Three Alpha Princes for an Unwanted Omega

AYLA

I dipped the cloth into the basin and wrung it out, pressing it gently against Cassian’s forehead. The water was cool but it did not seem to help. His skin was hot beneath my fingers, fever burning through him despite everything Alistair had done.

He had come in twice since I had taken my post. Once to change the bandage, once to check the pulse at Cassian’s wrist. He had told me the antidote was nearly ready, that he just needed a few more hours to let it steep. Then he had left me alone with the sound of Cassian’s labored breathing.

”You need to wake up,” I whispered.

He did not stir.

I pressed the cloth to his forehead again, smoothing back the damp hair clinging to his skin. His eyelids twitched but did not open. I watched the rise and fall of his chest, counting the seconds between each breath.

”He is stronger than he looks.”

I jumped at the soft knock that followed the voice.

My mother stood in the doorway, her hand still resting on the frame. She was dressed in a simple gray gown, her hair pinned back, and for once there was no scheming glint in her eyes.

She looked almost human.

”I heard about the accident,” she said, stepping inside. ”Everyone is trying to keep it quiet, but I have my sources. Is it bad?”

I turned back to Cassian, dipping the cloth again. ”He was shot with a poisoned arrow.”

My mother crossed the room slowly, stopping at the foot of the bed, her eyes sweeping over Cassian’s prone form.

”Is he going to survive?”

”The healer thinks so. He is brewing an antidote at the moment.”

”And you were with him when it happened?” she asked.

”Yes.”

Her jaw tightened. She did not speak for a long moment.

”Does the Alpha think you had anything to do with it?”

I set the cloth down and turned to face her fully.

”No, Mom. He does not.”

”Good.” She let out a breath. ”That is good.”

”Why would he think I had anything to do with it and why are you more concerned about how this is going to affect me than whether Cassian would live?”

Her eyes snapped to mine.

”I am concerned about the prince but I am more concerned about you. Do you not see, Ayla?” She stepped closer, lowering her voice. ”Whatever is happening now directly affects you. Ever since your status changed, everything that happens in this pack reflects on you. Of course I do not want anything to happen to the prince. But you also have to look out for yourself.”

I stared at her as she continued speaking. She was now pacing.

”If, moon goddess forbid, he does not survive this then we need to leave the pack before fingers begin pointing in our direction.”

I could not believe what I was hearing.

”Why would fingers point in our direction?” I asked, thoroughly confused. ”Did you have anything to do with this?”

Her face went slack with shock.

”How can you ask me that?”

”I do not know, Mom. I am finding it hard to understand why you say the things you say these days. Besides, the Alpha believes there is a traitor in the pack and he intends to find who it is.”

My mother’s eyes widened.

”He what? How do you know that?”

”He said it right in front of the Beta and me. He thinks the rogue king has someone working for him on the inside.”

Her face drained of color.

”Mom.” I lowered my voice, stepping closer to her ”I really think we should tell him about what I overheard. He will be more open to hearing it now. He is looking for a traitor. He is suspicious. If we tell him what I heard that night then maybe he would...”

”Ayla.” my mother hissed, her eyes darting around the room as if to confirm we were all alone. ”How many times have I told you to forget about it? We are not going to the Alpha with anything. You did not hear anything. What is wrong with you?”

”Mom, Cassian could have died.” My voice cracked. ”What if whoever Father is working with has a hand in this? Do you not see how it can affect...”

”Stop it.” Her grip tightened. ”Stop it right now and forget about this. Forget about everything you think you heard...”

”Forget about what?”

My pulse jumped in my throat as Damon walked into the room.

He took one look at my mother, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

”Brenna, fancy seeing you here.”

”Oh... Prince Damon.” My mother’s face transformed into a smile. ”Good of you to be here. I have been trying to convince Ayla to freshen up for hours now. She has not left that spot beside Cassian’s bedside since they brought him in.”

I gaped at her.

Damon’s gaze moved to me, and something in his expression softened. He crossed the room.

”You can go do just that, Ayla.” His voice was gentle. ”I will watch over him.”

”I...”

My mother’s hand closed around my arm before I could finish the protest. Her fingers dug into my skin with a grip that brooked no argument.

”Come now, Ayla.” She was already pulling me toward the door. ”Let the prince have some time with his brother. You need to rest.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but she was already dragging me through the doorway.

I stumbled after her, my mind reeling. She did not slow down until we rounded the corner, and I nearly collided with a solid figure that seemed to materialize out of the shadows.

I looked up.

My father stood before us.

His eyes met mine, then moved to my mother. His face was drawn, tight with an expression I could not quite read. He looked older than I remembered. The lines around his eyes seemed deeper, the gray at his temples more pronounced.

”We need to talk.”

The words were directed at my mother.