CHAPTER 82: A CRAZY IDEA

Stales had no idea what to do. He needed to stop the Alphas from coming together, but how? Alex had told him to cause a scene, but what kind of scene would be enough to hold back a group of desperate Alphas? His mind raced.

His eyes searched the area and landed on Xavier, still lying on the ground. Next to him was a knife, dangerously close to his pocket. That could only mean one thing—Xavier had planned to hurt Angela but hadn’t gotten the chance.

Stales frowned. What kind of person tries to harm someone they barely know? What was going through his head?

"I have to borrow this," he whispered and picked up the knife. No one was paying attention. "I was told to cause a scene, and I’m sorry... but we’re going to need each other if we want to protect someone who means a lot."

Before Xavier could speak or even move, Stales drove the knife into his thigh. Xavier let out a cry as blood poured out. It was brutal. It was sudden. But it was working.

Stales stood there for a second, breathing hard. His heart thudded in his chest. He had just attacked someone from the North pack. He knew Taros would show up any moment. That Alpha cared too much to ignore one of his own in pain.

But it still wasn’t enough.

Without stopping to think, Stales turned the knife and stabbed himself in the stomach. The pain was instant. Sharp. Burning. He dropped to his knees, eyes wide in disbelief. This was not what he expected. He clutched his stomach, trying to stop the blood, but it kept spilling out between his fingers.

It hurt more than he ever imagined. This wasn’t normal pain. Something was wrong. His breathing became unsteady as he looked at the blood on his hands.

That was when it hit him.

The knife. Xavier must have coated it with silver powder. That explained everything. Stales had stabbed himself with a silver-tainted blade. He had thought it was just a normal knife. He only meant to slow the Alphas down, distract them, buy time for Angela. But now... this felt like too much. Maybe he had gone too far.

He glanced at Xavier, who was still groaning. Was he even after Angela? Or was it someone else? Maybe Renn. Maybe even Alex. Xavier had made enemies everywhere, so it was hard to tell.

Sweat rolled down his forehead. His vision blurred. He could barely stay upright. He collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.

Then he saw them.

The Alphas had noticed. Their heads turned, and they changed direction. They were coming straight toward him. The scent of blood must have reached them. His body shook, but he managed to smile.

His crazy idea worked.

Taros was the first to reach him. That alone made Stales feel like maybe his plan wasn’t so foolish after all.

"Stales, what happened here?" Taros knelt beside him, worry all over his face. Renn and Kaito rushed over too. They helped Xavier to sit, placing him just opposite Stales.

"Don’t say anything," Taros said quickly. "You’re hurt. Let me see what I can do."

Renn picked up the knife lying on the ground. His eyes darkened as he turned it in his hand. "Silver," he muttered.

"My guess was right, then," Taros replied, looking over at Kaito. "Please, can you get the first aid kit?"

"Sure," Kaito nodded and ran towards the changing room. He remembered seeing the medic team with one earlier.

"I don’t get this," Renn said, scanning the area. "When I left a few minutes ago, Stales wasn’t here." He clutched Angela’s bag tighter in his hand, his eyes searching every corner. Where was she? Did she trick him? Why would she do that? If she wanted to be alone, she could have just told him.

He didn’t agree to leave her alone, but at least she could have said it out loud. Now it looked like she played him. And Stales? How did he end up here, wounded and bleeding beside Xavier?

Renn knelt beside Stales, his eyes flicking to Taros. "The boy is in pain. Can’t you help him already?"

"I need to clean the wound first," Taros said. He placed one palm over the spot where the knife had entered Stales’ stomach. "After that, I’ll try to heal him. Maybe you can help Xavier. Stop his bleeding. He’s in pain too."

"Me?" Renn blinked. "You want me to help Xavier?" He clenched his jaw. The thought of it made his stomach turn. He still hated Xavier for what he did to Angela. There was no way he was going to care for the one who kept hurting her.

"I can’t," he muttered, looking away.

"Seriously, Renn? This isn’t the time to be angry at him," Taros said with a tired sigh, glancing at Xavier.

"I’m not angry," Renn snapped. "He brought this on himself. Xavier’s wound doesn’t even look that deep. Stales is worse. He needs help more."

"You’re really being helpful," Taros said dryly, trying to smile but ending with a frown.

"Fine, I will go to him," Renn sighed as he got up, still holding Angela’s backpack. He was heading over to Xavier when he saw Kaito returning. "See? There he comes with the kit. No need to help the boy out anymore."

"Renn, please..." Taros called out.

"Fine," Renn rolled his eyes and finally walked to where Xavier lay. "You better not provoke me. It’s because of your stupidity that I lost both my mate and my girlfriend. I wonder where the two of them are right now."

Xavier didn’t say anything. Renn hissed and pressed his hand down on the wound. Xavier gritted his teeth and let out a low sound of pain.

"I’m sorry, boy. We need to clean your wound first," Renn muttered. "Unfortunately for you, it’s Dr. Renn attending to you."

Still, Xavier said nothing. Renn was starting to feel uneasy. Why wasn’t he saying anything? He hadn’t said a word since he stood with Angela. What happened between the two of them after he left?

Kaito handed the first aid kit to Taros who got to work immediately. Renn joined in and focused on Xavier. When they were done, Taros healed up Stales, then came over to Xavier and did the same.

Afterwards, they gave them water to drink. Taros waited for a while, watching them recover some strength. Then he asked, "Are you guys going to tell us what happened here?"

Stales’ heart skipped. He wasn’t expecting that question, not yet. He had been thinking of how to stop the Alphas, but what he didn’t prepare for was what to say next. If Xavier opened his mouth, it would all come out. The boy would tell the Alphas everything, and then what? They would go after Angela. That would mean everything he planned had turned to nothing.

**