The Princess's Revenge Chapter 56

Valencia’s POV

Leif's command boomed across the air. "OPEN THE GATES! NOW!"

The two guards slowly pushed open the heavy wooden gates, their faces filled with shock and confusion. Through the widening gap, I could see the familiar white warhorse approaching, but something was terribly wrong.

Alpha Logan's naked body was slumped over the horse's neck, covered in blood. Behind him, tied to the saddle, was another body.

My heart hammered against my ribs. "ALPHA LOGAN!" I screamed, my voice cracking with emotion.

"Move aside!" I shouted at the guard still blocking my path, spurring my horse forward.

"Stay where you are!" the guard roared, raising his sword. "You're not going anywhere, slave!"

Rage exploded through my chest. "IF YOU DON'T GET OUT OF MY WAY, I'LL KILL YOU!" I screamed, my voice carrying a power that made the guard step backward in shock.

His eyes went wide with fear at the fury in my voice. I didn't wait for his response. I kicked my horse hard, sending it charging around him toward the gates.

"SLAVE!" Leif shouted behind me, but I was already through the opening.

Alpha Logan's horse had stopped just outside the walls, swaying dangerously. As I got closer, the full horror of the scene became clear. Blood covered Logan's back and arms, his breathing was shallow and labored.

But what made my stomach drop was the saddlebag. Dark red liquid dripped steadily from the leather, forming a small pool on the ground.

What's in there?

I leaned closer and nearly screamed. A pair of dead eyes stared back at me through a gap in the bag. A severed head, the face twisted in death.

My heart raced with terror and shock. Whose head is that? What happened out there?

Alpha Logan's body began sliding sideways off his horse. Without thinking, I threw myself from my saddle and positioned myself beneath him, catching his falling weight with my arms and chest.

The impact drove me to my knees, pain shooting through my ribs as his muscled frame crashed into me. But I held on, cradling his bloodied head against my shoulder.

"Alpha," I whispered desperately. "Alpha, can you hear me?"

His gray eyes unfocused and glazed.

The thunder of hooves announced Leif and his guards arriving. Leif dismounted quickly and lifted Alpha Logan from my arms, his face grim as he assessed the his condition.

"Get him on my horse, quickly take off your damn clothes and put them on Alpha" Leif commanded the other guards. "We need to get him to Dr. Vance immediately."

"Wait!" I gasped, struggling to my feet despite the pain in my ribs. "Alpha Logan has been poisoned with wolfsbane! I have the antidote!"

I reached inside chemise with shaking hands, pulling out a bottle. "Here!" I said urgently, holding it out to Leif. "He needs this right now or he could die!"

Leif's eyes narrowed as he looked at the bottle, then at me. Without warning, his hand shot out and knocked the antidote from my grasp.

The bottle shattered against the stone ground, its contents spreading uselessly across the dirt.

"NO!" I screamed, dropping to my knees and desperately trying to gather the spilled liquid. "What have you done?"

Leif spat in the dirt beside me. "You little cunt," he snarled. "You think I'm stupid enough to let a slave poison our Alpha?"

"It's not poison, it's the antidote!" I pleaded, looking up at him with anxiety. "He's been poisoned with wolfsbane! He'll die without it!"

"Shut your fucking mouth," Leif snapped. "I'm letting your disrespectful behavior slide this once because Alpha is hurt," he said coldly. "But if you ever threaten a guard again or try to give Alpha strange potions, I'll have you executed."

I stared at the shattered glass and spilled antidote spreading across the dirt, my hands trembling with rage. Every instinct screamed at me to make him pay for his stupidity. But I forced myself to stay calm.

I can't waste time fighting him. Alpha Logan needs help now.

Finch's voice cut through the air, sharp with shock. "Leif! You need to see this!"

We all turned toward Finch, who was examining the body tied to Alpha Logan's horse. His face had gone completely white.

"What is it?" Leif demanded.

"It's Clarence," Finch whispered, his voice breaking. "He's dead."

My heart dropped like a stone. I moved closer to see, and the sight hit me like a physical blow. Clarence's young face was peaceful in death, but I could see terrible wounds across his body.

No. What the fuck is going on?

"Clarence," I whispered, my voice thick with grief. "Oh, Moon Goddess."

"How?" Leif asked, his face pale with shock. "How did this happen?"

Finch continued examining the horse, then stopped abruptly. "Leif," he called out urgently. "There's something else in the saddlebag."

He reached into the leather bag and pulled out something that made everyone step backward in horror. A severed head, blood still dripping from the neck.

"Shit," one of the guards breathed.

Leif moved closer, his eyes widening as he studied the dead face. "I know this man," he said slowly. "He looks familiar, but I can't place him."

My heart raced with realization. That must be one of the people who ambushed Alpha Logan. Could it be someone from Elton's pack?

The guards around us were backing away, their faces filled with terror and shock.

"What the hell happened out there?" Finch whispered, his voice tight with fear.

"I don't know," Leif replied grimly, "but Alpha Logan fought for his life. And won."

He looked around at the assembled guards, his expression growing more serious. "This is bigger than we thought. We need to get Alpha Logan to Dr. Vance immediately."

"Yes, sir," the guards replied in unison.

I quickly mounted horse again, my heart pounding with urgency. "I'm coming with you," I said firmly.

Leif shot me a disgusted look. "Stay out of my way."

We rode quickly toward the stone house, Alpha Logan's unconscious form draped across Leif's saddle. I could see his chest rising and falling, but each breath seemed weaker than the last.

Please hold on, I prayed silently.

The stone house appeared through the afternoon sun. Leif dismounted and carefully lifted Alpha Logan in his arms.

"Dr. Vance!" I shouted as we approached the entrance. "DR. VANCE!"

The wounded and servants inside all turned to stare as Leif carried Alpha Logan through the doorway. Gasps and murmurs filled the air as they saw Alpha's condition.