Ookashi ran to Dmitri. Her skin was flushed, legs were shaking and eyes full of tears.

"H- how- is he?" She gulped. "S- survive?" She grabbed Dmitri's collar and stared in his eyes, "Nate—survive?" Her sentences were choppy and she was speaking too quickly.

​​

"He is in the intensive care unit. They have put an oxygen mask on him." Dmitri saw her panic-stricken, sweaty face. He felt extremely sad. Her pink dress clung to her body and the bulge showed.

She darted a gaze in an attempt to see and absorb everything around her. Slowly she left Dmitri's collar and stood in front of him with slumped shoulders. A sob ripped through her. Dmitri embraced her tightly. Fleur came over and stood next to her and she hugged Ookashi. Dmitri enveloped the two girls in his arms. They were too young to be left without mates.

The sadness sucked him in a vortex. He couldn't cry in front of them. He had to stand as a pillar of support not only for the two girls but also for his betas. In that moment he realized that if two insignificant serpents could create such havoc on his betas, what would a load of them do to his packs, to the Werewolf Realm.

He remembered Adrianna with all his love and affection. He had to protect his people, he had to protect her and his unborn baby.

As if on cue of his sadness, he saw his wife walking down the corridor towards them flanked by Haldir and Isidorus. He smiled. He left Ookashi and Fleur whom Cora patted to quiet.

Dmitri covered his face with his hands and sank on his knees. Adrianna walked up to him and knelt right before him. Gently, she removed his hands and cupped his cheeks. She brushed away the tears that had formed unknowingly.

He didn't care that there were people watching. He had so much concern on his face. There was love in those eyes. She stroked her hands in his hair and the next moment, he hugged her tightly. Without looking at anyone, he said, "Take me somewhere."

Adrianna looked at Haldir who created a portal immediately for them. She got up with him and they walked through it into their bedroom in his manor.

"Do you want to tell me what happened? She asked as she helped him sit on the bed. She studied his face.

"There is something else I would like first." The curtains on the window moved as the cool breeze from outside filled the room carrying the scent of fresh blooms and lush greens. Dmitri held Adrianna close to him and set her on his lap. He felt powerless in front of her—powerless to resist touching her. She stroked his hands and his throat tightened. She held his shoulders and he gently caressed her every part of the body while looking at her face. For a long moment they sat quietly. He inhaled her smell.

Finally he murmured, "My mate."

"I tried calling you mentally, but there was no response," Adrianna said. "I came here and terror overtook me. I thought…" There was fear in her eyes.

"I had to mentally shut myself out otherwise I would have not been able to function properly. The two serpents were too powerful. Liam has internal organ injuries while Nate is unconscious due to lack of oxygen. The doctors suspect that two of his ribcage bones have cracked." Dmitri rested his head on the crook of her neck.

Cold rage flickered through Adrianna's eyes. "Are they dead?"

"Yes."

"Good."

"But I am scared, Adri, scared of what they might do to our people. They are too powerful to be taken lightly. We have to contain Ziu. He is getting out of hand."

"Yes…" she replied. She held him in her arms and kissed the crown of his head. "I will make sure that he is stopped and that too once and for all."

She knew it was time to start tightening the noose around him.

The couple stayed there for a long time. They were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.

"What is it?" Adrianna asked.

"News from the hospital."

Adrianna rose and opened the door. Cora was standing beside the servant.

"Nate's breathing has restored but due to lack of oxygen his brain has swelled a little. The doctor says he will make it. As for his ribcage bones, he has to stay with fractured ones for life. I am hoping that since he is a werewolf, he will recover as soon as he is here with the healer."

Adrianna closed her eyes and thanked the wolf spirits. "Has Ookashi met him?"

"Yes. She is better now. I can't say the same for Fleur though."

"What about Liam?" came Dmitri's voice from behind.

"His operation is still going on. They have already given him three bottles of blood."

"What? Whose blood?" Dmitri was panicky. Liam couldn't handle human blood.

"Relax. Three of our men are standing there who have donated their blood," Cora informed.

Dmitri took a deep breath. He turned back.

"Dmitri," his father's voice boomed in the hallway.

He turned back and walked past Adrianna and Cora. He went down to meet his father. Adrianna followed him.

"There is something really wrong happening in the Human Realm," said Pierre. He was standing near the fireplace looking at the logs that were burning. "A military unit has been stationed on the border of the town."

He turned to look at Dmitri and found Adrianna standing right next to him. "Your human friend, Niiya, is planning an attack on the Werewolf Realm with the help of the military."

Adrianna's eyes widened. Her mind raced. "This is not possible," she whispered. She brushed her hand through her hair. She staggered back and sat on the sofa behind with shock registering in her mind. All events were unfolding at a fast pace.

Was there a connection between Ziu and Niiya? Why would Niiya plan to attack the Werewolf Realm out of blue? What was the motive?