<b>Chapter </b><b>172</b><b>: </b><b>Mating </b><b>Ceremony </b><b>Countdown </b>
<b>Chapter </b>172: Mating Ceremony Countdown
<b>(</b><b>Olivia’s </b><b>POV</b>)
The pack ambnce had already
arrived. Matthew Kane was lifted onto it by the King’s <b>Guard</b><b>. </b>
The pack medic fitted him with an oxygen mask. As hey on the gurney, the veins on his exposed chest<b>, </b>neck, and forearms bulged like writhing earthworms.
His chest heaved violently as cold sweat beaded on his skin. He looked as if he were on the verge <b>of </b><b>death</b><b>. </b>
A terrified me grasped his hand. Matthew managed to pull his hand free and gently stroked my <b>hair</b><b>. </b>
His voice was raspy and dry. “I can’t touch you right now, you know?”
I nodded, forcing myself to be rational and retracting my hand. The healer informed him they needed <b>to </b>administer a sedative for stomach cleansing.
Matthew weakly asked me, “Will you stay with me?”
I nodded firmly. “I won’t leave you.”
Reassured, he slowly closed his eyes.
Half an hourter, he was wheeled into the emergency treatment room. I sat outside, my hands clenched tightly over my chest.
I trembled uncontrobly. Soon, Barrett Kane, Victoria Kane, and Seraphina Kane rushed to the infirmary.
Beta Tristan exined the situation, though he knew nothing of what had transpired in the study. Victoria
was furious.
She directed her anger at Beta Tristan for not protecting her son. Then she turned on her mate, Barrett Kane,
for not eliminating the threat of Alpha Fenwick years ago.
Though her words were for her mate, her sharp gaze was fixed on me. “You couldn’t foresee it? That Alpha
Fenwick is notoriously sinister.”
“Weren’t you almost tricked by him back then? It’s all your fault for not rooting him out, leaving such a huge
threat for our son.“.
Her usation hit me like a physical blow. I wanted to defend myself but couldn’t find the words.
When the emergency room doors opened, Matthew was wheeled out. <b>I </b>rushed forward, anxiously asking <b>the </b>healer, “How is he?<b>” </b>
The healer exined that most of the wolfsbane had been purged from his system. The remainder would dissipate over time without causing significant harm.
He then looked directly at me. “Are you the Alpha King’s mate? You should take good care of him; he’ll <b>recover </b>
faster.”
I didn’t fully grasp the healer’s insinuation about mate bonds elerating healing. But I knew <b>I </b><b>would </b><b>care </b><b>for </b>
him.
Chapter 172 <b>Mating </b>Cere
<b>Theld </b><b>Matthew’s </b><b>hand </b>as he slept under <b>the </b>effects of <b>the </b><b>sedative</b>.
<b>In </b><b>the </b><b>private </b>infirmary room, Matthewy on the bed, changed into <b>a </b><b>patient’s </b><b>gown</b><b>. </b>I saw <b>the </b>not <b>yet </b><b>fully </b><b>healed </b>marks on his arm.
They were scratches he had inflicted on himself with his own ws to stay conscious <b>during </b><b>the </b><b>poisoning </b>As <b>I </b>gazed at them, a tear fell onto his hand.
He instantly woke and grasped my hand. I quickly wiped my tears and called his family<b>, </b>who <b>had </b><b>been </b>waiting outside.
As Barrett Kane, Victoria Kane, and Seraphina Kane surrounded the bed, chiding and fussing over <b>him</b><b>, </b><b>I </b>stood by the window. I watched the happy family scene.
I had always envied Seraphina. Now, seeing the usuallymanding Matthew soften in the <b>warmth </b><b>of </b><b>his </b>family’s love, I felt a profound sense of otherness.
I had wanted to stand shoulder–to–shoulder with him, to be his partner. But he had orchestrated <b>the </b><b>entire </b>takedown of Alpha Fenwick without telling me.
This realization made me feel dispensable. An ache settled deep in my heart.
“The mating ceremony must be even grander now,” Victoria was saying. “We need to quell <b>any </b>rumors about
Matthew’s weakness.” <fn8ad1> This update is avable on f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fn8ad1>
<b>“</b>I’ll handle the arrangements,” Barrett Kane replied. “The entire European territory will witness our son’s
strength.”
Seraphina nodded eagerly. “Everyone will see that the Kane bloodline remains unshakeable.”
Their words about the ceremony made my stomach twist. They were nning my future without consulting <ol><li>me. </li></ol>
After the family left, promising to take care of Aurora, I was left alone with Matthew. He opened his eyes and whispered, “Come here.”
I sat by the bed. He immediately pulled me into a hug.
The faint scent of medicinal moonlight herbs clung to him. Fearing he was too weak, I tried to push him
away.
But he mistook my hesitation. “Are you disgusted with me?” he asked, his grip tightening.
“Did she hurt you anywhere else?” I asked, my voice trembling.
A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. “Why don’t you check for me?”
He guided my hand to his gown. I helped him remove it, my cheeks flushing as I avoided his gaze.
I saw old battle scars on his back and touched them. My heart ached for the hardships he had endured.
He suddenly turned, pulling me into his arms. “<b>It </b>tickles,” he murmured.
“Did you find any other injuries?” he asked softly.
“No,” I replied.
He teased, “Then she was pretty gentle with me?”
Chapter 172 Mating Cere
His words struck me like silver. They reminded me of what Eleonora Redgrave had said about Theodore Redgrave and ra Thorne.
“Don’t touch me,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face as I recoiled, I pushed him away.
“I’m not disgusted that your body is unclean, but your heart… it’s not clean anymore either,” I cried out. My voice was filled with usation and hurt.
“You need to reflect. I’m going home to Aurora.”
As I turned to leave, he grabbed my wrist, pulling me back into his embrace. He held my hand.
“My heart has always belonged to you. You can’t wrongly use me. If you wrongly use me, what am I to
do?”
His lips brushed against the corner of my lips.
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