Chapter 163
Chapter 163
SILVER HOLLOW
ALEXANDER
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The gates of Silver Hollow came into view through the haze clouding my vision. My legs felt heavier with every step, as though the earth itself was trying to pull me down.
Still, I kept moving.
I’d made it this far. I wasn’t going to collapse before I reached the house.
The sentinels at the gate stiffened as soon as they saw me. One of them dropped the spear he was holding. “Alpha Alexander!” he shouted, his voice breaking through the stillness. Both of them ran toward me, panic flashing across their faces… they must have noticed I wasn’t
well.
“I’m fine,” I said before they could reach me, lifting a hand. My voice came out rough, scraped raw from the fight, but I forced strength into it. “Thank you.”
They froze mid–step, uncertain. I could see the way their eyes darted over me, searching for visible wounds, but I gave them nothing… no weakness, no stumble. Just the illusion of
control.
Pride can be a dangerous thing, but right now it was the only thing keeping me upright.
The compound spread out before me. I’d imagined this moment… returning, seeing Faye safe again… but not like this. I forced my shoulders straight and kept walking, ignoring the chill that ran through my hand when I flexed it.
Then I saw her… Faye.
She was standing near the training yard, pacing. She was in better condition now. Her head snapped up the moment I stepped into view, and for a heartbeat, neither of us moved. Then her expression changed… relief, disbelief, then joy.
“Alexander,” she called my name.
The sound of it nearly brought me to my knees.
She ran toward me, her steps quick and desperate. When she reached me, she didn’t hesitate… she threw her arms around me, holding on as if she’d never let go again.
For a second, I forgot the pain. I forgot the poison. I forgot everything except her.
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Then a sharp jolt tore through my side, forcing a grimace I barely managed to hide. She didn’t see it. Thank the gods she didn’t. I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight, breathing
in her scent.
“I’m here,” I whispered, my voice breaking a little. “It’s alright.”
She leaned back, looking up at me, tears still glistening in her eyes. “You’re hurt,” she said, her hands brushing over my chest, searching. “Alexander…”
“I’m fine,” I cut in quickly, forcing a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “Just tired.” How could I look her in the eyes and tell her I was dying?
She looked like she wanted to believe me. For a moment, she almost did.
But her father was standing a few feet away, watching. His gaze was sharp. He wasn’t fooled by my act. He probably saw the way I was standing a little too still, the faint tremor in my hand, the grayness under my skin that even the coat couldn’t hide.
“ Alexander,” he said calmly. “You need to see the healer.”
Faye turned immediately, nodding. “He’s right. Come on, you shouldn’t be standing right
now…”
“I said I’m fine,” I tried again, but my voice faltered slightly. A flash of dizziness blurred my vision for a second, and I had to steady myself.
Faye’s hand tightened around my arm. Her eyes searched mine, fear flickering there now. Please,” she whispered. “Just… don’t argue this time.”
I looked at her for a long moment. I could have kept insisting, could have brushed it off, told her I’d do that later. But the truth was… I didn’t have the strength to fight her on this.
Finally, I exhaled, nodding once. “Alright,” I said quietly. “I’ll see the healer.”
Her relief was immediate, the tension in her shoulders softening as she guided me toward the house, and her father followed. I tried to match her pace, to make it look effortless, but every step was forced.
After Faye left the room, I unbuttoned my shirt slowly, each movement dragging like it cost more than I had left to give. The fabric clung to my skin, damp with sweat, and when it finally fell away, I saw the way Faye’s father’s expression changed.
The wound wasn’t healing. It was worse than before… the edges dark and irritated, spreading outward in thin black lines that curled along my ribs. My skin looked gray beneath the light,
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