Lennox''s POV
A heavy pain hit my head first.
A sharp, deep pounding… like someone was hitting the inside of my skull with a hammer.
I groaned softly and moved my fingers.
They twitched.
Slowly… very slowly… I opened my eyes.
Everything was blurry at first.
Dark shapes. Faint light. A strange, cold smell.
My heartbeat felt slow but strong.
I blinked again until the room became clear.
And then I heard it.
"Alpha Lennox… you are awake…"
The voice shook… like the person speaking was holding back tears.
I turned my head a little and saw Golden kneeling beside me.
His eyes were wide. His face was wet. His hands were shaking. I have never seen one of my bravest warriors in such a state.
"I thought… I thought we lost you," he whispered.
I frowned. My mind was foggy. My body hurt everywhere.
Memories rushed into me fast.
The knife.
The blood.
Olivia screaming.
The fire.
The boys crying.
Darkness grabbing me.
I pushed myself up slowly, confused.
"What happened?" I asked. My voice was rough and weak.
Golden wiped his face and took a deep breath.
"You died… Alpha. The healers checked you. They said you were gone. They said there was nothing they could do."
I froze.
Dead?
Me?
My heart beat faster. I shook my head slowly.
"No… that can''t be…"
But Golden nodded fast.
"It was confirmed. They took you to the morgue. Everyone thought you were gone."
I stared at him, shocked.
My hands were shaking.
I whispered, "Everyone thought I was dead…?"
Golden swallowed hard.
"Yes."
My chest twisted painfully as I remembered myst memories.
I remembered tears on Olivia''s face before everything went dark. I remembered her telling me to hold on.
I closed my eyes, feeling something heavy move through my chest.
"What… what happened next?" I asked.
Golden looked down.
"You were buried, Alpha."
My eyes opened wide.
"What?"
He nodded again. His voice shook.
"They buried you a few hours ago. Tonight. At the heroes'' ground. The whole pack was there. Your funeral was done."
My breath felt stuck in my throat.
I was buried?
In the ground?
My voice came out soft, almost scared.
"Then… why am I here?"
Golden took a shaky breath.
"I went to see you… to pay myst respects. Then I felt… something strange. My wolf felt a heartbeat. At first, I thought I was imagining things. But then it grew stronger."
My own heartbeat grew louder in my ears.
Golden continued.
"So I dug. I dug fast. I dug with my hands. I pulled the dirt away until I reached the coffin. When I opened it… you gasped for air. Your heart started beating harder."
Golden ced his hand over his face and cried quietly.
"You were alive. You were breathing again. I pulled you out and carried you back here. I have not left your side since."
I stared at him… shocked… confused… overwhelmed.
I was dered dead.
Buried.
Covered with earth.
Left under the ground.
Yet I came back.
How?
Why?
What was the moon goddess doing?
I looked around and noticed this wasn''t the pack house.
"Where… where is this ce?"
Golden wiped his face and looked at me carefully. His eyes were still red.
"Alpha… there is something I must tell you," he said slowly.
I frowned. "What is it?"
Golden looked around the small room like he was afraid someone would hear us. Then he leaned closer.
"During your funeral… I heard something."
My chest tightened. "What did you hear?"
He swallowed hard.
"I was walking behind the hall, near the trees. Two people were talking. A maid… and a warrior."
My brow furrowed.
Golden continued softly.
"The warrior said… ''Alpha Lennox is dead now. There is no need to carry out the n of killing him.''"
I froze.
Golden''s jaw clenched.
"Then the maid answered… she said she was happy she was not the one who killed you. She said ever since she was asked to poison your meals… she has not been herself."
My blood turned cold.
Poison my meals?
Golden kept talking.
"And the warrior… he said he was relieved he didn''t have to stab you in your sleep. He said he has not been able to rest ever since the order was given to him."
I gripped the nket tightly.
Orders?
Someone ordered them to kill me?
Golden looked me in the eyes.
"Alpha Lennox… those two servants were not acting alone."
I swallowed hard, my mouth dry. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Golden took a deep breath.
"Someone… someone close to you… someone inside your family… wanted you dead."
My heart stopped for a moment.
Family?
Golden nodded.
"I don''t know who yet. I don''t know how high this n reaches. But it is someone with power. Someone who canmand servants and warriors."
Silence filled the room for a long moment.
My head pounded harder.
Someone in my family…
Wanted me dead.
Golden lowered his voice even more.
"That is why I told no one that you are alive. No one. Not even Louis. Not even Levi. Not Olivia. No one."
My breath caught.
"You didn''t tell them?"
He shook his head.
"No, Alpha. I covered your grave again after I took you out. If your enemies find out you are alive… they will try again. I had to keep you safe first."
I stared at him, my mind spinning.
Buried alive. Came back to life. Someone in my own bloodline trying to kill me.
My head was about to explode.
"Golden… who would want me dead?"
Golden shook his head. "I don''t know, Alpha, but I suspect one of your brothers…"
My eyes widened. "Levi? Louis?" I whispered.
Golden nodded slowly. "Alpha… they are the only ones with enough power tomand a maid and a warrior without anyone questioning it. They are the only ones the servants would obey without fear. And they are the only ones bold enough to speak without worrying the truth will leak."
A sharp pain shot through my chest.
My brothers?
The boys I grew up with?
The boys I protected all my life?
"No…" I whispered. "They would never… they are my brothers. They… they love me."
Golden looked down. "I know, Alpha. And I pray I am wrong. Truly. But the truth is… only people from inside your home… inside your bloodline… can order servants to poison you. Only someone with authority can order a warrior to stab you in your sleep."