Chapter 83 - Suspicion

Romeo POV

I have been stuck at Stella's side since everything went down. According to Carmen and the doctor, the poison was laced with dark magic, making it harder for her body to recover. Fortunately, her Elemental powers protected the pups, and she suffered the most damage. My blood boiled every time I thought about someone trying to hurt my other half.

She has been asleep since yesterday, and we hope she will wake up any minute now. My father has called me several times, but knowing that I am still upset about what went wrong with my mother, he has been in touch but keeping his distance. I appreciate it because I can't deal with any more shit for the moment.

My mother has stopped by a couple of times to bring food for me, but I don't seem to be able to stomach anything. I want her. I have been restless. The more time passes, the more anxious I get about her recovery. Carmen and the doctor told me it was expected, but I don't care what they consider normal. I want to see her deep green eyes staring at me, comforting my soul, and assuring me we will be together forever.

Rose came by and took guard of her for 15 minutes, which was plenty of time for me to go, shower, and change. She rolled her eyes when she saw me coming back quicker than she thought I would be taking, but I couldn't care less. Elliot, Nate, and Corey hold the fort while Morgan and the Special Ops team investigate who could have done that to my love.

I wondered whether I had judged Eulisse's character wrong and whether he was behind this. After all, the only person I know who has a friendship with witches is Paige, currently under his care. Paige has demonstrated enough grudge against Stella to use Coral's powers on her several times. Maybe I should investigate that possibility further.

I was deep in thought when Nate came into the room. "Hey Romeo… I just received this." He handed me a yellow envelope with a red royal seal. I quickly understood that it might be Eulisse's response to our proposal.

I tossed it to the side, exhaling deeply. "Do you think we are doing the right thing by giving him this chance?" I questioned out loud.

He sat next to me and patted my back. "Bro, Stella wanted it this way. She had always had a huge heart and wanted to grant him that opportunity. Why don't you open it?" I exhaled,

"I don't know, man. I have been wondering about Coral's powers and the shit Paige has pulled on Stella previously. Maybe this is, after all, their doing…" I voiced the thought that haunted me.

"Look, I understand that you are hesitant about this, but don't you think that Paige will do something like that to the person that, in the end, will lessen her punishment and grant her forgiveness? It doesn't make sense because if Stella died, she would not be given safe passage." Nate thought aloud, and it made sense, but what about Coral? Was she with them in the King of the Rogues territory? What could motivate Coral to keep hunting Stella? Because now it is clear to me that the target was her. If I had been the target, I would be lying next to my mate.

I was deep in thought when Nate stood up and handed me back the envelope. "Read it, and then maybe you can talk to him and find some answers." I retook the envelope in my hands, and reading it without Stella next to me didn't seem right. After all, this had been her plan, and if we got to avoid an imminent conflict, that would be her triumph. But then again, Eulisses would be waiting for my answer, and the longer I delay it, the more detrimental it will be to our future endeavors.

I took a deep breath and broke the red seal holding the envelope. I took a piece of paper out, and then I read out loud:

Dear Supreme Alpha,

In response to your peace treaty and proposal, I would like to accept the help you offer us to become a regular pack under your jurisdiction. I would also appreciate your help in righting the wrongs committed by my uncle in the past and helping restore Midnight Pack under a fair ruler.

I look forward to you summoning my chosen mate, Paige Hope, and me to your land to proceed with Paige's rehabilitation treatment and the proper sign of the registry and alliance of our packs.

Sincerely,

Eulisses Ford

It was a brief letter, but it covered everything. He agreed to become a pack instead of a gang of rogues without jurisdiction and dignity. He will become an Alpha and lead under the same laws and legislation. He also agreed to Paige receiving treatment to grant her pardon.

He is smart and the descendant of a true Alpha. His Alpha blood makes him prioritize the well-being of his followers, knowing that trying to go against the Royal pack and its allies is a lost war. My mate was suitable; there is always a way of avoiding the devastation that war brings to both sides.

This was her first victory as a faithful Luna and Queen, and she was glued to a bed, unconscious. It was a bittersweet moment. I chuckled, looked at the letter, and handed it to Nate.

"She did it, man… She prevented a huge conflict by spreading her kindness and goodwill. And yet, she is here, battling for her life and the life of our pups." The realization made my eyes glisten with unshed tears, and Nate gave me a tight smile.

"So, should I say that we agree and will be in contact with the draft of the peace treaty so he can review and agree on the terms?" I looked up at Nate and nodded.

"Yes, do that, but also ask him to call me. I have an urgent matter to ask from him." Nate nodded and exited the room quietly.

It's been two long days. Fuck! I want her back. The day passed by, and during dinner, again, Rose showed up with food for me. "Romeo, Alpha… You need to eat. She would be upset knowing that you are not taking care of yourself. Your last proper meal was about two days ago." She frowned with concern.

"Thanks, Rose. I will eat later. Leave the tray there." I pointed at a small table in the room, and she shook her head.

"Look, you are my best friend's mate. She will kill me if I let this continue. It is unacceptable that you are starving yourself. If this continues, instead of you taking care of her, she will be waking up to a weak mate lying next to her." She stood firmly before me, her hands over her hips, protesting.

If the situation were different, it would have been quite amusing. With her body, she was blocking my view of Stella's bed. I rolled my eyes. "You need to eat, naughty Alpha," Stella's voice sounded weak, but when I stood up from the couch, I saw her green orbs staring back at me. Her sweet smile is weak but beautiful. At that moment, I let out a breath of relief. She woke up, she was here… the worst is over.

