Chapter 47

W ulfric groaned and blinked, pain shooting through his body with every breath. He was getting too old to wake up with so much pain all the time.

"Sh, don't move yet. You're still healing," Trix said. No, she was Bella now.

He looked up, not moving his head. Bella sat beside him on the floor of the ballroom, her knees drawn up to her chest and her arms around her knees. She'd sat like that when she was a girl, listening to her mother read stories before the fever took her.

"Scarlet?" His voice was hoarse, and he licked his lips. Bella animated a flask and it floated in front of his face. He gave a brief nod and lifted his head as it slowly poured water. Barely enough to wet his tongue, he swallowed and opened his mouth again.

As he drank, Bella said, "She went to find the horses. She should be back any minute now."

He let his head drop to the ground and closed his eyes. "Thank you," he murmured.

"You're welcome, Da."

His eyes flew open to meet hers. She sighed, "We still have so much to discuss, but you are and forever will be my Da."

Tears welled in his eyes, and he blinked rapidly. He'd not lost her, not completely. If her story was true—and it was too fantastical not to be—then they might be able to recover her body. She could have a life again, and he could be the father he should've been. Present and supportive instead of missing for ten long years.

She grinned—looking so much like her mother—and waved her hand. "Oh, none of that, now. Tell me about Scarlet. She told me some of how you've traveled together the past two weeks, but not all of it. You seem close, which is a dichotomy. A Growler and a Hunter."

He smiled at her accepting tone. "I love her. She's my fated mate."

Bella blinked and rested her cheek on her knee. "I thought I loved Gastone when I married him."

He stretched, feeling the pinch of pain in his side and around his body. "I can't believe you're old enough to be married."

She shrugged, her eyes turning sad as she looked out the open, broken windows. It was dark now, and a faint breeze blew in. The sound of hooves echoed below, but neither of them moved yet.

Bella sighed. "Marriage wasn't what I expected, that's for sure. I—I destroyed the tavern, the shop, the whole town, really. I'm sorry, Da."

"No, I'm the one who's sorry, Bella. I should've been here." The name still felt strange on his tongue, but he couldn't deny her this one request after denying her existence for ten long years. They were each different people now. Hells they weren't even on the same plane of existence, but that didn't make them any less of a family. She'd always be his daughter.

She looked over to the door as Scarlet came inside. "It's water under the bridge now, Da. I'm glad you're alive though, that I'm not so alone anymore."

He reached for her hand, but pulled away before she saw the movement. He wanted to hold her. Until she got her body back, that would be impossible. She scrambled to her feet as Scarlet came into the room carrying a saddle bag.

Scarlet's voice echoed in the cavernous room. "I made a litter, but it'll be difficult to get him down the stairs. I strapped your book bag and the rose to my horse. You can ride her if you'd like."

"Thank you," Bella said. "He's awake now, but I don't recommend moving him for another few hours. It's the middle of the night too, and we are going into the Feral Forest." Bella shivered, and Wulfric smiled, remembering how terrified she was of the forest as a child.

"But what about the wizard?" Scarlet opened the saddle bag as she walked closer.

Bella shook out her skirts. "I know, but if we move him too soon, it could do more damage. I only have the smaller healing potion left, and it's not enough to get even to the forest, much less wherever we're going."

"Very well," Scarlet said, pulling her new pocket mirror from the saddle bag. She pushed a button and it lit up from within. She'd been so excited to show him the invention in Hartsgrove, but he wasn't sure how it worked. Explaining it had paled compared to her need to get to the queen.

Bella, his daughter , was the fucking queen. His body went from cold to hot, and his mind wandered to what she'd said about the wizard. If they could defeat the wizard and get her body back, then somehow restore her to the throne… perhaps then she'd forgive him for leaving ten years ago. Perhaps then he could make his absence up to her.

The murmur of voices was faint, and Wulfric closed his eyes and willed his body to heal. He must've dozed because a deep thud hit the terrace outside the ballroom, jerking him awake. He groaned as pain ripped through him, his whole body resisting the movement.

