Richard steps halted when he saw the head of Alex lying on the lap of Hazel.
The truth came out abruptly and he was still trying to wrap his head around it but it still felt hard to digest.
The girl who seemed to be his wife till morning was now the mate of his brother.
After blinking for a few seconds, he started walking again as if nothing had happened!
His eyes scanned the body of his brother and frowned when he felt that his body was still not healing.
"Why is he still not healing?" he asked in a low growl as he ran forward and crouched to check his nerves.
"He will be fine in a while! The poisons are still affecting his body. We need to take him to the physician!" he touched and held the wolf form of Alex as if it was nothing. But his muscles bulged and showed the strength he was putting in holding him.
"You should go and take a rest. I will take care of him now!" Hazel shook her head and looked at the man adamantly!
"No! I am going to come with you! I am not going to leave him alone again!" her words were soft but resolute as if she would not accept any excuse or argument and he sighed.
"Why are you being so adamant?" He rubbed his forehead with his other hand as he did not want to waste further time here but did not want to take her too.
"Let her go! Richard! She is his mate!" The sentence earned more whispers and gasps from the warriors who were already feeling that something was amiss there!
Richard glared at Arnold as he felt that he had done it knowingly but did not discuss the matter further as he turned and left with Alex still on his shoulders.
He did not even spare another glance at Hazel as if she was not even there. His eyes had turned cold and Hazel could feel that she had hurt him but she did not want to leave Alex alone.
He was her mate and she could feel he was getting comfort from her presence. She had heard that the presence of mates helps in feeling better.
She pursued her lips but did not say a word as she followed them.
All the warriors exchanged glances but did not say a word. They did not even dare to use the mind link as they looked at their alpha who was still walking silently.
Getting a mate and then knowing that she belonged to someone else was painful and here they were talking about their luna!
How painful would it be for their alpha. The walk was the most awkward one ever. The beasts were not even breathing loudly, afraid that they would attract the attention of their alpha!
They were hardly talking or making sounds, all of their minds were swirling with thoughts but the worst among them was Ranold.
He was feeling guilt and regret! He had not thought that his one wrong action would affect all of them.
What if Hazel would know the truth about her and why Richard had chosen her as his mate!? Would she hate him just like her mother or would she understand why he took such actions!
He could not help but feel more and more guilty as every step felt heavier!
With the agility and speed of the beasts, they reached the inn where they were staying before in no time!
Taking him in, Richard laid Alex on the bed where Hermlin was sleeping.
"Hey! Do you even know the meaning of personal space?" muttered the man with gritting teeth as he glared at Richard but his eyes widened and shocked filled his face when his eyes fell on injured Alex.
He was looking like he would die any moment!
"Holy goddess! What happened to him?" he shouted as he stood up and started checking him when all the other wolves entered.
Hazel jumped away from Daisy and ran towards Alex.
"What had happened to him?" she asked abruptly, making the man frown!
"Hadn't I asked the same thing? How would I know what happened to him? But he is badly injured? How did this even happen with Alex? If it would have been anyone else.." he shook his head as he continued to check the wound of Alex with a red face.
He did not know how on the earth did Alex lose his focus? Wasn't he the most cruel one with senses of the war god?
He who plays in the blood of others was stained with his own today!?
"He was shot with poisonous arrows! He will be fine in a while when I give him an antidote. Then his wounds would slowly start to fill!" Everyone took a breath of relief when they heard him but they did not leave.
Instead they looked at their alpha for further instructions.
"You all can leave! We will handle it from here!" feeling the gaze of everyone on him, Richard enunciate the words slowly after some thought.
They all bowed their heads as they howled in unison and left the place.
Npw only Ranold, Hazel and Richard were left except the physician and injured Alex. Even Daisy left silently as she felt she should not be there.
The physician continued to treat Alex without spearing another glance to any of them. Oblivious to the situation, he continued to mutter curses at the foolishness of the wolf who was famous for his sharp senses and cold behavior.
Hazel walked closer to Alex and sat beside him on the bed. She did not open her mouth even once as her eyes stilled on the wincing body of Alex with thousands of thoughts in her mind that were tearing her apart!
"How did he even lose his rationality to be injured this much? If I did not know any better, I would have thought he got crazy because of the rejection of his mate!"