We finally reached his destination and he stepped out of the car, leaving me alone.
I watched him run into the tall, skyscraper building.
The Central Hospital.
It was the largest hospital in the country, filled with only the best doctors. People flew in from every corner of the world to get treated here because, well, if you couldn’t find a solution in TCH, there was a very good chance that your ailment didn’t have a cure.
I sucked in a deep breath, mesmerized by the sheer beauty of the papce.
When I was younger, I’d come here at least, thrice a week, just stand out here and stare at the building. I’d watch people go in and out, some would come out happy, others would come out sad.
I used to wonder if I could ever have a chance to work there. But only the strongest doctors were allowed there, and I didn’t even have a wolf. They’d definitely kick me out if I were interviewed.
I placed my head on the steering, trying to pull my attention to somewhere more convenient.
Minutes passed, and I figured Jace was running late. I looked at the hospital again, and this time, my heart sank into the very pit of my stomach. The sight before me shattered me completely, making it almost impossible for me to breath.
My hand tightened around the steering as my throat became as dry as dust.
What was he doing here? With her?
Coming out of the hospital was Jaris and Marta. They were having a conversation and right there, they looked like a normal couple.
I shouldn’t feel this way, considering the fact that the woman had kids for him, but it served as a constant reminder that he had someone in his life already.
His beta-Kael-came out shortly, holding Xylon and Xyla’s hand. It became clear that they must’ve brought Xylon in for a checkup or something.
My heart sank even further. The kids were adorable, but at that moment, I couldn’t help not see them all as one happy family. It was also a reminder of Jaris’ betrayal five years ago. He made me think I was special when he had a pregnant lover at home.
Suddenly, a thought occured to me. What if Marta was occupied with something and couldn’t be Jaris’ Luna right now? That would explain why they only needed me for a year. With me gone, Marta would take over.
Was that what I was? A mere replacement?
The thought stung. Even after becoming so pretty, I was still being used, wasn’t I?
As I watched them get into the backseat of their car, I was angry enough to shed a tear.
JARIS
“See? He looks fine today. I am telling you, Jaris, there’s no need for that woman to come near my kids,” Marta said as soon as we were in the car.
I touched the back of my nape, exhausted already. “Please, Marta, don’t be so daft. We’ve known Xylon well enough to know it’s only temporary. He might have another crisis today. What’re you going to do about that?”
“And I will take care of him like I’ve been doing for the past three years. I’m one of the head doctors in TCH, Jaris. I can do this!”
“Yet, your best has not exactly helped him in three years.”
Marta’s jaw dropped.
“I really can’t understand why you have an issue with this. You should be glad we’ve finally found someone that can help Xylon.”
“She won’t be able to,” Marta’s eyes glistened with under tears. “If I can’t do it, believe me when I say nobody else can. I have tried my best, Jaris.”
“Yet, she was able to do something you haven’t been able to do in years in mere minutes. Do you see the difference now?” “It’s possible there was something fishy about what she did that day. I’m-“
“Marta, if you’re gonna keep talking about this, then I’d suggest you get off the car.”
Now, that was enough to shut her up, but she looked like she was going to cry any minute. Unfortunately, that was her problem, not mine.
**********
I had so much planned on what to do once I got to the Pack. But one of them was not getting a visit from some representatives from the Alpha King’s palace, bearing news.
The throne of the Alpha King ruled every other. One did not get visits from representatives unless the matter was dire. They were waiting in the conference room with the elders of my Pack, and Nerion informed me as soon as I arrived.
“I couldn’t get you on the phone. So, I decided to wait for your return. They’ve been waiting patiently,” he supplied as he led me to the conference room.
“Did they say anything about why they’re here?” I asked.
“They wouldn’t. Whatever they came with seen
Court only want it delivered to you.”
I hated being curious. The Alpha King-King The been on very good terms. Just a week ago, we were on a phone call for half an hour. There was no way he’d bring trouble to my Pack.
We finally reached the conference hall and the men who had been sitting rose to their feet.
“Alpha Jaris,” One of them called. The rest acknowledged with a nod.
Their faces were not looking good at all. Something was terribly wrong.
JARIS
I forced my composure as I walked past them to my seat at the head of the table.
I called each their names, acknowledging them. “I apologize if you had to wait for long. I had no idea you were coming. Please, take your seats.”
They did so.
I noticed there was no water or refreshment on the table.
I turned to Nerion who was standing beside me. “Why weren’t they offered anything?”
“We objected,” one of the representatives replied. “What we came to do is too bleak to drink.”
I furrowed my brows. What they came to do?
“And what might that be, if you do not mind me asking? Is there a problem?”
Another nodded. “A very big one, Alpha Jaris.”
There was a long pause, and exchanged stares, then they added with a painful expression. “The Alpha King is dead.”
The news came like a punch to the gut. It took longer than necessary to digest it and understand what they meant. The Alpha King. As in, King Thaddeus was dead?
No.
“How did this happen?” My face crumpled with a frown. “We spoke just a week ago. He was fine! Someone like Thaddeus doesn’t randomly succumb to death. He was a strong man!” And he wasn’t even that old. Only ninety-seven.
Damn it. I was losing my control. It was snapping out of me.
“We’re as shocked as you are, another said, his head lowered as he spoke. “Just yesterday, he was very fine and didn’t have any issue. He even entertained a visit from Alpha Greg and played golf with him. He was in good health. We were all surprised when we found him dead this morning, in his bed.”
“He died in his sleep?”
“He did. To our ultimate shock. As we speak, more representatives are flying to other Packs to deliver the news.” This was nonsense. How was this possible?
“Have you tried to ascertain the cause of his death?” I asked.
“Not yet. But the doctors think it might be poison. They’re just yet to ascertain what kind of poison.”
“And if it was truly poison,” another representative added.
I shifted my gaze to him. “You think it might not have been poison?”
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