Untamable

Chapter 16 Aboard

Edward’s POV

Out of respect for me, Cherry says nothing, merely pressing her lips together and glaring daggers at Aurora. I think for a moment, then turn to the brave maid. "Would you consider leaving your pack to join my team?"

Aurora looks at me in disbelief, shaking her head. "I’m sorry, Your Highness, I cannot accept your offer. I won't help you find Elizabeth."

Smart girl. She knows I'd use her as bait to draw Elizabeth out of hiding.

"Don't rush your decision," I say, shrugging while giving her a meaningful look. "You know the cost of speaking the truth. Do you think Luna Cherry will just let this go?"

"But you promised to protect me," she pleads, her eyes wide with terror. "You can't break your promise."

"I didn't break it," I reply with a knowing smile. "I only promised that no harm would come to you while I'm here. Once I leave, you're on your own. You didn't really think I could protect you in my absence, did you?"

Aurora's face turns ashen as she stammers, "But you could… you could order Luna Cherry not to harm me. She wouldn't dare go against your command."

"Sure, I could," I agree, leaning in slightly. "But Luna Cherry might find creative ways to bypass direct orders. She's resourceful like that."

Aurora frowns, considering my words, then resolutely states, "I'll take my chances. I won’t help you find Elizabeth."

"Even if she’s a rogue now?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe you don’t understand what it means to have someone who stands by you when you're in trouble, Your Highness. But it means the world to me," Aurora explains, raising her chin proudly. “I will remain loyal to her, no matter what.”

"I'm impressed," I admit, genuinely admiring her loyalty. I change my strategy to reason with her."If Elizabeth is as remarkable as you claim, helping me find her would be wise. I can offer her a position within the royal force and bring this whole drama to a close. Once she drifts further into rogue territory and mingles with rogues, it’ll be much tougher to bring her back. Don’t you think?"

Aurora hesitates, her brow furrowing. "If Elizabeth refuses to join the royal force, would you… kill her?"

"Probably not," I ponder aloud. "I’d try my best to persuade her. But if she insists on aiding rogues—"

“She won’t!”Auroa exclaims.

"Good," I shrug, "then I have no reason to harm her, since I'm not into unnecessary violence."

"I need you to swear by the moon," Aurora says.

"I’m an atheist," I reply.

She blinks."But I believe the moon goddess punishes those who do wrong." She says, giving me a look that suggests she'll accept no alternatives.

"Alright, alright," I concede, "by the moon, I swear not to harm Elizabeth unless she harms others first."

Aurora breathes a sigh of relief. After a moment of contemplative silence, she says, "I’m willing to go with you, Your Highness."

"Welcome aboard," I smile, nodding to Alpha Aiden and Luna Cherry. "I’m taking her with me." I carefully tuck Elizabeth’s portrait into my pocket and look at Aiden. "Consider this a warning, Alpha Aiden. I hope there won’t be another cover-up."

He nods, looking pale. As Aurora and I head for the door, no one tries to stop us. Whether it’s out of fear or because they see Aurora as insignificant, I can't be sure.

As we near the door, the sound of hurried footsteps catches my attention. I turn to see Gamma Barry approaching with a woman in her thirties, whose determined features are only slightly softened by her somber amber eyes.

"Looks like you’ve got fans, Aurora," I say to the Omega, flashing a smile. "Need a moment for some tearful goodbyes?"

"We’re not here to see her off," the she-wolf says. "We’re here to join you."

"Join?" I raise an eyebrow.

"We all hope to find Elizabeth quickly and end this mess," Barry says. He asks cautiously, "Is there room in your forces?"

"The more, the merrier," I laugh, shaking each of their hands.

“Barry Took, an honor to work with you,” the Gamma introduces himself.

“The pleasure’s all mine,” I grin, then turn to the she-wolf. “And ma’am, how should I address you?”

“Helen Wood,” she replies simply.

Her last name rings a bell. In werewolf tradition, pack doctors usually remain unmarried, and their surname becomes the pack's name.

I venture, “So you're the doctor of The Wood Pack?”

