Mated To My Mate's Worst Enemy (ARIA) novel Chapter 185

Chapter 185

ARIA

93

Finished

I felt the weight of their attention shift to me again. Assessing. Calculating. Probably wondering if I was worth the risk of experimental drugs.

“There’s more,” Kael continued, and I heard genuine enthusiasm creeping into his voice. The kind of pride that came from discussing something truly remarkable. “She’s also made breakthroughs in agricultural applications. Developed compounds that accelerate plant growth while maintaining nutritional value and ensuring complete safety for consumption.”

Kalicus’s eyebrows rose. “Explain.”

“She can produce fully mature, edible crops in approximately five minutes,” Kael said. “I’ve witnessed it myself. She plants seeds, applies her compounds, and within minutes you have harvest-ready vegetables with no detectable side effects or nutritional deficiencies. The applications for food security, for emergency situations, for packs facing scarcity—they’re enormous.”

I remembered that day. My first week in Shadowmere, when I’d been exploring the grounds and stumbled upon Ivory’s garden. Watched her work with plants in ways that seemed impossible. Seen crops grow from seeds to maturity in the time it would normally take to have a conversation.

It had been extraordinary then. Hearing Kael describe it to the elders now, seeing their reactions—it emphasized just how exceptional Ivory’s abilities truly were.

“We would like to see this work personally,” Bridget declared. “Take us to Healer Ivory’s workspace. We wish to observe her methods and assess her capabilities directly.”

“Of course,” Kael agreed immediately. “Her primary laboratory is this way.”

He led us deeper into the medical wing, toward the section I’d only glimpsed before-Ivory’s personal workspace where she conducted her research and developed her innovations. The area was marked with warning signs about not entering without permission, about potential hazards from experimental compounds.

As we approached, I noticed something odd. Blue smoke or fog was seeping from under the door, spreading across the floor in wisps that moved almost deliberately. And there were sounds-thumping, crashing, what might have been cursing though it was muffled by the door.

Kael’s expression shifted immediately from proud tour guide to concerned Alpha. He moved faster, reaching the door and pulling it open without waiting for permission or announcement.

The scene inside was chaos.

Blue smoke filled the laboratory, making it difficult to see clearly. But through the haze, I could make out Ivory near the center of the room, struggling with what appeared to be a plant. Except this wasn’t a normal plant-it was massive, easily the size of a person, with thick vine-like appendages that were thrashing wildly.

And it was attacking her.

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Chapter 185

G

93

Finished

The vines-or tentacles, they looked more like tentacles-were wrapping around Ivory’s arms, her waist, pulling her toward what looked like a large pot or container from which the plant had apparently emerged. She was fighting back, trying to push it away, trying to reach something on the nearby table, but the plant was clearly winning.

Kael didn’t hesitate. He rushed forward with Alpha speed, grabbing the thrashing vines and pulling them away from Ivory with strength that came from years of wolf training and natural dominance. The plant resisted, its movements becoming more frantic, but Kael was stronger.

“The lid!” Ivory yelled, her voice strangely high-pitched. “Cover the pot! Now!”

Kael grabbed what looked like a heavy metal cover and slammed it down over the container from which the plant had emerged. The tentacle-vines immediately began retracting, pulling back toward the pot, trying to return to whatever source they’d grown from.

“Hold it!” Ivory commanded, moving to help despite clearly being shaken. “Hold it tight until the thumping stops!”

Together, she and Kael pressed down on the lid as the plant beneath it thrashed and fought. The pot shook violently, the metal cover rattling despite their combined weight holding it down. Loud thumping sounds echoed through the laboratory—the plant beating against its containment, trying to force its way back out.

I stood frozen in the doorway with the elders, watching this bizarre scene unfold. Part of me wanted to help, but I had no idea what I’d even do. What any of us would do against a plant that apparently had the strength to nearly overpower a trained healer.

Gradually, the thumping slowed. The violence of the plant’s movements decreased. The shaking of the pot became less intense until finally, it stopped entirely. The laboratory fell silent except for heavy breathing from both Kael and Ivory.

“It’s contained,” Ivory said, her voice still that strange high pitch. “You can let go now. It won’t break free on its own.”

Kael released the lid carefully, watching to make sure the plant didn’t immediately resume its attack. When nothing happened, he stepped back and turned to Ivory.

“Are you alright? Did it hurt you?”

“I’m fine,” Ivory assured him, though her hands were shaking slightly as she examined her arms where the vines had grabbed her. There were red marks, like rope burns, but no serious damage. “Just startled. I didn’t expect it to react so aggressively to the latest compound variation.”

Then she seemed to register that they weren’t alone. She looked past Kael and saw us-saw me, saw the elders standing in her doorway observing the chaos. Her expression shifted to shock and then embarrassment as she immediately dropped into a deep bow.

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