CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE.

(Meliora’s POV)

It was the middle of the day that Brian finally came through. Thankfully, he had been able to make it through the worst of it all at the wee hours of the night when he had been attacked with a violent fever which shook his whole body with cold shivers. 
Werewolves like us were never cold and for the first time in my life, I experienced something as heart wrenching and blood curling as that. 
I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and smiled reassuringly at Brian’s waking form. “Hey sleepy head.” I greeted softly. Elder Morris had warned that he might resume the day with a headache due to the herbs she had administered him to keep the fever down during the night. 
His drowsy eyes snapped up to my face and I could see him flinch from the pain which he felt although he tried to hide it. I rushed to help him seat up, balancing the pillows behind him so he could rest on them. 
“Did you stay up the whole night?” he asked, glancing around the ward. 
I shook my head. “I am sure I dozed off a couple of times.” 
That was a white lie but I needed him to maintain his calm. It would do me no good if he was anxious and worried about my wellbeing. 
I glanced at the door and it groaned open and Elder Morris walked in. Her stern eyes went from Brian’s form to my face before breaking into a warm smile. With a soft click, she shut the door behind her. 
“You did very well, Liora.” I allowed myself to blush at this compliment. Dipping my head and pulling at the threads of my skirt, I relaxed as the heat rushed upwards into my face. It was not often that one received compliments from someone like Elder Morris. 
“Thank you for everything you did yesterday, I cannot imagine what I would have done without all your help.”
“It is nothing.” I offered. “It is all I can do to pay back all you have done for me.”
Her eyes snapped to Brian’s face. “How is he doing today?” She stepped closer and laid her hand on his forehead. “Looks like we are far from the worst. Your fever is down.”
Brian looked from her to me. 
“You had a really bad fever yesterday.” I explained. “I suspect it is as a result of your body trying to fight the poisons. But you are all better now.”
Brian gulped visibly. “Poison?”
Elder Morris nodded. “Yes. Whatever blades you were attacked with was laced with poison. It was their intent to kill you, Brian. You and the others. We have the moon goddess to thank that we were able to bring help to you as quickly as we could.”
Smiling, I nudged Elder Morris with my elbow. “And also, thanks to her deep hands.”
“Well…” she continued, I could see the hint of a smile at the corners of her lips. “The Alpha would like a word with you… I understand you led the hunt?”
Brian shook his head. “No. Patrick did. I only assisted him in keeping the rest of us in check.”
Elder Morris sent a worried glance my way and I immediately understood. Brian had no idea that Patrick had been killed during the attack. His expression suddenly changed from one of curiosity to worry and his eyes shifted from me to Elder Morris. 
“What is going on?” he asked. “Is Patrick okay?”
“You should worry about yourself, Brian.” Elder Morris’ stern voice chided but beneath that rough exterior, I heard something softer which almost brought tears to my eyes. “The poison is still in your system and although the worst of it is over, we cannot be laxed just yet. I would give it a few hours and then check on you again.”
She turned on her heels and began to walk to the door then stopped and glanced at Brian from over her shoulder. “Your wife is here to see you, I forgot to say. She has been worried sick about you and will not leave without laying her eyes on you.”
She turned back to the door and moved towards it. “I suggest you see her and dismiss her quickly so you can get enough time to rest while your body battles the poison. The Alpha would be here afterwards to question you.”
Without waiting for an answer, she opened the door and left. 
I turned to Brian whose worried gaze was now upon me. “You would tell me, right?” His voice was a mix of many different emotions and it shot at my heart. “You would tell me if everything is fine.”
Sighing deeply, I took a seat at the edge of the bed and held his hand. “You have been through a lot these few days, Brian.” I started, hating the way my heart raced in my chest. “I’m afraid Elder Morris is right. You have to think of your health first. If the poison does not leave your system, your wolf would not be able to heal you.”
I squeezed his hand gently, it was the only way of offering him comfort that I knew. “I promise, once you are well enough, you will know everything.”  
Doubt clouded his eyes and he opened his mouth to say something but thankfully, the door flew open and Martha rushed in, shooting towards us with the speed of light. I barely made it out of the way before her frail body crushed into him earning a pained gasp from Brian, followed by a series of kisses and murmurs. 
I smiled. “I should freshen up.” I said but it was as though the two were now in their own world and I had no intention of disturbing them. Gently, I tiptoed to the door, closing it behind me. 
“Liora.” 
I turned sharply as I heard the whispers of my voice fill the hallway and unconsciously stepped back when my eyes fell on the form of the Alpha standing there. There was a wisp of smile on his lips and a playful light dancing in his eyes as he watched me. 
“Alpha.” I breathed. “I – I didn’t… are you here to see –“
“I am not here to see you,” he said, waving off my worries. His mouth still held that smile that said I-know-something-you-don’t. “Do not fret.”
I sighed as relief flushed through me, especially as I spied Elder Morris rushing towards us. 
“Alpha!” she gasped breathlessly. “I did not think you would show up here now.” Her eyes fell on my form. “Liora, you should go home and wash up.”
I nodded and turned to leave when I heard the Alpha’s voice. “Ah, Morris. I would have kept to the time we agreed, but there is a new development.”
Their voices dropped to low whispers as they moved away from me but either by chance or some sort of luck, the wind brought most of their words to my ears. I was almost at the exit when I heard the words which would make my heart stop. 
“The Lycan King is on his way here as we speak.”