Chapter Hundred and Sixty-Eight – Push no blame.
Chris’s POV
When his sister finally left Black Hills, that was when my Beta, Ray, remembered that I was his Alpha and I got injured.
I raised my brow. “Oh, you remember I exist?”
He looked down. “Oh sorry. But my sister said she didn’t get treatment. Is she really okay…”
“If she didn’t get treatment, then maybe she didn’t need it!” I widened my eyes.
Did he see any injuries on her? Didn’t he see all the bandages on me? Who needed attention and treatment between us?
Ray snickered, rubbing his hands. “Are you jealous that I asked about my sister’s health?”
Was ‘jealous’ the right word to use? I waved off his question, dismissively and exhaled.
“I want to write a letter but my body is bumped up after the ride home. Please, help me do it.”
Ray rallied round, grabbing the scrolls and inks. “What’s it about? My sister didn’t tell anything.”
Why didn’t she? Was I the one to break such sad news? “Ralph was found, but dead.”
The scrolls and ink in Ray’s hand dropped. The cup where the ink was in, poured it contents. He rushed to stand it up.
“Ralph died?” his lips quivered slightly.
I didn’t want to repeat it, I nodded. “Yes.”
His countenance changed, and his eyes tarried on the ink that was spilled. “Logan killed him?”
Again I nodded. “Yes.”
His breathing increased. “And Jake? Jaden?”
“I didn’t see them before I left. Your sister had returned Ralph’s body to Black Rose.” I replied.
I felt the need to apologize to Ray that I couldn’t protect his friend but I withheld myself.
If I start the guilt tripping, my wolf would never let me go. “You do know you’re partially at fault.” Zeke started.
I knew he would so I retorted. “No! I did what I could. Remember that I wasn’t aware Logan was not still below the volcano.”
“Then why didn’t you finish of the Lycan? Why didn’t you do that so Jaden would feel better about his Beta’s death?” He asked back.
“I would if I could but I couldn’t! And don’t expect me to act more than I could!” I yelled.
My hand slammed on my throne, which I was seated on and Ray looked at me.
Zeke’s voice slowly faded to oblivion.
“Alpha, don’t blame yourself. For you to return to us, in this situation, it means Logan would someday atone for his sins.” Ray consoled.
I forced a smile, my chest heaving heavily as I imagined that Lycan being put to death and the lands safe again.
My brain filtered in something and I let Ray be aware. “Jaden is actually your sister’s mate.”
He didn’t looked stunned, just glad. There was pure excitement in his eyes and it felt new to me.
“Did you think it’d be impossible to have a mate after her rejection?” I read his mind.
He laughed, rubbing his face. “In a way, yeah. Now, I’m sure that she had been given a second chance.”
And I could never have that. I was stuck with what I had. But no more complaining.
“It’s sad that they both had to go through some amount of pain.” Ray added. “Even if in Jaden’s part, he has people to support him.”
And his part would be avenged. Ray’s sister didn’t get to avenge what I did to her.
Or was it those habitual torments she gave me as Your Silver? Were those her venting?
The inner door on the courtroom opened and my pregnant Luna strolled out of it. “So you’re back.” She referred to me.
I smiled and made an ‘hmm’ sound. “Tragedies happened and we lost Logan.”
“Vanessa?” she plopped down on her Luna chair. “Is she coming back soon?”
Not soon. She should remain at Black Rose and be comfort for Jonah, it could help them bond.
“We have more important things in hand than that, Luna. And it’s not like Vanessa is needed here urgently.” Ray murmured.
Sasha scoffed, rubbing her stomach. “Maybe not to you two but I need someone to talk to.”
“If you are nicer to your maids or show Cara more respect, you’d easily get company.” I told her softly.
Ray agreed with many nods at the Cara part. “Well, I’d take my leave. And the letter should announce Ralph’s death, right?”
Sasha squeezed my hand. “Ralph? Who’s he again? He sounds like an important person in my memory.”
“Black Rose’s Beta. He was killed yesterday by Logan.” I faced Ray. “Yes, that and they should be safe. All Alphas will join the last fight.”
Or at least what I hoped was the last fight.
Ray saluted then turned to leave. He stepped on the ink he spilled and winced, maybe being reminded why he spilled it.
“Someone will clean it up, don’t worry.” I told him and he walked away.
My Luna squeezed my hand again, I faced her. “What is it?”
“Did Logan almost kill you too? I think you have difficulty in breathing.”
I smiled. “So you had some skill to notice?” Since she knew, I hoped she’d cut me some slack and worry me less.
“Well, yes, I was almost killed by Logan, if not that Rihanna arrived.” I exhaled.
She took her hands off mine. “That girl again! Why wasn’t she there when the fight started?”
I couldn’t place what came out from the silver wolf’s visit to Sun Burn Kingdom but it was her personal matter. “It’s personal.”
“Yeah right. Did she say that? All these would have been prevented if she was around.” Sasha hissed. “She could be useless sometimes…”
“Didn’t I say she saved my life, even Jaden’s? What mattered is she arrived on time. Ralph might have been killed a lot longer.” I queried.
She stayed quiet, looking down at her palms.
“And she’s not useless in any way. Isn’t she what the prophecy said would save us?”
Sasha nodded. “She is, according to the prophecy. And I didn’t know you’d be so defensive of her.”
I wasn’t being defensive. “I’m just not interested in pushing blame to anyone except Logan.”
She sighed, with an eye roll. “Let all these be resolved. I want to be back to my carefree life again.”
Was she being caged here? Or she needed to be dramatic? “Yes, everything should be resolved.”