Pursuing My Rejected Alpha
Chapter 51

There was a reason why, despite their strong finance, the Infinite Eclipse Pack was the last pack they approached.

It was because Lucien had a feeling that Dane Silverback might be against his relationship with Ronan.

If possible, Lucien did not want to mix business with personal matters. Otherwise, a sacrifice would be made. One that would leave a bad taste in their mouths.

Dane Silverback must have expected their arrival. As soon as Lucien and Beta Dylan spoke their names at the reception desk, the kind ladies directed him and the Beta to the CEO's office. They did not even ask for the CEO's permission. At that time, Lucien knew that something was up. And he was helpless against it.

Dane Silverback, the current Alpha of the Infinite Eclipse Pack and at the same time the CEO of the Silverback Corporation, was a stunning individual.

Most Alphas enjoyed what their ancestors built from scratch and handed over to them for free. Not so with Dane Silverback.

During his reign, both the Infinite Eclipse Pack and the Silverback Corporation enjoyed a golden age of prosperity.

His sharp intuition and business acumen along with more than sufficient luck propelled his status far ahead of all of the other Alphas.

.....

The werewolf society both feared and admired him.

This was Ronan Silverback's father.

Sporting a head full of light brown hair and a pair of deep-set hooded hunter eyes just like Ronan's - but with the color dark brown -, Dane Silverback trained his eyes on his son's fated mate, his son's boyfriend.

Lucien was the only person he was interested in. Beta Dylan was quickly asked to wait in another room while Gordon Clearwater's son stood alone before the powerful Alpha to beg for his help.

Just like all the other packs, Dane Silverback's initial answer was no.

He let the paper slide through his fingers as he spoke haughtily, "I will never be able to get my money back by helping Clearwater Finance. This is not a business proposal. This is a beggar's proposition." Lucien understood as much.

He did not begrudge Dane for his harsh words. He was only speaking the truth.

"I understand. Sorry for wasting your time," Lucien said while collecting the documents from Dane Silverback's desk.

The Alpha narrowed his eyes at this young man who was clearly asking for help but refusing to bend his back.

"I will consider it if you offer me something else," Dane pointed out.

The words "something else" did not spark joy in Lucien's heart.

"What does Mr. Silverback refer to?" Lucien still asked, even if he knew all along what the older man was talking about.

Dane Silverback too knew that Lucien was not that stupid. This was a conversation that they had to make in order to compromise.

"You have been getting quite close to my son at the Alpha Camp," Dane said. "I trust that it is more than mere friendship between two Alphas-to-be."

Lucien lifted his head and met Dane's eyes bravely.

"That's correct."

"It is in my, and also your interests, to stop this... foolish relationship."

Lucien clenched his jaw.

"You two are to be Alphas in the future. Siring children is part of your responsibilities. How should that work with the two of you being males?" Of course it could not work.

Not unless Lucien magically obtained the ability to give birth to their children.

Dane Silverback leaned forward on his desk and fixed Lucien with a piercing stare.

"My son is willful. He will not listen to me. If you break up with Ronan, I will consider the proposal."

Lucien gritted his teeth.

"We are fated mates," he said as if Dane Silverback would reconsider his proposition if that was the case.

"So?" he asked with a smile. "What is so special about being fated mates?"

Clearly nothing.

Lucien sat straight in his seat, unable to make a decision.

Was it worth it?

If he broke up with Ronan, he would save his father. His family. His pack. By sacrificing this short-lived romance, he would be able to help so many people.

Ronan Silverback was destined for greatness. In the future, he would not have fewer suitors, men and women, chasing him for his favor.

Lucien only had to agree.

He wanted to agree, but his body refused to cooperate.

Landon clawed inside him, screaming at him.

'Don't!' the wolf said. 'Don't do that. Do not agree! Lucien, I warn you! I refuse to accept it!'

Lucien was so conflicted. Just as he wanted to say no, Dane Silverback came up with a better offer.

Everything had a price.

Lucien's feelings for his fated mate were no different.

"Other than buying 65% of Clearwater Finance's shares, I will also pay for all the remaining debts. Additionally, I will provide the capital for your pack to start a new venture." Dane Silverback cocked his head to the side.

"How is it? Good enough?"

Lucien was close to tears.

How could his happiness compare with the happiness and lives of the whole Silent Walkers Pack?

How could he be so selfish to not accept?

