Shattered Bonds: A Second Chance Mate - Chapter 88: Chapter 88

Third Party Point of View:
The faint scent hit Nolan like a slap to the face.
He paused mid-step in the hallway, nose twitching, instincts snapping to full alert. The scent was almost masked by the sharp tang of alcohol and lingering perfume, but there was no mistaking it—not for a trained warrior like him.
Wolfbane.
His heartbeat picked up, an ancient primal fear curling in his chest. The scent was weak, diluted perhaps, but present. He turned sharply toward the source. The small side lounge, often used by visiting pack members and friends of the Luna, sat innocently at the corner of the main building.
Nolan approached, his senses sharpening.
The closer he got, the stronger the scent became, until it was unmistakable. But before he could enter fully, movement from the corner of his eye caught his attention.
A woman—young, human, dressed in casual yet elegant clothes—darted from the room, her head down and steps rushed. Her face passed him for only a brief second, but he noted her—warm-toned skin, auburn hair tied loosely, an unfamiliar presence.
Isn’t she one of the Luna’s friends? he thought.
He instinctively took a step after her, but then stopped. He’d seen her earlier—laughing quietly beside Luna Ellaine during the celebration. Wasn’t she one of the friends from the university? Audrey had invited her, under the Alpha’s instruction, as one of the few human companions allowed to join the Luna’s graduation celebration.
Maybe she had gotten sick or dropped something.
Maybe…
Nolan gritted his teeth and stepped into the lounge. The moment he examinate it, he knew.
The scent punched him in the face, heavier here, mixed with something acrid and bitter. He scanned the room quickly, landing on a small refreshment table by the window. A tray with three empty glasses sat atop it—one cracked at the rim. Beside it lay a shattered cup on the carpet, its contents spilled in a dark stain.
Nolan’s gut twisted. He crouched down, nostrils flaring. The broken vial reeked of it.
Wolfbane.
And something else. Something unfamiliar. It wasn’t just the plant that could paralyze or kill a werewolf—there was another scent, chemical, but faint. He couldn’t identify it. It was dangerous.
His blood turned cold.
The Luna had been drinking with her friends while she dance on the dancefloor. What if this—what if this had been in her drink?
He rose to his feet, already mind-linking the nearest guards. “Get here now.”
Within seconds, two more warriors walk to where he kneels. Nolan issued commands in a low, urgent tone.
“Secure the carpet and glass. Use gloves. Bring it to the dungeon storage beside Leader Marlow office. I want it stored safely for analysis.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And check the CCTV,” Nolan added. “I want to confirm something too.”
They moved quickly, silently. The threat level was clear in his voice. This is human territory so I can’t move harsh until arrived in our territory.
Nolan exhaled slowly and stepped outside to steady his nerves. His mind raced. He didn’t want to jump to conclusions—but if the Luna truly has been drink whatever it is, then it’s dangerous.
What if someone tried to hurt her? But why?
Her human friends didn’t even know what she truly was. They weren’t aware she was a werewolf, let alone their Luna. So why would one of them do something like this?
Unless… it wasn’t random.
He clenched his jaw and reached for his comm. “Beta Alfonso. Lead Warrior Marlow. I need you both in the dungeon office. I’ve found something important.”
There was no need to elaborate.
He know right now they must be on the run with the Alpha and Luna for the celebration ritual so in time he prepare everything.
They both arrived two hours later, fresh from the running rituals with Alpha Francesco and Luna Ellaine. Sweat clung to their brows, but the moment they stepped into the soundproof dungeon office and saw Nolan’s face, the air turned grave.
“What’s happened?” Beta Alfonso asked, shutting the thick door behind him.
Everyone know this place is soundproof and only used for secret agenda.
Nolan nodded his head in respect before he speak “I am sorry for calling you two, but you need tosee this,” Nolan began, skipping pleasantries. “But someone drop this and from the smells. It wasn’t just a scent—it was an active poison. Spilled from a small vile. One of the Luna’s friends accidentally drop this and it broken. I didn’t chase her because I assumed she was someone trusted. I regret it now.”
Marlow narrowed his eyes. “I could smells wolfbane.”
Nolan nodded “and other things that I didn’t know. The human, she fled right before I discovered it.”
Beta Alfonso stepped forward. “Did you check the security feed?”
He nodded again “I did. And you both need to see this.” Nolan turned to the screen and pressed play.
The grainy footage flickered to life. The camera angled down toward the place. They watched as the Luna and three of her human friends dance in the dancefloor—one of them was the woman Nolan had seen. They were chatting and laughing, pouring drinks.
Then something shifted.
One of the Luna’s friend stepped out to take grab another drink, before quickly pulled a small vial from her purse into it. She uncorked it, poured it into one of the glasses, and stirred.
Even from the footage, the liquid inside the vial glowed faintly green.
She carefully grabbed the poisoned glass before walk back to the dancefloor with it—directly shove it to the Luna had been standing with a laugh while they dance.
Seconds later, Ellaine returned. She picked up the same glass from her hand, sipping from it casually as she resumed to dance.
The room fell into dead silence.
“Shit,” Alfonso hissed. His fists clenched. “She meant for the Luna to drink that. She targeted her.”
Marlow leaned forward, his face hardening. “We need to inform the Alpha. Now.”
“I was waiting on your approval,” Nolan said.
“I want every record we have on that girl,” Marlow growled. “Her full name, background, how she met the Luna. Everything.”
“I’ll ask Healer Lira to examine the glass too,” Alfonso said, recovering from his shock. “Wolfbane’s dangerous enough, but there might be other toxins mixed in. We need to know how much the Luna ingested. Every second we wait, it could spread deeper through her system.”
Marlow nodded grimly. “We can’t let the Luna out of our sight. If she starts to show symptoms—”
Alfonso’s face paled.
“This was no accident,” he muttered. “Someone just tried to assassinate the Luna. Isn’t she a human?”
Marlow’s eyes were dark with fury. “We need to find that girl. Now. Why human wants our Luna?”
“I’ll track her down myself if I have to,” Nolan said. “I feel responsible for not stopping her earlier.”
“You followed protocol,” Alfonso said, placing a firm hand on Nolan’s shoulder. “You didn’t raise alarms until you had proof. That was the right call.”
He squeezed briefly before stepping back and opening his mind-link to the Alpha.
“Alpha Francesco, we have a critical threat to report. Requesting to meet in your office. It’s urgent.”
Seconds passed.
Then came the Alpha’s voice—low, cold, and thunderous in his mind.
“I’m on my way.”
Alfonso cut the link and turned back to the others.
“Split up,” he ordered. “Marlow, Check with Lira. Don’t alert anyone yet—we don’t want to panic until we confirm with Lira. Nolan, find the human, take Joshua and Jeremy but no more, only tell them. find her name. I want this woman found tonight.”
They moved as one, warriors on a mission, every heartbeat synchronized with purpose.
In the healer's wing, Luna Ellaine lay curled on one of the padded benches, eyes closed and arms wrapped around herself. She’d excused herself from dinner, claiming she felt lightheaded. The staff had given her mint tea and let her rest.
She didn’t see the warriors who paced the perimeter outside, nor the extra guards quietly added to every door and hallway leading to her room.
Beta and Marlow’s hands curled into fists when they start moving in action.
Whoever had done this… whoever had dared to hurt their Luna, would not live to see another dawn.
Know that their Alpha will be angry and kill her first.