Chapter 117: Chapter 117 The Battle Within
Julian’s POV
I sprinted through the forest with Seraphina unconscious in my arms, her blood staining my shirt crimson as it dripped from her nose. The image of her collapsing burned into my mind like a brand. Nothing terrified me more than seeing my mate in this state.
When the pack hospital appeared ahead, relief flooded through me for just a moment.
I burst through the entrance doors, not caring how they slammed against the walls. "Get a doctor now!"
Neville, our pack physician, was already rushing toward us, his expression grim. I placed Seraphina on the gurney they rolled forward, my hands trembling as I watched them wheel her down the corridor into a private room. Every instinct screamed at me to follow, to tear down whatever stood between me and her.
I paced the waiting room like a caged animal, replaying the moment she collapsed. The power radiating from her had been extraordinary, like witnessing a goddess awakening. But something dark had consumed her right before she lost consciousness, something that chilled me to the bone.
Neville finally emerged, wiping his hands with a towel. His expression wasn’t reassuring.
"Alpha," he began, abandoning formalities.
"Tell me," I demanded, gripping his arm. "What’s wrong with her?"
He glanced around the empty hallway before lowering his voice. "She’s stable for now. But her body is being torn apart from the inside."
My blood turned to ice. "Explain."
"Her wolf is consuming her energy at an alarming rate. Most new wolves adapt gradually, but Seraphina’s human and wolf sides are locked in a battle for dominance. The wolf is winning, draining everything from her system."
He paused, his eyes darting nervously. "Alpha, her wolf isn’t like anything I’ve encountered. The power signature is unlike any normal werewolf. It’s growing stronger while her body grows weaker."
I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Listen carefully, Neville. If you breathe a word about her wolf being unusual to anyone, if you mention this to the nurse, your mate, or especially the Council, I will make you wish you had never been born."
The color drained from his face immediately. "I swear on my life, Alpha. I’ll document it as severe exhaustion from stress, nothing more. But I have to warn you, this will only get worse. If she can’t control her wolf soon, I don’t know if she’ll survive."
I left him standing there and walked to Seraphina’s room.
Sitting on the bed’s edge, I brushed her dark hair from her pale face and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.
"I love you more than life itself," I whispered, tasting the fear that lingered in my mouth.
As I watched her sleep, looking so fragile and beautiful, darker thoughts invaded my mind. What would happen when she discovered her true identity? Could she ever forgive my father for his actions? Could she forgive me for keeping the truth from her?
If the revelation turned her against us, we’d find ourselves on opposite sides of the coming war. She would fight for vengeance while I fought for my pack.
And what if she couldn’t control her wolf and it destroyed her from within?
I couldn’t bear the helplessness any longer. A war demanded my attention.
After squeezing her hand one final time, I slipped out of the room where Holden waited.
"How is she?" he asked immediately.
"Exhausted, but recovering," I lied smoothly. "What’s Roxanne’s status?"
"Secured in the dungeon."
I nodded curtly. "Station extra guards at this hospital. Two wolves on the grounds at all times, rotating shifts. No one approaches Seraphina’s room without my permission."
"Understood, Alpha."
"Holden," I added, meeting his gaze, "Dorian knows we’re aware of Roxanne’s betrayal. He might strike tonight or soon after. I want our best fighters patrolling the borders. Full alert status."
"Yes, Alpha."
I headed straight to the dungeon. At the bottom of the stone steps, Roxanne’s pitiful state made me pause.
She was pressed against the cold wall of her cell, writhing in agony as the silver bars prevented her wolf from healing. Her skin was blistered where she’d touched the metal, and low groans escaped her throat. She was lucky Seraphina had collapsed when she did, or Roxanne would be dead by now.
"Roxanne," I said coldly.
"Julian," she whispered, struggling to sit upright.
"All of this suffering ends the moment you tell me Dorian’s location," I said, gesturing toward the silver prison.
She stared at me silently.
I shook my head and turned toward the exit. "Your choice."
I’d only taken two steps when her broken voice stopped me.
"Wait!"
I paused without turning around, listening for deception.
"I don’t know where he stays," she choked out. "He never tells me his sleeping locations. But I know where we usually meet. We were supposed to meet there tomorrow night."
I finally faced her. The anguish in her expression seemed genuine enough.
She provided the directions, and I nodded without offering any comfort. "Enjoy your accommodations, Roxanne."
Outside, I immediately contacted Caleb with the information.
"Anything else, Alpha?"
"Schedule an emergency meeting for tomorrow morning. All high-ranking pack members. We prepare for war."
After ensuring Caleb and Holden had everything under control, I returned to the hospital. Seraphina was beginning to stir, her eyelids fluttering softly.
"Come back to me, sweetheart," I murmured.
The doctor gave me a final warning about her wolf’s dangerous progression but reluctantly discharged her. I carefully lifted her, removing the IV, and carried her against my chest.
I brought her straight home, driven by an overwhelming need to keep her close and protected.
Penelope was waiting in the living room with the stationed guards when we arrived.
"Alpha, is she alright?" she asked, her hand flying to her mouth.
"She’s resting and recovering," I replied firmly. "You can go now. I’ll handle everything here. Thank you."
She nodded and left immediately. I carried Seraphina to our bedroom and settled her in the center of our bed.
Then parental instinct struck me like lightning.
I couldn’t leave the children in their room tonight. Not with Dorian potentially planning an attack. Not when he might use my moment of distraction to breach our defenses. The children were my greatest weakness, and he knew it.
I went to their room where they were sleeping peacefully in Theo’s bed. I scooped up my son first, and he stirred slightly but remained asleep. Then I gathered my daughter, holding them both securely against me.
I carried them into our room and placed them carefully on either side of Seraphina. Standing there, I looked at my entire world, three heartbeats all within arm’s reach and safe.
I stripped off my bloodstained shirt and climbed into bed beside them, pulling Seraphina close. The children snuggled against both their parents, completely unaware of the danger closing in around us, completely oblivious to the war that was about to explode.
