Chapter 135: Wounds and Warnings

Seraphine's POV

The pain hit me like a freight train.

I screamed. Couldn't help it. My right leg felt like someone was driving hot nails through the bone.

"Hold still," Cordelia said. Her voice was calm. Clinical. Like she dealt with screaming patients every fucking day.

Maybe she did.

I gritted my teeth. Tried to breathe through it. Failed miserably.

It was ten in the morning. The sun was streaming through the windows I'd cracked open hours ago. Trying to air out the room. Trying to get rid of the smell.

Didn't work.

The air still carried traces of it. Sex. Sweat. That musky scent that came with spring heat. It clung to everything. The sheets. The pillows. My skin.

Damn it.

Cordelia's hands were steady as she unwrapped the makeshift bandage Kaelen had put on last night. Her fingers were cold against my fevered skin. Professional. Detached.

But her eyes weren't.

She kept glancing at my neck. At the fresh bite mark Kaelen had left there. Then at the tangled sheets. Then back at my neck.

Her expression was complicated. Not judgmental exactly. Just... knowing.

"Spring," she said slowly. Her tone was weird. Too casual. "Really is a beautiful season, isn't it?"

My face went hot.

I looked away. Focused on the ceiling. On anything except her face.

She didn't push it. Just went back to examining my leg. Her touch was rough. Not cruel, but definitely not gentle either.

I hissed when she pressed on a particularly tender spot.

"Bone's shattered," she said. Matter-of-fact. "Clean break would've been better. This is going to take time."

"How much time?" My voice came out strained.

"Two weeks minimum." She reached for her medical bag. Pulled out gauze and some kind of herbal paste that smelled like death. "Longer if you don't stay off it."

I watched her work. Watched her spread the paste over my swollen flesh. It burned like hell but I bit down on my tongue. Refused to scream again.

The smell of herbs mixed with blood. Sharp. Medicinal. It cut through the lingering scent of sex but didn't erase it completely.

Cordelia's eyes flickered to the windows. To the fresh air pouring in. Back to me.

She smiled. Small. Knowing.

"You know," she said conversationally, "there's a celebration in three days. The Spring Equinox Bonfire."

I blinked. "What?"

"It's tradition." She wrapped clean bandages around my leg. Tight. Secure. "For wolves who found their mates during the spring mating party. They jump over the bonfire together. Makes the bond official. Gets the pack's blessing."

Oh fuck.

"There's dancing," she continued. Like she was describing a grocery list. "Feasting. Music. It's quite the event actually. Very romantic."

Her eyes met mine. Direct. Pointed.

"You and Kaelen planning to attend?"

The question hung in the air. Heavy. Loaded with implications I didn't want to unpack.

"I don't—" I started. Then stopped. "It's complicated."

"Complicated how?"

How the hell was I supposed to explain this? That we'd had sex but I still wasn't sure I trusted him? That I loved him and hated him in equal measure and didn't know which feeling would win?

"We're not..." I trailed off. Tried again. "I mean, we are, but we haven't..."

Cordelia waited. Patient. Eyebrows raised.

"It's new," I finally said. Lamely. "We're still figuring things out."

"Figuring things out." She repeated my words slowly. Like she was tasting them. "That's one way to put it."

Her gaze dropped to my neck again. To the mark that was probably visible from space.

I wanted to pull the blanket up. Cover it. Hide the evidence.

But that would be admitting something. Acknowledging the elephant in the room.

So I just sat there. Feeling exposed. Feeling stupid.

Cordelia finished with the bandages. Sat back. Surveyed her work.

"The good news," she said, "is that everything else is healing nicely. Bruises are fading. Scratches are closing up. Your wolf healing is doing its job."

She packed up her supplies. Neat. Efficient.

"The bad news is that leg. It needs rest. Complete rest. I'm recommending a wheelchair for the next—"

"No." The word came out sharp. Final.

Cordelia paused. Looked at me.

"No?" she repeated.

"I'd rather hop around like a one-legged rabbit," I said. "I'm not using a wheelchair."

Her expression shifted. Exasperation mixed with something that might've been respect.

"You're being stubborn."

"I'm being practical." I crossed my arms. "A wheelchair makes me look weak. Vulnerable. I've got enough targets on my back without adding 'crippled' to the list."

She sighed. Deep. Long-suffering.

"Fine. Crutches then. But if you push too hard, that bone won't set right. You'll be limping for months instead of weeks."

"I'll take my chances."

"Your funeral." She stood. Gathered her bag. "Literally, if you're not careful."

Before I could respond, heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Both our heads snapped toward the door.

The footsteps got closer. Louder. Multiple sets.

The door swung open.

Kaelen walked in first. His presence filled the room immediately. Dominant. Commanding. Those four eyes swept over me. Checking. Assessing.

Behind him came Lucian and Orion. Both looked grim.

Kaelen crossed to the bed in three strides. His hands gripped the mattress edge. He leaned down. Inspected Cordelia's bandage work.

I felt the mate bond pulse. Felt his concern bleeding through. His guilt.

I kept my face neutral. Tried to ignore the way my body responded to his nearness.

"Lucian," Cordelia said. Breaking the tension. "What's the news from the border?"

Lucian's expression darkened. "Patrol found multiple breach attempts last night. Seven different locations."

"We drove them back," Orion added. His voice was rough. Tired. "But they're getting bolder. More organized."

Kaelen straightened. His jaw tightened. All four eyes flashed gold for a second.

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

"I've made a decision," he said. His voice cut through the space like a blade. "Effective immediately, I'm reinforcing the borders. Security protocols are being upgraded across all entry points."

He turned. Addressed everyone in the room.

"Patrol shifts have been doubled. Guard rotations changed. I want eyes on every inch of our perimeter at all times."

His expression was hard. Cold. Alpha in full force.

"Any unauthorized entry will be met with lethal force. Our allies from Nightshade and Ironpeak will be escorted by designated guards. Everyone else gets turned away or eliminated. No exceptions."