It was more than a generous offer.

With the capital, the pack could do a lot.

They would get a restart.

Dane Silverback's fund injection would eliminate all the problems that his pack was currently facing. His father's suicide... His father...

Against his wolf's protests, encouraged by the hope that Dane awakened in his heart, Lucien finally agreed.

"Yes," he said. "As you wish, I will break up with your son."

What happened afterward was history.

Back in the present time, Lucien was done retelling the story.

Once he was done, a deafening silence fell in the ward.

Lucien and Ronan looked into each other's eyes. The look on Ronan's face was indiscernible.

"That's why you should not blame your father for our breakup," Lucien slowly said. "He did not force me at all. I selfishly made the decision to break up with you to save my father, my family, and my pack." That was it.

Lucien's biggest secret.

The one he beat himself up with for eight years and counting.

When Ronan asked Milroy to investigate the matter from eight years ago, Milroy did replace out that Gordon Clearwater committed suicide.

The assistant also found out that Gordon Clearwater made a wrong decision that led to Clearwater Finance's bankruptcy.

But back then, Ronan thought that those were all part of his father's scheme.

He had always seen his father as this great villain who ruined his family, his relationship, and his life.

It was so easy to hate, to blame Dane Silverback.

It turned out that at least regarding his relationship with Lucien, this assumption was inaccurate.

.....

Just like the elder man said back then, buying more than half of Clearwater Finance's shares was only one of the many acquisitions that the Silverback Corporation did in the past.

Dane Silverback did not force Lucien at all. He merely made the young man who almost lost his father by a hair width and had to shoulder the massive financial burden by himself a more than generous offer. Or better said, a huge favor.

It was more than what Lucien could hope for.

How could he say no?

Lucien closed his eyes and tears started to fall across his pale cheeks.

"I am sorry that I hurt you, but I will still do it when I am again faced with the choice."

He had to do it.

He lost both Ronan and Landon. He suffered from the rejection backlash for years.

The pain was indescribable, but in the end, no matter how despicable it sounded, it was all worth it.

In the end, his father recovered. His family and pack were saved. His mother and sister were smiling again.

"I fully understand if you can't forgive me."

"Oh, Lulu."

Lucien widened his eyes in surprise when Ronan pulled him into a hug.

"Ronan, no..."

Lucien tried to shove Ronan away, but the Alpha was too strong.

"You are not selfish. You did it for your family."

Lucien started to sob.

"I picked my family over you. You should hate me."

Ronan gritted his teeth.

To tell the truth, he was no better.

In order to replace out the truth about his mother's death and the orchestrated attack on Kinnon Youngshaper's pup, Ronan did not pay any heed to his mate's suffering.

He watched as Lucien got hurt again and again, as he faked one smile after another, and told him that he was doing fine.

What Ronan did was crueler than what Lucien did. And then, even after everything that happened, he was still unwilling to let him go.

Between the two of them, who was the selfish one?

Not Lucien.

"My sweet Lucien, my baby, listen to me," Ronan said, cupping Lucien's face with both hands.

"That baby isn't mine."

"... What?"

Ronan continued explaining in a low voice, "My mother was murdered by the same person who fanned the flames between my pack and Kinnon's pack. I have a deal with Lillian Woodland. As long as I do not reveal that the baby is not mine, she will help me drag the culprit to the arms of justice."

Lucien's lips parted in surprise. He gaped at his mate in confusion.

"Why... Why didn't you tell me sooner...?"

"I am sorry!" Ronan bowed his head in regret. "I didn't want to put your life in danger. She only needed five months! I thought we would do just fine, I..."

Thinking back, before speaking to Lillian, Ronan was very confident that he was not the father of her baby.

Lucien should have known something was up.

If he were not blinded by emotion... If he used his brain to think... If he trusted Ronan a little more... Asked him a few more questions...

Suddenly, Lucien felt so tired. It was as if every bit of energy left his body.

"Baby, I am so sorry," Ronan whispered. "I am the selfish one between the two of us. But please, I beg you, don't hate me."

Lucien sighed. He put his arms around Ronan and kissed the side of his neck.

"I don't hate you," he said. "I just wish I knew sooner."

"Lulu..."

Ronan climbed into the bed and wrapped his arms around his mate's body. They pressed their lips together, devouring each other hungrily.

"It feels so stupid now," Lucien whispered. "So many misunderstandings..."

