Chapter 28 CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
ALORA
I can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see the wounded being carried past my window. Hear their cries of pain echoing through the pack house.
By dawn, I give up trying. I dress quietly and slip into the hallway. The pack house is still chaotic, wolves rushing between the medical wing and the Alpha's study, guards posted at every entrance.
No one stops me as I make my way downstairs. Just another slave, invisible in the morning rush.
The medical wing is worse than I imagined. Wounded wolves fill every bed, some spilling onto makeshift pallets on the floor. The pack doctor moves between them frantically, his young assistant struggling to keep up.
I hover in the doorway, watching. A warrior near the back, barely conscious, has a deep gash across his ribs that won't stop bleeding. The doctor passes him by, focusing on more critical cases first.
My healing abilities pulse beneath my skin, demanding to be used.
I look around. Everyone's too busy to notice one more slave in the chaos.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I grab a basket of clean bandages and slip inside. I move to the bleeding warrior, kneeling beside his pallet.
"Here," I say softly, pressing a bandage to his wound. "Let me help."
He's too weak to protest. As I work, I let just a trickle of power flow through my fingertips. Nothing obvious. Just enough to slow the bleeding, to give his body a chance to heal on its own.
His breathing steadies. The blood flow slows to a manageable level.
I move to the next wolf. A young female with burns across her arms. I apply salve with gentle touches, channeling the barest hint of healing energy through my palms. Not enough to make the burns disappear, that would be too obvious, but enough to take the edge off her pain, to help her body start recovering.
"Thank you," she whispers, her face relaxing slightly.
I work my way through the wing, staying in the background. Holding hands here, adjusting bandages there. Small touches that look like comfort but carry just enough healing to help. Nothing dramatic. Nothing that would make anyone look twice.
I'm rewrapping an older warrior's shoulder when someone clears their throat behind me.
"Miss?" The pack doctor's assistant stands there, looking exhausted. "We need those bandages for the critical cases."
"Of course. I'm sorry." I hand over the basket quickly. "I was just trying to help."
"Slaves aren't supposed to be in here during crises." But his voice isn't unkind, just tired. "You should go back to your quarters."
"Yes, sir."
I slip out before anyone else notices me, my heart pounding. That was too close. Too risky.
But as I hurry through the hallways, I hear voices from the medical wing behind me.
"Doctor, the warrior with the rib wound—his bleeding has slowed significantly."
"Good. His natural healing must be strong."
"And several others are showing improvement. Better than expected, actually."
"We got to them in time, that's all. Keep monitoring them closely."
I make it back to my quarters and close the door, leaning against it. They didn't notice. Didn't suspect anything beyond natural recovery.
I was careful enough.
ALEX
"The casualty report, my Lord."
I take the paper from Marcus, scanning the numbers. Three dead. Twenty wounded. But as I read further, something catches my attention.
"These recovery projections," I say slowly. "Several warriors listed as critical are now stable?"
"The doctor says we got to them faster than expected. Natural wolf healing is impressive when treatment is immediate." Marcus shrugs. "He seemed pleased with the outcomes."
I set down the paper, but something nags at me. "Any complications? Unexpected issues?"
"None. If anything, the doctor said some of the wounds are responding better to treatment than usual. He credited his new wound-packing technique." Marcus pauses. "Why?"
"Just making sure we're not missing anything." I tap the paper. "Were there any slaves helping in the medical wing?"
"A few were running supplies. Why?"
"No reason. Just want to account for everyone during the chaos."
After Marcus leaves, I pull out the ancient text I've been studying, flipping to a marked page.
Blood Wolves possessed healing abilities beyond comprehension. A touch could mend broken bones...
But the text also says their healing is dramatic. Obvious. The kind of miracle that draws attention.
The improvements in my warriors are good, but not miraculous. Just... better than expected. It could be natural healing. It could be good medical care.
Could be something else.
I move to the connecting door, listening. Alora's moving around in her room, restless.
Did she go to the medical wing? Did she risk touching wounded warriors despite my orders to stay in her quarters?
I should confront her. Demand to know where she was during those critical hours.
But if I'm wrong, I'll reveal my suspicions for nothing. And if I'm right...
If I'm right, she's even more reckless than I thought. And I need to find a way to protect her from her own compassion.
I return to my desk, making a note to increase security around her quarters. Not as punishment, as protection.
Whether she healed those warriors or not, the Northern Pack is still out there. Still hunting.
And I can't let my guard down for a second.
ALORA
The rest of the day passes quietly. No one comes to question me. No one accuses me of anything.
By evening, I start to think I got away with it.
Then there's a knock on my door.
Sarah enters with my dinner tray, but her expression is troubled.
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"The Alpha has ordered increased security around your quarters. Guards posted outside your door at all times." She sets down the tray. "Do you know why?"
My stomach drops. "He's probably just being cautious after the attack."
"Maybe." But Sarah doesn't sound convinced. "Alora, where were you this morning? I looked for you after the all-clear was given, but you weren't in your quarters."
"I was just walking. Trying to clear my head after being locked in the safe room all night."
"Near the medical wing?"
My heart hammers. "What makes you say that?"
"Because one of the other slaves said she saw someone who looked like you near there. Said you were carrying bandages." Sarah moves closer. "Tell me you didn't do anything stupid."
"I didn't. I just... I walked past. Saw how busy they were. But I didn't go in."
The lie tastes bitter, but it's necessary.
Sarah studies my face for a long moment, then sighs. "Just be careful. After Victoria's banishment, everyone's watching you. Wondering what makes you special." She heads for the door. "Don't give them reasons to look too closely."
After she leaves, I pick at my dinner without appetite.
I helped save lives today. Did what I was born to do—heal, help, protect.
But I also put myself at risk. Drew questions, even if no one has definitive answers yet.
Through the connecting door, I hear Alpha Stone moving around. The rustle of papers, the clink of glass—he's drinking something stronger than tea tonight.
Is he thinking about the battle? About the losses?
Or is he thinking about me?
I press my hand against the door, wishing I could tell him the truth. Wishing I didn't have to hide what I am from the one person who might understand.
But the texts are clear. Blood-wolves and their mates always end in tragedy.
Better to keep lying.
Better to stay hidden.
Even if it means watching him carry burdens I could help ease.
Even if it means denying the bond that grows stronger every day.
I pull my hand back and return to my cold dinner, alone with my secrets and my guilt.