“I was the one who served Prince Ashby, David, and Daniel their water. After I took their order I ran
back to the bar to get their water. I was excited that I got to serve Prince Ashby, so I wanted to be quick. I
placed the water bottles on my tray when a stack of the beer mugs was knocked over. But I swear it wasn’t
me this time Prince Gabriel! Of course Rhys didn’t believe me, so I helped clean up the glass. When I was
done I picked up the tray and gave Prince Ashby his water. It didn’t look tampered with or I would never
have given it to him!” Micah said emphatically.
“I believe you Micah, can you go back downstairs and help Noel close up the club?” Gabriel said.
Micah nodded and hurried from the apartment.
“I remember hearing the glass break, but I assumed it was Micah, too,” Baptista said, running a hand
over his shaved head.
“Whoever poisoned Ashby knocked over the glassware to distract Micah and either poisoned the bottles
on the tray or replaced them with tainted ones,” Gabriel said, walking over to stand at the foot of the bed.
“They were replaced. We don’t sell this brand of water,” Baptista said, holding up a zip lock bag with
the three water bottles in it.
“I’m telling you he called us here!” A voice was heard from downstairs.
“Let them up now!” Gabriel yelled and seconds later the rapid steps heralded the arrival of the lone wolf
pack living outside of Brighton.
“This way,” Gabriel said, pointing to the bed. Immediately the man in front went to the bed. David and
Daniel got off the bed and stood to one side as the wolf shifter began to gather Ashby’s vitals.
“I heard downstairs you think it was cyanide, do you have any proof?” the man asked as he was taking
Ashby’s pulse.
“You don’t believe our prince?” Baptista bristled beside Gabriel, who raised a hand to quiet him.
“I smelled almonds on his lips and on the lips of Daniel and David. It evidently hits shifters harder than
humans, but has no effect on vampires, which explains why Daniel and David are fine. We have the water
bottles we believe to have been used to poison my mate,” Gabriel said, indicating to Baptista to hold up the
bag.
“Your mate?” the tall man who stood behind the medic asked, his eyes wide. Gabriel nodded.
“Fuck me running, listen, no one said anything about treating your mate. We won’t be held responsible
if nothing can be done,” the tall black-haired man said, his eyes unyielding.
“As long as you do everything you can to save my mate, then there won’t be any consequences. You
didn’t poison him nor are you God. I understand this,” Gabriel said, hating but understanding the wolf
leader’s fear that his pack could suffer if anything happened to Ashby.
“The name is Eirik Lyall, the man treating your mate is Nathaniel Hamilton. I brought one other pack
member who I left downstairs, his name is Ronan Evans.” The large Alpha finished the introductions as
Nathaniel pulled away from Ashby.
“I won’t know for sure until we can run blood work, but from listening to his heart I’d say he has a
good chance of pulling through. I can feel two distinct ties holding him here, one to you as your mate and
another to a small dark-haired woman. The love and concern I feel coming from that bond is extremely
strong. Ashby’s soul is tethered by this bond and your bond as mates. I don’t know who she is though.”
Nathaniel paused, his brows coming together frowning.
“That would be Rebecca Arkadion. She is his Alpha Mother, they bonded months ago. He is part of her
Inner Court.” Gabriel was unsure at first about how he felt knowing that his mate was tied to another, but
now he was grateful. It was one more bond keeping Ashby alive.
“I’m not a doctor but I can heal small things, it’s a gift that runs in my family. If you would allow it, I
can ease his breathing a little.” Nathaniel said, looking up for permission.
“You don’t have to ask. If there is anything that can be done to ease any of his pain please do it,”
Gabriel said, indicating to the bed. Nathaniel nodded and took Ashby’s small pale hand in his. Gabriel
watched in amazement as Ashby’s breathing evened a bit and the pained expression lifted from his face.
“Thank you,” Gabriel said, wearily sitting at the foot of the bed.
* * * *
An hour later, Dr. Claybourne showed up. He was immediately shown upstairs to where Ashby still lay
unconscious.
“I brought some of Nic’s blood. I’m hoping if I can flush his system with liquids and untainted blood it
will give his body the edge it needs to beat this. Let me be perfectly honest with you Prince Gabriel,