"We should have told each other everything from the beginning," Ronan ended his mate's sentence.

The two men exchanged ironic smiles.

"I was so scared to hear the word 'selfish' coming out of your mouth," Lucien said. "I can't take it. I will die on spot."

"Stupid. I could never."

Lucien snuggled against Ronan's chest.

"Do you think that your mother would blame me?"

"For picking your family over me? I don't think so."

"No, I mean..."

Lucien bit into his lower lip.

"If that baby were really yours... And I am unhappy about it, do you think your mother will call me selfish?"

Ronan chuckled.

"Lulu, my mom was very unhappy about the children that my father had before his marriage. I don't think that she will judge you." "Mm..."

Ronan ran his hands up and down Lucien's thin frame.

"What is in your mind?"

"There was this... elder lady in St. Clarence who I met while Anna was still in surgery. We talked, and... she said that I was selfish." "Oh, love..."

Ronan pressed a kiss on Lucien's forehead.

"Why must you care about other people's opinions?"

"It's not just anyone," Lucien argued. "She was so similar to your mother."

The Alpha raised his eyebrow and gave his mate a quizzical look.

"Really? How similar?"

"Well, she has the same eyes."

Lucien cupped Ronan's face and brushed against Ronan's cheeks with his thumbs.

"The same beautiful eyes as yours."

"Hmm. I wonder who."

Lucien cocked his head to the side.

"Can you not tell? I thought maybe someone from the Fangblade family?"

.....

Ronan shook his head.

"The Fangblade family already ceased to exist. Its descendants were spread all over the werewolf packs by marriage, though."

"I see. Then maybe a distant relative."

Lucien furrowed his brows. His eyelids kept fluttering shut.

"I am so sleepy."

Ronan rubbed his mate's arms.

"Go to sleep," he said. "I will be here next to you."

Lucien looked up at Ronan and smiled.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you," Ronan said, gazing at his lover.

That was the last thing they said to each other before Lucien fell into a deep slumber.

It felt like one of the nights where they lay together, limbs entangled and in love.

Only that this time, they were inside a hospital ward and Lucien was dying.

After the Alpha and his mate told each other the remaining secrets, Ronan secretly harbored some hope.

He hoped that by the grace of the Moon Goddess, Lucien would suddenly start to recover.

After all, they were fated mates.

They already became one.

They already marked each other.

Surely that meant something, so Ronan thought.

Were fated mates not supposed to be very happy together?

.....

They were. Ronan remembered it distinctly. That was what the elders told him.

Fated mates were couples that were personally blessed and brought together by the Moon Goddess herself.

Therefore, Ronan felt entitled to demand a miracle. He did not even ask for much. All that he wanted was for Lucien to be alive and healthy.

If the Moon Goddess was willing to save Lucien this one time, Ronan was willing to do anything.

Anything.

Anything just so that his beautiful mate could live on.

Unfortunately, the Moon Goddess did not work that way. She also did not intend to make an exception.

Ronan Silverback had to learn this the hard way the following morning.

No matter how many times Ronan called for his mate, the latter refused to open his eyes and answer him.

The agitated Alpha roared for the hospital staff to come and attend to Lucien.

They tried to rouse the man on the bed, but all their efforts proved futile.

"I am sorry, Alpha," the doctor said with a trembling voice. "We have done our best."

"The best?"

Ronan took Lucien into his arms and then raised his darkened face to look at the terrified doctor.

"Is this what you call the best?"

"Ah... Umm..."

Under the sharp gaze of the Alpha, the doctor was unable to say anything. Not that he had anything useful to tell Ronan.

Truth be told, the deterioration of Lucien's condition did not surprise him at all.

He already told Ronan the previous day that Lucien's body was failing. Lucien's loss of consciousness was merely the last stage before death came to claim him and take him back to the Moon Goddess.

What else could the doctor say?

Tears welled in Ronan's eyes.

"Leave," he hissed.

The doctor nodded his head many times before he escaped from the ward.

Holding onto his mate's body, the Alpha felt numb all over. He barely registered anything other than Lucien's shallow breath against his neck, his weak heartbeat against his chest, and his pale face.

In his deep sleep, despite his sickly complexion, Lucien was beautiful as Ronan remembered.

The dying man radiated a peaceful aura. His lips were even slightly pulled into a smile.

Ronan lowered his head and kissed Lucien's warm lips.

