Aria's POV:
The pack healer was not at all like I expected them to be. Back at Nightfang, the pack healer was an ancient woman. I wasn't sure of her age, but she seemed generations old.
The pack healer in front of me was a man, and a young one at that. He looked no older than me.
"Yes, you are poisoned." He announced, after a few minutes of checking my body.
"You seem really young," I stated.
"I recently took over." He said it with a soft smile. "But I can assure you, that doesn't make me any less qualified." He finished off, turning to Anthony.
"What can be done about it?" Anthony asked.
The healer shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure. This poison is very ancient. I haven't seen anything like it before."
An ancient poison? Wow. My life just got even better. This was the first time I'd heard of ancient poisons.
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"It's a hundred, maybe even more, years old. "And I'm afraid I have no cure for this poison."
"You mean you can't help her?" Anthony questioned. He was on the verge of glaring at the healer.
"I didn't say that," the Healer sighed. "With your permission, of course, we can send for more healers. I'm sure one of my kind will be able to take care of the poison."
"You're truly useless." Anthony gasped in exasperation. "I shouldn't have let your grandmother retire. Jonathan, you are a sad excuse for a healer."
I thought Anthony's words were harsh until I saw that Jonathan was smiling. "I'm so glad you think of me so highly," he replied, a bright smile on his face. "And, oh, my poor grandma." I'm sure she's tired of being a healer. I'm helping her."
I sighed softly. This wasn't what I was expecting to hear at all. "Will I die?" I interrupted the argument. Both of them looked at me. "If there is no cure for this poison, will I die?"
"Why would you be having such thoughts?" Anthony asked with a low voice. "You're not going to die."
"She could die." Jonathan interjected. Anthony glared hotly at him. "What I mean to say is that, if I'm correct, the poison is suppressing her wolf." There's only so many years we can live without being in touch with our wolves. "
"Then start sending out the invitations already!" Anthony yelled at him.
Jonathan flinched. "I will do that! It's just a lot of paperwork. There are tens of packs out there; do you know how long it will take to start sending out invitations? Plus, our reputation with them isn't exactly the best right now, and..."
Anthony stormed up to him and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, lifting him off the ground. "Is that a problem?" He hissed. I saw his eyes turn red again.
Jonathan shook his head. "N-not at all!"
"I'll get started right away!"
"That's much better."
"Alpha Anthony, please stop."
Anthony turned to me. He sighed, letting go of Jonathan. The healer quickly got to his feet, brushing himself off.
"I'll be taking my leave now." He said with a rushed bow. Before I could thank him, he had rushed out of the room.
Just as he was walking out, a man walked into the room. He bowed to Anthony then me.
"You sent for me?" The man asked facing Anthony.
"Alpha Aria, this is Elijah, my beta." Anthony introduced the man. "Elijah, this is Alpha Aria of Nightfang."
Elijah smiled, a warm gesture that didn't reach his dark brown eyes. "A pleasure to meet you, alpha Aria."
"And you too "
"Jonathan will meet with you in a few minutes." Anthony started to say. "Work with him to send out invitations to healers. As many as possible."
"Yes, my Lord." Elijah replied. "Is there anything else?"
"That would be all. You may leave."
Elijah walked out of the room, leaving behind a heavy silence. I turned my gaze to Anthony.
"You didn't have to do that."
"Do what in particular?"
"Send for the healers. You don't have to do that. "
He crossed the space between us. He crouched down to my eye level, his gaze burning into mine. "Alpha Aria, you have your pack to recover. Right?"
I nodded.
"And you can't do such if you're weak. The first thing on our list is to regain your strength."
"Our list?"
"Yes. I gave you my word to help you. And I will do just that. Even if that means sending for the entire healers on the planet. I will do that."
I felt my heart skip a beat. "But why? Why are you doing all this?"
"Because I can, and because I want to." He smiled, his eyes lighting up. "It's not that deep."
I laughed. "It's not that deep..."
I can't help but feel nervous about his help. I know he means no harm, but I still feel uneasy deep down.
"You asked about Cordelia." Anthony leaned back, taking seat opposite the bed.
Ah yes. At breakfast, I had asked about her. It skipped my mind just now with the whole drama about healers and ancient poison. But now I wasn't so curious anyway.
"Don't bother about it." I said with a wave. "It's nothing serious. Not too deep."
A knock sounded on the door and Elijah walked in. "My Lord, lady Cordelia has requested audience with you."
Oh. Here comes my curiosity right back.
