The Healer

Chapter 45

Victor POV

I saw red.

I stood up from the ground and stomped off towards the packhouse in search of a dead man. I busted through the front door and made my way through the living areas and up the stairs. Pack members jumped out of my way as I stormed past them. When I reached the third floor, I turned down the hallway and made my way to Desmond’s door.

Just as I was about to pound on the door, Tori came up beside me and grabbed ahold of my arm.

“Victor, no!” She pulled my arm down and stood between myself and the door. I flared my nostrils and breathed heavily. I was barely able to control my anger, but when I glanced down at her, she had such a pleading look on her face, I calmed down and so did Ivan.

“What? Why?” She took hold of my hand and led me away from the door and down the hallway. Ryder and Jeremy were right behind her.

“If you go pounding on his door now, you’ll give us away! We need to know why he did it. Or if there is anyone else involved.” I shook my head; my only goal was to hurt the man that frightened Tori in her own home. But… she did have a point. We needed more information. I needed to keep my head in this one.

“You’re right, I’m sorry, Tori. I just want to punch that smug son of a b***h in the face!” Tori chuckled and rubbed her hand on my arm.

“I know, big guy, but we need to be smart about this. Believe me, I want him just as much as you do.” I took a calming breath and turned towards Ryder and Jeremy.

“You two…” They both stood at attention, waiting for orders. “I want you to follow Captain Rivers, discretely. Find out who he talks to, who he sees during the day. What he does, his whole schedule.” With serious looks on their faces, both replied in unison.

“Yes, Beta!” They turned and walked away, talking between themselves devising a plan on gaining the information I needed.

“Come on, let’s go see how dad is doing.”

“I thought you wanted to go talk to Corinne?” She sighed and shrugged her shoulders.

“I think that can wait. My initial anger has passed. Besides, she’s not going anywhere. I want to see if dad is awake.” I nodded and we walked side by side down the stairs and towards the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital minutes later and rode the elevator up to the top floor, the Alpha wing. I held Tori against my chest, wrapped in my arms as I gently rubbed her back. As we stepped out of the elevator, I could feel Tori become nervous as we neared her father’s room. I gently took her hand and squeezed. She smiled up at me and squeezed back. It felt nice having someone to care about as much as they cared for me. I wasn’t so alone anymore.

We entered Alpha’s suite and noticed that he was still in bed, eyes closed, breathing tube inserted and several monitors beeping in the silence of the room. On the other side of the bed, sat Teaghan, curled up asleep in a lounge chair while holding Rick’s hand. I saw Tori frown and hug herself. I stood at the foot of the bed while Tori gently touched Teaghan on the shoulder. The warrior she was, she jumped up ready to fight. Seeing that it was only us, Teaghan took a breath and calmed herself.

“Sorry! I must have dozed off for a bit.” She explained with an embarrassed tint to her cheeks.

“It’s ok, Teaghan. How is he?” Tori answered with a sad smile as she sat on the edge of the bed looking at her father’s sleeping form.

“No change. He’s still out of it.” Teaghan rubbed her face and sat back down in her chair.

“What did the doctor say?” I asked, leaning against the footboard of the bed.

“He said that the knife used to stab Rick was covered in poison. His body is trying to filter it out, but his heart gave out when a high concentration passed through the main artery.” She shook her head and stared at Rick with tears in her eyes. “I just don’t understand. Why would she do this? After all this time, why now? Corinne may be a lot of things, but a murderer? I never would have thought.”

I have to agree with Teaghan. Corinne can be hot-headed and jealous sometimes, but to commit cold, hard murder is not her thing. I’m actually surprised she got the knife in as far as she did. Then again, there’s no telling what a scorned woman would do.

“What about her wolf? Could she make her do something like this?” Teaghan asked between sobs.

“Winter? No. She’s an omega wolf. Quiet and weak. Never does anything without being told.” We all dropped our heads to think when we all seemed to get the same idea at once.

“Someone’s controlling her!” Teaghan exclaimed, and I nodded.

“It must be. She’s not strong enough to do anything on her own.” I pinched the bridge of my nose as my mind reeled with so many thoughts. Who was making her do this? Who wanted the Alpha dead? Or was it more than that? Who wanted to hurt Tori and why? There were too many questions, and I needed answers.

“Don’t worry, dad, we’ll figure this out. You just rest and get yourself better, okay?” I watched as Tori ran her fingers through Rick’s hair and straightened his banket. Tears were running down her face as she leaned down and placed a feather kiss on his forehead. Teaghan reached over and grabbed hold of her hand.

“We’ll find them, Tori. We’ll make them pay!” She squeezed her hand tight, and Tori smiled at her.

“You bet your ass, we will!” They chuckled to each other as they looked down at Rick.

I stood there quietly, watching the two ladies sharing each other’s strength to face what lies ahead. For some unknown reason, someone out there wants Alpha Rick dead, and the attempt was made by Corinne’s hands. With or without her knowing it, she still needs to be punished. First, we need to talk to her and find out who told her to do it, without letting on that, we know there’s another person in play. Shouldn’t be too hard, right?

There was a slight knock on the door, followed by a slow creek. I glanced back to see Eric and Tammy peeking in.

“Beta?”

“Come on in, guys.” Eric stepped in cautiously, and Tammy ran into Tori and took her in her arms.

“Tori! I’m so sorry! How are you holding up?” Tammy pulled back and looked at her while rubbing her arms.

“I’m okay. Dad’s stable and fighting.” Tori smiled and glanced at Teaghan. “You remember Teaghan?” Tammy faced the warrior, and Teaghan bowed her head.

“Yes, Teaghan, how are you doing?” Teaghan stood from the bed but kept her grip on Rick’s hand.

“I’m hanging in there, Gamma Tammy.” Tammy shook her head.

“Just Tammy, please.”

Eric pulled me to the side so the ladies couldn’t hear us.

“What is it, Eric?”

“Well, Beta, what are we going to do while Alpha is recovering?”

“What do you mean?” I could sense some uneasiness coming from him.

“We need an Alpha until he can resume his place.”

“I will take his place until he returns. I’ll cover the Alpha duties and my own. Tori is here as well. She can help.”

“Tori?” Eric asked wide-eyed.

“Yes. Tori. She is an alpha.” I could see Eric pondering the obvious and then shrugged.

“Yeah, I guess she is.”

“What is it, Eric?” He suddenly became fidgety and nervous.

“We have a visitor and she asked to speak with the Alpha.” I raised my eyebrows at this information.

“Obviously, he is busy. Why didn’t you talk to her?”

“She was very adamant about speaking only to the Alpha.”

“Who is it, Eric?” He bowed his head and answered in a low voice.

“Luna Daria” I scrunched my eyebrows, not recognizing the name.

“Who is that?”

“Luna Daria Black. Alpha Ronin Black’s mother.”

What the hell is she doing here?