Chapter 16

Isabella Martini - POV

It's been two days since that rogue attack, and the pack has been in tight lockdown while Jacob has taken the position of acting Alpha till Arlo wakes up. I looked down at my mate, who was sleeping soundlessly. I moved my hand and lightly stroked his cheek as I felt the faint tingles on my fingertips. 

I didn't know what I was feeling, but all I know is that I could not leave him right now after he sacrificed his life to save mine. 

Knock knock.

I turned around when I saw Sofia walk inside the room with a soft smile on her face. "I brought you some cookies," she said as she showed me the bag that was in her hand. 

"Thank you, Sofia. But I am not hungry." I told her as I turned around to face Arlo again. 

"You haven't eaten anything since yesterday's lunch, Bella. At least have one of them." she insisted, but I shook my head. Strangely, I didn't feel hungry. 

"I feel so useless right now, Sofia." I began while my eyes were trained on Arlo's serene face, which had streaks of silver on it. The doctor has been trying to do everything they can, but it seems that despite being an alpha, the poison gradually spreads across his bloodstream. "I would give my life if it means Arlo wakes up right now." I asserted when I felt a squeeze on my shoulder. 

"I know there must be some other way to save him, Bella," she said. "I shouldn't be saying this, but." I looked at Sofia when she had a conflicted look on her face as she turned around to face me. "He truly likes you so much, Bella. He wouldn't have done that to someone else if they did not mean anything to him." 

I think I have figured that out already. Arlo has been known as a heartless alpha after the death of his parents. He never shows mercy to anyone, and he sure as hell does not save anyone with his life. I know there were a lot of rumors about him, but there was one that was true, and it was about a girl that he loved. She was at gunpoint at the hands of the rogue while they demanded he give up his alpha position, instead, he just stood there as they killed her before he killed them all.

He cares about his pack more than anything, and I thought I would meet the same fate as that girl, but he surprised me. 

"Sofia," 

"Hmm,"

"Can you stay close to Arlo? I will come back soon." I asked her, and she nodded her head. I got up from the couch that I had next to Arlo's bed and walked out of his room. As I walked out of the hospital, I walked towards the pack house. 

The moment I walked inside, most of the pack members greated me with warm smiles, and they even enquired about Arlo's well-being. Ever since Arlo got hurt, I felt like the pack's spirits had diminished. I walked down the hallway that was to my left and finally came to a stop in front of a large oak door that was being guarded by two warriors. 

"Luna Bella," they said as they bowed down at me. 

"Is the librarian inside?" I asked them.

"Yes, she is inside." one of them answered as they immediately opened the door for me. As I was led inside, a small gasp left my mouth. This room was huge, and everywhere I turned, I came across large bookshelves that touched the ceiling. In front of me, there was a receptionist desk, and a bit further away, there were a lot of wooden tables with chairs for the occupants to sit.

"Luna Bella, its a surprise to see you here." I turned to my right when I saw an old woman. She was hunched, and her skin was covered with wrinkles as she slowly walked towards me. "How is Alpha Bianchi doing?" she asked me with her eyes filled with concern. 

"Still the same. But I know he will come back." I said, and she nodded her head with a smile on her face. 

"What can I help you with, Luna Bella?" 

"I am looking for a book that talks about a possible cure for silver," I told her, and she nodded her head in understanding. 

"Please take a seat, Luna Bella. I will bring the books over to you," she said, and I nodded my head and made my way over to the table. A couple of minutes later, the old woman came back again and placed a huge stack of books in front of me, making me cough as the dust particles entered my nostrils. 

"I am sorry, dear. I got these books from the archive." she apologized as I waved my hand.

"That's all right, ma'am," I told her. 

"Okay, I will leave you to it then," she said as she walked away. I took the first book and placed it in front of me. It was a leather back book, and as I opened it, I started reading from the delicate yellow pages. 

It's been three hours, and my eyes were already drooping while I felt like the words were dancing around me. This is the fourth book I am reading, and so far, none of it mentioned a specific cure for silver. 

"Shit!" I groaned as I pushed that book away. So far, my search has been futile. "What are we going to do, Rose?" 

"Keep looking, Bella, I have a feeling that we are close." Rose encouraged. I let out a deep breath as I began looking through the other books when one particular book stood out. I took it in my hand and raised it.

The book was red in color with a hardcover, and there was a lot of wear and tear. I dusted the few dust particles from the cover as I opened it. As I browsed through the pages, I came across a particular page that had a drawing of a human body with streaks of silver.