Chapter 45— The Healer’s Visit
The next morning dawned quiet, but not peaceful. The kind of silence that followed arguments too deep to be forgotten.
Brittany was already downstairs when Rhianna came out of her room. She sat at the table, looking flawless as ever in a soft silk gown, one hand resting deliberately over her stomach.
“Sebastian,” she said sweetly when he appeared behind Rhianna, “you have to come with me to the healer today. I need to make sure the baby’s fine.”
Rhianna froze mid-step. The words the baby still stung like a slap every time she heard them.
Sebastian’s voice was calm. “All right. I’ll come.”
Just like that—no hesitation, no glance at Rhianna. He simply grabbed his jacket and keys.
Brittany smiled like a victor and looped her arm through his as they headed out together.
When the door closed, the house fell into a stillness so heavy it almost hummed.
Rhianna stood there for a moment, staring at the space they’d just left, before forcing herself to move.
She needed to do something—anything—to stop thinking.
So she started cleaning.
The kitchen first, then the hall, then the sitting room. She dusted shelves, folded blankets, wiped every surface until her fingers ached.
By the time Tia arrived, her hair was tied messily and her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows.
“You’ve been up early,” Tia said, stepping inside with her usual bright tone.
Rhianna managed a faint smile. “Couldn’t sleep.”
Tia sighed. “I heard about Hardin,” she said. “The whole pack’s talking. He wiped out the bandit group near the river border. Everyone’s calling him a hero.”
Rhianna paused mid-swipe, her chest tightening at the mention of his name. “He’s always been good at saving people.”
Tia leaned against the counter, smiling softly. “Maybe he’ll save this whole pack next.”
Before Rhianna could reply, something clattered softly underfoot.
Tia bent down and picked up a small glass bottle.
“What’s this?” she asked, turning it between her fingers.
Rhianna’s eyes widened. “Oh, that—it’s nothing. Just vitamins. I dropped them earlier.”
She reached out quickly, snatching the bottle from Tia’s hand. But a few of the pills had already rolled across the floor, so she crouched down to gather them, her movements too hurried, too nervous.
Tia watched her silently, her curiosity sharpening.
When Rhianna turned away to toss the pills into her palm, one slipped from the edge of the counter. Tia caught it before it hit the floor—smooth, round, and faintly marked with a healer’s rune.
Not vitamins.
Tia slipped it quietly into her pocket. “I should head out,” she said suddenly. “There’s something I need to do.”
Rhianna looked up, startled. “So soon?”
Tia smiled faintly. “I’ll see you later.”
She left before Rhianna could say more.
The healer’s ward smelled faintly of sage and lavender. Tia stepped in just in time to see Brittany and Sebastian walking down the corridor toward Alden’s office.
Her pulse quickened.
She stayed by the doorway, quiet, as they went inside. The door didn’t fully close, leaving just enough of a gap for voices to slip through.
Healer Alden’s voice was calm as always. “So… this is the father?”
“Yes,” Sebastian answered without hesitation.
Tia’s stomach dropped at the sound of his voice—steady, sure, almost proud.
“I see,” Alden said softly. “And how is Rhianna?”
Sebastian’s reply was clipped. “She’s home. Resting.”
Before the healer could speak again, Brittany’s sharp tone cut in. “We’re not here for Rhianna, we’re here for my child.”
The bitterness in her voice hung in the air like smoke.
Alden didn’t react. He merely nodded and gestured to the cot. “Lie down, then. Let’s see how the baby’s doing.”
Brittany obeyed, settling back on the sheet-covered bed with a faint groan. Her expression softened instantly when Sebastian stepped closer, his hand hovering uncertainly near hers.
Alden worked in silence for a few minutes, checking her pulse, placing a hand over her belly, listening with that quiet focus that filled every inch of the room.
Finally, he straightened. “The baby is fine,” he said. “Strong heartbeat. Everything looks normal.”
Brittany’s lips curved into a satisfied smile. “Of course it is,” she said softly. “Wolfe blood runs strong.”
Sebastian exhaled, relief softening the tension in his shoulders. “Good,” he murmured.
From where Tia stood hidden, she could see the whole picture—the calm healer, the smug woman, and the man who had no idea his mate was breaking quietly under the same roof he shared with another.
Her fingers brushed the pill still hidden in her pocket.
And for the first time, Tia realized that whatever Rhianna was hiding… it was much worse than anyone suspected.
Tia pressed closer to the wall, unseen, until the sound of footsteps moved past her—Brittany leaning into Sebastian as they disappeared down the hall.
Only then did Tia step out and approach the door.
Alden looked up when she entered, surprised. “Tia. You startled me.”
She offered him a smile. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“What brings you here?”
Tia reached into her pocket and placed the pill bottle on his desk. “I think this belongs to Rhianna.”
Alden’s expression didn’t change—but his eyes flickered, just briefly, before he leaned back in his chair. “Where did you get this?”
“She dropped them,” Tia said. “She told me they were vitamins. I just wanted to be sure.”
The healer’s hands folded calmly, but there was a guardedness in his voice now. “Vitamins, yes.”
Tia frowned. “What kind of vitamins make someone panic like that when you pick them up?”
Alden gave a soft sigh. “Perhaps you should ask her yourself.”
“I did,” Tia replied, crossing her arms. “And she lied. So maybe you can save us both the act.”
The healer’s gaze met hers, steady but unreadable. “Then maybe you already know your answer, child.”
Tia blinked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means,” he said, his tone even, “that some truths are not mine to tell. If she says they’re vitamins, then vitamins they are.”
The conversation ended there—firm, final.
Tia felt her suspicion grow into something sharper. She took the bottle back, slipping it into her pocket again. “If you say so,” she said coolly.
Alden nodded once, already turning back to his papers.
Tia left the office with her thoughts racing.
The morning light hit her as she stepped outside, and for a moment she stood still, feeling the unease crawl beneath her skin.
Whatever Rhianna was hiding, it wasn’t something simple.
And now Tia knew—Healer Alden was hiding it too.