Chapter 131: Tough Choice

Chapter 131: Chapter 131: Tough Choice “Damn it!” Zayn snarled, throwing the royal invitation onto the table. Lily watched as Zayn paced across his office, muscles tight with tension under his fitted black shirt. She walked up to the desk and looked at the invitation. Her eyes grew wide as she noted the details. The invitation was for the Capital’s Annual Crystal Moon Ball, an event hosted by the Alpha King himself. Attendance was mandatory for all high-ranking pack leaders. Lily recalled the last conversation she had with Alpha King Dace. He stepped close to her and whispered in her ear. ‘If Zayn can’t satisfy you, don’t worry. There are many others who cannot wait to fuck you. Myself included.’ Then, there were his last words to her and the pack. ‘I look forward to seeing you both in the capital for your honeymoon. I cannot wait to host you, newlyweds.’ A shiver ran down Lily’s spine. Ezra took a look at the invitation himself. His face paled as his eyes landed on the date. “It’s on the full moon,” he said quietly. Zayn clenched his jaw. The full moon, a time when werewolves were supposed to be at their best, he was at his worst. Tortured by pain, writhing in agony. The only time he’d managed to keep things under control was when Lily was by his side. Her scent, her blood, helped him regain control. “We can’t go,” Ezra stated firmly, setting the invitation back on the table. “Send our regrets with some excuse about pack matters requiring your attention.” Zayn stopped in his tracks, “You know we can’t do that. Refusing the invitation is a death sentence. A direct insult to the Alpha King.” Lily placed her hand gently on Zayn’s arm. ‘I’ll be there with you. Together, you can get through this,’ She signed with a warm smile. Zayn reciprocated, putting his hand on hers, “I appreciate it. But it’s too much of a risk. Worse, if the King finds out...” He didn’t want to think of what would happen. None of them wanted to. Silence hung in the air between them. Lily wanted to suggest turning to Talia for help. But she remembered she had tried before. Nothing worked. ‘What about Alva?’ Lily suggested, ‘She seems more skilled with unusual remedies.’ ‘The human?’ Ezra was skeptical. Zayn hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly. Lily could see the internal debate he had through his eyes. “She’s not one of us. We still don’t know if we can trust her completely,” Ezra warned. ‘But if she can help Zayn with the transformation, isn’t it worth trying?’ Lily persisted, her hands moving with increased urgency. “Lily is right. We’ve tried everything else, perhaps she has the answer,” Zayn agreed, “We’ll go now.” Lily walked beside Zayn, with Ezra following closely behind them. Leaves crumpled beneath their shoes as they walked, accompanied by silence. “I still think this is a bad idea,” Ezra muttered, pushing aside a low-hanging branch. “I know, but we have to try,” Zayn replied curtly, his hand on Lily’s back as he guided her around a muddy patch of ground. The cottage appeared before them, nestled among ancient trees. Smoke curled from the chimney, and racks of herbs dried under the sun in the yard. The door opened before they could knock. Alva greeted them warmly. “Were you expecting someone?” Zayn asked. “Just a hunch,” she said with a smile, stepping aside to let them enter. The interior of the cottage was warm and cluttered. Books, jars, and dried plants littered every nook and cranny. “We need your help,” Zayn said without preamble, his posture rigid. Alva gestured for them to sit at her small table. “I assumed that much. What troubles the Alpha?” Zayn clenched his jaw, hands tight together. He didn’t like talking about his past, let alone his weaknesses. But this was necessary for what they needed to do. “Due to my past... injuries, the full moon tends to bring certain ailments.” “You don’t have to hide your past, Alpha. Talia had exchanged letters with me about your affliction while trying to find you a solution. Unfortunately, even my skills have their limits,” Alva explained, expression grim. Lily sank into her seat. Was there nothing else they could do? “I just need it under control for the Crystal Moon Ball,” Zayn explained, “Anything helpful would be great.” Alva