Stella POV

After being in the dark for so long, I heard faint noises. I wanted to move, to wake up, but my body was too weak. Leia whispered in my mind. "Stella, rest for a while. We spent a lot of energy protecting our pups."

"Our pups? In the plural, as in two babies?" I asked Leia, and she nodded. Yes, the goddess is sending us two mighty pups that have never existed." I smiled, imagining my baby bump and Romeo caressing it. I was not looking forward to delivering these babies, but I know that the process, no matter how painful, is also gratifying, or so they say.

"Leia, what happened to us?" I asked my wolf, and she quickly briefed me on the fact that we were poisoned with wolfsbane and dark magic. The attack was aimed at me, and I knew it would have been someone who had access to our food. Otherwise, there was no way this would have happened.

"When am I going to be able to wake up?" I asked, and Leia smirked. Soon… recover your strength, and you will be able to wake up." I did as she told me and rested for a while longer. I was sleeping or out for about 10 minutes when I heard distinctive noises of machines hooked onto my body. I was regaining consciousness. This was it.

Then I heard Rose's voice. She was pissed at Romeo, he had been skipping meals, and she was scolding him like a mother scolding a little kid. They were so immersed in their discussion that I couldn't help but side with Rose and make myself notice.

"You need to eat, naughty Alpha," I softly said, sounding scratchy. He quickly stood up and walked towards my bed. He leaned down, placing his warm hands on my face and pressing his forehead into mine.

"Sweetheart…" He whispered in relief. His eyes closed, and I could feel his heart beating hard. "You scared the shit out of me…" he finished, and I giggled. "Not on purpose, honey… I assure you." He smiled at me and pecked my lips softly.

"Now, bring your tray and eat. I don't want you to faint from starvation." I joked, and while laughing, I coughed.

"Are you alright, sweetheart?" I nodded,

"Yeah, just parched; I need some water." Rose quickly exited the room and brought a bottle of water for me, and I slowly nodded at her.

"Good to see you up, babe… I will go back to Nate now. You are in good hands." She winked, and I smiled.

Romeo took his tray next to my bed and started eating his food. As soon as he started, I realized he was eating fast. Maybe he realized that he was hungry after all.

"So, what have you found out about what happened? Are there any suspects?" I asked, and he shook his head. "No, but I can't see that dark magic was used, and that points to Paige," he said between bites.

"Honey, I don't think Paige has anything to do with this. You need someone to access the food or contact the Omegas. I don't know, but I feel this is an inside job." I assured him, and he shook his head.

"Well, that should be more concerning because now we face a faceless threat—one that knows how to hide and how to deceive us all." I could feel his stress through the bond and decided to drop the topic.

"So, have you heard of Eulisses?" I asked, diverting the topic and focusing on maybe a happier subject. His face changed, and he nodded.

"Yes, you were right. He accepted everything. He is waiting for us to send the first draft of the registry and peace treaty. He also wanted to seek Paige's rehabilitation and mentioned her as his chosen mate." I smiled, I guess doing a bit of diplomacy paid off, and helped us dodge the huge bullet of war and destruction.

"That is good to hear…" I paused when the door opened, and Nate walked in with a cell phone on a video call.

"Sorry, Romeo, but I thought this was urgent." Romeo whipped his mouth with a napkin and looked at Nate.

"She is just up… Stay with her. I will take this outside." When I stopped him, he got the phone.

"Please, I don't want you away. You won't be bothering me." He kissed my forehead and nodded. Picking up the phone to show his face, he opened the microphone.

"Hey Eulisses, I got your letter…" He greeted his brother.

"Oh, your Beta said that you needed to discuss something urgently. Am I interrupting something?" he quickly apologized.

"No, Stella just woke up, and I needed to discuss something with you regarding what happened to my mate." Romeo looked at me, and I nodded. I needed to encourage trust between them; otherwise, the treaty would not work.

"Yesterday, Stella was poisoned. We are at the hospital, and she just woke up. The curious thing is that the poison was laced with dark magic…" Romeo's face was stern, and I could sense that Eulisses was shocked at what he was hearing.

"Look, Romeo… Alpha…” He paused.

"Paige has tampered with that sort of thing, and it would be easy to blame her. But I can assure you, she has not been in touch with anybody from the Royal Pack. I have been with her most of the time, and I give you my word that my chosen mate is not involved in what happened to yours." I saw Romeo's wheels turning in his head, and I quickly mind-linked Romeo.

"Ask him if there are witches capable of doing such a thing in his pack," I suggested,

"Eulisses, do you host witches in your pack?" Romeo asked out loud, and I could hear Eulisses's demeanor change.

"Yes, I do… But they don't have contact with your people…" He replied,

"What about Coral? Is she there? What about mom? Has she been there?" Romeo harshly said.

"Damn it…" Eulisses replied.

I guess Romeo was into something, and because of Eulisses' reaction, we have his full support in this situation.

"Romeo, Stella…" Eulisses said.

"I will help you to get to the bottom of this. After all, I can understand what you are going through. Seeing your mate in danger is not an easy thing to go through. Believe me, whatever information I gather, I will immediately send it to you." I saw Romeo's eyes flash,

"I am counting on it," and the call ended. I let out a deep breath and took Romeo's hand in mine.

"Honey, we are going to be alright… I love you."