Chapter 98

Zeena's POV

The morning after returning from the forest, I found myself doing what had quickly become a routine.

My feet simply carried me to Ryder's room before I had the chance to do anything else. I figured if I started my day by seeing him, somehow everything else became a little easier to deal with.

The two warriors standing outside the room straightened the moment they saw me.

"Luna."

I smiled faintly and gave them a nod. "Morning."

One of them stepped aside to open the door, and I quietly slipped inside.

The room smelled strongly of herbs and medicine, though Ryder's scent still lingered beneath it all. The curtains had been opened just enough to let in the morning light, illuminating the bed where he lay exactly as I'd left him the previous night.

Or... almost exactly.

I walked closer, studying him carefully.

The wound across his side no longer looked as vicious as it had a few days ago. The torn flesh had finally begun knitting together, and although the bruises covering his chest and neck were still there, they'd started fading into dull shades instead of the angry purple they'd been before.

It wasn't much. Most people probably wouldn't have noticed the difference, but I did.

I missed him a lot. He had a way of making everything feel less overwhelming, he was like an anchor and these past few days had made me realize just how much I'd come to depend on him. The thought of losing him was one I couldn't bear.

They say you don't know the value of what you have unless you lose it. I guess I was witnessing it first hand.

"At this rate, you'll drill holes into his body.”

I turned to find Edrin arranging fresh herbs on a small table by the window.

“I want to believe I'm not imagining the changes on his body.”

He smiled, continuing with his work. "No. His wolf has finally taken over the healing. That usually means the danger has passed."

"Usually?"

He laughed softly, already knowing why I'd picked that word out of everything he'd said.

"I'll never promise certainty where healing is concerned," he replied. "But if he continues like this, I expect he'll wake soon."

Soon. It wasn't even a guarantee.

But after days of wondering whether he'd survive at all, soon sounded wonderful.

I sat carefully on the edge of the bed and reached for his hand. His skin felt warmer than before, no longer cold enough to make my stomach twist every time I touched him.

"You heard Edrin," I murmured. "Apparently you've decided to stop scaring everyone and I'd appreciate it if you woke up before Andre slumps. He keeps insisting he's fine, but he looks like he hasn't slept in days."

"The pack's settling again. At least... as much as it can. Laura's still acting strange after yesterday. She's convinced she recognized whoever was watching us in the forest. The problem is… I don't.”

I sighed.

"I wish you'd wake up already. You'd probably make sense of all this in five minutes."

As if the Moon Goddess had decided I'd complained enough, I felt the faintest movement against my palm.

I froze.

Slowly, I looked down.

Maybe I'd imagined…

His fingers twitched again.

Barely.

It lasted less than a heartbeat, but I knew what I'd felt, and Celeste stirring within me was enough verification I needed.

I looked back at his face, relief washing over me so quickly I almost cried. I stayed by talking a bit more now with renewed confidence until Andre sent for me.

Before leaving, I leaned down and brushed a kiss against his forehead.

"You don't get to change your mind now," I whispered. "You've started getting better, so keep going."

When I stepped back outside, the pack was already awake.

The courtyard buzzed, returning with its usual morning activity. Warriors crossed paths carrying training weapons, healers hurried between buildings with baskets full of herbs, and somewhere nearby a pair of pups argued loudly over what looked suspiciously like the same wooden sword.

These were good signs right?

"Good morning, Luna."

I turned to find Kade standing outside Ryder's room, fastening the straps around his leather bracers.

"Morning," I greeted.

"I heard the healer speaking." His expression brightened slightly. "Is the Alpha improving?"

"He is."

"That's good."

There was genuine relief in his voice. "I don't think anyone's stopped worrying since the fight."

"I know the feeling."

He shifted his weight, glancing toward the closed door behind me.

"I'm taking over guard duty for a while. Andre wants someone outside this room at all times."

“Weren't you on patrol during the night?"

"I was."

"And now you're guarding Ryder?"

He shrugged. "We're rotating more often."

I frowned. "That sounds exhausting.”

Kade laughed. "It is. But I'd rather lose sleep than explain to Andre why something happened while I was supposed to be watching."

I couldn't help smiling. "I don't think I'd survive that conversation either."

"If anything changes," he said, nodding toward the room, "I'll send for you immediately."

"Thank you."

He dipped his head once before taking his position beside the door.

I started down the courtyard just as Andre rounded the corner.

He looked every bit as tired as I'd expected.

"If you're about to tell me I look terrible," he said before I even opened my mouth, "save it. Adela hasn't let me hear the last of it either."

"I wasn't going to."

"You were thinking it."

"...Maybe a little."

The corner of his mouth twitched before his expression turned serious.

"The border patrols reported more movement during the night."

My own smile disappeared. "The same wolves?"

"We think so. They stayed just outside our territory."

I folded my arms. “Do you think they'll attack?"

"I don't know."

He held my gaze for a moment before adding, "Apparently every border pack has reported unusual movement lately. But I'd rather prepare for an attack that never comes than be caught unprepared.”

I nodded slowly. It made sense.

Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that whoever had been lurking beyond our borders was waiting for something.

Or someone.

“Laura's getting ready to leave.” Andre said after a brief moment.

Almost as if she'd heard her name, Laura emerged from the pack house carrying a travel bag over one shoulder.

"I'm heading out and it shouldn't take more than three days."

I nodded.

There were a dozen questions I wanted to ask her, all of them circling back to the forest and the strange scent she'd recognized in the woods.

Instead I simply said, "Be careful."

She studied me for a moment before giving a small nod. "You too."

It wasn't much, but it was more than we'd managed yesterday.

I watched as she shifted into her grey wolf, bag held within her jaws, gave a last nod and took off.

By the time night settled over the pack, exhaustion had settled into my bones.

I should've gone straight to bed. Instead, I found myself standing at the edge of the forest within the pack. The trees stretched into darkness, quiet and familiar.

‘Cel?’ I called, hoping to hear something since she stirred earlier and just as I'd hoped she gave a hum.

Finally. ‘Do you mind going for a run?’

‘Maybe.’

A small smile tugged at my lips.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Celeste didn't answer again, but I felt her presence shift beneath my skin, quieter than before yet no longer completely withdrawn.

That was enough.

I stepped into the trees, letting the cool night air wash over me as I shifted. The forest welcomed me with familiar scents and the soft rustle of leaves overhead.

I could use a little peace.