Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 60

**Briony's POV**

Fists and feet rained down on me like hail. My vision blurring until all I could make out were twisted shadows and light.

I screamed inside my head, calling desperately for help, but no response came. My limbs had gone numb - I couldn't tell if they were restrained or if the bones were broken. Each breath felt like swallowing broken glass.

When Victoria mentioned the ball, I'd sensed trouble brewing, but never imagined it ending like this. I just hoped Layla was safe.

Warm tears leaked from my swollen eyes. How ironic that I'd meet my end in the training grounds' locker room - the place I'd considered my sanctuary, where I'd finally felt like I belonged.

Consciousness faded like a receding tide, sounds becoming distant and muffled. I hadn't even said goodbye to those little warriors who looked up to me. That energetic little girl who'd been so proud to show Maxwell her progress...

I wished I could see Benjamin one more time. His gloomy expression when he last left was now my final memory of him. Noah had finally understood and accepted me, and now I wouldn't be able to make him proud.

I took a shallow breath, triggering fire between my ribs. Maybe I should stop breathing altogether - each one only brought new agony. I felt so tired...

**Benjamin's POV**

On the training field, my brothers and I waited for Briony to return. Students had come and gone, but she was nowhere in sight.

A sudden chill shot up my spine, raising the hair on my body. I locked eyes with Maxwell and Christopher, all of us sensing the same thing. Without a word, we sprinted toward the locker room.

We ran into Ethan and Noah on the way.

"What the hell?" Noah called. "Where are you guys going?"

We didn't stop to explain, and they followed close behind. When we burst through the locker room door, the sight before us stopped us cold.

Briony lay in a pool of blood, her face unrecognizable, body covered in wounds. Her clothes hung in tatters, hair brutally chopped, skin littered with bruises and cuts. Her chest barely rose - the flame of her life flickering out.

"Bri!" I rushed forward, carefully lifting her upper body. She hung like a broken puppet in my arms. "Hold on. Just open your eyes. Look at me."

Maxwell checked her vital signs: "Pulse is weak but there. She reeks of wolfsbane."

"Wake up!" I gently shook her. "I need you to open your eyes, let me know you can hear me. I know it hurts, but you need to keep fighting."

Her eyelids fluttered slightly, and a barely audible moan escaped her throat.

"She's alive," Christopher said urgently. "We need to move fast. Bri, stay with us."

"Who's... there?" Her voice was fragile.

"It's us." I lowered my voice, rage and pain churning inside me. "Your body's fighting the poison. Don't give up."

I turned to the others, forcing down my fury: "Victoria did this. But why is her scent the only one here? This couldn't have been one person."

Briony suddenly began convulsing, letting out a heart-wrenching cry. Her body was fighting the toxins, triggering even more pain.

"I know it hurts," I tried to comfort her.

"Let me die..." she pleaded, her voice barely there.

"Never!" I roared.

Noah had already contacted Griffin and his father, while Maxwell confirmed the hallway was clear before signaling we could move her.

I lifted Briony as gently as possible, trying to avoid the wounds covering her body. She slipped back into unconsciousness as we carried her through the hall.

**Briony's POV**

Time passed in a haze. When I finally opened my eyes, my vision was blurry. Trying not to move, I slowly surveyed my surroundings.

"Finally awake, young warrior," a deep voice said. "You sure know how to stir up trouble, making everyone worry. But whatever you do, you never half-ass it, do you?"

I painfully turned toward the voice. Warrior Taric stood by the door, his massive frame nearly filling the entire doorway.

"Where am I?" I croaked, my throat feeling scraped raw. "Why does talking hurt so damn much?"

I tried assessing my condition. My eyes seemed to be the only part that worked without excruciating pain. My body was hooked up to several IV lines and monitors, but the room was oddly quiet.

Taric noticed my gaze. "Those machines were driving me crazy, so I muted them. Speaking of irritating things, when you can talk properly, I want to know who did this to you."

"I... don't know..."

"If you're planning to lie, I can have the doctor give you something to loosen your tongue. But I'd prefer the truth." His voice carried undeniable authority.

I took a breath.

"You want the truth? I've been targeted by the same bully for years." I struggled to sit up, reaching for water and taking small sips. Taric waited patiently.

"It's a long, crappy story I don't want to get into. She rarely gets her hands dirty - prefers having others do the 'dirty work' while she gives orders. This time, they broke my nose right away, so I couldn't smell them. But she showed up to talk, warned me to stay away from the triplets because 'they're hers' and I'm just 'extra baggage.'"

I paused to catch my breath. "When I first reported this stuff, nobody believed me. It's been going on for years. She twists everything with lies, and I get punished for standing up for the weak. She always picks vulnerable targets. That's all you're getting. Next question?"

"Those scars on your back - not from this attack. Same person? When?"

I took a shallow breath, ribs protesting, then changed the subject.

"How about this - one answer for one answer. Where am I? Why are you watching me?"

"That's two questions, but considering you look like roadkill, I'll let it slide." The corner of his mouth twitched. "You're in Aegis city, royal pack territory, in their hospital. Everyone agreed this was the best place for you. You've been here fourteen days. Your turn."

I stared in shock - two weeks? My injuries had been that severe?

"About my back - yeah, same person. She probably didn't do the first whipping herself, but the silver powder was likely her. No proof though - I was tied up, couldn't see who was behind me. Only recognized her voice, couldn't smell anything. Your turn - who decided to bring me here?"

"Multiple parties. Given everything, you would've ended up here eventually, just happened sooner than planned. Your turn."

"That barely counts as an answer."

"It's still an answer." His expression remained intimidatingly calm.

I sighed. "You're giving me a headache." A sound resembling a chuckle rumbled from his chest. "What happens now? I'm still too young for Sentinel training, and I've got years of school left. What's the plan?" I didn't hide my irritation.

"That's two questions again. My turn, little one."

"But..." I protested, rolling my eyes. "Fine, ask away."