Rebirth of the Alpha's Slave Mate (Samantha and Kade) novel Chapter 135

Chapter 135

Elena’s POV

“A truth serum?” Natasha whipped her head toward the healer with that same fiery, almost demented look in her eyes. “That’s illegal! And even if it weren’t, she’ll never consent! She could have an allergy to the serum!”

Just this once, Natasha was telling the truth.

Back in my parents’ generation, truth serums could be used in court to find guilty parties, but after a bunch of people died from allergic reactions to the serum, the Healers’ Guild eventually petitioned to outlaw them entirely. Besides, it was often viewed as a barbaric method that stripped agency away from the people who were forced to drink them.

Still, Jayne shrugged her shoulders. “If she consents, it could resolve this entire thing, couldn’t it?” Jayne looked at Samson. “I do have the rare herbs necessary to mix one, and I will be close by if she has a reaction. It needn’t be repeated outside this room that we used it, either.”

Samson hesitated for a long moment, considering the healer’s suggestion. Using an illegal substance in search of the truth could cause a scandal. But if Nellie consented to using the serum, and everyone in this room agreed to keep it under wraps, then maybe it would be the simplest way to reveal the truth.

Natasha looked like she’d swallowed a lit coal. Her eyes seemed to blaze from within. “Nellie, don’t do this. You could be allergic-do you really want to die for her?” She gestured to me with such disdain in the motion that it made my jaw clench with indignation.

Nellie looked at Samson, wringing her hands. He was still silent for a long time, internally debating whether to go through with it.

“If she consents,” Tyler said quietly, “then I would support it.”

Samson nodded. “I agree. But it’s up to Nellie.” He turned to her. “What do you say? Do you want to take it? We won’t sway your decision, one way or another.”

Natasha practically vibrated with anger. Nellie chewed on her lower lip, thinking for a long time. “I… would consent,” she murmured, “but I’m afraid. When I was a kid, I remember seeing those PSAS about the people who died from the serum… What if that happens to me?”

I shuddered at the reminder, too. Everyone in our generation had been bombarded with public service announcements about the serums. Images of people whose faces were red and swollen, throats bulging, unable to breathe, their eyes popping out… They had been plastered all over schools to deter kids from using the serums. And there was no way to find out if someone was allergic without causing the reaction first.

But I could also see the fear in Nellie’s eyes. She had already been exiled from one pack, forced to wander the wilderness on her own. She had come here in the hopes of saving her own life.

I could practically hear her thoughts: What if Samson and Tyler eventually sided with Natasha? What if they exiled both of us next, or worse? Hell, what if they simply decided that Nellie was an accomplice to murder and made her a slave, or potentially even executed her?

In those moments, as I watched Nellie battle with her inner thoughts, my anger and resentment turned into pity. She only sided with Serena because she was promised something that she didn’t realize she would never

Chapter 135

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get from her-safety and a better life.

Nellie thought that, by siding with Natasha, she might actually get it this time. Little did she know that Natasha was only the slightly better of two evils.

Placing my hand on my shoulder, I said gently, “I won’t try to sway you one way or the other, Nellie. But if you decide to take the serum, then I’ll take it, too. So you won’t be alone.”

Nellie glanced up at me with uncertainty and surprise. I offered her a small, reassuring smile.

She hesitated for another moment, then turned to Samson and nodded. “Okay. I’ll take it.”

With that, we all headed down to the infirmary. Natasha was fuming the entire time, but silent. I looped my arm through Nellie’s, trying to offer her silent support-trying to prove to her that, by siding with me, she would finally be protected.

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