Chapter 9: Bruised Ego

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."