Chapter 179

Ryan

“Beta Ryan, welcome,” Sophie’s grandmother, Healer Sarina, says as I enter the high-level hospital room. She bows in respect before going back to the machine at Ethan’s side.

“How is he?” I need to know, but at the same time, this hollow fear sits in my chest. If they tell me Ethan won’t make it, we will have a big mess on our hands. An Alpha is the epicenter and the strength behind a pack, and losing an Alpha could break a pack, especially if the pack is unprepared.

The three healers look at me, and I can tell it’s not good news.

“Alpha Ethan has gotten worse since he was brought here, and if we don’t find an antidote soon, I fear that… that he won’t be able to pull through this,” Healer Asha, another healer tells me.

“Have you identified the toxin? Laxus gave you a sample, didn’t he?” I could’ve sworn he told me that the Gammas who went to the Challenges got a sample of whatever toxin had been on the wolf’s claws.

“My grandson did bring me a sample, and there was no easy way to break it down, so we are working on it,” Healer Farah, Laxus’s grandmother says, wagging a finger. “You cannot rush us. If we’re rushed, there’s a chance that things will go wrong, which in turn will waste time.”

The feeling of being chastised by an older lady makes my skin itch and has my face turning warm. I haven’t been scolded like this in years.

“I hope you’re not wasting time healing Ethan. Our son is more important than any other patient you currently have in this hospital.”

Turning, I come face to face with Ethan’s fuming mother and stoic father. They stand in the doorway, arms crossed and bodies stiff. It was his mother that spoke, but I can’t find the concern anywhere on her face. Instead, I see the stuck up, better than thou glint in both of their eyes.

“They’re not wasting anyone’s time, Mrs. Montgomery. Healer Sarina, Asha, and Farah are the best and most hard-working healers we have,” I say, stepping between the former Alpha couple and the healers.

For how caring and attentive Ethan is, his parents are the opposite sometimes. They were a good Alpha pairing, strong and helpful to the pack, but there have been many times where their need for strength and their love of power irritated more than just Ethan.

“It’s been two days, and they haven’t been able to heal our son yet. I will have to call in healers who are at a higher level than these three,” Mr. Montgomery says, standing straighter. The movement has me figuring out that I was right. He does think he’s in charge right now.

It’s not a surprise, especially when he was hesitant years ago to truly release control of the Pack. He trained Ethan to become the leader, but all these years, he’s been trying to keep control of Ethan still.

“With all due respect, Mr. Montgomery, you will be taking no such action,” I say, turning my attention back to the former Alpha couple. Mr. Montgomery’s eyes grow hard at my words, but I don’t give him any time to speak. “I will be taking control of the pack as the Beta, as protocol demands, so you taking charge will not be necessary.”

“As the former Alpha—”

“As former Alpha, you should know that in times where the Alpha is out of commission, leading the pack falls to the Beta,” I interrupt. I won’t let him or anyone else bully me into submitting. He, more than anyone else, should know the rules. However, when it comes to Mr. Montgomery, if something isn’t going his way, he does whatever he can to get what he wants.

“A lowly Beta should not lead the pack when there’s a perfectly strong Alpha willing to step in. I have led this pack for years. Are you implying I am unable to lead properly?” He growls, baring his sharpened K-9 teeth.

As expected, he’ll try to use his anger and higher status to intimidate me. I’ve seen this before, when an Alpha uses their power to force others to submit. Mr. Montgomery has never gone that far, but I guess the potential to be an Alpha again is too much for him to deny.

“You are no longer the Alpha of the Silverclaw Pack,” I state, channeling as much steel into my tone as possible. “Being the former Alpha is not going to give you a chance to become Alpha again.”

“You don’t have a say in—”

A groan and huff of breath sound from behind me, and I spin around. Another groan stutters from Ethan’s mouth as he barely shifts on the hospital bed. I move to his side, taking his hand and waiting.

Then, Ethan’s eyes slowly open and focus directly on me. His pupils are blown wide, but he looks right at me without any hesitation. It kind of freaks me out a bit, especially when he grips my hand and lifts his head.

“Ryan,” he rasps. “F-Fiona. Is she okay?”

I almost laugh. Of course that’s the first thing he’s worried about. Not himself. They say once you find your mate, everything begins to revolve around them. I’d thought he was a bit slow before, but now he seems to be syncing up and getting to normal… or at least as normal as a poisoned man can be.

“She’s fine, just a bit…” I pause.

“What?” He growls, his hand curling around my collar and yanking himself up. “She’s what?”

He can’t keep himself up, though, and he falls back on the bed, coughing and groaning. His hand slips off my collar and thumps against the bed. Shit.

“She’s safe,” I assure him. Even if I wanted to tell him that Fiona is pregnant, I should let her do it. She’d probably kill me if I told him without permission. Technically, she didn’t tell me. I just scented it on her.

“Good,” he mutters then he looks at his parents, specifically his father. “You will not take the Alpha title again. In my stead, Ryan is granted title of temporary Alpha until I am well enough to resume my duties.”

“You can’t let—”

“Enough!” Ethan growls, the Alpha tone piercing through everyone in the room enough to make us all take a step back. “You will not return to your Alpha title. It is now passed temporarily to Ryan, and that is final.”

Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery stare wide-eyed at their son as he begins coughing. I rush back to Ethan’s side, helping him adjust to a more comfortable position.

“We’re working as fast as we can to find an antidote, Alpha,” Healer Farah says while pressing a cool cloth to Ethan’s forehead. Concern swells in my chest as Ethan’s face contorts in pain.

“I understand,” he mutters, gritting his teeth and looking at me. “Just make sure she’s safe if… if…”

Before he can finish, Ethan’s eyes fall closed, and his body slumps into the bed as he passes out.

“Out. Out. Out,” Healer Sarina orders, pushing at the former Alpha couple. They try to protest, but she doesn’t listen and shoves them out the door before slamming it closed. I jump at the loud bang that resounds through the room, but I don’t say anything.

I don’t need her kicking me out as well.

“We’re doing our best,” Healer Farah repeats, looking to me this time.

“I know. I have a few things to take care of as acting leader, but tonight, I have someone I’m going to bring to the hospital. I want her to stay here with Ethan and help in any way she can,” I tell them, and all three women turn to look at me. Calculating and curious eyes stare me down, and honestly, it’s unnerving.

“Who is she?” Healer Farah asks.

“Is she a healer?” Healer Sarina questions.

“What’s her name?” Healer Asha demands.

I glance at Ethan then look at the three women. These are some of the kindest women I know, so I nod and explain, “Her name is Fiona, and she’s been learning to create remedies, concoctions, and teas from a healer’s herbalism book. She is here to help you and to learn from you, as Ethan’s mate—”

“The Alpha’s human mate?” Healer Asha gapes, her eyes growing wide.

“Yes. I know you three will be welcoming of her and help her learn, even though she seems to be learning quickly and well on her own.”

“Really?” Healer Farah hums, leaning in and studying my face. “Well, I can’t wait to meet this young lady. We’ll be the judges of how quickly and how well she’s learning.”

“Of course,” I say, nodding. If anyone can help Fiona learn, it’ll be these three. “There’s one more thing, though. Fiona’s presence here must stay a secret, especially from Ethan’s parents. She’s human and won’t be accepted by them, and we don’t need other packs thinking she’s weak and a target.”

All three of them straighten up and nod, answering at the same time, “Her secret is safe with us.”