furrowed her brows, looking genuinely confused. “Haven’t you received the elixir I made? It’s specifically for occasions like this,” She said. Silence fell over the room. Zayn and Ezra exchanged bewildered glances while Lily felt her stomach tighten. “What elixir?” Zayn demanded. “Victoria, your mistress, came to me a while ago. She was concerned about your well-being and asked if I could help.” “Victoria did what?” Zayn interjected, his voice sharp with disbelief. “We worked together to create an elixir specifically designed to nullify the pain and help you gain better control,” Alva continued, seemingly oblivious to their shock. “I gave her the vial for safekeeping until you needed it. My apologies, Alpha. I thought she would have told you.” Zayn’s expression shifted from confusion to something resembling guilt. Lily watched him carefully, noting the subtle changes in his demeanor. ‘Are you certain Victoria has this elixir?’ Lily signed, her movements caught by Alva’s observant eyes. “Yes, I gave it to her myself,” Alva confirmed. Zayn nodded stiffly. “Ezra, bring Victoria here.” As Ezra left to fetch Victoria, an uncomfortable silence fell over the cottage. Lily couldn’t shake the strange feeling in her gut. Something about this situation didn’t feel right, but she couldn’t pinpoint why. Twenty minutes later, Victoria arrived with Ezra. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of Lily sitting beside Zayn, but she quickly composed herself. “Victoria,” Zayn acknowledged her with a nod. “Alva tells us you’ve been working with her on an elixir for my... condition.” Victoria exchanged a quick glance with Alva before responding. “Yes, Alpha. I was worried about you and thought it best to seek help discreetly.” “And you have this elixir?” Ezra questioned. Victoria reached into a hidden pocket of her dress and produced a small vial containing a dark liquid. “I’ve kept it safe, waiting for the right time to give it to you.” “And you didn’t think to inform me sooner?” Zayn asked as he glanced over at her. Victoria bit her lip, “I... wasn’t sure if it would work, and I didn’t want to get your hopes up. Especially after...” Lily curled her fingers, scrunching the fabric of her dress. There must have been previous attempts to help Zayn. Clearly, they didn’t work, resulting in disappointment. “Let me see it,” Ezra declared as he walked over to Victoria. She gave him the vial, and he held it up to the window. The liquid shimmered with an odd, almost metallic quality. Alva cleared her throat, “The elixir must be taken two days before the full moon. It should alleviate the worst symptoms of the transformation and allow you to maintain control of your wolf.” “Should?” Ezra repeated sharply. “You sound uncertain. And we’re supposed to trust that this will work?” “There might be some side effects,” Alva admitted. “It hasn’t been tested.” “You’re recommending an untested elixir?” Ezra’s voice rose. “Do you know the punishment for harming an Alpha?” “Death. Beheading. Torture for eternity,” Alva listed them off nonchalantly, “Intimidation doesn’t work on me, Beta Ezra. I am well aware of the consequences. Besides, it’s not like there’s anyone else for me to test it on.” “It wouldn’t have been possible to even make it if it weren’t for Miss Victoria’s help. She gathered some essential ingredients I had been lacking,” She added while glancing at Victoria. The attention shifted to Victoria, who stood straighter under their scrutiny. “I only wanted to help,” she said softly, her gaze fixed on Zayn. Lily studied Victoria’s expression, searching for any sign of deception. The she-wolf appeared sincere, but something still felt off. Lily glanced at Zayn, wondering if he shared her unease. Zayn took the vial from Ezra’s hand, examining it closely. “What kind of side effects might I experience?” “Possibly headaches, fever, increased aggression before it takes effect,” Alva replied. “But once it works, you should feel more in control than you’ve ever been during a full moon.” Ezra pulled Zayn aside. “Zayn, are you sure about this? What if...” “What other choices do I have?” Zayn asked in return. He knew his Beta meant well, but there was no other choice. “I’ll take the risk,” Zayn finally declared, pocketing the vial.