Chapter 180: The Alpha’s Final Hours


    Chapter 180: The Alpha’s Final Hours


    (Katherine’s POV)


    Olivia Winters narrowly escaped danger, a stroke of luck from her werewolf healing abilities. But things weren’t as promising for William Rivers.


    The pack doctor’s words echoed in my mind like a death sentence. “Alpha Rivers has been poisoned for


    months with a rare wolfsbane derivative. His organs are severely damaged by the silverced toxin.”


    “There’s no hope for recovery,” the doctor continued, his voice heavy with finality.


    Eleanor Rivers, the pack matriarch, swayed on her feet. Her face went ashen as the reality hit her.


    “My son,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “My William.”


    She copsed to the floor in a dead faint. The shock of losing her son had overwhelmed even her strong Alpha bloodline constitution.


    Two nurses rushed to help Eleanor while I stood frozen. The woman who had raised William, who had guided the Rivers pack for decades, was crumbling before my eyes.


    My own heart felt like it was being torn apart. Despite our marital troubles, William was still my mate. The


    bond between us, though strained, still existed.


    The following day, I visited Vanessa Reed in the detention center. The reinforced ss between us was


    designed to contain supernatural prisoners.


    Vanessa wore a standard detention uniform, but her violet eyes still held that dangerous gleam. She greeted


    me with a mocking smile.


    “Well, well. Mrs. Rivers,” she said, emphasizing the formal address. “What an unexpected visit.”


    Gone were the days when she called me “Mom,” Our fractured rtionship had shatteredpletely since


    her obsessive affections for Connor had surfaced.


    “Did you poison William Rivers?” I asked coldly, cutting straight to the point.


    Vanessa’s eyes widened in feigned surprise. “Poison? Whatever do you mean?”


    “Don’t y innocent with me,” I snapped. “Frederick Warner was the mastermind behind the systematic


    poisoning. You were his aplice.”


    Vanessa’s violet eyes gleamed dangerously. She leaned forward against the ss.


    “That’s quite an usation, Mrs. Rivers,” she said with a sweet smile. “Do you have any evidence?”


    “Evidence will surface through pack investigation,” I asserted firmly.


    Vanessaughed, a cold sound that sent chills down my spine. “But none exists yet, does it?<b>” </b>


    I felt my jaw clench with frustration. She was right, and she knew it.


    “Frederick Warner has been apprehended by pack enforcers,” I revealed. “He tried to kill Connor Rivers.”


    For the first time, Vanessa’sposure cracked slightly. rm shed across her features.


    O


    Chapter 180: The Alpha’s…


    “Is Connor hurt?” she asked, her voice betraying genuine concern.


    I dismissed her worry with cold disdain. “Your concern for him is pathetic and unwanted.”


    “Confess to poisoning William Rivers,” I urged. “The pack council might show leniency.”


    Vanessa’s defiant smile returned. “The Rivers family would never forgive me anyway. Why should I confess to something I didn’t do?”


    Our visiting time was ending. Vanessa gave me a meaningful smile that sent chills down my spine.


    There was something in her expression that suggested she knew more than she was revealing. Something that made my wolf instincts scream danger.


    (Connor’s POV)


    After learning about William’s terminal condition, I stayed by his bedside. I only left to check on Eleanor, who


    remained unconscious from the shock.


    William was moved from the ICU to a private room in the pack’s medical wing. He would spend hisst


    moments with family, away from the sterile hospital environment.


    Katherine joined me after having lunch. Her amber eyes were red–rimmed from crying.


    “Have you eaten anything?” she asked, her voice gentle despite our family’s turmoil.


    “I have no appetite,” I replied, my ice–blue eyes hollow with grief.


    The thought of food made my stomach turn. How could I eat when my father was dying?


    “Gerald Rivers will return to Riverdale tomorrow afternoon,” Katherine informed me. “He’ll handle pack


    session matters.”


    I nodded numbly. The weight of impending leadership felt crushing on my shoulders.


    William stirred in his hospital bed. His once–powerful frame looked frail and diminished.


    “Eating is pointless,” he said weakly. “Death is inevitable for even an Alpha when silver invades the


    bloodstream so thoroughly.”


    Katherine moved to his bedside. “You should eat.something to maintain your strength.”


    William’sugh was bitter and hollow. “Strength for what? A few more hours of suffering?”


    He turned his gaze to Katherine, his eyes filled with pain that went beyond physical agony.


    “Are you happy that I’m dying?” he asked bitterly. “After all our conflicts over Frederick Warner and Vanessa


    Reed?<b>” </b>


    Katherine’s face crumpled with grief. Despite their marital troubles, his words cut deep.


    “I’m not as malicious as you think,” she dered, her voice breaking with emotion.


    The tension between my parents was suffocating. I could feel their decades of unresolved conflicts hanging


    in the air like a toxic cloud.


    I stood up from my chair, sensing they needed privacy. This might be their final conversation as mates.


    “I’ll give you two some time alone,” I said quietly.


    I left the room, closing the door behind me.


    III