"It's a long story, Alpha. After I fell ill, I wandered, desperate. Fever consumed me, pain relentless. Every pack turned me away. I was ready to give up." He paused, emotion thick. "Then, I stumbled upon the Siberian pack."Harvey gasped, his dark blonde hair still wild from his journey. His green eyes was now clear due to the absent of the fever.
Lucian leaned forward, eyes locked on Harvey, every muscle tense. He gripped his chair, knuckles white. "The Siberians? But they are known to be reclusive, Why help you?"
Harvey nodded. "They didn't turn me away. They took me in, nursed me. Her name is Elara, a healer with a gift. She knew the cure."
"A cure?" Lucian whispered, disbelief warring with hope. "What is it made of?"
"it's just blend of herbs, roots, a special moss from their territory. Elara prepares it herself. It targets the infection, strengthens immunity and restores defenses."
Lucian's eyes widened, hope igniting. "And it worked? Completely? No lingering effects?"
"Completely," Harvey confirmed, holding up his healed hand. "Felt effects in days. Fever broke, pain subsided, strength returned. I'm healed, stronger than years."
Lucian surged to his feet, pacing, mind racing. "Incredible! This changes everything! We save our pack, restore our strength and end this nightmare!" He stopped, brow furrowed. "But…will they accept it?"
"Accept what, Alpha?" Harvey asked, confused, unease growing.
Lucian turned, grave. "The cure from the Siberians. Our pack…generations of hostility toward them. Will they accept a cure from wolves they despise? and see past prejudice to save their lives?"
Harvey's face fell. He hadn't considered it, he was blinded by relief to see the deep seated prejudice in Stone Haven. His hopeful line of a mouth drooped, eyes dimming.
"I…I don't know, Alpha," Harvey admitted, doubt heavy, shoulders slumping. "But we have to try. Convince them it's for the pack, their lives worth more than hatred."
Lucian sighed, running a hand through his hair, worry etched deep. "I know. It won't be easy, there will be resistance, accusations, refusal, but I'm willing to accept it for Bella sake,"
Lucian went into Bella's room. The air was thick with the scent of fever and herbs. Bella lay in bed, her once vibrant auburn hair now dull and clinging to her pale face. Her breathing was shallow and raspy.
Lucian knelt beside her, gently stroking her forehead. "How are you feeling, mo chroí?" he whispered, using the Gaelic term of endearment his grandmother had taught him.
Bella's eyes fluttered open, a weak smile gracing her lips. "Better now that you're here," she rasped. She reached out a trembling hand, and Lucian took it in his.
Bella coughed, a rattling sound that tore at Lucian's heart. "I don't want to die, Lucian," she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "I don't want to leave you."
Lucian's throat tightened. He swallowed hard, fighting back his own tears. "You're not going to die, Bella. I won't let you." He squeezed her hand, his voice firm with forced confidence. "I just spoke with Harvey. He found a cure. A healer, a Siberian wolf, named Elara. She saved his life. And he believes she can save you too."
Bella's eyes widened, a flicker of hope igniting within them. "A cure? From the Siberians? But…"
Lucian cut her off, his voice urgent. "It doesn't matter where it comes from, Bella. It only matters that it can save you. I promise you, I will do everything in my power to get that cure for you. You will live, my love,"
He leaned down and kissed her forehead, his heart aching with a mixture of hope and fear. As he left the room, he vowed to move mountains, to tear down walls of prejudice, to do whatever it took to save the woman he loved.
Lucian sighed, running a hand through his hair, worry etched deep.
He made a decision, jaw tightening, eyes hardening. He thought of Bella, lying in her sickbed, her life hanging in the balance.
"I'll call a council meeting," he declared, firm. "Present the evidence, explain and let them decide. It's the only way to test their prejudice. See if they'll sacrifice lives for hatred."
The council meeting arrived. The pack hall air was thick filled with hope, fear and suspicion. High ranking Wolves from Stone Haven gathered, faces etched with concern, bodies tense.
"Our pack suffers. This grave disease spreads like wildfire, claiming loved ones, threatening existence. Beta Harvey, whom we thought lost, found a cure. But the healer is from the Siberian pack, a pack we dislike. I called you today for a decision, do we seek their help and betray beliefs, or wait for another cure and risk losing everything?" Lucian's voice echoed, heavy. He stood, grave, shoulders squared and gaze sweeping with authority, but a tremor of hope. A plea.
"Why seek help from them? They'll mock us and further their agenda!" a council member exclaimed, scornful.
"But our children are sick, bodies ravaged, lives are hanging. Is it better to let them die and sacrifice them to pride?" another countered, desperate.
"There's always another way! We are Stone Haven, strong, resilient. We don't need their help! We find our own cure!" a third declared, defiant.
"I was like you," Harvey explained, emotion thick, conviction resonating. "Consumed by hatred, blinded. But I was wrong, I was dying and every pack turned their backs but they helped me without hesitation. It's hard to accept, but for our pack and our children, we must set aside differences. and accept their help."
After hours of heated debate, pleas, agonizing deliberation. A vote was called. Tension palpable and knife-thick. Each council member cast their ballot, faces etched with weight.
The votes were tallied, close and decisive.