He blinked, glancing around and tensing. "The wizard?"

Bella jumped to her feet and paled, her hand going to her stomach as she took a step back from the broken windows. "No, not the wizard."

Wulfric tipped his head and saw a swirl of green smoke. Then Knox stepped through it, his eyes sharp as he took in the state of the room. He said nothing of the horse standing in the ballroom or the chandelier embedded in the marble floor.

Instead, he strode purposely toward them, eyes raking over Wulfric, Scarlet, and then pausing on Bella. His steps slowed to a stop.

Bella's hands shook and her mouth opened and closed. "You—I—I thought you were dead."

He shook his head. "No, Eirwyn and I are both very much alive. Are you?"

Bella snorted and her hand dropped to her side. "That's to be debated. There's an evil wizard taking up residence in my body at the moment." She indicated herself with a wave of her hand. "This is what's left of me."

Knox's lips pursed as he nodded sagely. "Well, Eirwyn will be glad to hear you're not completely dead. She's been anxious about you."

Bella's shoulders slumped and her eyes teared up. The debris around her on the floor shook slightly as she breathed deeply to get her emotions under control. Wulfric's fingers twitched to hold her.

Scarlet interjected. "The wizard was here and tried to trap Bella in a mirror. We need to get out of here before he realizes she's not trapped, but Wulfric's still healing. Did Grandma send a healing potion? Can you fly him to Hartsgrove? I'll bring the horses and Bella."

Knox nodded and handed Scarlet a small pouch. She took it and came closer, her eyes widening when she saw him looking up at her. She dropped to her knees, her hand hovering above him as she whispered, "Wulfric." It was a sigh, a prayer of thanksgiving.

He smiled weakly and said, "Bunny."

She wiped the corner of her eye furiously and cleared her throat. Opening the pouch, she said matter-of-factly, "I told you my plan was the only one that might work, didn't I? And we're all going to be fine."

He snorted, wincing as the movement sent pain through him. "Aye, I'm happy to not be trapped, but damn if this doesn't hurt."

She gently lifted his head as she popped the cork on the vial. "Well, take this. You better survive the journey back to Hartsgrove. If anything happens to you…"

She trailed off as he drank the spicy mixture. His throat burned and his eyes watered as he swallowed.

"There, you'll be good as new by the time I get there."

He choked out, "All of us should go with Knox. I don't want to leave you."

Her eyes watered, and she dropped the empty vial to cup his cheek. "I know you don't. But this is the only way that will work. Knox can't carry us all, and we need to get out of here as fast as possible."

"How long does that potion take? I want to get home," Knox said, stepping closer.

Bella cleared her throat. "A healing potion of that power should take about ten to fifteen minutes and last maybe an hour."

Wulfric grinned. "You always were so good at healing. Lailant always said so."

Bella blushed, and Scarlet brushed the hair out of his eyes. She stood up with a sigh, saying, "Right, well that'll give us time to get the litter upstairs and load him on it. I made it out of two lances and a sheet, so it should hold while you fly..."

Knox followed her out of the ballroom, their steps echoing in the quiet, empty castle as their voices faded. The once lively and bustling castle now felt quiet and empty, a stark reminder of the chaos that had unfolded. He couldn't shake the guilt and worry for his daughter gnawing at his heart as he was gently placed onto the litter, every movement causing searing pain. His shoulder felt like it was still out of socket, and his side hurt worse than any of his alpha challenges.

Wulfric's vision swam and his stomach rebelled as Knox and Scarlet hauled him slowly to the terrace. Bella hovered, and the way she helplessly wrung her hands made his heart ache. He couldn't ignore the fact that he was now at the mercy of a wizard who had caused so much harm to those he loved. And worst of all, he couldn't even hold Bella in his arms to comfort her. He kept his gaze locked on her translucent form to distract himself from the nausea.

