I sat, fiddling with my fingers after telling Elliot everything. I felt like trash. When I narrated everything that had happened, I kept wondering, how in the world was I blinded by my hate towards Miles. Dad was right. I should have done better than that. I am the Queen now and I had responsibility for my people. I should look beyond my personal feelings and be fair in all circumstances.

“I feel like the worst Queen ever,” I whispered, in a shaky voice and buried my face in my hands. My heart was drowning in a deep sea of regret. I didn’t dare to look at anyone.

I heard Elliot inhale deeply. I was so immersed in my sorrow that I didn’t want to look up.

“No, babe. You are not. You are the best. And honestly, if I were in your shoes, I also would have suspected him at first. I mean, he was an a*****e for treating you like he did. What I’m trying to say is, that your hate towards him is understandable. Anyone would have hated someone who once pushed themselves to the brink of death.” He said and I found the courage to look in his direction. His words gave me some kind of motivation. I smiled through my tears, however, I still felt that I could have done better.

“Suspecting him was not the problem. The problem was, I didn’t look for proof first. Solid proof to prove that he was indeed behind it. If I made just one phone call, I would have realised that they didn’t even include wine in their pack of gifts. It was wrong and I am not denying it. I should have done better.” I told him as I sighed mournfully.

“I…I still need to apologize.” I added meekly, wiping away the trail of tears from my face.

“That we would babe. But please, don’t beat yourself. I mean, everyone makes mistakes. I am damn proud of you for realising yours.” He told me.

His words were encouraging, however, I felt my heart sink when I remembered how disappointed my parents were in me. Once again, my eyes welled with the salty liquid, which I had no willpower to fight against. I tried to hold back a sob and a sniffle, however, in vain. I ended up crying uncontrollably. Despite his fatigue, Elliot hoisted himself up and held my trembling hands.

“Hey. Babe. Come on.” He whispered, visibly worried about me.

“Mom and…. dad hates me,” I whispered through my sobs. “They were…. very displeased …..about it.” I managed to tell him through my hiccups and sniffles and buried my face in his arms, as I leaned closer to him while he sat on the bed. I felt him shake his head as he wrapped his hands around me.

“Hey. Come on. They can’t hate you even if they wanted to.” He cooed, caressing my back. A moment of silence followed.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

“He is right. How can we hate our baby girl?”

Mom’s voice startled me. Surprised, I removed myself from his arms and turned around to find both my parents looking desolate as they stared at us. They must have entered while I was sobbing in Elliot’s arms, and I didn’t notice because I was so preoccupied with my sorrow.

“We can never hate you, Carina,” Dad said in the loving tone I had heard him speak since the beginning.

“I was just….I just wanted you to be fair. Being a leader is hard. You will have to swallow your pride, ignore your nd desires, and your people will be of more importance than your personal affairs.” He sighed. Hearing them say that changed my sour mood in an instance.

“Perhaps we were being too hard on you?” He asked, woefully, making me giggle.

Hearing them say that made everything better instantly. I wiped away my tears and rushed towards them, and hugged them tightly.

“I feel better now,” I told them. “And I promise you that I will do better in the future,” I assured them.

“We are sure you will honey. This was a learning experience. But the sad thing is, this almost cost someone’s life.” Dad said, patting on my back, while mom brushed my hair using her fingers.

Biting my lower l*p, I gulped.

“How is he now, dad?” I asked, slightly concerned about the answer I might get.

“He had woken up and his parents are now by his side. But the problem is, he isn’t responding to anything or anyone now.” Mom informed me and I felt as though a thorn pricked me. Wincing, I looked in her face.

“Really?” I asked and both of them nodded.

“We had come here to tell you about him waking up.” Mom said, “Perhaps you might want to see him?” She added.

Heaving a deep breath, I nodded. I glanced at Elliot who was still hospitalized with the last of the IV connected to his wrist. The healers had told us that we could take him home when that IV was over.

