Chapter 144

Chapter 144
Seraphina's POV

Claire saw a figure at the alley entrance and mustered her last strength to struggle, but her body was too weak—she'd barely moved before collapsing again.

"Someone else coming?" One rogue turned his head alertly.

I saw blood still flowing from the back of Claire's head, her breathing growing weaker. My special sense of smell told me: her life was rapidly draining away.

The three rogues saw me, first startled, then showing contemptuous smiles.

"Well, another one delivering herself? And a pregnant little she-wolf, today's our lucky day."

I ignored their mockery, my gaze fixed on Claire lying on the ground. Blood seeped from the back of her head, forming a small pool of dark red on the ground.

"Put her down." My voice was calm but carried undeniable authority. "She needs immediate treatment."

"Huh?" The rogues exchanged glances, then burst into mocking laughter. "Who the hell are you? Daring to order us around?"

"Her skull is fractured," I continued, voice still calm. "Intracranial bleeding. If not treated within ten minutes, she'll die."

"Better if she dies," the leader sneered. "Saves us trouble."

"Don't you want ransom?" I said. "Dead wolves are worthless. Your goal is money, not murder. If she dies, you get nothing and will be hunted by Blackmane Pack. But if you let me save her and she lives, you still have a chance at ransom."

This made the rogues pause. The leader narrowed his eyes, seemingly weighing the options.

"Who are you? Why save her?"

"I'm a healer." I said. "I don't want to watch someone die before my eyes. That's a healer's oath."

"A healer?" The leader looked me up and down, noticing the moonstone pendant at my neck.

"Yes." I nodded. "Let me save her, then you can decide your next move. Anyway, in her current state, taking her with you is a death sentence."

The rogues hesitated. They really didn't want to kill anyone—they just wanted money.

"You trying to pull something?" the leader asked warily.

"I just don't want to watch someone die." I shook my head. "Besides, I'm pregnant. What tricks do you think I could pull?"

My hand rested on my slightly rounded belly—this gesture made me appear more harmless.

The leader thought for a moment, finally nodding. "Fine, go save her. But if you try anything—"

He brandished a dagger, the threat clear.

I ignored the threat, quickly approaching Claire and kneeling beside her. My hand gently cradled her head, examining the wound.

As expected—skull fracture, severe intracranial bleeding.

I retrieved several items from my herb pouch: hemostatic grass, bone-healing powder, and a small bottle of silver liquid—my specially formulated "Life's Essence," capable of temporarily stabilizing an injured person's life force.

Claire's pain eased slightly. She struggled to open her eyes, seeing my face.

"Sera... phina...?" Her voice was barely audible.

I didn't answer, focused on treatment. I dripped the "Life's Essence" onto her lips.

Just then, a thunderous roar echoed from the alley entrance.

"ROAR—!"

Lucian could no longer contain himself. Seeing me kneeling on the ground, surrounded by three rogues, his reason shattered instantly. He shifted into a massive gray wolf, eyes burning with golden fury. Alpha pressure descended like a physical force on the rogues.

"It's... it's Blackmane Pack's Alpha!" The leader recognized Lucian in terror.

Lucian gave them no chance to explain. Like a gray lightning bolt, he charged into the alley, directly pouncing on the nearest rogue. Battle erupted instantly.

I heard fighting sounds behind me but didn't let it distract me. My full attention remained on Claire—her life was in my hands. I couldn't make any mistakes.

"Don't speak. Save your strength." I told Claire quietly.

Claire weakly grasped my hand. "Why... why are you saving me... our pack... treated you..."

I didn't answer, only continued focusing on treatment.

The fighting sounds behind me gradually subsided. I knew Lucian had subdued those rogues.

"Seraphina!" Lucian's voice suddenly sounded beside me, full of concern. "Are you hurt?"

He shifted back to human form, anxiously looking me up and down. Only after making sure I wasn’t injured did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.

It was then that his gaze fell on Claire, who was lying on the ground. His face instantly paled, and he rushed over to check her wounds.

"Claire, Claire!" His voice trembled, hand reaching out wanting to touch her but afraid of hitting the wound. "Damn it... what did those bastards do to you..."

Pain and fury flashed in his eyes.

"She... she'll be alright, won't she?" Lucian looked at me, eyes full of pleading. "Seraphina, please... you must save her..."

"Her injury is severe," I said calmly. "But I've stabilized her. She'll live."

"Thank you... thank you, Seraphina..."

His voice choked, hand gently gripping Claire's. "Claire, don't be afraid... you'll be fine... I'm here..."

