CAELLUM’S POV
“Pick up the darned papers, Morello.” He seethed, “I don’t have much time.”
I bent down and picked up the papers, wondering if it had been thirty minutes already. I picked up the paper and saw him smile like he had won the fucking lottery.
I wanted to kill him. Holding that thought, I bit my finger and blood spilt out. Just before I stamped the darned thing, Ezra appeared right behind them.
Draken noticed his presence immediately and in one swift motion, I watched him snatch the dagger from his hands and push Naledi towards me. I rushed towards an unconscious Naledi, getting her out of harm’s way.
Guards soon poured into the place, and when I was certain she was safely in the arms of one of them, I headed towards Draken who was now cornered.
“You bastard! You think you have won, huh?” He spat, struggling against their hold. “I already gave her a poison that would kill her painfully and slowly. If you had fucking handed over the documents, I would have saved you the stress and sent her to hell myself, but you chose the hard way.”
Draken was still talking when Ezra put a dagger to his throat. His eyes widened and he fell to the ground with a thud. Fire engulfed him, and right before our eyes, he was reduced to a pile of dust.
I looked at Naledi who was still unconscious and Naked. Marcus made his way to the front, swore when he saw the state she was in and made to take her from the guard but a growl stopped him.
I stepped closer to them and took her in my hands, wondering if it was indeed true. Wondering if she was really going to die. “Get us to the Cosa Nostra!” I ordered, struggling to keep the panic I felt within me.
Thankfully, Ezra stepped forward and in no distant time, we were out of there and in the hospice facility of the Cosa Nostra.
“Save her life. That’s an order. I don’t care how you do it but you must save her life.” I growled, dropping her on the bed.
“We will do our best, Alpha.” The doctor said but I wasn’t buying it.
“I demanded that you save her life! I didn’t say you should do your best! I said SAVE HER.”
Marcus came into the room, and with one look at the situation, he dragged me out, saying something about the fact they couldn’t do their job until I gave them the space they needed.
I camped out of the place all through the night. It was a pathetic sight. I was pathetic. Unable to let go of the one who betrayed me. For some reason, I could feel her blink in and out of consciousness, fighting for her life.
We had gotten the news of how she was given a drug which was aimed at shutting down all her organs before finally killing her. The dose had been administered with wolfsbane which made it even more lethal.
It was a miracle she was still breathing when I found her. Her body was a testament to the hell she’s been through. I found myself praying she was going to make it through the combined efforts of the doctors and witches who tried to repair the damage that had been done to her.
Three days passed and though they said she was better, she still hadn’t woken up. I moved on with my duties with a dark cloud over my head. I was in my office when my phone dinged with a message.
It was from Marcus. “She’s awake.”
Two words, a two worded message that changed everything.
*****
NALEDI’S POV
I woke up in an unfamiliar-looking room.
White ceiling, white sheets and the rest. I felt like I was drugged and my body could hardly keep up with the motions I intended to perform.
“You are still fragile. I suggest you remain on bedrest for the time being.” I knew that voice. It was Marcus.
I turned my head and there he was, standing by the wall and watching me with intent eyes.
“How did I get here?” I asked and he rolled his eyes. He was still angry with me.
“You got here because you fucking refused to listen and once again, make us all risk our heads to ensure you didn’t fucking die.” His words were like an arrow, piercing and sharp.
Memories of the incident poured into my mind frame and a frown made its way to my face. I sat up despite my body protesting about it.
“Did you not hear a word of what I said?” He bellowed but I didn’t answer.
“Where is he? Where is Caellum? Did he sign the papers? What about Draken?” I could feel a panic attack coming as the words flowed. “Tell me Draken didn’t win, Tell me I did not just cause Caellum to lose the Cosa-”
Marcus took a few strides to my bed, seething. “You are supposed to be on bed rest, Naledi. Are you going to be headstrong about this too?”
Just then, the door opened and Korah walked in. The moment she saw me, tears pooled her eyes. “You are alive..” She rushed to my side and took my hands, staring at me like she couldn’t believe it.
I nodded, and Marcus rolled his eyes. “Tell me what happened,” I begged, “Where is Draken?”
“Dead.” Marcus answered before she could speak. “That bastard is dead and never to bother us again. I suggest you take advantage of the life you have and move forward with it.”
“Marcus!” Korah seethed, “She just escaped from death! This is not the right time to throw tantrums!”
“That’s all she does! We need to make sure that she knows exactly what we’ve risked and try the barest minimal to appreciate our efforts by leading a better life.” He said all of it looking right at me.
I nodded, understanding it would take time before he got over the betrayal and everything that had happened between us. He walked out of the place, murmuring something along the lines of my staying here until I was strong enough to go to my room.
Time flew and in two weeks, I was given a room to stay in the Cosa Nostra. Korah dropped me off in the place, saying something about needing to get to the planning of the incoming mating ceremony.
I felt miserable. I shut the door and leaned behind it. I hadn’t set my eyes on Caellum since I woke up. I knew he resented me and was probably avoiding me but I didn’t even have a chance to thank him for coming for me.
Despite having no reason to. He risked his darned life and pack for something as useless as me. I stood up and opened the window, needing to breathe. One whiff of the natural air and my lungs came alive.
For a brief moment, I entertained the thought of leaving. Travelling to another country and beginning a normal life. Away from all of this. With the day’s passing, I realized the bitter truth.
Some things could be forgiven but not forgotten. What I had done, regardless of my reasons was wrong. I had betrayed those who loved me and I was not selfish enough to remain in their sight, causing them pain and discomfort.
I was determined to live a better life than the one I led, and to be able to do that, I needed a new beginning, one that could not be found in the Cosa Nostra.