Chapter 145

Chapter 145
Third Person POV

About half an hour after the battle ended, inside Howling Hall's guard room.

The guard captain sat behind the interrogation table, facing three rogues shackled to chairs with silver chains. Their faces still bore wounds Lucian had inflicted, expressions terrified and uneasy.

"Speak," the guard captain said coldly. "Why did you attack that she-wolf?"

The lead rogue kept his head down, silent.

"Not talking?" The guard captain slammed the table, voice carrying authority. "Do you know the consequences of attacking other pack members? According to Howling Hall law, you'll be handed over to Blackmane Pack. Given Blackmane Pack's style, you'll be lucky to escape with your lives!"

This made all three rogues tremble involuntarily. Blackmane Pack was known for severity, showing no mercy to enemies.

"I... I'll talk..." the leader finally spoke, voice shaking. "We... we just wanted to rob some money..."

"Rob?" The guard captain sneered. "Howling Hall is neutral territory. You've got nerve."

"We had no choice," the leader defended. "We were exiled from our original pack, no territory, no food, could only survive by robbing."

"Then why target that she-wolf?"

"We saw her leaving the trading area alone, wearing Blackmane Pack's emblem," the leader said. "Figured wolves from big packs must have valuables. We just wanted to take some goods. Who knew she'd resist so fiercely, try to run... accidentally injured her."

"Accidentally?" The guard captain raged. "Her skull fractured! Do you know if that healer hadn't acted in time, she'd be dead?"

All three rogues lowered their heads, not daring to respond.

"Originally wanted to ransom her," the leader added quietly. "But now we're caught—bad luck for us."

The guard captain shook his head, writing down the interrogation results in his record book.

"Your luck is indeed terrible," he said. "Not only did you encounter Blackmane Pack's Alpha, but also a healer with true compassion. If not for her, you'd probably have been torn apart by Lucian tonight."

The three rogues exchanged glances, realizing they'd truly dodged death.

"Regarding your case, I'll report truthfully to Blackmane Pack," the guard captain said. "As for how they'll deal with you, that's beyond my control."

He stood, preparing to leave the interrogation room. At the door, he suddenly stopped, turning back. "Have you heard if other rogues have been active around Howling Hall recently?"

The leader hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, heard there's an organization specifically recruiting exiled rogues, providing food and shelter, but requiring them to do some less honorable things."

"What organization?" The guard captain became alert.

"Don't know specifics," the leader shook his head. "We only heard... supposedly the organization's leader is mysterious, never shows their face, only contacts through intermediaries. They operate along various pack borders, specifically creating chaos."

The guard captain's expression grew grave. This intelligence was important, suggesting recent rogue attacks might not be random but organized behavior.

"Do you have contact with this organization?" he pressed.

"No," the leader quickly denied. "We only heard... we're not qualified to join that organization."

The guard captain nodded, recording this intelligence as well. He decided to report this to Howling Hall's Elder Council tomorrow.

---

At the same time, outside the lodging.

Seraphina stood by the lodging window, gazing at the night outside, hand gently resting on her belly, feeling the cub's movements.

"Did I do right today?" she asked the cub in her belly quietly. "I saved Claire and got the herbs you need. This is the best outcome, isn't it?"

The cub moved gently, as if responding.

"Fortunately... fortunately Donny and the others got the herbs." She looked at the wooden box Donny had placed on the table, containing the precious herbs, complex emotions filling her heart. "I didn't delay your treatment by saving Claire. Moon Goddess be praised."

She smiled bitterly. "You little one—do you also think Mama did right?"

Complex emotions stirred in her heart again. She remembered Lucian's performance in the alley today—that unhesitating protection, that reckless fury...

"Is he really changing?" she murmured. "Or is it just because of the cub?"

She couldn't determine the answer.

"Seraphina," Ember's voice came from behind. "Still not sleeping? You've been exhausted all day."

"Can't sleep," Seraphina said. "I'm thinking about today."

"You did right," Ember approached her, voice firm. "You saved Claire without delaying the cub's herbs. This is the best outcome."

"Yes," Seraphina said softly. "I'm fortunate you all obtained the herbs smoothly. If I'd delayed the cub's treatment by saving someone, I'd feel guilty forever."

