Mireya’s panic was understandable when she found Usher waking from his sleep. Her heart felt like it wanted to jump out of her chest and she almost jumped when she saw that Usher actually opened his eyes and sat up.
Fortunately, Mireya was able to control herself. She quickly replaced her panicked expression with one of joyful surprise. She showed the happiness a woman would feel when she saw her beloved finally awake and conscious.
Mireya calmed herself. She reassured herself again and again that everything would be fine. Usher was awake, but that didn’t mean he was fully recovered like before. Usher was still skinny and looked helpless.
However, Mireya was surprised again. The reason was Usher’s unexpected question.
“Shouldn’t you be back with the Nimbria Pack?”
Mireya could barely breathe. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, and she raced to think of an excuse.
“I-I’m sure you still need to rest, Usher. So, I won’t disturb you. The maid will bring you something to eat later.”
Mireya quickly left Usher’s room. She went to her own room with a troubled mind. How could this have happened? Why had Usher really woken up?
Mireya’s panic grew. Her body was shaking, and when she reached her room, she immediately called for Greisy.
“What’s wrong, madam?”
Mireya didn’t answer right away. Instead, she brewed a cup of tea and gave it to Greisy. “Prepare lunch for Usher and don’t forget to give him this tea. You have to make sure that he finishes this tea. Do you understand?”
Greisy accepted the tea with a nod. “Yes, madam.”
Then Greisy left. Mireya was left alone with a panic that couldn’t be calmed at all. She paced up and down and her mind felt empty. So, she took a risk and took her cell phone from the bedside table and called someone.
“Willow.”
“Mireya?” The voice on the other end of the phone sounded surprised. “Why are you calling me?”
Mireya explained everything that had happened. “I have no idea what medicine Garth gave Usher, but the most important thing now is that Usher woke up. Besides, do you know the most surprising thing, Willow?”
“What is that, Mireya?”
“Usher is his old self again. He looks at me as if everything that happened between us never happened. He no longer loves me.”
Willow was shocked. “H-how is that possible?”
“That’s exactly what I want to ask you,” Mireya said, holding back her anger. “How could this happen? Usher no longer loves me, and he looks at me with a confused look.”
“Impossible, but if it has happened, there’s only one answer. Usher has been cured by a spell stronger than my magic.”
Mireya was shocked for a moment. “A spell more stronger than your magic?”
“That’s my guess, Mireya. So, do you know who the witch is who healed Usher?”
Mireya dramatically closed her eyes. Her anger was building up. “I should ask you that, Willow. I don’t know anything about the witches here. As far as I know, there’s only Ayla, but she’s a Sacred Elder. She’s not a witch.”
“That’s impossible. I’m sure there’s a witch who helped them.”
“Forget it for a moment,” Mireya said a moment later. She realized that there was something more important now. “So, what should I do? If Usher remembers everything that happened, then my plan will fail.”
“Is the tea from yesterday still available? I think it can hold Usher temporarily. Besides, I want to see how effective the antidote is.”
The call ended, but Mireya’s worries were far from calmed. The fear forced her to keep brainstorming. She couldn’t take any chances. If Garth could awaken Usher with just one dose of the medicine, then there was no guarantee that Usher would remain under her control.
Mireya realized that she had to act quickly, but not rashly. She tried to avoid risks. She visited Usher again about an hour later, thinking that by then Usher must have had lunch and drunk the tea she had brewed earlier.
Mireya’s steps were a little unsteady as she entered Usher’s room. She approached Usher, who was sitting by the window. His gaze was fixed outside, on the tall trees and the blue sky.
Mireya took a deep breath. “Usher.”
Usher turned and Mireya was stunned for a moment. She looked into Usher’s eyes and realized something. Usher’s eyes were empty again, just like before.
Mireya smiled broadly. Now she approached Usher without any doubt. She hugged Usher and heard Usher speak into her ear.
“Oh, Mireya. Where have you been? I missed you.”
Relief washed over Mireya’s chest, although there was still some worry. Usher’s awakening was a bad sign, regardless of the fact that Willow’s magic tea had once again succeeded in putting him under Mireya’s control.
Mireya realized that the cause of all her worries was Garth. Besides, Garth had never liked her presence in the first place. Now he was openly against her. So, her plan now was to get rid of Garth once and for all.
Mireya wasted no time. She wouldn’t give Garth a chance to defend himself. The next day, she set the palace and the entire Frostholm Pack on fire.
Berg was ordered by Mireya to capture Garth. Berg refused, but he couldn’t do anything when Usher ordered the same.
Garth tried to defend himself. But his tongue was tied when Mireya viciously accused him.
“Your accusation is that you want to kill Alpha.”
Garth shook his head. He denied the accusation and suddenly his eyes met Usher’s. “Alpha, I swear. It’s a lie. Mireya is framing me, Alpha.”
For a moment, Usher said nothing. He approached Garth with weary steps. His eyes were filled with a mixture of emotions. There was shock, disbelief and also pain.
“Is it true, Garth?” Usher asked, his voice shaking and weak, barely audible to anyone. “Is it a lie or is it the truth?”
To Garth’s ears, Usher’s weak voice was like a thunderbolt that shattered his eardrums. Usher’s doubt inside him shattered him. It was as if his soul, his wolf spirit, was wounded inside.
“Alpha.”
*