'My love, how are you feeling?' he asked while caressing Lucien's pale cheek.

"

'Are you feeling any pain?'

"

'You no longer throw up, and you also no longer feel dizzy. Are you... Are you comfortable?'

"

When he heard no answer, Ronan broke into a series of choked sobs.

Of course Lucien wouldn't answer.

Lucien already went to a far, far away place where Ronan's voice could not reach him.

“AAARGHHHHHHHHHH!!!" The Alpha wailed in distress. His broken voice echoed along the corridor outside of the ward.

In his life, there were only two people who he ever cared for.

The first one was his beloved mother. The woman who gave birth to and raised him. The second one was Lucien, his fated mate. His one and only, the only person he had ever loved. The only person who stood by him in his darkest moments. His mate. His Luna. He failed to protect both of them. They both had to die because Ronan was not smart enough, not careful enough, and not capable enough.

"Lulu, wake up," Ronan begged.

"Lulu, please. Don't leave me. Don't leave me, alright? You promised that you would marry me. You wouldn't break your promise, right?" "Lulu, talk to me... Please..."

Ronan gently shook Lucien's body but he still received no answer. Lifeless, Lucien lay like a doll in Ronan's arms.

Trembling from grief, Ronan called for his wolf.

'B...

"

Usually, whenever Ronan made a mistake or otherwise messed up, Beowulf would start scolding him. This time, the wolf was unusually quiet.

'B, say something,' Ronan urged.

The wolf sighed.

'Ronan, what do you want me to say?'

He too was mourning. He too felt pain.

'Anything,' came the hollow answer.

'Scold me. Tell me that I am stupid. That it is all my fault.

Beowulf heaved another sigh. Bashing Ronan verbally was not going to bring Lucien and Landon back, so what was the use? The wolf let out a long, sorrowful howl before he shut off his consciousness. He was unable to comfort Ronan. Not when he himself needed

time to mourn for Landon.

Death came for everyone without fail. Some people were unlucky and had to leave too early. Some people got to live until old age and then succumbed to the sweet embrace of death willingly.

Nevertheless, it had never been easy for those who were left behind.

St. Clarence hospital was used to dealing with mourning family members. Just like human beings, werewolves too had difficulties processing the loss of a beloved person.

The difference was that human beings were physically restricted whenever they allowed their sorrow to take over their consciousness, and werewolves were not.

Devoid of common sense, they were capable of doing anything.

Especially the alpha werewolves.

After suffering from a lot of material losses due to several incidents, the St. Clarence hospital thus implemented a new policy.

The grieving werewolves should just be left alone to mourn their loved ones, unless they were actively destroying the hospital. The problem lay with those who, in their ignorance, refused to cooperate.

Such as, for example, Beta Jake from Infinite Eclipse Pack who came over as soon as he found out where Ronan and Lucien were.

Beta Jake from the Infinite Eclipse Pack showed up at noon, and he was frantic.

"I demand to see Alpha Ronan Silverback," he said.

The elder nurse at the reception desk pushed her glasses up and looked at the Beta up and down.

"There is no patient by that name here," she said.

Jake almost went crazy.

"That's not what I meant! I mean, I am here for Lucien Clearwater!"

The nurse clicked her tongue in displeasure. Clearly, Jake was the one who did not even remember the name of the patient, so why was she being screamed at?

She lazily looked into the register, ignoring the Beta's plea for her to hurry.

Jake's hope was dashed when he heard what the nurse had to say.

.....

"The patient is not accepting visitors."

"... Why not?"

"He just isn't," the nurse snapped impatiently. "Now, if you have nothing else to do, please step aside."

"Wait! I need to see him! Them! This is urgent!"

"And I am urgently demanding you to leave. Go now before you disturb the other patients!"

Jake was speechless.

He contemplated running blindly to the upper floors and checked the wards one by one.

He had to see Ronan.

He must!

Lucky for him, the doctor that was in charge of Lucien was just passing by. He had a tall mug of hot coffee with him.

"Did I hear that you want to visit Lucien Clearwater?" he gaped at Jake.

"Yes! Doctor! I need to see him!"

The doctor shook his head in regret.

"You can't. He is no longer conscious. Hasn't woken up since last night."

Jake shook at the doctor's shoulder. It was even more so the reason to let him into Lucien's ward!

"Please, I don't care. I need to see him!"

