Chapter 170: 170 - the truth
170
~Damon’s POV
I bent down and lifted her into my arms without thinking twice. Her body felt so light, too light, like she could slip away if I didn’t hold her tightly enough.
"Out of the way!" I barked at the guards blocking the door. My voice came out rougher than I meant, but my chest was burning with fear.
Kael rushed beside me. "Damon....what’s wrong with her?"
"I don’t know," I snapped, clutching Lisa tighter. "But she needs a doctor now."
Rowan was already moving ahead, pushing open the tall wooden doors of the hall. The sound of our boots echoed down the stone corridor as we hurried through. My heart pounded with each step, faster than hers.
We crossed the courtyard, the night air cool against my face. The royal hospital stood at the far end, a grand stone building with tall windows and flickering lanterns glowing inside. It was old, built generations ago, but still carried the scent of herbs and iron, healing and pain mixed in its walls.
As soon as I kicked the door open with my shoulder, the startled doctor nearly dropped the scroll he was reading. His eyes widened when he saw me carrying Lisa, followed by my brothers.
"Alphas!" he stammered, bowing quickly. "I...I wasn’t told..."
"No time for formalities," I cut him off, my voice sharp. "She’s in pain. Do your job. Now."
He scrambled, pointing to one of the beds covered in crisp white linen. "This way, Alpha. Please."
I lay Lisa down carefully, brushing a strand of hair from her damp forehead. Her face looked so pale, her lips trembling as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t. My hands tightened into fists as fear twisted inside me.
The doctor hurried to her side, pulling open drawers, gathering small jars of herbs and a brass stethoscope.
Rowan stepped closer, his voice low. "Is it serious?"
"Quiet," I muttered, not taking my eyes off Lisa.
The doctor pressed his hand to her stomach, then to her wrist, measuring her pulse. He leaned down, listening closely. Finally, he sighed, straightening.
"It is stress, Alpha," he said carefully. "Her body is simply exhausted. There is no grave injury. But she must avoid anything that can weigh on her, physical strain, or emotional turmoil. Rest is the only cure."
I turned slowly to look at my brothers. They both shifted uncomfortably, clearing their throats, glancing at each other like guilty children.
I said nothing.
Not now. Not when she was lying there, barely breathing right.
Instead, I dragged a chair closer to her bed and sat down, resting my elbows on my knees. My chest ached, but I forced myself to stay calm. I wouldn’t let her wake to my anger.
Minutes ticked by. The room was too quiet, only the soft crackle of lanterns and the rustle of the doctor’s tools. My brothers stood behind me, saying nothing, though I could feel their eyes on Lisa, on us.
Then, finally, she stirred.
Her eyelashes fluttered before her eyes slowly opened. She blinked, her gaze hazy at first, then sharper.
The first thing she saw was me.
"Lisa," I breathed, leaning forward. Relief hit me so hard my hands shook.
Her lips parted, but no sound came. She swallowed, then whispered, "Damon?"
"Yes, I’m here," I said quickly, my voice softer now. "You’re safe. You fainted, but you’re alright."
"Lisa..." Rowan tried to say something, but was cut off by Lisa.
"Leave me alone! I said leave me alone!" she snapped, her voice breaking in the middle, but still filled with fire.
Kael’s eyes darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. He looked like he wanted to argue, but one glance at her trembling figure made him swallow his words.
Rowan’s lips parted, but he didn’t speak again. He only looked at her, his face twisted with frustration and something that looked a lot like pain. Finally, he turned sharply, his cloak brushing the floor as he walked out. Kael followed right behind him, his steps heavier, louder, as if he couldn’t hide his anger.
The door shut behind them with a low thud, leaving me and Lisa alone in the quiet room.
Her chest rose and fell fast, her fingers clutching the sheet tightly. She still didn’t look at me.
I let out a breath, moving closer to her bedside. My voice was steady, but softer than theirs.
"They’re gone, Lisa. Just you and me now."
Her lips trembled, but she didn’t answer.
I pulled the chair closer and sat down, my hand hovering over hers but not daring to touch until she let me.
I leaned closer to her bed, my voice low but steady. "Lisa... I’ve already told the doctors and nurses. Whatever you need, they’ll bring it. You won’t lift a finger. You’ll rest."
Her tired eyes met mine, glassy but sharp. I could see the fear in them, the way her lips trembled, though she tried to stay strong.
I brushed a stray strand of hair from her face and let out a breath. "But I can’t stay here, not right now. I need to deal with Luca. He dared to touch you, to hurt you... He must be punished." My jaw tightened as the anger rose in me again. Just thinking of him pressing against her made my blood boil.
She reached weakly for my wrist, her fingers soft but firm enough to hold me there. "No, Damon... wait." Her voice was hoarse, but she forced herself to continue. "I don’t think Luca did it on his own. I felt it, Damon... someone told him to. Someone pushed him into this."
I froze, staring down at her. My chest tightened. "What do you mean?"
Her eyes darkened with pain and frustration, as if every word cost her strength. "Luca isn’t brave enough to touch me like that," she whispered, her voice breaking but firm with certainty. "He doesn’t have the courage, Damon. He’s weak, a coward. He would never dare on his own. Someone... someone is behind this, pulling the strings." She swallowed hard, her hand tightening faintly on mine. "You need to find out who it is. Don’t stop at him. The real danger is the one hiding in the shadows, the one who gave him the nerve to touch me."
Leaning closer, I pressed my forehead lightly to hers. "Alright," I whispered, my voice thick with promise. "I’ll find out. I’ll tear apart this palace if I must. But I swear to you, whoever dared put him up to this will regret the day they were born."
She closed her eyes, a single tear slipping down her cheek, and whispered, "That’s all I want... just find out the truth."