Chapter 48

(Aurora’s pov)

When the packhouse came into view, all I could seem to focus on was the shocked and terrified gazes of the wolves roaming about a s they watched their strong leader, now succumbed to something they didn’t know what.

“He looks dead.” One whispered in terror, her gaze on her Alpha in pity.

“Don’t be foolish. He’s not dead, look at the rise and fall of his chest.” Another snapped lowly.

“If the other packs hear of this they’ll come for us. Our leader is down!” Another screeched.

“Quiet now! You don’t know if there is a traitor amongst us who will let our enemies know.” A pregnant she wolf mumbled, her eyes glazed over in panic.

“Merrill is right Stacy, be quiet. You never know who’s listening.” Another woman says.

I stare at them and all I can think about is that this was my fault. No one else’s but mine.

It made me feel hate. Hate for myself. I didn’t want to be this monster.

I never wanted to hurt him or anyone.

I never chose to be what I am.

And maybe I didn’t deserve to be by his side.

I looked away sadly when they began to murmur, their eyes on me. They weren’t accusing but it made me feel more guilty somehow.

“Get the pack doctor!” Lily roared when she was nearing the infirmary building. “Get Rodrick!”

The wolves who were just outside scurried inside the building, a second later one run out, looking breathless and panicked.” Rodrick isn’t here yet.” He winced as if expecting to get a tongue lashing from Lily but she only roars for another doctor.

She soon jumps down to her feet. Chris quickly shifted into his human form and scurried to Xavier’s side where he took him in his arms, struggling a little under his weight.

Seeing that, Beta Samuel also shifted and goes to help Chris. The two bring Xavier inside as quickly as they can with Lily rushing t o their side.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as it nearly blocked my air way.

This was my fault all my fault.

I figured Eli would want to go help too, so I get down his huge wolf, mumbling a thank you when I’m on my feet safely. He only looks at me side ways and gives a single nod before bounding over to the building, shifting into his human form at the last second before he enters through the door.

I stay frozen, my body suddenly feeling cold. Fear.

Sarah shifts beside me, wordlessly grabbing my hand and tugs me towards the building. I followed her, my heart racing the closer we get to the door.

I felt hatred for myself knowing that Xavier was currently suffering whilst I didn’t feel any pain anymore.

Sarah gives my hand a firm squeeze before pulling me through the doorway. My eyes fall on Xavier’s limp body being rolled away o na stretcher towards a room.

His sister, Lily by his side, her smaller hand clutching his as tears roll down her cheeks.

He isn’t dead Aurora. He isn’t dead. I chant in my head, trying to ease my worries.

Lily’s head lifts, her eyes falling in my own, she whispers before entering in the room. “He needs you by his side Aurora.”

My eyes scan around noting the glare of hatred Beta Samuel sent my way. He snarls when I squirm under his anger. Eli on the other hand, nudges his head towards the room they wheeled in Xavier and smiles reassuringly, silently telling me to go ahead.

But Chris doesn’t spare me a glance and although he doesn’t, I was at least grateful that he stepped in the way of his Beta to stop him from harming me.

Sarah nudges me forward,bending her head down to whisper in my ear. “He’ll want to see you when he wakes up.”

I wanted to say he’d probably kill me when he wakes up and finds out I was the cause of his poisoning but I bit my tongue and nod.

I quietly made my way to the room, my heart aching as I hear the panicked voice of the doctor and Lily’s frightened voice the closer I get.

I felt sick to my stomach when I entered, the air alone was thick with tension. They had placed Xavier on the bed, his chest rising and falling a little and I take comfort in knowing that he was at least still breathing.

I strut to Lily’s side, unable to breath properly as I stare at Xavier’s face.

“I need ice, lots of it. His body is overheating! Bring a whole damn bucket of it if you have to!” The doctor rushes out, his fingers pressing on Xavier’s pulse and chest.

And he wasn’t lying because sweat soon coated Xavier’s skin thickly.

The other doctors around, scurried out of the room in search for the ice.

