Chapter 243

Ella POV

The sound of pounding footsteps echoed through the room, and before I could process the scene unfolding before me, several of Alexander’s men burst into the room.

August was at the front, his face tight with frustration, his eyes scanning the situation with sharp, calculating focus.

I sighed with relief and bent down to tell Alexander what was happening. I let my fingers glide through his hair, trying to comfort him.

He was passing out. There was nothing I could do to stop that. He had been fighting the poison for so long already.

“Ella, step back,” August commanded, his voice curt and commanding. “We need to treat his wound immediately.”

“He’s been poisoned,” I said, gently laying his head on the concrete before getting to my feet and hurrying out of the way.

The paramedics surrounded Alexander, working quickly to cut his shirt off and get to the wound in his side.

“What the hell happened?” August demanded.

I didn’t respond at first. The tone stung. I’d had been there, fighting alongside Alexander, risking my life to protect him.

But, I could see the tension in August’s shoulders, the guilt and frustration rolling off him like an oppressive cloud. He was overwhelmed, I could see it.

His brow furrowed as he surveyed Alexander, his eyes darting to the wound, to the blood. This was everything August had feared.

This was the moment he had warned me about—the moment Alexander’s past would catch up to him, the moment everything would spiral out of control. He had been terrified this would happen, and I knew, deep down, that August was carrying the weight of that fear and guilt.

He had tried to stop this. He had begged me to be cautious, to keep Alexander from putting himself at risk.

But I couldn’t.

I could feel the sting of August’s words, sharp and accusing. Despite the understanding I had of his burden, the frustration was hard to ignore.

He had done everything in his power to protect Alexander, to shield him from the consequences of his youthful action. And now, here they were, facing it all head-on.

“It was Ironfang,” I said weakly. For the briefest moment, the action around me paused as people nearby processed what they had heard.

“Get him to the ambulance!” August ordered, rage in his voice.

Everyone jumped back into action, their movements even quicker and more panicked.

Alexander was loaded onto a long, stiff board which was hoisted high. I started to follow as they rushed him towards the exit, but August’s hand stopped me.

“Stay out of the way,” he ordered.

Before I could pull away, Alexander’s voice rang out. Sharp and unexpected in the silence.

“August! Don’t talk to her that way. She’s not just some bystander! She’s your luna!”

I froze. My breath caught in my throat at his words, my eyes locking onto Alexander’s face.

His eyes were still closed, but he was holding on to consciousness. Hope burned a little brighter in my chest.

“Yes, sir,” August answered automatically.

August fell into step beside me as we both followed the medics. They loaded Alexander into the ambulance, hooking him up to machines and placing an IV.

“You said poison,” August said, looking at me.

“I don’t know what kind,” I answered. “Ironfang told him that the blade he used was poisoned. That’s how we got rid of him,” I explained. “As he was trying to finish Alexander off, I picked his blade up and stabbed him with it.”

August stared for a long silent moment before the ghost of a smile crossed his face. “You stabbed Ironfang.”

I nodded. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

He nodded towards the ambulance. “You better ride with him,” he said. “Try to keep him awake. I’ll handle Diana and be right behind you.”

“Okay,” I agreed readily. I climbed into the ambulance, staying to one corner so I wouldn’t block the medics as they worked.

The double doors closed and the sound of the siren screamed to life, then we were moving.

I leaned heavily against the wall to keep myself steady. The adrenaline of the fighting had started to fade and I was suddenly feeling sick to my stomach.

Alexander’s chest rose and fell with shallow breaths as he shifted slightly, his face contorted with pain but unwavering. “Ella?”

“I’m here,” I answered, moving closer so that he could see me.

His hand reached for mine and I gripped him tightly. He squeezed my fingers and I felt tears stinging my eyes.

“Who called for backup?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” I answered truthfully.

“Sabrina,” one of the medics answered. I glanced at the man curiously, he looked familiar. He was one of Alexander’s men.

Alexander frowned in confusion. “How?”

“After Ella freed her she called August directly. She told us what was happening and that we needed to get to you as soon as possible with a med team.”

I hung my head, silently thanking the goddess that Sabrina hadn’t just run for her life. She would have been justified in doing so.

“Is Sabrina alright?” I asked. “Is Lexie?”

“Both fine,” the man answered. “August had them taken to the safe house.”

“Good,” Alexander sighed.

“One more thing sir,” the man said, glancing at me nervously. “James was in the packlands today. He reported that they found Michael. He’s a little worse for wear, but he’s alive and will recover fully.”

My heart went cold at the words. “So she did hurt him,” I said in disbelief. “Her own son.”

“She’ll pay for it,” Alexander said fiercely. “Diana has betrayed me for the last time. I’ll–”

“No,” I said firmly. “You won’t do anything.”

Alexander lifted his hazy head and stared at me. “What are you saying?” he asked with confusion.

“Diana brought Ironfang into the center of the capital to attack us,” I said in a careful, measured voice. “She aided an enemy of the kingdom as part of a plot to take over. I think we both know who needs to hold her responsible for that.”

Alexander’s head fell back and a groan of pain and frustration rose from his chest as he cursed.

I understood his reaction, but the reality wasn’t something we could deny. This was out of his control. Even Alexander’s considerable power and resources couldn’t stop the Northern king if he was determined to go to these lengths.

We had to go to the king. Diana had committed treason, just as surely as David and Amanda had. Even more so, as she knew the gravity of Ironfang’s mission.

My eyes widened as I had a sudden realization. “I need to call the king,” I said urgently.

Alexander glanced at me strangely. “It can wait, she’s in August’s custody. She isn’t going anywhere.”

“Not that,” I said, fumbling with my phone. “I know where Ironfang has gone. With that poison in his system he couldn’t get far. There’s only one person in the capital that could be harboring him.”

Alexander’s eyes were hazy as he struggled to follow my train of throught, he was in no state for word games.

I held his hand, squeezing his fingers lightly. “Don’t you see?” I asked. “He’s with Archer.”