have to come right now when I was finally enjoying my time with her knowing the fact she's in love with me already.
The trumpet blew again signifying it was time for the battle while I hopelessly watched Lenora struggling to walk. I know Tala and she wouldn't think twice before beating Lenora to pulp considering her current state. What can I do to stop this?