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 also dance on my grave.
I sighed, looking around the throne room. It was empty, save for me, Anthony, and Elijah. We've been here all morning, as the healers came and went.
"Oh yes, I recognize this one."
To see who had spoken, I raised my head. My eyes widened as I beheld the sight of her. She was a healer so ancient that her eyes had turned white. She walked supported by a stick, her long and thin gray hair hanging down her body. Her face was full of the deepest wrinkles, and her skin was sagging and blotchy. Her eyes met mine, and I could swear that she wasn't blind.
"Lady Ina," Anthony said. He got to his feet and bowed. I did the same. "I welcome you, thank you for accepting the invitation."
The healer laughed, her voice had a croaking quality to it. "Oh my, how much you've grown, son!"
"Thanks be to the goddess."
"Oh yes, yes." She turned to me. "And you—I haven't seen you around. What a dreadful thing it is, in your blood right now."
"C-can I be cured?"
She craned her neck, looking up and down at me. Then she shook her head slowly. "The last time I saw something like this, she didn't survive it."
My hands flew to my mouth, stifling my gasp. "Oh my goodness..."
"That was because she missed a day, but it was nothing to worry about." Ina said, humor was evident in her tone. She waved dismissively, a half smile on her face.
I turned and glanced at Anthony. "What?"
"Young girl," Ina called, snapping her cane on the ground. I averted my eyes to her. "That thing in your body can be healed." Yes, it is possible."
"Can we get started right away?" Anthony questioned.
"No. First of all, listen to what I have to say."
I nodded, inhaling a lung full of air. Ina's eyes moved between me and Anthony, a smile stretching out on her thin lips.
"Fifteen days. The cure will take fifteen full days, one after the other. In that time, you must be very careful not to miss a day, or get it interrupted."
"Fifteen days..." I echoed after her.
Fifteen days. I felt butterflies flutter inside of me. There was a cure. There was actually one for this strange poison. Even though Ina was a bit strange, she had a cure for me.
That meant that in fifteen days, I would have my wolf back. In fifteen days, I would be able to take back my pack. I'll be myself again!
I met Anthony's eyes. He flashed me a calming smile. Then he turned to Ina. "That's wonderful, Lady Ina." I can't express my gratitude enough."
"Don't thank me now. Do that in fifteen days. Yes. Now, what is for lunch? I'm starving."
****
I dove into bed, unable to stop myself from screaming into my pillow. Tomorrow. By tomorrow, I would have taken the first step to getting better!
I looked outside the balcony, the sun was setting. I could hardly wait for the next day to come. Anthony had provided Ina with a room in the pack house. For the next few weeks, she would be meeting with me every morning for the purging ceremony.
I laid on my bed, a wide smile on my face. I could only imagine the faces of Darcy and Logan when I return to take back what is mine.
"Oh, it's going to be fantastic!"
A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I got out and walked over to the door. I opened it, expecting to see Claire or Anthony.
"Hello," Cordelia greeted, a forced smile on her face.
I raised a brow. "What are you doing here?"
She shrugged. Without asking for permission, she brushed past me and walked inside the room. I turned and faced her, feeling a spark of annoyance at her behavior.
"I'm just really curious, that's all." She said, turning and staring at me with contempt in her eyes.
"You're invading my space. You should leave now."
"Leave? I don't think so. In fact..." She walked up to me, her eyes darkening as a glare took root. "You're the one who's supposed to leave. You're the one invading my space."
Oh. So that's what this is all about?
I clicked my tongue. "Let me guess..." I paused, looking at her from top to bottom. "...hmm, you must be used to having people fall all over you, right?"
She folded her arms across her chest. "That's not the point."
I couldn't help but laugh. The nerves on this woman. "Thank your lucky stars; I'm in a good mood tonight."
She scoffed. "I feel sorry for you, Alpha Aria. That is, if you're even a real alpha."
"What does that mean?"
"Don't worry," she said as she walked past me, brushing her shoulders with mine. "They all come and go anyway."
What do you think of Cordelia? Do you really think she has a hand in Aria's misfortune? What could she be cooking. or just a mere puff?
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
ARIA'S POVDay ten! I reminded myself, with joy flowing through my veins. Five more days to go. I whispered, stirring the tea in front of me. I had finally decided to make the tea for myself from when I could complete my purging session without losing consciousness from the pain.Five more days left for me to take my rightful place. Five days left to deal with Logan and Darcy. Just thinking of him caused a stir of emotions in my heart. Love, hurt, pain, betrayal, and then, tears again!Why in the world am I even crying? He doesn't deserve my tears. These were the words I used to console myself, knowing fully well that my heart still ached even with the slightest thought of him."You need to sleep, Aria." My brain keeps telling me.***One pm***Doesn't Alpha Anthony have books here? I need something to keep me busy till it's time for my training.The word training brought back memories of yesterday, during my training with Alpha Anthony, how he had once again beaten me as easily as a c