Chapter 56

Isolde

"This is too sophisticated for random hunters," I replied. "This is methodical, scientific. Whoever did this has advanced knowledge of both chemistry and werewolf physiology."

The laboratory door opened, and Aiden entered carrying an ancient leather-bound book. Luke followed behind him, his expression grave.

"Aiden tells me you've made a discovery," Luke said without preamble.

I nodded, showing him the analysis results. "It's a modified silver compound in the water supply. Exposure during patrols explains the pattern of poisoning we're seeing. The concentration is highest in the northwestern streams, which correlates with the most severe cases."

"This is intentional," Luke said grimly, studying the molecular diagrams. "A coordinated attack on our territory."

"Hunters," Aiden added, placing the book on the table. "They've become more sophisticated in their methods. No longer relying on silver bullets and wolfsbane—now they're poisoning our resources."

I looked at the ancient tome with curiosity. "What's this?"

"Our family's historical record on silver and its effects on our kind," Aiden explained, carefully opening the fragile pages. The book emanated age and power, its pages covered in elegant script interspersed with detailed illustrations. "Silver has always been our greatest weakness. Through history, hunters have refined methods of using it against us."

He turned to a particular page showing a woman with flowing hair, her hand outstretched over a wounded werewolf. A silvery wound on the wolf was depicted healing under her touch, with strange blue light emanating from her palm.

"What's this?" I asked, drawn to the image that seemed almost to pulse with life.

"The legend of the Silver Moon Guardian," Elissa explained reverently. "An old Levin family myth. My grandmother used to tell us stories about them when we were children."

"It was said that the purest of the Levin bloodline possessed immunity to silver," Aiden elaborated, his eyes flickering to me. "More than that—they could heal silver wounds with their touch. Their blood contained properties that neutralized silver poisoning."

I felt a strange chill run through me as I remembered Mia's treatment—how the silver poisoning had receded at my touch, how my blood had glowed faintly blue when it contacted her wounds.

"Just a legend, though, right?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Most legends contain kernels of truth," Aiden replied, studying my reaction closely. "The Levin family was known for their healing abilities long before modern medicine. Some texts suggest they weren't purely werewolf—that somewhere in their ancestry, they mixed with something else. Something that gave them protection against silver."

Elissa looked at me with sudden intensity. "Your blood neutralized Mia's silver poisoning. I saw it with my own eyes—the silver traces disappeared when your blood touched her skin. Could you possibly be—"

"A coincidence," I cut in quickly, uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. "Modern medicine has explanations that don't require myths and legends. My treatment contained anticoagulants and chelating agents that likely bound to the silver molecules."

Yet even as I spoke, I remembered the strange blue glow, the immediate response that defied medical explanation. And I thought of the wolf-head ring that wouldn't come off my finger, bound somehow to my blood.

Luke cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence. "Dr. Beck, how soon can you implement treatment for our affected members?"

"I can begin tonight," I promised, grateful for the change of subject. "I'll need to adjust the dosages based on severity, but the protocol I used for Mia should work for the others."

"Good." He nodded tersely. "We're fortunate to have your expertise."

He hesitated, exchanging a significant look with Aiden before continuing.

"Oh, and Dr. Beck? We've received word that Hawke representatives have arrived at our territory border. They're requesting entry."

My heart skipped a beat. Dorian. It had to be him. After days of silence, he'd discovered where I was.

Luke Stone's piercing gray eyes fixed on me as we stood in his impeccably organized office, the analysis results of the contaminated water still displayed on the large screen behind us.

"Hawke representatives are at our borders," he said, his voice carefully neutral. "Your husband, I presume. What are your thoughts on allowing them entry, Dr. Beck?"

I kept my face composed despite the sudden flutter in my chest at the mention of Dorian. After days of silence and the way we'd parted, I wasn't sure what to expect from this reunion.

"I'm here as a medical professional, Mr. Stone," I replied evenly. "The decision to grant or deny entry to your territory falls strictly under your authority, not mine. I'm focused on treating your pack members."

Luke's eyebrows rose slightly, a glimmer of interest crossing his otherwise stoic face. "Most human spouses of Alphas would be eager to reunite with their mates. Your... professional detachment is noteworthy."

I met his gaze steadily. "I take my role as a doctor very seriously."

"So I see." He inclined his head, then turned to the intercom on his desk. "Grant the Hawke contingent access and escort them to the main conference room. Inform my brother we require his presence."

With a final appraising look at me, Luke gestured toward the door. "Shall we greet our guests, Dr. Beck?"