The Alpha and The Fool novel Chapter 28

“Come with me,” Wesley said, eyeing Antoine and Beth. His face pale and sickly. He grabbed my arm, but I pulled away from him.

“Tell me whose blood that is now!” I was shouting, and I didn’t care.

“Your father’s,” he replied tersely, and this time, I let him guide me out of the large dining room and down the hall.

“What happened?” I demanded and waved for Antoine and Beth to follow. Had Antoine done something? I thought he was a good man, but I wasn’t exactly an expert in the character judgment department. Wesley licked his lips, glancing at the others. “Forget about Antoine and Beth and tell me!”

“I was heading back when I saw it,” Wesley said, grief washing over his face. “I didn’t realize what was happening at first. I just saw your father fall and Brandon over him with a knife.”

“Brandon attacked Father?” I said, horrified.

“Attacked? Nic, he was trying to kill him. He was going to stab him again when Dean stopped him.”

I stumbled to a stop. “Wes, tell me you’re joking.”

He shook his head. “I got to your father and got him out of there. He didn’t look good.”

“And Dean? What about Dean?”

“I don’t know, I just…” he said, trailing off.

“Where were they?” I demanded then shouted. “Now, Wesley!”

“Library,” he said, and I ran towards the library.

There was blood everywhere, but I didn’t see neither Dean nor Brandon. My heart clenched painfully as I left and ran to the infirmary. Hopefully, he was there. I swear if Brandon hurt Dean, I’d make him hurt more than he’d ever hurt before. The infirmary was buzzing with action, and my heart relaxed at the sight of Dean, alive and well, mostly well. His hand was wrapped up, and he had a nasty cut on his face.

“Dean,” I said, running up and hugging him. “Are you alright? What happened?”

“I was talking with your dad, trying to warm him up to the idea of Antoine being the alpha when you’re — Brandon just showed up. He was acting all like nothing had happened. Your dad kept his word, Nic. He told him to take whatever possessions he had and leave. Brandon started arguing. He tried dragging me into it, but I stayed out. I thought it was something they needed to work out together. If I’d known...but it all happened so fast. He’d already stabbed your dad twice before I realized…I shoved him back before he could do it again. We fought. He got me a few times then ran when I guess he realized I was stronger or something.”

I hugged him, not only to thank him but to also to help ground him. He was looking so lost and dazed, it nearly broke my heart to see it. “Thank you, Dean.” After a few moments, he hugged me back. “How bad are you,” I said pulling back to eye his face and hand. The blade must have been silver because it wasn’t healing like it should.

“I’m okay. They say it’ll probably scar, but hey, girls like scars,” he said with a shrug and attempt at a smirk, though it was nothing close to its usual cockiness.

I hugged him again, thanking God and anyone else who’d listen that Dean was there for Father. “It’ll make you look tough,” I told him.

He hugged me back, and we took a seat in one of the few chairs there, waiting for news. I wasn’t sure when either of us fell asleep, but we both jolted awake when a tired looking doctor tapped me on the shoulder. “Sorry,” she said apologetically.

I sniffed, shook my head, feeling my whole body ache. “No, it’s fine. How is Father?”

“He’s alive,” she said, and I knew there was a but. “But his healing isn’t going as it should due to silver contamination.”

“Silver contamination,” I repeated, not sure what exactly it meant, but it didn’t sound good.

“Like silver poisoning, but usually not fatal. Usually from silver plating and stuff like that,” Dean explained, and the doctor nodded in agreement.

“I believe the weapon used on your father was plated instead of actual silver. During the attack, the plating flaked off, making him weaker,” she added.

“So how long will it last? Can’t you do anything to counter it?”

The doctor shook her head. “It can’t be countered, and it will last indefinitely. It’s too small of a quantity to be removed or the body to reject it, I’m afraid.”