Knox rippled as he grew, transforming into his dragon self. Bella jumped out of the way with a gasp. He would have to find a way to confront the wizard and protect his family once he was healed.

But for now, all he could do was watch as Bella struggled with her own inner turmoil. She may not have a physical body, but her emotions were still evident on her face—fear, sadness, and a haunting memory replaying in her mind. Wulfric reached out to try and calm her, but she was too far away, and translucent besides.

Determined to help, he said softly, "Bella, it's alright. He's not going to hurt you." She looked just like she had after her mother died, scared and afraid. He couldn't smell her emotions, probably due to her not having a body, but he could see it on her face.

He waved his hand, making her look at him. She took a deep breath, her eyes watering. "I know that. Scarlet explained earlier that he's Eirwyn's mate and one true love. But I keep seeing that fight on the roof between the dragon and Gastone. It's on repeat in my mind."

All events that occurred because of the fucking wizard. As she looked at him with tears in her eyes, he knew that their fight was far from over.

Wulfric held his side, pressing against the bandaged wound. "I'm sorry, little girl. I should've been here. You never should've been in that position."

Bella stiffened and shook her head. The self-recrimination on her face made her look like him, not her mother. "Like I said. It's all water under the bridge now. We can't change the past, no matter how much we wish otherwise."

Wulfric reached for her, saying, "Maybe we can change the future though. I'd like to be a part of your present and your future. I'm not leaving you again, little girl."

Bella chuckled and shook her head. "You have to survive the journey into the woods first, old man. Now close your eyes and be still or I might accidentally turn you into a couch."

He grinned and watched her with pride as her fingers flew. She whispered a spell, and the litter lifted into the air. Wulfric closed his eyes against the nausea and pain, the dizziness not stopping even as he was set on the back of the dragon between the wings.

Scarlet wove the tassels from the curtains around him and Knox, lashing them together. "You better not drop him, Knox, or I'll never forgive you."

The scent of Scarlet and the feel of her gentle touch made his nausea dissipate, and he breathed deeply. Here was another woman he never wanted to leave or disappoint. She'd saved them all today, with her plan with the chandeliers.

The dragon snorted, green smoke billowing. Wulfric looked up at the stars above, constant and clear. It'd been a long time since he'd seen stars like this. The trees in the forest hid so much.

Scarlet ignored Knox and grabbed Wulfric's hand where it lay strapped to the litter. "And you, wolfie. You better be fully healed by the time I get there tomorrow."

He tightened his grip on her hand, reluctant to let go. The soft pressure of her touch against his bruised and battered skin brought a sense of calm to his racing thoughts. Time spent in bed just holding her, basking in the warmth of their love, was all he craved in this moment. Holding her hand was a simple yet powerful display of affection that he desperately needed.

With her by his side, he knew he could overcome any challenge that came his way, but he still didn't know if she loved him too, if she wanted to live with him as a Growler Luna... or if she wanted to continue living as a Hunter. He was loath to let her go, because every time they separated, it seemed like something bad happened.

"I'll do my best to heal, but my entire world is going to be on two horses in the woods. I'm not going to sleep a wink from worry."

She scoffed. "I was born in those woods. We'll be fine. It won't be the first time I've ridden through the woods with royalty, but at least we won't have Growlers nipping our heels this time."

He arched a brow, and she grinned. "A story for another time. I still have the talkie, and Knox has one at Hartsgrove. I'll call if I get in any major trouble, alright? I'll see you tomorrow, wolfie."

He wanted to tell her how much he loved her. It was on the tip of his tongue. He opened his mouth, but she kissed him instead. It was soft, sweet, and over way too soon. She pulled back, shadows hiding her expression but not her smirking lips.

She stepped toward the ballroom door, and the dragon launched into the air. Wulfric's stomach swirled and dipped with every beat of the wings.

Fuck, he had to focus on not throwing up and making a fool of himself on Scarlet's brother.