CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED
+25 Bonus
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED
Nolan’s POV
Three days had passed, and Talia still had not woken up. The reports were always the same. She was stable, but she remained unconscious.
‘We need to be with her. If we were by her side, she would wake,’ my wolf pouted.
I hated feeling helpless.
I gritted my teeth. The memory of my hand wrapped around Viki’s neck haunted me. I should have killed her right then and there. I had chosen to spare her, believing she would not live long as a rogue, certain the Silverfang warriors would find her. Unfortunately, they were more incompetent than I thought. Now, Viki was free, hidden, and still dangerous while Talia still lay unconscious in her hospital bed. Regret gnawed at me each time I replayed the moment.
‘You will eventually learn to listen to me, you stubborn fool’, my wolf scolded.
The Alpha King had been true to his word. He stationed guards at every entrance to the hospital, making it impossible for me to enter. His orders were strict, not only against me but against anyone who disturbed her
recovery.
I found some satisfaction in the fact that Jason had been turned away by Solon too. The guards had spoken of it quietly.
“You missed it,” one chuckled.
“Yes, Prince Solon flung him out of the doors like trash,” another laughed.
“Serves the pompous fool right. He was unworthy of our Princess,” another added.
The gossip died down quickly when they noticed me listening.
Not long after, Marco came to me, frustrated but with more information than the Silverfang warriors had managed to gather.
“What did you find out?” I asked.
“Viki must have used a spray to hide her scent,” Marco explained. “It is an herbal tincture used by rogues to move between pack territories. That is why no one can track her.”
So, Viki must have made ties with a rogue pack. The thought unsettled me. There was no telling what other schemes she had planned.
“Inform the Alpha King of what you found. They should know the tactics that rogue wolves are using,” I said.
“I will report to him now,” Marco replied before leaving.
Another day passed without change. The lack of good news about Talia left me restless, each hour dragging longer than the last. I couldn’t keep waiting-I had to see her with my own eyes.
I went to Marco’s room in the morning. If anyone could find a way to help Talia, it would be him. His knowledge of herbs and medicine often uncovered solutions others overlooked.
I stepped inside without knocking and was surprised to see Della seated at his table in a nightgown. She fumbled quickly to put on a robe and snapped, “Do you know how to knock?”
1/3
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED
+25 Bonus
Marco greeted me as he exited his bathroom. He sat down next to Della, looping an arm around her waist. “Good morning, Alpha Nolan,” he said and then noticed my expression. “You look restless. Did something happen?”
“I came to speak with you,” I replied. My gaze flicked briefly to Della. “But I came back at another time.”
Seeing I intended to leave, Della rose to her feet. “No, you stay. I was just going,” she said.
“You do not have to leave,” I told her.
“I am not leaving because of you,” she spat as she made her way to the door.
“Wait,” I said. It came out sharper than I intended.
Della froze and turned to look at me. She looked scared and annoyed that I yelled at her. “What do you demanded.
“I need your help,” I said.
want?” she
“Wait, what? Um, Marco pinch me. I must be dreaming if the great Alpha Nolan is requesting my help,” Della said.
“Can you arrange for me to see Talia?” I asked, ignoring her taunt.
Her brow furrowed. “Why should I? Why would I go against my Alpha’s orders for you?”
“Because I want to help Talia. She has helped me many times before. And if you help me now, I will not stop Marco from seeing you.”
Her eyes flicked to Marco, uncertain. “Are you lying to me?”
“I swear on my honor as an Alpha that if you help me, I will not interfere with you and Marco’s mate bond,” I said.
Della bit her lip. She was still suspicious of me, and I did not blame her. I would have been suspicious as well in her place. After a moment, she nodded. “Fine, I will help you, but you better not go back on your word.”
“I will not,” I reaffirmed. “Now, tell me how you will do it.”
“Tonight, I will switch shifts with Solon. Once I confirm it is safe, I will open the window for you. You can enter then, but only briefly. If you are caught, I will…”
“I understand,” I said, cutting in. “I will take full blame if I am caught. I will say you had nothing to do with it.”
She nodded once more. “Don’t make me regret this,” Della said and then left the room.
When the door closed, Marco smirked. “You really do care about Talia. Admit it.”
My wolf stirred at his accusation, eager to agree, but I silenced him quickly.
“You are mistaken,” I said coldly, “I am only doing this because your carelessness weakened her. Her wolf disappearing allowed her to be taken. If she succumbs to the wolfsbane or worse, dies, my own wolf will suffer because of you.”
Marco’s smirk faded as guilt shadowed his features. “You are right,” he said softly, “I should have been more careful. For that, I am sorry.”
His words did not erase the damage, but the sincerity in his voice lessened my anger.
“I know,” I said and left his room.
Tonight, I would see Talia and nothing would stop me.