"But I'm a mother," Seraphina turned to Ember. "I should put the cub first, yet I risked so much to save a stranger wolf."

"You didn't take risks," Ember said gently. "Lucian was always protecting you. And Seraphina, when you were saving her, I saw your eyes glowing. That light... only appears when doing something you truly love."

Seraphina fell silent.

"You're a healer," Ember said seriously. "This is your gift and your calling. If you abandoned your calling for the cub, you'd regret it forever. And I believe the cub would be proud to have such a mother."

Tears welled in Seraphina's eyes. She hugged Ember tightly. "Thank you, thank you for always supporting me."

"Silly," Ember patted her back gently. "We're best friends. Now, go to sleep. There's still much to do tomorrow."

Seraphina nodded, taking one last look at Lucian outside the window before turning back to bed.

But she still couldn't sleep. Claire's words echoed repeatedly in her mind: "Why... why did you save me..."

"Because I'm a healer," she answered inwardly. "This is my reason for existing."

She looked at the wooden box containing the precious herbs, deep gratitude filling her heart.

---

Deep night, around 2 AM. Claire woke again.

The treatment room was quiet, only moonstone lamps emitting faint luminescence. She turned her head, seeing Lucian sitting in a chair beside the bed.

"Lucian." Claire called weakly.

Lucian immediately turned, concern flashing in his eyes. "You're awake? How do you feel? Still hurting?"

"Much better," Claire said. "Why... why aren't you resting?"

"I'm worried about you." Lucian said, pulling the chair closer. "You were so badly hurt—how could I rest easy?"

Tears flowed down Claire's face. "I'm sorry, it's all my fault. If I hadn't taken the side path..."

"Don't blame yourself." Lucian said gently. "This isn't your fault. Those damn rogues—I failed to protect you."

Claire choked out, "But... but I treated Seraphina badly. Our pack wolves all treated her badly. I'm a coward—I never stood up for her."

Lucian fell silent.

"But she still saved me." Claire continued. "She risked her life, while pregnant. Lucian, she's truly kind, kinder than any of us."

"I know." Lucian said quietly. "I've always known. I just realized too late."

Claire looked at him. "Lucian, do you still love her?"

Lucian closed his eyes. "Never stopped."

"Then why..."

"Because I'm a coward." Lucian smiled bitterly. "An even greater coward than you. I hurt her, deeply. Now I can only guard from afar, praying she'll forgive me."

Claire clenched her fists. "Lucian, I'll help you. Seraphina saved my life—I owe her. And I can tell she still has feelings for you."

Lucian shook his head. "Don't force her. She's suffered enough."

"I'm not forcing her," Claire said. "I just want her to know not all Blackmane Pack wolves treated her badly. At least I'll stand on her side."

Just then, the treatment room door opened gently. Seraphina entered, carrying herbs.

Seeing Lucian, she paused briefly but still approached Claire's bed.

"You're awake." She said. "How do you feel?"

"Much better." Claire said. "Thank you, Seraphina."

Seraphina examined Claire's injury. "Recovery is good. Continue resting—you can get out of bed in three days."

"Seraphina," Lucian stood. "Why aren't you resting?"

"I'm worried about her injury." Seraphina said. "Wanted to check."

Lucian looked at her exhausted face, heartache evident. "You're already so tired—you should rest properly."

"I'm a healer." Seraphina said. "This is my duty."

She turned to leave. Lucian suddenly said, "Seraphina, thank you for saving Claire."

In the corridor, Seraphina leaned against the wall, hand pressed to her chest. She'd seen Lucian's tenderness and concern for Claire, that heartfelt care.

"If... if he'd treated me like that from the start..." she said softly, tears falling.

But she quickly wiped them away, taking a deep breath. The past was past—she couldn't keep dwelling on that pain.

She walked to a bench at the corridor's end, sitting down. Too exhausted, she unknowingly fell asleep.

Not long after, Lucian emerged from the treatment room. Seeing Seraphina asleep on the bench, deep heartache filled him.

He quietly approached, removing his coat to drape over her. Then he leaned against the opposite wall, guarding her from afar.

"I'm sorry, Seraphina," he said softly. "I'm sorry I let you suffer so much. If I could start over, I'd cherish you properly."

Moonlight bathed them both, witnessing this profound love and remorse.