Aria's POV:The rest of the day went by without much hitch. According to Anthony, the healers should start arriving tomorrow or so. As Anthony had instructed, I spent the day resting with Claire by my side, answering the questions I had about this place.She didn't have many answers.And now we were in the throne room, as healer after healer came in and examined me."I'm afraid, Alpha Anthony. But this is beyond me." Yet another healer said with a disappointed sigh. The tenth so far.I had come in here with high hopes. That maybe someone has something that could help out. My hopes were starting to dissolve. One after the other, they all said the same thing. The poison was too ancient. They hadn't heard of it. They didn't know how to remove it. If it came to the worst, I would have to kiss my wolf goodbye, or worse, my life.I can't die like this. I refuse to die like this, succumbing to a poison that has no name. If I die, whoever poisoned me will win. And I'm sure that person would al
DARCY'S POVAhh, the life. I'm waking up snuggled in Logan's strong arms, the sun filtering in through the windows. So this is what Aria has been enjoying? What bliss. Waking up in the arms of the one you love the most. "Are you awake already?" Logan whispered, his voice deep and husky. He wrapped his hands around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "Isn't it too early to be up? Just wait a little more."I tried to control my giggle. "Don't be silly, baby, you are an alpha; you have work to do, and so do I." I said, trying to pull away from him."But it's too damn early," he protested, dragging me closer. I removed his arm from my waist and sat up in bed. With a smile on my face, I turned to him. He laid on the pillows, a lazy smile on his lips. "Come back to bed now."I shook my head. "Hush now sweetheart, let's get ready for our bath, shall we?" I said, dragging him out of bed. He groaned, but got out of bed. His arm snaked around my waist possessively, his lips peppering small k
Darcy's POV:We discussed our future and the pack duties over breakfast, and when we were finished, he had things to take care of, so he left for his duties while I... went to take care of my own things.I headed back to my room. To my surprise, Selena had left and was already waiting for me. I got changed into a more casual gown and sat down at my desk.Selena rose to leave. I called her back. "Where are you going?"She turned, an impassive look in her eyes. "To let you rest up, my l....I mean my mistress.""Did I excuse you?" "No, my mistress. I didn't think you could... I'm sorry," she rambled pitifully. "You didn't think I could..." I mimicked her. "You don't think! You do as you're ordered! "Is that clear?!""Yes, my mistress." She replied. I rolled my eyes in annoyance. "Anyway, I need the most expensive gown out there to be bought, letters to be sent out to the most esteemed Alphas and guests, the most skilled event planners, the best chefs, and the best wine makers. I need
ARIA'S POVFor the first time in two months, I was happy to open my eyes to the sun coming in through the window. I opened my eyes to a brand new day of hope and joy. And for the first time in a while, I could really say, "Hello world!" And mean it.This excitement is killing me. Finally, I will be healed. I will avenge myself and take revenge on Logan and Darcy.Just imagine how they would look when they see me wolf out. Imagine their faces. Imagine...imagine. I screamed screams of excitement into my pillow and kicked my legs while rolling on the bed. I bet their jaws will drop to the earth's core. I bet they will regret the day they both betrayed me. "You seem to be very happy." I heard a voice say,"Of course, I am." Do you even know what this means to me? I feel like exploding with joy. I feel so..." Wait, who am I talking to. I raised my head from the pillow and turned around. Bright green eyes staring right at me."Alpha Anthony!" I yelled. Shocked, I tried to move away. Inste
Aria's POV:The annex building was behind the main Pack house. A small, quaint-looking cottage. It lacked the expensive vibe of the main pack house, but instead made up for that with its homely vibes.We reached the door, and Anthony held it open for me. Inside was a normal-looking room. There, was Lady Ina, preparing some herbs. Steam wafted in the air; the smell of it, earthy but choky. There was a chair in the center of it all. All the furniture had been pushed to the side, the tables and smaller chairs forming a semi circle round the herb centre Lady Ina was at. And was that a large Pot of boiling water on a fireplace in the middle of the room?!Lady Ina looked up at us, her wrinkled face wrinkling even more as she smiled. "Welcome, young ones! Good thing you are on time. The earlier we begin, the earlier we end.""How long is this supposed to take?" Alpha Anthony asked as we walked closer to her. "About two hours, I think," Lady Ina replied. "Two hours?!?" The words were out of
ARIA'S POVI still felt sore and discomfort, both from the purging and the tea Cordelia intentionally spilled on my laps. What exactly did I do to her?A knock on my door rang through the air. "Come in!" I called out. The door opened, and Alpha Anthony walked in. He walked over to me, standing by my bedside. His eyes were kind as he looked at me."How do you feel?" He asked softly. I shrugged my shoulders. "No pain, just a little discomfort.""Okay. Cordelia said you had woken up and taken the tea."You mean the tea I had to remake by myself after she had poured it on my laps? Yeah. I did. "Yeah, I have." Another knock on the door. "Come in." Claire came in with a tray of food. She really knew what I needed at the moment."You need to eat. After that, we move on to the second thing on our list," Anthony said.This is the second item on our list. "What's that?""You'll know when you see it. See you at the field by four p.m. Claire would escort you there."Escort me? What exactly is h
ARIA'S POV"Welcome, young one." Ina greeted, like she hadn't seen me just yesterday. I gave her a smile, squaring my shoulders.I need to get myself purged of this poison, no matter what. I allowed Ina to strap me to the chair.I'm going to endure this, no matter what. Lady Ina begins her incantations, and then the pain comes flooding in. I have to become stronger. I have to endure. I am Aria Alpha of the Nightfang Pack, and I will take back what is mine. I will take back all that I've lost.***Thirty minutes later***Lady Ina initiates an ancient healing dance called "terakjux." A dance according to history, performed by messengers of good spirits of health, healing, and long life to sanctify their territory and ward off evil. In some cases, they perform the dance to invite the terakjuxans, the spirits of health, healing, and long life, to heal their patients.***Forty five minutes***Aria hold on. You can do it. Think of good things you swore to never forget. Anything***One hour*
THIRD PERSON POV"Baby, today we will be meeting the council by 2 p.m. to let them know of your upcoming coronation. This will finalize and solidify all the preparations." Logan said as he and Darcy were having breakfast.One could clearly see the satisfaction and joy emanating from Darcy's eyes. You could clearly tell how happy she was."Okay, I'll get ready and meet you and the elders by two p.m.""See you then. I love you.""I love you too."Immediately after Logan was out of sight, Darcy burst into heartfelt laughter that made Selena shudder from where she stood, waiting to escort her mistress back to her quarters.Just by the looks in Selena's eyes, it was clearly easy to see and tell how she felt being the maid of Darcy after her former mistress Aria had been kicked out. The smoke in her eyes spoke volumes about how she disliked Darcy. But of course, as a maid, all you have to do is serve your mistress. Old or new.As Darcy stood from the table and got to the door of the dining