Caesar grabbed Nebraska’s wrists roughly and pulled them away from the nearly full container, quickly wrapping a towel around her to stop the bleeding. He had stopped taking care of her for a few moments and she had practically bled to death, also cutting her other limb.
-May I know what you are doing, my queen?- Doesn’t she value her life-?
-Is that enough?- She asked softly.
Caesar looked up from the wounds, and then looked at the container with a frown.
-Yes, my queen, I think we can manage- He had told her that he would need a lot of blood, but he never imagined that the wolf would open her veins to give them the necessary amount.
-That’s good- she wobbled in the chair and one of the wolves ran to help her but she shook her head- I’m fine- nothing could be further from reality.
She now had six deep grooves on each arm spread out evenly that hurt considerably even though she didn’t show it. And she could swear her face was extremely pale highlighted even more by her hair. Seeing the container had given more blood than she could afford; so her vision would blur at times and just sitting was making her dizzy. But she didn’t feel bad about that fact. If her blood could prolong that of her husband and son, she could get another wound right then and there.
The she-wolf firmly bound her arms after healing them. They would heal quickly but not as fast as they should, so she had to take good care of them. Nebraska leaned on the backrest and sat up when it released it only to stagger dangerously forward.
-My queen- Caesar stretched out his arms to support her but she took a step back and stood on her own.
-I’m fine- She was panting slightly, her surroundings spinning and she felt terribly weak.
-You should at least rest a bit and eat, in your condition you shouldn’t be walking-
-Caesar , sleeping in this situation is a luxury that I cannot afford- she threw her hair back- I promise to eat something, but now there are things that I have to do and supervise- she looked at her family- Take care of them-
The wolf watched her go with an attempt to stay upright, but one out of every three steps was unsteady. He was concerned, but the queen had business to attend to and she had said so herself. Inside he felt sorry for her. When he was that age all he thought about was running with the pack and having fun with Saisen, the old alpha. But she, young as she was, had a weight that could crush her at any moment.
Nebraska came out and had to hold on to the door to catch her breath. The floor was moving or was it her, she didn’t know. She wanted to vomit. Her whole body was telling her to rest. She would do it later if possible.
Shee started walking, holding onto the wall to keep from falling, even the light from the windows was annoying. Siran and Sara must have been following her orders so she walked alone until one of her knees failed and she fell forward.
Some arms grabbed her before falling and she stayed for a few seconds leaning against that body in an attempt to regain strength. She was exhausted.
-My queen, are you alright? –
-Liam- she murmured slowly as she held onto his arms so she could separate a little- Thank you-
-My queen, your state, you shouldn’t try so hard; it’s not worth it- her old beta, as always, pending of her.
-Liam, you have known me for years, when I have sat down to see how everything around me falls apart. Now it’s the same, I can’t let my family perish without me doing anything-
-Is Hades that important to you? Even to put yourself in that state?
Nebraska narrowed her eyes.
-The pack is my family, not just Hades. He is my husband and my partner, of course I care about him, but that does not overshadow the rest-
-Do I include myself in that, my queen? –
She softened her gaze. His insecurity was normal, after all they had been together for years and after being imprisoned they had barely exchanged words.
-Sure Liam, I also worried about you-
The wolf smiled slightly as he helped her up and hugged her without being able to put up a resistance.
-I will always be your side, my queen, even when you don’t want to-
Nebraska patted his back. She wasn’t used to so much contact from that guy except for her husband and some of her children so she felt uncomfortable and scrambled to be released. Liam was unapologetic and looked disappointed.
-My queen I also came to talk to you about something, I have seen strange movements in the cells after Rudoc escaped, we have a traitor-
-Could you see who it is? Did you notify Leoxi? – She passed her hand over her temple. More worries.
-Yes, my queen, but he ignored me claiming that I do not have the authority to be in those areas-
Nebraska frowned. Leoxi was faithful to Hades, he was his twin brother. He was surely upset with her and that should extend to all his people.
-Take me there Liam,- she said, taking a deep breath and looking for strength within her.
The wolf nodded and helped her by holding her arm even though she refused at first. The journey was quite tortuous for Nebraska. The time with Hades he had taken it upon himself to carry her so as not to force her body. Just remembering it made her chest ache. Worry was eating at her inside and yet she longed for his touch. She missed how he kissed her with or without her consent. The caresses he gave her and the way he ran his fingers over her body.
-My queen,- Liam called after her when he realized that his mind was elsewhere.
She shook her head and they continued walking. They may have been delayed but eventually they reached the entrance to the dungeons and just being there all the Nebraska alerts went on.
-My queen, stay behind me,- Liam told her when he didn’t see any guard standing guard or Leoxi himself.
Nebraska focused his nose and searched. Inside were wolves, they were not empty.
-Liam, inside,- she nodded.
He nodded and walked slowly with her behind. Nebraska analyzed each of his steps so as not to fall, she felt a little better with the air she had taken but that did not mean that she was weak.
Going down the first three steps she could see Leoxi lying in the middle of the corridor that led to the deserted cells, around him there were at least four more wolves, unconscious. The she-wolf’s first impulse was to run towards him, seeing him like this reminded her of her husband’s state, but she shouldn’t be reckless.
-My queen, besides them I can’t smell anyone else- his companion reaffirmed- I think its safe-
After that statement she approached the group cautiously and shook Leoxi by the shoulder.
-Que … een- he murmured slightly that if it weren’t for her ear she wouldn’t have heard him.
-What happened?- But before receiving an answer, Liam’s body fell to her side with his eyes closed, startling her.
And soon after a heavy blow landed on the back of her head. Being so weak, she hadn’t seen it coming. She’d lowered her defenses for a second and that had happened. That is why she was always alert. She cursed as she felt her body being dragged away before completely losing consciousness.