The Warrior (continuing from optimistic_dreamer)

The die is cast

My heart accelerated on its own accord and I could feel my palms sweating. Fortunately I was not holding hands with Olivia, because I still had one arm securely wrapped around her waist. I saw my mate tremble and although I was scared that my sweaty palms would apall her I took both of her hands in mine.

I need not had to worry about her being disgusted, because Olivia clung to my hand like it was her lifeline.

"As you know we had a discussion until now and there was a voting at the end. I'm pleased to tell you that the majority decided to approve of your relationship as mates.", Sir Alexander told us softly.

Olivia gasped and immediately flung herself in my arms. My reaction was not as quick, but as soon as I heard my wolf holwing in triumph in my mind, my grip around Olivia tightened.

We could be together officially now. I could finally mark her and shower her with love and adoration. We would be able to have a future together and even pups - a family.

The sheer possibilities of our new future made my head dizzy.

Olivia had tears running down her face, but she was smiling as well. I tried to wipe away her tears laughingly and when I did not succeed I leaned in to kiss her and hopefully stop the tears.

However, before our lips were touching screams stopped us from kissing.

Olivia and I turned into the direction of the screams and we saw Sir Alexander laying on the floor breathing quickly.

Immediately we rushed to him and to the council members already gathered around him.

"Did you send for the healer?", someone wanted to know.

"Yes, of course!", another one answered.

Olivia tried to kneel down to Sir Alexander but she was still in my arms so I lowered both of us. My mate checked his vitals and Sir Alexander just stared off into space.

"Look at me Sir Alexander!", Olivia ordered softly.

Immediately his eyes focused on Olivia and she said: "Take deep breaths."

Sir Alexander did as he was told and soon his breathing was back to normal.

Shortly after the council's healer rushed into the council room and took over Olivia's place.

He ordered everybody to leave and although there were a lot of objections, the council members began to clear the room.

I wanted to stand up again, but before I could move Sir Alexander clung to my hand with such strength I thought he already lost.

"Did you solve my riddle?", he wanted to know in a raspy voice.

I shook my head in denial and face palmed my face inwardly for not even thinking about solving the riddle. Of course, it would be important, but I was too focused on other things.

Olivia looked confused up at me and I just promised Sir Alexander: "I will!"

He nodded his head and let go of my hand. The pack healer took over again and together with another guard they brought Sir Alexander into his room to take further care of him there.

As soon as they were out the door Mason and Jake rushed in.

"What happened?", they immediately wanted to know.

I shrugged my shoulders still mad at myself for not thinking about the riddle.

"Sir Alexander fainted, because of the poison. It's farther along than I thought.", Olivia explained to them.

By now we were both standing again, but Olivia was still in my arms. I did not know if she still needed my supportment, but I did not care because my wolf and I wanted her close.

"Is there anything we can do?", Mason wondered.

Olivia shook her head in denial and said: "The poison has been too long in his system, but I'm sure his healer tries everything he can!"

"Could you help him?", Jake asked.

Olivia considered Jake's idea and said: "I don't know, I would have to look at him, but I don't think that the council's healer will be too happy with a stranger helping him."

"We should try!", I said and we made our way to Sir Alexander's room.

Jake knocked and immediately a guard opened his door. It did not surprise me that a guard was inside Sir Alexander's room as it was now obvious someone wanted to kill him.

"What do you want?", he asked briskly.

My wolf growled at him for showing us disrespect, but Olivia again calmed me by squeezing my hand and answered: "I wanted to see if the council's healer would let me help him. I'm a healer as well."

The guard turned around to discuss this matter with the healer, but shortly after that came back and let all four of us enter.

Now I could see that two other guards were in Sir Alexander's room.

The healer, who just gave Sir Alexander something to drink, saw us and rushed towards Olivia.

With my overprotectiveness I immediately stepped in front of Olivia to shield her.

The healer, a small, old man with a beard, stopped instantly and lifted his hands in a non threatening way.

"I'm sorry. I heard that there was a couple asking the council's permission to have a mate relationship and they approved so I should be cautious of all males.", he muttered, "But I just don't know what Sir Alexander is poisoned with, so I'm grateful vor every help I can get."

Olivia stepped forward and asked: "What have you already been giving him?"

The healer went to a small table, where several herbs and flowers lay. He explained Olivia what he exactly did and with Olivia's knowledge that the poison was probably wolfsbane they made another potion.

Mason, Jake and I sat down on a couch in Sir Alexander's room and I just watched my beautiful mate working. It was clear that the council's healer was taken aback by her vast knowledge of potions and herbs.

"She's so smart.", Jake said stunned.

I just nodded my head, because otherwise I would have his head for complementing my mate. Also I thought about Sir Alexander's riddle and tried to solve it. Mason and Jake helped me, but we were at loss what the head could mean with it.

Close to midnight Olivia and the healer were finished with the potion and gave it to Sir Alexander. One could see the instant effect the potion had, because the head's facial features relaxed.

Olivia, who seemed to have gained back her strenght, explained to us that if Sir Alexander would take these potions in the following weeks and would not be exposed to the poison again, he could actually survive it.

The healer thanked Olivia exaggeratedly and I almost growled at him for being so fond of her.

Soon we left Sir Alexander's room with two more guards in it and went to our rooms.

"I didn't even ask, what did the council decide concerning your relationship.", Jake asked.

"They approved.", Olivia said happily.

Instantly Jake and Mason stopped, looked each other in the eyes then again at us and said: "So you're doing the dirty tonight."

Olivia blushed several shades of red and I growled at them. Nobody would embarrass my mate.

"Alright we're going. Have fun tonight and don't be too loud", Jake and Mason hollered already on their way to their rooms.

Olivia and I silently made our way to our room and when we entered, I could not control my wolf any longer.