Chapter 141: The Poisoned Beta

Ravyn POV

Bram paced in the Healarium, trying not to disturb the patients or the pack healer. Ravyn watched him. He could be so like his father, but he looked so much like his dear mother.

"He wants ME to be beta?"

"And so do I," Ravyn affirmed. "You're going to take over one day as Alpha. I know that many Alphas choose betas that aren't in their family–Dane is the exception. But many of them pick family members, especially future Alphas."

Bram rubbed his eyes. "Dad's never been one for what he sees as favoritism."

Ravyn said gently, "Bram, you fought harder than anyone else on Abandonnado Island after taking your mother's death hard. Almost as if you had something to prove … to yourself, at least. And don't rub your eyes, you'll get dirt in them."

Bram paused in his pacing and fidgeting, letting her words settle.

"How long does the healer think Harland will be out of commission?" he prompted. "And who would want to poison him, anyway? The Hemmings in Graywolf City didn't do it. I checked. I won't let anything spoil this moment for my father and you. The Hemmings blustered, but I see right through them. Fortunately, they came clean. They were planning some mischief at your ball ... whoever poisoned Harland spoiled that. The Hemmings aren't too happy."

His stormy blue eyes said he'd explored every possibility, and, Ravyn hoped, intimidated his scheming family members.

"You mean the Silverpaw Hemmings," she said with a touch of humor.

Bram flushed. "I should give them another name. Don't want to mix them up with our Evenhide kin. If I were Uncle Ransome, I'd change my last name."

Ravyn smiled wryly. "He says he's the only real Hemming left, and so are Titania, Azandra, and the pups." She put a hand on Bram's arm. "You'll do fine as beta, Bram."

His eyes blazed with joy. "You think so?"

"I do. But honestly, if Harland was a target–"

Jude shut the sliding door to the specialty patient rooms. Ravyn quivered with dread at his face and the flood of hot rage through the bond.

"Orange mallow bush tea," he growled.

Ravyn blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"Orange mallow bush tea! My favorite at home. I got away from it while I was traveling. But it's part of my routine. Someone made it for my arrival. Unfortunately, Harland is also partial to it."

Ravyn shuddered, gripping Bram's arm for support. 

Now that Jude mentioned it, she smelled the sweet scent of orange mallow bush, mixed with something foul and nauseating. Wolfsbane and silver poison.

"They meant it for you," she whispered. "And Harland drank the tea by accident."

He pounded one of the wooden tables in the Healarium. "Not just one cup, but the entire pot full of tea. He's lucky he's still alive. The healers are purging him and doing everything in their power."

Bram babbled. "The Hemmings didn't do this–"

"We cannot rule anyone out, Bram. I don't care what they told you," Jude thundered. "I realize we have no proof, but as Alpha, I can imprison anyone I deem a threat to the pack. And that's exactly what I've done."

Bram's mouth dropped open.

So did Ravyn's.

"Father," Bram began, reaching out his strong, capable hands. "This is–"

"We don't know who it was," Ravyn argued. "The Hemmings are the obvious suspects–"

Jude's eyes looked like a swirling golden sandstorm. "Both of you! Need I remind you that I am the Alpha around here? I've been absent for too long, and my enemies think they can operate with no fear of retaliation, no consequence. My absence was necessary, but I'm home now. And I'll take whatever actions I think are necessary to protect this pack. Is that understood?"

For several moments, the only sounds were the brewing of potions and the moaning of patients. 

Healer Tabitha Bloodmoon peeked out. "Alpha Jude, you left the sliding door open. If you want to stomp around and howl and posture, do it outside the Healing Wing!"

Red as Tabitha's name, Jude pointed at her. "Take care of Harland–and close that door."

He stalked out of the Healing Wing, with Ravyn and Bram dogging his heels.

* * * * *

Jude POV

He was the Alpha!

He had to safeguard his people at all costs.

Pacing in the sandstone corridor, he prowled, thinking of how he would impress upon his thick headed son and his willful shifter witch mate that his first duty was to shield the pack from harm. It was bad enough that he'd somehow failed his beta.

Ravyn caught him with her cool hands, while Bram hemmed him in. "Jude … no one is saying that you're wrong to guard the pack with everything at your disposal. Just that a rush to judgment may not be the best–"

"I will not leave you a widow," he growled.

Ravyn paled.

"You know what that feels like," he continued, relentlessly. "I know you do. But imagine how much worse it will be if I'm assassinated. Ravyn … they're the ones that plotted against me. My beta, a friend that I've worked with for over half my life, is fighting for his life."

She gripped him, and one of the lake serpents in Crimsontail territory would be easier to shake off than her calming hands. "I know what it's like, I do. To feel helpless and wonder what you could have done differently. But Jude, you have a reputation for being just. Even more than Dane and Jiro. People trust your level-headedness. Don't jeopardize that. I'm not saying that you need to let these despicable people roam free … but imprisoning them?"

"And what would you suggest? A nice, polite sit-down in the Great Hall?"

Ravyn sighed. "He's right."

Bram's teeth sharpened. "At least expand your search to other suspects, so they don't feel that they're being persecuted."

His son was right.

Jude leaned against the cool, familiar sandstone and took solace in Ravyn's touch. "So, I should free them from their cells?"

Bram flashed his teeth in a defiant warrior smile. "No. That'll make the real suspects, if there are any, feel safe, so we can investigate without suspicion."

Jude threw back his head and laughed. "And when did you become so devious?"

"It was either Mali, Mama Ravyn, or you that taught me." Sunlight shone through Bram's eyes.

Jude wrapped his arm around his son. "You might just be a magnificent Beta."

With a slow smile, Ravyn said, "You know that this feels like a plot right out of our dwarf operas." She spoiled those last few words with a yawn. 

Jude swept her up in his arms. "I think our homecoming has been more eventful than we planned. And you're pregnant. I'm going to take you upstairs, and we both can rest for a little while before the world needs us."

Ravyn yawned, her lids growing heavy. "As the Alpha commands."

He carried her upstairs, to their bedroom. Officially their bedroom now. Their belongings had been brought up, and lay waiting to be unpacked. 

He carried her past the High Elf-made furniture with Emer's high chest of drawers. The fire burned in the fireplace, spreading warmth. His shoes glided over the fur rug made from a bison-ox on the floor. Books on history and music still sat on his bedside table.

The silver-white bedspread on the bed had been turned down, and Jude lay Ravyn down, inch by inch, then joined her on the bed, pulling her into his arms. Nuzzling her soft hair, he rested his head on her shoulder. "Sleep, my love," he whispered. "I'll be right here when you wake."