“I’ll stay with Elliot. You go to see Miles. I doubt he would talk, his parents are desperately trying to make him say anything, but he seemed to be deeply stunned.” Dad sighed.

“He spent the night in darkness, bound to silver chains, without food,” I murmured, feeling despair. “Maybe he went into shock.”

Dad closed his eyes and bit his lips. He took a moment before inhaling deeply and opening his eyes.

“What has happened cannot be undone. It is best if you see him and his parents.” He said. I looked at Elliot, who smiled at me in encouragement and nodded.

I’ve got this. I told myself and walked out of the room without further delay.

“Izzy?” I called. My heart kept racing as I walked closer to the emergency room.

“Yes, girlfriend.” She replied.

“You’re with me, right?” I asked. I needed all the support I could have.

“Of course, babe. We can do this.” She said, trying to motivate me.

I paused at the door and heaved a deep breath.

“Well here goes, Izzy. Help me.” I told her through our link.

“Relax. I’m here for you.” She replied.

I knew I had the support I needed, however, it took a lot of courage to face them for real. I could only hope that they understood my plight. When I entered the cubicle he was kept in, my heart broke at the sight I saw. The high luna of the Dark Howl pack was in tears as she held her son’s limp hand in hers. Miles’ eyes were open. However, he didn’t move. He simply kept staring off into space. Alpha Sam also looked as though his world had come crumbling down from its foundations. I took a moment to watch them at the entrance.

“Izzy?” I called my lycan as my heart hammered in my chest.

“It’s okay. Just be yourself.” She urged.

Heaving a deep breath, I cleared my throat, to gain their attention.

I was embarrassed to present myself in front of them. Gulping down the hard lump in my throat, I forced myself to look them in the eye.

“I am extremely sorry. I was blinded by the past. I …..”

“Your highness, please come and try to talk to our son. He isn’t responding to us at all.” The luna sobbed.

“I wish I had sent him off in a better way. I refused to acknowledge that there was a fair chance that he was framed, or wrongly accused.” Alpha Sam spoke solemnly. “He did look in our direction, and it was obvious that he was confused. My conscience kept telling me that he didn’t know what was going on. But I was so angry that I ignored all those signs.” He said shakily.

“Please talk to him. I don’t know what would bring him back.” The luna was trying her best to keep herself under control.

Chewing on my lower l*p, I walked to the bed. My heart plummeted when I saw his void face. His eyes were wide open, seldom blinking, yet, it was empty. No life remained in those deep brown eyes.

“What have I done?” I said, feeling remorseful.

“Not only you, your highness. We.” Alpha Sam sighed. “I am his father. I should have known him better.”

A lone tear rolled down his eyes.

“He was redeeming himself. He was trying his utmost best. He was doing better than ever. But still, we went too far. We just couldn’t trust him. I… we are not any better than him.” His mother cried. “I wish I could go back in time and change everything.” She muttered in between her sobs. Alpha Sam, placed his hand around her shoulders and gave it a little squeeze.

I paused my lips. There must be something we could do.

“Maybe therapy can help?” I suggested. “I will offer all the help possible. I would do anything.” I told them.

“I guess we can try.” Alpha Sam sighed. “He is discharged already. I guess we should go back to our pack for now, if that is okay with you, your majesty.” He said.

“Of course, if that is what you want. But keep me informed. You are welcome here any time. The royal healers will attend to him.” I said, feeling that was the best thing we could do.

“Thank you, your highness.” They bowed and started to pack their belongings.

When alpha Sam tried to lift Miles, he got up and walked with them, wordlessly.

“Miles,” I called, not expecting him to respond. However, when he stopped in his tracks, I felt that therapy might help to bring him back.

“I’m sorry,” I said, truly feeling remorseful, for what had happened.

I knew he heard me, however, he didn’t say anything. He simply walked out of the room, with his parents, who gave me one last look before they left.