"Young man," the doctor heaved a sigh. "His mate is with him. He was not in a very stable mood. I suggest you go back home."

"I can't! I need to see him! Urgently!"

"I already said that you cannot. Our hospital policy prohibits us from disturbing mourning family members. You are not related to Lucien Clearwater, are you?"

Jake's jaw dropped open.

"He is the Luna of my pack!"

"That doesn't fall under familial relationship, sorry."

"Is that so?" A cold voice was heard coming behind Jake.

The doctor ripped his eyes open in fright.

The man gazed at the doctor, the elder nurse, and then at Jake.

Jake turned around and saw Dane Silverback standing behind him.

"Lucien Clearwater is mated to my son. Does that fall under familial relationships or not?"

Truth be told, even if Dane Silverback had absolutely no relation to Lucien Clearwater, they would still allow him to pass. Who dared to defy the previous Alpha of the Infinite Eclipse Pack?

"Wait here, Jake," Dane turned his head slightly, only enough to catch the Beta in his peripheral vision.

"B-But, Mr. Silverback

Sr..."

Considering Lucien's current condition, Ronan's mood was surely volatile.

Jake's hesitation completely made sense. Had Dane forgotten everything that he had done to Ronan? To be more specific, what he had done to Lady Adele Fangblade?

It was not a good idea to confront him now. Or any time.

"I said, wait here."

Dane Silverback did not wait for Jake's answer. He went straight to the elevator and headed to Lucien's floor.

Once the elevator door opened, the first thing that Dane heard was Ronan's distressed howl. The elder man gritted his teeth. He did not even need to ask for directions. He only needed to head to the source of the voice.

When the ward door opened and revealed Dane at the door frame, Ronan stopped crying at once. The sadness in his heart was quickly burned away by immense rage.

"You!" He shouted. "GET OUT! GET OUT OF HERE!"

Dane cocked his head to the side.

"Look at you," he said. "How pathetic."

The Alpha lunged at his father.

"If you are here to cremate Lucien, you must go through my corpse first!" Ronan howled. "I am not going to let you do it again. Lucien is my mate! MY mate!!!"

Dane Silverback might be getting on in age, but his skills were not to be underestimated. He met Ronan's attack heads on, claw against claw.

Under normal circumstances, Ronan would win easily without a doubt.

But when he was not in full control of himself, he became an easy target for Dane.

Dane kneed into Ronan's stomach and brought him to his knees. Then he twisted his son's arm and pinned it behind his back.

Ronan screamed furiously.

"I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!!!" he shouted.

Dane scoffed. "You can't even kill a puppy in this state."

He flung Ronan across the room. Ronan slammed against the wall and slid down the floor with a groan.

When he lifted his head again, what he saw caused the blood inside his veins freeze in an instant.

Dane was putting two fingers below Lucien's nose, apparently checking whether he was still alive or not.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

Dane turned to look at Ronan. He expected to replace Ronan a few meters away from him, probably just about to run toward him.

Unexpectedly, Ronan was right in front of him.

The Alpha grabbed his father by his collar and gave him a punch across his face before shoving him away. The impact of Ronan's push made him slid backwards a few meters.

"Heh."

Dane wiped at the bloody corner of his broken lip.

"Good, very good. You dare to raise a hand against your father."

Ronan pulled Lucien into his arms and inspected him for any sign of harm.

"Don't go and say that I didn't warn you," the Alpha scowled. "To get to Lucien, you must climb over my corpse first."

"He is still alive," Dane commented. "Ronan, take him and come with me."

Dane took out his handkerchief and dabbed at his mouth.

"Why should I?" Ronan furrowed his brows. Had this so-called father of his gone nuts?

The elder man straightened his clothes and pinned his son with a cold glare.

"There is a summon from the Holy Temple Of The Moon Goddess. The Holy Seer has agreed to meet with you."

The Holy Temple of the Moon Goddess was a place of worship for all werewolves.

While there was a nearby shrine for visitors to pray and make their offerings, the temple itself did not usually open its gate to civilians.

It only opened its gates a few times a year to celebrate the Moon Goddess and Alpha weddings. Otherwise, the temple inhabitants kept to themselves. Silent solitude helped them to focus more on worshipping the Goddess and abandoning worldly affairs.

Needless to say, getting into the Holy Temple of Moon Goddess was already difficult enough, let alone being allowed to meet the High Seer herself.

