Chapter 61: _Chicken Out Of The Coop

Chapter 61: _Chicken Out Of The Coop "Excuse me?" I asked, dimming my eyes and tilting my head at Odessa. She lowered her gaze, her lips parting speechlessly. However, before I could say anything, a man in his late fifties from Alpha King Leonardo’s delegates spoke up. "I think she was clear enough, Alpha King." He blurted, stepping forward. "Alpha King Leonardo and my North American counterpart are both in critical condition. If this..." He paused, glancing at Odessa with arched eyebrows. He was the Beta of the Green Hill pack, the main pack of the South American region, and also Alpha King Leonardo’s home pack. Anyway, after two seconds, he continued. "... If this witch really has a way of helping them and all she needs is to head outside your pack’s walls, then what seems to be the problem? Why don’t you want her going out?" All eyes went to me, judging me silently. I clenched my jaw, my hands balling into fists as Damon spoke up in my head just then. ’None of these morons would get it.’ He said in a low tone, growling protectively when I glanced at Odessa. ’She’s fragile. Vulnerable. A powerless witch. She wouldn’t be able to protect herself from any threat out there.’ Not to mention the obvious fact that I didn’t want her getting any ideas. I already warned her when she newly got into this pack to never even dream of escaping. Until I could decipher the secrets of our mate bond and why the moon goddess had given her to me as a mate, I wouldn’t let her out of my sight and would take it upon myself to protect her. "Alpha King Kaelos, we’re running out of time!" The spiritual leader of the South American region, Elder Rafael, barked at me just then, snapping me out of my thoughts. I blinked and saw Luna Queen Reina walking up to her husband at that moment, placing her hand on his head and trying to comfort him even though he was unconscious. I gritted my teeth before I let out a sigh and turned my gaze to Odessa who had a plain expression on her face even though there was a hint of worry in her eyes as she gazed at Marcellus while he struggled for his life. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if he died, and the werewolves of South America would never forgive me if Leonardo died in my territory. "Fine!" I blurted, shaking my head as Odessa raised her head to meet my gaze. "Hurry up and head to the woods surrounding our pack. The Blood Oak Woods. You’ll be able to find whatever ingredients you need there. Or, at least I hope." Odessa’s face lit up but before she could say anything, I was quick to add. "Some of the pack soldiers will be escorting you. Make it quick. The lives of two people are in your hands." I watched as the eagerness in her face changed to anxiousness as she glanced first at Marcellus before she glanced at Leonardo. Without another word, she straightened her posture and began walking away. When she got to the ballroom downstairs, I gestured at some of the pack soldiers present to follow her and ensure she was safe. I’ll be having their heads if anything happens to her. "You finally allowed the chicken out of the coop." Marcellus suddenly muttered from where he lay on the ground, his voice weak and raspy. I glanced back at him only to meet a knowing smirk on his face. "You should be focused on staying alive, moron." I blurted, turning away from him and heading downstairs. I need to get a drink. However, when I got downstairs, I bumped into Elder Davina who seemed to be in a hurry. She had her gaze set on the gallery upstairs but quickly brought her gaze to me when I came to her view. "Alpha King." She muttered, sighing with relief. "Thank the moon goddess, you’re okay. I got word of what happened and feared that you might’ve gotten hurt or worse." A weird but warm feeling surged through my chest just then, causing my lips to curl up into a wry smile. "Well, I’m alive and hearty, Elder. But the Beta and the South American Alpha King aren’t so lucky." I said solemnly, glancing at the gallery. The only thing I could think of now was if Odessa could make it on time and make the potions. No real treatments could be made on either Marcellus or the Alpha King if the magic and wolfsbane in their respective systems weren’t cleared. "What happened to the South American Alpha King?" Elder Daciana queried, with concern in her voice. But there was also a hint of something else, forcing me to bring my gaze back to her. She shoved her right hand into her robe and brought out a bowl with a lid on top. I tilted my head, curious about what it was. "This is a concoction I made recently to hold back the effects of wolfsbane poisoning." She explained calmly, her right hand tightening around her staff. "I don’t know what happened to the Alpha King but–" "That’s perfect, Elder!" I exclaimed, breathing out in relief as I placed my right hand on her shoulder. "Administer the concoction to Alpha King Leonardo upstairs. Odessa is currently on her way to the Blood Oak woods to gather some ingredients for a special healing potion of sorts." Elder Davina dimmed her eyes, seeming surprised at my last statement. "Potion." She repeated as if it was a new word. She’s a chill woman but unfortunately, I have no time for this. I withdrew my hand from her shoulder and moved past her, heading for the hall’s exit. "Alpha King Kaelos?" I paused, glancing back at Elder Davina who had a motherly expression on her face. That caused my shoulders to relax briefly before she spoke again. "Are you okay? Genuinely?" Just then, my gaze went to the other end of the hall where Celine was still sitting calmly, ignoring the investigations going on around her while sipping from her drink. Her eyes went to me just then, the corner of her lips curling into a sly smirk. No day passes by where I don’t regret marrying that bitch. "The Alpha King has no choice but to be fine in situations like these, Elder." I ended up responding plainly, glancing at Elder Davina one last time before I turned around and walked away.