“That’s right,” she says calmly, as if the position is hardly noteworthy.

“What happens after you leave?” Aurora asks with concern.

“Don’t worry, I’ve discussed it with Lina. She’s all in for finding Elizabeth and will take over my duties," Helen assures, wrinkling her nose playfully. "She’ll be swamped, bless her soul. Might even wear out that sunny disposition of hers."

Aurora giggles at her words, and Helen continues, “No worries, once she mistreats enough patients, Alpha Aiden will surely find her an apprentice.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I smirk.

"Thank you for letting us join," Helen nods appreciatively. “I’ve been waiting to escape this joyless pit for longer than I care to admit.” A sly smile curls on her lips. "Honestly, ever since Cherry pulled her 'oh-I'm-so-sick' performance at Aiden and Elizabeth’s wedding, I had my doubts."

"She faked it?" Barry asks, eyes wide as saucers.

“Oh, absolutely,” Helen answers with a dramatic roll of her eyes. “Gave her a full check-up—healthier than a horse on a vegan diet. But she insisted her pain was mental, undetectable by machines—a lot like her undying devotion to Alpha Aiden.”

“Ugh,” Aurora grimaces, clearly wishing she hadn’t asked. “Why didn’t you expose her sooner?”

“Would it have helped?” Helen asks dismissively. “At the time, Alpha Aiden wasn’t listening to anyone. It was like he was enchanted by Cherry. Must be that magic of a fated bond,” she adds wryly.

“Fair point,” Aurora concedes with a rueful smile. “Speaking the truth had me scrubbing floors for weeks. It probably pushed Elizabeth to leave, too…”

“Don’t burden yourself with that,” Helen frowns, then turns to me and says, “Your Highness, a word in private?”

I nod, and we move aside.

“Yes, and she may have only a year left,” Helen replies with a somber expression. “That’s why she severed ties with the pack. She plans to travel the world and poses no danger, with no intention of attacking other packs. When we find Elizabeth…” She pauses, then adds, “I urge you—please do not harm her.”

“I’ve sworn that by the moon,” I assure the doctor.

“You mentioned you’re an atheist,” she observes, giving me a long stare.

“I am also a man of my word,” I retort.

“Good,” Helen says. “I am also an atheist who believes in science rather than gods. I won’t rely on them to punish broken promises. But if you harm Elizabeth, I will spend the rest of my life making you pay for it.”

“If you're capable of that,” I muse with a challenging tone, “why haven’t you punished Aiden and Cherry?”

“It’s easy for a pack doctor to kill, but not easy to do so without getting caught,” Helen replies. “Which is why I prefer poisons that take a long time to take effect.”

“And may I ask how long that poison takes?” I ask, stunned by her words.

“Could be a few years,” Helen says nonchalantly.

“Just to clarify, in case I misunderstood. Are you suggesting you've poisoned Alpha Aiden and Luna Cherry?” I ask.

“I never said that, Your Highness,” Helen replies, her eyes wide with innocence, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

“But you implied it,” I counter.

Helen simply shrugs.

I can't help but wonder what kind of woman Elizabeth must be to inspire such loyalty from a pack doctor.

“So, will you keep your promise, Your Highness?” she asks.

“Yes, but because I am a man of my word, not because of your threats, Doctor,” I respond defiantly.

“Understood, Your Highness," Helen chuckles softly.

“Is there any possible treatment for Elizabeth?” I ask, yearning for a positive answer.

“The only possible cure would be her fated mate,” Helen sighs, “and you know how rare that is.”

“20%,” I recall a statistic Noah once broke down for me.

“I am afraid her odds are even slimmer,” Helen shakes her head. “Elizabeth doesn’t have a wolf, so her mate can't even pick up her scent. Finding him is next to impossible.”

"This is tragic," I say, feeling the gravity of her words.

"Indeed," Helen nods. "So don't be surprised if Elizabeth snubs your Lycans offer. She might be more interested in getting a passport to tour every pack.”

“I’ll make sure she gets one,” I respond, suddenly overwhelmed by a mix of sadness and newfound admiration for Elizabeth Myers.