It was a one-in-a-million chance.

When asked what one would want if they got to meet the High Seer, most of them most likely said divinations.

The High Seer was rarely wrong with her prediction.

After Deacon Clearwater paid a high price for not heeding the High Seer's warning, all other werewolves learned to appreciate the High Seer even more.

Not that the High Seer tossed divinations left and right as she pleased. She reserved the right to share or not to share. The impact could namely change the course of things rapidly.

As for Ronan Silverback, he cared for no divination. He was there for one and only purpose.

By the time the four of them arrived at the temple gate, a priest and a priestess already stood solemnly to receive them.

Ronan with Lucien in his arms was admitted into the temple, but Dane and Jake were not allowed to enter. They had to stay behind.

"You requested entry for only two people," the shrouded priestess reminded Dane.

"But..." Jake protested, but Dane held him back.

"Go," he told his son. "Don't leave with regret."

Ronan gazed at his father. He gave him a stiff nod before the priest and priestess followed him into the temple and closed the gate behind them.

At night, they had to rely on a pair of lanterns to show the path. The priest and priestess held one lantern each. They marched slowly into the temple and moved past the big hall where the yearly Moon Banquet was held. Ronan never visited the temple past this

point.

After going through a few corridors that were sparsely lighted by a few torches on the wall, they ended up outside again.

Or better said, an inner garden with an open roof. At the center of the garden was the biggest tree that Ronan had ever seen. It was not too tall, but its trunk was the size of a truck. The base of the tree was submerged inside a pond, with its protruding roots peeking out of the surface and climbing over each other to form an eerie hollow frame.

Ronan was unable to rip his gaze from the tree. It looked so magnificent. So grand. So majestic.

And then, a voice rang out from another side of the inner garden and drew his attention.

"Have you heard of 'The Tree Of Life', Alpha Ronan?"

The High Seer stepped into the garden. She wore a simple white robe, her long silver hair was tied into a braid that hung down her back. She directed her unseeing eyes at the tree and took a deep breath.

"Back in the days, the Moon Goddess left the Tree Of Life behind to take care of her children. Our history books tell us that the tree is able to do a lot of miraculous things. Do you believe that, Alpha Ronan?" She asked again. This time, she opened her eyes and

stared at Ronan with her turquoise, unfocused eyes.

"I don't, but I want to believe," Ronan said truthfully.

They all worshipped the Moon Goddess and they were taught to believe, but who could testify that the Tree Of Life in the books was real? No one had ever seen it before.

Even if this gigantic tree in front of Ronan was indeed the Tree Of Life, the Alpha would not automatically believe in its ability to call forth miracles. Not unless it was proven.

Was it an insolent answer from a non-believer?

Ronan tightened his grip around Lucien's body anxiously.

The elderly with a youthful appearance broke into a smile.

"The Moon Goddess values honesty," she said as if she just read what was in Ronan's mind.

The High Seer slowly walked toward Ronan and Lucien. Once she stood before them, Ronan could smell the scent of wind and grass on her.

She extended a hand and caressed Lucien's cheek.

"Your mate has been poisoned, Alpha Ronan," she declared right away.

"After another full day, he is going to leave this world and return to the Moon Goddess."

Ronan's face turned ashen.

He had heard the ominous prediction of Lucien's death so many times that his heart had gone numb from grief. Instead, he tried to focus on what the High Seer said in the first sentence.

Did

he hear correctly?

Poison?

"How come it's poison?" He heard himself asking. "Isn't this condition a resulting backlash from our broken connection?"

The High Seer looked into Ronan's eyes.

"As someone who suffered said backlash before, your mate should know what it feels like."

"But... The broken Mind Link! Constant nausea and dizziness! The nosebleed...!"

The more Ronan listed out, the more he realized that none of those happened to Lucien during the seven years that they were apart.

Their Mind Link was intact back then, albeit unused. It was there before they even marked each other. Lucien suffered from physical pain for years, but he was not dying. This time he was. It was not a backlash. It was something else.

He was poisoned by someone.

"The Moon Goddess does not thrive on making her children suffer," the High Seer pointed out. "A punishment is not a death sentence."

"Please," the Alpha fell to his knees. "Please, High Seer. Save my mate."

A smile spread on the High Seer's face.

"You ask for me to save him, but the truth is that only you can save him."

"How?" Ronan asked. "What do I have to do?"