A groan soon left Xavier’s lips, the sound painful. I reach over, wrapping my hands around his sweaty arm, wishing I could ease the pain ‘I don’t understand how this could’ve happened. Must’ve been because Reckon took over. It must have been too much for his body t o take on.” Lily whispered, her red swollen eyes on her brother’s face.

I wanted to say that she was wrong and perhaps it had nothing to do with Reckon but me. But I found myself swallowing the words in fear of being casted out or killed before I get to see Xavier’s beautiful amber eyes again.

*Did you say his wolf took over?” The doctor questioned, head lifting and eyes peering into Lily’s.

Lily nods quickly. “Yes. His wolf took over his body.”

The doctor shook his head, his eyes deep with confusion as he set his eyes on his alpha. “That can’t be right. This wouldn’t cause this. Something else must’ve Suddenly he stops, his nose now near Xavier’s chest and he sniffs. “Wolfsbane. He’s sweating out wolfsbane.” He says in disbelief and quickly turns around to take a small torchlight.

I stagger away by his words, my fingers dropping from Xavier’s arm. I knew it was probably me who caused this but I was still praying that somehow it wouldn’t be me.

I really wished it wasn’t me.

I don’t deserve to be by his side. Not when I may as well be a traitor.

I was truly a monster.

Their enemy.

“Aurora?” Lily whispered, staring at me in confusion.

I shook my head my gaze not leaving Xavier’s motionless body.

Why did I have to be a monster?

I watch the doctor peel open Xavier’s eyes and flashed the light in his eyes. “His pupils are dilated. He’s fighting the poison.”

Just then, the other doctors scurried back inside the room with five bags filled with ice. “Ooph.” I grunt when one shouldered me in their pursuit to hurry to Xavier.

“We need to get him The doctor started but another voice butts in. “I am here now. I will take care of him Lexus.”

I turn around slightly to see that it was Rodrick the packs doctor. He strolled inside the room with an air of confidence and stops just beside the nervous sweating doctor.

He looks down at Xavier’s body, bends as little, takes a whiff and eyes quickly snap to me, well my neck precisely. His eyes deepen with knowing before he nods. “Wolfsbane.” He mumbles.

Something about his gaze had my heart jumping. He knew. He knew it was me.

My mind told me to flee before he tells everyone, but my heart told me to stay with Xavier. Not only because he was my mate but because he was the man I love.

“I don’t understand Rodrick. Didn’t they destroy that plant years ago? How is it possible that my brother managed to get himself poisoned by it?” Lily asked, her eyes falling to her brother in confusion Oh Lily, if only you knew the monster your brother let into his pack. If only you knew that I was that monster.

Rodrick moved his gaze from me, pinning them on Lily. “You’re correct. Every plant got destroyed years ago. But if there’s a creature who can make those plants then it is indeed possible for Xavier to have gotten himself in this situation.”

He turns to the doctor beside him. Don’t bother with the ice. He needs to sweat out the poison. He’ll be fine, he’s an Alpha. A strong one at that. And from what I can tell, the poison will wear off in a couple of hours or the longest is a day.”

.

The other doctor nods, looking relieved. He was as sweaty just as much as Xavier.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying Rodrick. How can a creature make plants? Especially wolfsbane!

Isn’t that impossible? And how would Xavier get himself poisoned by it? ” Lily rushes out, coming closer to her brother and looking down at him as if she was trying to calculate something.

I fumble with my fingers unable to be calm when my secret was going to be out in the open. Rodrick doesn’t respond to her question, well not as yet, instead he tells the other doctors to leave the room and lock the door. When there were only the four of us in the room, Rodrick let’s out a heavy sigh and then looks at Lily.” It is possible Lily dear. Especially if we’re dealing with a pixie. Their kind have been extinct for centuries and many have forgotten about them. But by some miracle it seems one walks among us today!

Rodrick’s eyes move from Lily to pin me down with a look of knowing. “One with the gift of creating wolfsbane.”