Chapter 6: Poison in the Punch

Maeve's POV

I wasn't feeling right.

Something hit me suddenly, making me dizzy and weak. I don't know if it was something I drank, but the fruit punch I just had tasted a bit off. Now I was feeling lightheaded and hot all over.

I reached out to grab the nearest table for support as my knees nearly gave out. The party lights became painfully bright, hurting my eyes, and I could feel my strength draining with each passing second.

The strangest part was I could sense my wolf trying to reach me, but something was blocking her, pushing her deeper inside where I couldn't feel her anymore.

"Maeve, your eyes are changing color. Is the shifting starting?" Mom asked, rushing toward me after putting down her wine glass.

I shook my head, immediately regretting it as pain shot through my temples. "No... something's wrong..."

Cold sweat formed on my forehead as I struggled to stay standing. The entire room was spinning around me.

"You're burning up!" Mom placed her cool hand against my forehead. "This isn't a normal shifting sign. We need to leave immediately."

"I can't just walk out," I protested weakly. "Everyone's here to celebrate... Professor Cyrus is here..."

Mom wrapped her arm firmly around my shoulders. "Nothing is more important than your safety. Callisto shifting are unpredictable enough, and your condition is even more unusual."

I tried to stand straight, but my legs wouldn't cooperate. I nearly collapsed before Mom caught me. My gaze drifted to the fruit punch I'd just finished, and I couldn't help but wonder if there was something wrong with it.

Mom quietly called for Dad, and together they helped me through the crowd. Everyone moved aside, whispering as we passed by.

Through my blurring vision, I felt someone watching me intensely.

Turning my head, I saw Cyrus standing at the edge of the crowd. Even feeling this terrible, I could sense his presence. His blue eyes showed concern as he watched me, his brows furrowed with worry.

When our eyes met, something passed between us. He took a step forward before stopping himself. It was strange, but it made me feel slightly better despite everything.

My parents helped me to my bedroom and gently laid me down. My golden curls spread across the pillow as Mom quickly checked my pupils and pulse.

"This isn't normal, even for us," she said, grabbing her phone. "I need to contact our physician immediately."

The last thing I heard before passing out was Dad's angry voice: "Who would dare harm my daughter in my territory?" followed by Mom trying to calm him down.

I fell into a strange dream where a silver-white wolf struggled in darkness, bound by invisible chains.

When I finally opened my eyes, my room smelled like herbs and medicine. There was a gray-haired woman adjusting an IV drip next to my bed – our pack physician.

She noticed me stirring. "Finally awake. You've been unconscious for twelve hours."

"Twelve hours?" I tried to sit up, feeling a sting in my arm from the IV. "What about all the guests...?"

"Don't worry about that," she said, gently pushing me back down. "Alpha Rodolfo has handled everything. Your recovery is all that matters now."

My heart sank. I'd missed my birthday celebration. Worse still, I couldn't feel my wolf's presence anymore;.

After examining my eyes, the doctor's expression turned serious. "You've been poisoned with something quite potent, likely wolfsbane or something similar. I'll confirm with more tests."

I clutched my blankets tightly. "Wolfsbane? Why would..."

A knock interrupted us, followed by Gisella's voice: "May I come in?"

The doctor gathered her supplies. "She can keep you company."

Gisella rushed in, looking both worried and excited. "The entire Dominaris is talking about you being poisoned! How are you feeling?"

I managed a weak smile. "The doctor says it might be wolfsbane."

"It's terrible!" she said, sitting beside me and lowering her voice. "Gamma Walter is interrogating all guests, and Alpha Rodolfo is so furious the entire Cassiopeia territory can feel it."

She hesitated before continuing. "Actually, I saw Louie with a dark-haired girl acting suspicious at the party last night."

My eyes widened. "Louie came? I didn't think he would show up."

"He and that girl snuck in," Gisella nodded. "They were behaving oddly. While everyone was focused on you about to cut the cake, they lingered by the drinks for a long time."

"Straight black hair?" I asked with a frown.

She looked surprised. "You know her? Wait, she—"

"Juniper," I confirmed, taking a deep breath. "She's the girl I caught with Louie, Alpha Joshua's daughter."

Gisella gasped. "Are you sure you didn't tell anyone about them before the party?"

I shook my head. "Only you know the real reason for our breakup, besides those involved."

It all seemed suspicious now. Juniper had always made snide remarks about my Callisto dual-colored eyes, not to mention how I'd embarrassed her in combat class. But poisoning? That seemed extreme, even for her.

"We must tell Alpha Rodolfo!" Gisella jumped to her feet.

Before I could respond, the door opened, and Dad entered, looking serious and concerned.

"My daughter, are you feeling better?" he asked, his expression softening as he approached me.

"Much better, Dad," I lied, trying to sit up. "Though I still can't feel my wolf."

He sat on the edge of my bed, gently stroking my hair. "The investigation has begun. Beta Kirk is coordinating evidence collection. Do you have any leads?"

Gisella spoke up eagerly. "Louie and a girl were acting suspicious at the party!"

Dad's brow furrowed. "Louie? I thought you two were on good terms. Why would he want to harm you?"

I bit my lip. "We... broke up last week. I caught him with a girl named Juniper."

His expression darkened instantly. "Alpha Joshua's daughter? Interesting. That gives them a motive."

"But we can't accuse them based just on that," I said hesitantly. "Wolfsbane isn't something ordinary people can easily get."

Dad nodded slightly. "Indeed. But don't worry, the truth will come to light. Whoever is responsible will face the consequences."

The doctor returned with test results. "Alpha, the blood work confirms it was definitely wolfsbane, and in a substantial dose."

Dad took the report. "How will this affect Maeve's shifting?"

"Wolfsbane specifically targets the shifting mechanism in werewolves," she explained. "It temporarily suppresses shifting abilities and wolf consciousness, especially in wolves that haven't fully awakened yet."

"Does this mean..." I asked nervously, "that I've missed my chance to gain my wolf?"

The doctor shook her head. "Not entirely. The shifting has been delayed, not prevented permanently. Your wolf is merely in a dormant state now."

I lowered my head, letting my golden curls hide my disappointment. "I understand."

"Don't worry," Dad squeezed my hand reassuringly. "Callisto wolves are stronger than ordinary wolves. Your wolf will survive this. What matters is that you're safe now."

After the doctor left, Dad added, "We should thank Alpha Cyrus. If he hadn't quickly noticed something was wrong and insisted on staying here, the situation could have been much worse."

I looked up, my colorful eyes turning yellow with surprise. "Alpha Cyrus?"