The bullet was infused in a lethal chemical mixture that was effective in paralyzing a lycan temporarily for an easy kill. The image of Invictus on the ground in the dining hall walked around in my mind even when he was in bed sleeping soundly next to me. The doctor has left with Mama Kate to follow up on care of Invictus.

A slow burning fury was burning inside of me as my mind flickered temporarily to the lycans who did this. I need time. I needed to breathe. I needed to get away before I destroy something. I can't lose Invictus. The thought of him not in my life scared the living crap out of me. Now, I know how he feels. Now I know why he was so scared to lose me. My rage was uncontrollable and a growl escaped my lips. I got out of bed as quickly as I could and flew across the room to grip the desk tightly at the edge. I closed my eyes tightly and breathed.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Inhale.

Exhale.

The edge of the desk cracked. I clenched my jaw. The images of Invictus bloody and unconscious form. The sound of him whimpering as we worked on his body to get the bullet out. It was too much. I broke the desk.

"Fvck." I muttered.

A knock on the door had my head whipping towards it. The black veins that were barely visible were showing up again. The hair on my arms was growing and I knew I was losing control.

Go away.

I pleaded silently in my head. I didn't want to hurt anyone. The door opened and Elena's scent wrapped around me. Her eyes moved to me before flitting to Invictus's desk. She snorted before walking toward Invictus's sleeping form. A warning growl left my lips as my body turned to face her. We, my lycan and I, saw her as a threat and she was too close to our mate for our liking.

She looked him up and down before turning to me. "He's not dead yet?"

"No." I snarled as I began walking back to Invictus.

"That's a shame." She taunted. Her eyes glittering with delight. She wanted to provoke me. She knew I was losing control.

"Stay away from him." I growled.

"I really thought he was going to be. If he is dead, then you won't have a mate. The King will be forced to kill you. That will be a sight to see. You, dead and lifeless." She continued as she moved around to the foot of the bed.

"Sorry to disappoint but he isn't." I replied as I moved closer to her. "Something in my guts tells me you are involved."

She gave me a wicked smile as she moved closer. We were barely a foot apart. She stood up to my height as she leaned in.

"And if I was?" She taunted further.

"Then I will be the one that will kill you." I snarled, baring my canines at her.

"Lovely but you will never know that I was."

"With that statement, it is clear as day who was behind this." I responded as my claws were elongating.

She turned to look at Invictus again before looking back at me. "He was a really good fvck. It's a shame to have to kill him."

I roared as my rage snapped. My right fist came up and gave her a nice uppercut under her chin. She flipped in the air and landed on her hands and feet. A snarl left her lips as she charged after me. Her own claws elongating as she aimed for my throat. I blocked her attacking arm with both of my arms and then using my elbow to jab her in the ribs. Her grunt of pain was satisfaction.

I took the opportunity to whip around her and held her around her neck with my arm. I held on tight as I squeezed. She was gasping for breath. I placed my lips close to her ear as I whispered.

"It is bad to taunt a newborn. I will not be responsible for your death." I growled as I held on so tight, her struggling was starting to become weak.

"Deidre." His voice broke through my mind and the rage in my vein came to a halting stop.

"Let her go." He hoarsely spoke.

No. I won't.

I held on tighter. Elena was making these weird sounds now.

"Little moon, please." He pleaded gently. I closed my eyes tightly. I can't. I was too angry.

"Invictus." I heard myself say.

"Yes. Let her go." He urged.

"I can't." I mumbled. "Too angry."

I heard soft rustling from the bed and a few groans before a hand was placed on my arm that was wrapped around Elena's neck. The feel of his skin against mine, calmed me down. My muscles relaxed and my arm loosened around her neck.

Elena gasped and wheezed as she desperately struggled to grab some air. I turned to him. He was still clutching at his wound and was slightly hunched.

"She was the one who hurt you." I explained. "I couldn't control my rage."

"I know." He said softly. His hand coming up to cup my cheek, I moved towards his touch and closed my eyes.

"Elena, you can leave and go back to your room. We will talk later." Invictus ordered. Elena glared at me and then looked at Invictus.

"I will not leave." She said. "She tried killing me. She deserves to be punished."

"Elena." Invictus growled.

"No!" She shouted and stomped her foot. I snarled and was about to move towards her but Invictus gripped me around my arm. He nodded at something behind me. I turned to see it was Akoni.

He walked up to Elena and grabbed her around her arms as he forced her out of the room. I turned back to Invictus.

"You have to believe me. She was the one. I know she's behind this! I can sense it." I started. My rage was beginning to surface again. Just the sound of her name made me furious.

"Yes but we have to handle things with care. We are royals and if we end up killing people because we suspect and don't have proof, there will be even more trouble." He said. I wrapped my arms around his waist and helped him back to his bed.

When he was tucked back into his bed, I crawled onto the other side. He opened up his arm for me to sleep on. I placed my hand on his chest over his heart just to assure me he was alive.

"What kind of proof do we need?" I asked. "I still think it's best if I just kill her."

He weakly laughed. "I know you would enjoy that."

"Of course. I hate her." I growled.

He patted me on my back and then leaned down to kiss my forehead. "For a newborn, you handle your rage tremendously well. I have been lycan for decades and I can't control it the way you can."

We were silent for a moment as the past events floated in the air. I thought about his uncle and his mate. Will they really kill them come the morning?

As if he could hear my thoughts he spoke. "They will die when the sun is peeking from the horizon. There will be witnesses and soldiers as well as the King and Queen. It is treason and the only punish is death. We avoided the fate a hundred years ago but now we have to face what we have been avoiding."

"How will your father feel?"

"We are animals-wolves, really. Family means everything to us. It will kill him but his love for his children and wife is stronger. It is a betrayal that can't be forgiven." He said quietly.