Cursed Lycan's Scarred Mate
Chapter 122: Death or survival

Chapter 122: Death or survival

Rowan listened attentively to the conversation exchange between Ronan and Vivian, but he made no effort to intervene.

They were plotting to help him escape?

Why would they go so far as to take risks that could jeopardise their relationship with Lady Morgana and Sabre Coven as a whole?

"I don’t want to cause trouble for anyone," Rowan voiced finally, gaining the couple’s attention. "I appreciate the thought of you both trying to save me, but I don’t think it’s worth making an enemy of Lady Morgana."

"She doesn’t need to know," Ronan said in as-a-matter-of-fact tone. Noticing Rowan’s still apparent fear, the Lycan Alpha faced his back to the cell bars and leaned against it with his head arched back. "We have yet to discuss a plan, but if we want to go this route then you need to make your decision, Rowan."

Another statement that seemed to weigh heavily on Rowan’s shoulders. He didn’t want to simply escape without knowing the truth of the matter. There was a possibility that he might have been framed, but there was no clear evidence of that.

And if he was indeed framed, he wanted to know whom it was that bore such an ill grudge against him to orchestrate him into their plan.

As far as he was concerned, there was no bad blood between him and any other Wickan in Sabre Coven.

"You must tell us, Rowan," Vivian spoke again, reaching her hand through the bars to gently pat his head. In some ways, the lad reminded her of her niece, who was helpless and vulnerable and who desperately needed saving. "Do you want to escape from here?"

The decision was not easy to make.

"It is either you choose death or survival," Ronan said more directly. He looked up, eyes subconsciously tracing the markings on the dungeon’s ceiling, his arms folded. "Morgana has made a decision and she will find any means to see it through and to see the truth in it.

Was he that expendable?

Why was Lady Morgana being so hasty?

It was unlike her to make decisions without fully conducting a thorough investigation. And even though an investigation was ordered, Ronan seemed very sure that her decision was non-negotiable.

"Where will I even go?" Rowan asked, considering the option of escape since the chances of survival at Sabre Coven were rather slim. "If I escape from here...my home which I’ve known all my life, the place where all my memories are with my family..."

Ronan turned around sharply. He reached through the bars and clasped Rowan behind the neck, taking the lad by fearful surprise.

Rowan’s eyes widened as tears pricked the corners of them.

Vivian gently touched Ronan’s arm, asking him to be merciful and kinder but the Lycan Alpha didn’t budge.

"Listen to me, Rowan," Ronan started, his eyes sharp and intense as he forced Rowan to look at him now that they were at eye level. "I don’t know what’s gotten into Morgana but no one here is your family right now. The truth is harsh, but your so-called family has declared you a criminal without a second thought. No one is fighting for you."

Ronan’s words were harsh and truthful and they helped release the onslaught of tears Rowan was holding back.

The lad closed his eyes from the bitter pain, allowing the hot tears to drip down his cheeks. Ronan felt apologetic seeing his reaction, but he knew that it was necessary to make the cruel truth apparent to the lad.

Rowan needed to see that no one at Sabre Coven was on his side.

And then Vivian witnessed Ronan doing something she wouldn’t have expected. He cupped the back of Rowan’s head and brought the lad into a half-embrace with the bars just separating them a bit.

Rowan didn’t expect the gesture either and the fear he felt earlier for the Lycan Alpha seemed to gradually fade.

"You remind me so much of my younger brother," Ronan remarked almost sorrowfully and Vivian’s heart churned when she heard the pure pain in his words that were masked there. ’Except he and I will never share a brother’s bond again.’ He uttered the last bit in his mind, closing his eyes.

Vivian tenderly rubbed her hand up and down Ronan’s back, expressing her support. She would never forget the tragic backstory of the Wolfsbane clan and the painful truth Ronan buried within himself for the sake of his younger brother.

Rowan didn’t understand the pain in Ronan’s voice, but the gesture was heartwarming.

"We will figure out where you will go tonight after a discussion with two others," the Lycan Alpha said, pulling back. "You simply need to tell us whether you want to escape or not."

Rowan had made his decision.

Sabre Coven held all the sweet and meaningful memories of his life with everyone he knew, but now it was about to become his death grounds.

So much for his family.

Vivian recognised that realisation in his eyes.

Just like her when her pack offered her mercy, which was death, Rowan had come to realise he’d been abandoned by them.

But why? Why all of a sudden?

It was strange.

"I want to escape," Rowan conceded with resolve, prompting his decision. He brushed away his tears, stepping closer to the darkness where Ronan and Vivian couldn’t see his expression.

He didn’t want them to see how pathetic he was.

"I don’t want to die," Rowan continued, inhaling a deep breath. "I have many questions but if I have truly been abandoned, then... then I must abandon my home."

Vivian smiled with relief and Ronan nodded approvingly.

"We will come for you in the morning," Lycan Alpha clarified. "The night is cold so keep that shawl wrapped around you."

"How will I know that you’ve come for me? Are you going to come directly to the cell and let me out?"

"You’ll know," Ronan assured him, his lips curling into a confident smirk. "You’ll know exactly when we come for you."

Vivian eyed Ronan, her almost dead wolf instincts telling her that her Alpha mate undoubtedly had an outrageous plan in mind.

She sighed, but as long as it got the task done, then the methods behind it seemed of little importance.

"Try to rest, Rowan," Vivian advised him, softening her voice to put him at ease. "It’s not exactly comfortable down here but you will need your strength for the morning."

With everything finalised, the she-wolf and her mate bid Rowan farewell for now.

Although it was late and near midnight, Vivian decided she needed to visit Orion and Lord Eldric.

They would undoubtedly play a big part in the plan that was soon to come.

*****

Lady Morgana’s Personal Chambers

Suffering a terrible internal injury, Lady Morgana required a longer time compared to the others to regain consciousness and when she finally did, she found difficulty in opening her eyes.

After a few attempts, she finally found the strength to open them, grateful that the jewel lanterns in her room were dim and didn’t strain her eyes too much.

She sat up with a groan, holding onto her head. Much of her energy had been depleted when she played anchor in the failed binding ritual and she desperately needed to replenish it.

Lady Morgana was startled when she found Soran seated on a cushioned bench beside her bed, his head resting on his arms, which he folded beneath his head on the side of her bed.

"Soran?" She softly called out, running her fingers through his thick, messy blonde curls.

Soran stirred from his slumber, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"You’ve awakened; how do you feel, Lady Morgana?"

"Drained."

Soran nodded.

"I haven’t replenished your energy yet since your internal injury needs to heal before your body can intake energy again."

"How bad is the injury?" Lady Morgana’s brows furrowed, not liking the tension in Soran’s expression when he mentioned her energy.

"A few broken ribs because of the energy impact and there was some internal bleeding," Soran explained, choosing his words carefully. "You need at least half a month or a full month to recover properly."

"You’re not telling me all of it, are you?"

Soran shook his head.

There were some details he withheld, knowing she would rage and exacerbate her condition through stress and overworking herself.

"It’s better I don’t tell you; that way you’ll be forced to rest and recover because you won’t know the exact severity of your condition and will have to be cautious."

"Sneaky bastard," Lady Morgana scoffed playfully.