Soon, Howling Hall guards arrived. They'd heard Lucian's roar and knew conflict had occurred here. The guard captain quickly assessed the scene, ordering his subordinates to chain the three rogues with silver restraints.

"This is...?" The guard captain turned to me.

"A healer." Lucian answered for me. "She saved Claire's life."

The guard captain looked at me with solemn respect. "Thank you for your righteous act."

"I treated her in time," I said. "But she needs further observation. I'd like to accompany her to the treatment room."

"I'm going too." Lucian immediately said. "Claire is my family. I must ensure she receives the best care."

The guard captain nodded in agreement, arranging for Claire to be carried on a stretcher.

Just as we were preparing to head to the treatment room, Ember came running, breathless. Her face showed a mix of excitement and worry.

"Seraphina!" She rushed to me, looking me up and down. "Are you alright? We heard Lucian's roar and were so worried!"

"I'm fine." I said, then asked nervously, "How did things go at the vault?"

Ember's face broke into a relieved smile. "We got them! Moonlight Vine, Star Tear Flower, Silver Vein Root—all three herbs! Donny is handling the final paperwork with Elder Alaric. We'll have them soon."

Immense relief washed over me. Thank the Moon Goddess—I hadn't delayed the cub's treatment by saving Claire.

"That's wonderful." I said softly, hand unconsciously resting on my belly. The cub seemed to sense my emotions, moving gently, as if saying: Mama did the right thing.

---

We headed to the treatment room together. Claire was placed on a treatment bed, and I continued performing further examination and treatment.

"The bone-healing powder is taking effect," I said while examining. "But the skull fracture still needs stronger herbs to repair."

The treatment room manager, an experienced elderly healer, approached to check Claire's condition. "Severe head trauma... your emergency treatment was excellent, stabilizing her vital signs. I have Dragon Bone Grass here—it can help repair the skull."

"Dragon Bone Grass?" My eyes lit up. "Perfect, that's the most suitable herb for this type of injury."

The elderly healer brought Dragon Bone Grass and other auxiliary herbs. I began preparing the medicinal mixture. My movements were skilled and precise, each step exactly right.

About half an hour later, Donny also arrived at the treatment room. He carried an exquisite wooden box—containing the three rare herbs we needed.

"Got everything." Donny approached me, placing the box on the table, voice excited. "And the quality is all excellent. Elder Alaric helped tremendously—he knows the vault manager and secured the best batch for us."

I temporarily stopped treatment, opening the box to examine carefully. Moonlight Vine emitted a faint silver glow, Star Tear Flower petals still bore dewdrops, Silver Vein Root's seven veins clearly visible.

I brought them close to my nose, carefully sniffing each herb's scent and energy fluctuations.

"Perfect." I breathed in relief, tears welling in my eyes. "These herbs are all top quality, enough to complete the purification ritual."

Donny looked at Claire on the treatment bed, then at my pale face, frowning. "You used your healing gift again? The drain must be significant."

"It's manageable." I said. "Her injury was critical. Without immediate treatment, she would have died."

"You," Donny sighed. "Always like this. But you did right. Before life, there are no pack divisions. And look—we successfully obtained the herbs without delaying the cub's treatment."

I nodded, complex emotions filling my heart. I'd saved Claire and hadn't delayed the cub's treatment. This was the best outcome.

Just then, Claire weakly opened her eyes. Seeing Lucian, tears flowed.

"Lucian..."

"Don't speak." Lucian said gently. "You need rest."

"I'm sorry... for worrying you." Claire choked out.

"You're fine—that's all that matters. Rest well. I'll stay right here with you."

Then Claire looked at me, eyes full of gratitude and guilt. "Seraphina... thank you for saving me... I know... our pack treated you badly... but you still..."

"Don't talk." I interrupted. "You need rest."

"Why... why did you save me..." she asked weakly. "Our pack... treated you so badly..."

I was silent for a moment, then said calmly, "I'm a healer. Before life, there are no pack divisions, no grudges. You needed treatment—I acted. That's all."

Tears streamed down Claire's face.

Donny said softly, "She needs rest. We should return to our lodging too. You've drained yourself significantly today—you need proper rest."

I nodded, giving some instructions to the elderly healer in the treatment room, then left with Donny and Ember.

Warmth stirred in my heart—today, I'd fulfilled my duty as a healer without failing my responsibility as a mother. The cub's herbs were secured, Claire's life saved.

"Thank you, Moon Goddess." I prayed silently. "Thank you for making everything go smoothly."