Her eyes went to the frail-looking boy on the bed, and a tear dropped from her eyes. When she had opened his shirt to treat him, she had gasped out of fear and pity. How could someone be so wicked to a child?
The Pack Healer had never liked Queen Elsa from the moment she was brought into the palace. Even though the Luna hadn't shown all her cruel traits then, the Healer's instincts had recoiled.
But Axel's mother, Serena? Her positive aura; everything about her was completely splendid. The Healer had preferred her over the Queen ten times more, though she never let it show, as it would be a deep disrespect to the Luna.
But this—this inhumane treatment of the boy was just too much.
Axel looked peaceful as he slept, strands of his hair glued to his face by sweat.
"The Luna is the real demon, isn't she?" the Healer muttered, searching for a powerful herb to wake him. She hadn't used it in years, as no one had ever needed to force an unconscious pack member to wake. Her father, the former Pack Healer, had gifted it to her before he died.
As she opened the last jar, she sighed and took out the herbs. She moved closer to him, his peaceful face a painful distraction from his wounds.
"I'm sorry, Axel," she said, administering the herbs.
Some minutes later, he sneezed to life, and the Healer quickly raised his head into her arms. Is it normal for me to care for this child so much? She loved him like her own pup.
"Are you alright?" she asked, feeling his temperature. Surprisingly, it had gone down drastically, a sign of his wolf's resilient healing. "Axel?" she called again, but he only stared into nothing.
"Ax—"
"I'm fine," he cut in, his voice sharp. She exhaled.
"Do you need me to check anything? Are you feeling pains anywhere?" she asked, but he didn't reply. His face was stoic, his gaze blank. She regarded him for a while before standing up. "I've taken care of your wounds. They shouldn't hurt much anymore. Or, do they?"
"Can you please stop asking me further questions, madam?" he said, his tone rude yet polite. Normally, he would never speak to her that way; she was the second person, after the Grand Alpha, who had ever shown him care. But right now, nothing mattered.
His most loved person in the world, the one he believed would never treat him like the others, had abandoned him. He could vividly recall the sarcasm and hate in the Luna's voice, and he whimpered inwardly.
He wanted to tell the Healer that his head hurt terribly, that he was scared. He badly wanted to tell someone how hurt he felt, but what was the point? If his own father could treat him that way, then no one else mattered. No one.
"I'll be back. You can rest and take a short nap, okay?" the Healer said. He ignored her. She sighed and went out of the infirmary.
"Poor boy," she muttered.
·
Darius kicked a stone angrily, then sat on a rock, grumbling.
Ever since his mother, the Luna, had heard the Alpha was on his way, she had been panicking, checking on Axel constantly.
Why is he the center of attention? Why does everything revolve around my half-brother? At first, Darius had loved the rumors about Axel. But then he noticed something: there was no day someone wouldn't talk about Axel, for good or ill. Axel received the most attention, both at school and in the pack. The Alpha favored Axel more than him, and it was obvious.
Even when his mother told him to pretend to like Axel, he hated it, but he had to go with the flow.
The most annoying part was how Axel acted nonchalant about everything Darius craved. Just like the way he humiliated Carsel. She had been his crush from day one, and the fact that she liked Axel and didn't hesitate to fawn over him was a constant source of irritation. Yet, Axel always treated her like she was nothing, trampling on Darius's pride and ego.
Can't Axel just disappear? he thought. Can he just leave and let me have my peace and enjoy my title as the Luna's son? He always gets in my way, and the fact that I can't show my hatred is frustrating.
"Darius! Darius, dear!"
He hissed as he heard the Queen's voice. "So now she remembers she has a son called Darius," he mumbled, standing to meet her.
Seeing his expression, she smiled. "Why is my prince sad?"
Darius turned away, and she pulled him to herself. "I know you're angry I've been so worried about Axel. But that's not the case, darling. I'm doing all I can to ensure the Alpha doesn't suspect a thing. You must understand, I have to act like I care."
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Of course, dear. We must not break our cover. Do you understand?" He nodded, a flicker of happiness returning.
"That's my boy."
She pinched his cheek, and they went inside together.
·
"All hail His Majesty!"
The courtiers announced as the Alpha King stepped into the palace. His red regalia swayed as he walked. The King was massively built, and his dominant aura alone was enough to make anyone shiver.
The guards followed him, their steps orderly. As usual, Beta Dre was closest to him, always ready to serve.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty," the ministers said, gathering to welcome him. He nodded.
"Very well. How has the palace been?"
"We've taken good care of it, Your Majesty. Just as you've trained us to," the Gamma said. The other ministers nodded.
The Alpha nodded in satisfaction and walked in.
"My Alpha," Queen Elsa smiled, walking to him in her red, flowing regalia. She gave him a hug, and he gave her a peck.
"You were only gone a few days, yet I missed you terribly. I was so sad to hear you wanted to stay an extra day. It seemed the Moon Goddess heard my whimpers and brought you back early," she said, drawing him closer.
"Of course. How could I leave my Luna for so long?" He laughed, and she joined in.
"By the way, where are my sons?" he asked, looking around. Anytime he returned, his sons were there to welcome him, especially Axel.
"I guess they didn't know of your arrival," she answered, gesturing to a maid to fetch them.
The servant returned after a while with Darius, Zade, and Leon.
"Here they are, Your Majesty," the servant said.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty," they bowed.
The King's eyes, however, were already looking past them, searching for the one face he expected to see first. His voice, though calm, carried an edge that silenced the hall.
"Where's Axel?"