\[Denali's POV\]
I sit silently, watching the monitors in front of me, which are filled with images of my packmates fighting a supernatural being. They're fighting hard to protect not only themselves but the packlands, showing their loyalty toward Rosco and me even though we are only their new leaders.
“Please be careful, everyone.” I whisper, silently sending my plea to them. “All of you must come back alive.”
“They will.” Denise, my guard, assures me with a gentle smile. “Alpha will make sure of it.”
Nodding, I continue to watch, transfixed on what is in front of me, until the creature starts to grow brightly, and then, when it explodes, taking out those closest to it, I feel my heart drop.
“No!” I gasp, my eyes growing wide as my fear grows. “How can this be? What happened?”
“I don't know.” Denise responds, her words echoing the emotions I feel.
Rosco! I call inwardly, though I know he won't be able to hear. The walls around me are special and lined with magic that keeps everything inside hidden from prying eyes and senses outside of it. And because of this protection, those within can't sense or hear anything beyond this room either.
“What should we do, Luna?" Denise asks as I continue to watch on in fear. “Do we stay here or...”
As she speaks, I take in the scene on the screen until I see those who survived the blast beginning to move.
“Infirmary.” I murmur, understanding completely where they would be heading. “We must help those who were injured.”
I knew that Rosco wanted me to stay here with Serenity until the danger passed, but I couldn't just sit here watching while those who swore their loyalty to me work hard to save their comrades and friends.
“You stay here.” I announce, jumping to my feet and passing Serenity to Denise. “Protect her until Rosco or I return.”
“Luna!” She gasps as I begin to move. “How can I?”
“That's an order.” I counter before heading out of the room.
When I reach the infirmary, it's like a war has taken place, with injured warriors being carried inside and mended. Men and women alike lay on beds, lining the walls, while their groans of agony fill the air and their blood stains the bed.
“Why aren't they healing?” I whisper, taking in their still-fresh wounds. “This doesn't…”
“Actually,” Elise announces, suddenly appearing beside me. “What doesn't make sense is why you are here.”
Eyes widening, I take in my sister, who sports only a few scrapes, as she stares me down with disapproval.
“Do you know how pissed your husband will be when he sees you?” She continues. “As you can see, we've got things handled here, so why don't you…”
“No,” I say, my voice strong. “I can't just sit back and watch while everyone works to help.”
Even if I was useless when it came to fighting and the only power I truly had going for me was the alpha command, this much I could do.
“Did anyone ever tell you that you try too hard?”
Elise’s words cut into me like a knife, but I don’t argue with them. She was right. I did try hard because no one ever tried for me, so I wanted to never be like them.
“I’m going to help.” I repeat.
“Suit yourself.” She shrugs. “But don’t come crying to me when he scolds you like a disobedient child for not doing what you’re supposed to.”
Nodding, I let a small smile spread across my lips. Even if Elise wasn’t saying it, I could tell that she was being so stern because she was worried.
“Can you tell me what exactly happened here?” I ask, deciding that I could be of better use if I actually knew the whole story.”
“The nue went boom.” She shrugs.
“Nue.” I repeat, remembering the strange creature that was on the screen. “But why would it do that? Wouldn't’ it die?”
“Nope,” Elise huffs, her gaze darkening. “Those sneaky bastards go boom and then escape in the smoke that they produce. That isn’t to say that it doesn’t weaken them, but it’ll take a bit for them to recoup and come for us again. Until then, we are left in limbo as we wait to see if it achieved what it came here to do."
“And what was that?”
Even if I don’t exactly have an idea of what it meant to do, I had an idea I wasn’t going to like what I heard next.
“One of two things,” she begins. “Nue’s bring about misfortune and disease. But I would go with the latter.”
“Then how long do we have until we know?” I ask slowly, understanding what she is getting at. “Do you know?”
“A week.” She sighs, her face falling. “The last time I encountered one, that was how long it took for the disease to appear.”
“Then should we quarantine those who were near for the time being?” I ask, feeling my heart drop. “To be safe.”
“You don’t,” Elise responds, shaking her head. “The disease isn’t contagious. But if it does appear, be prepared.”
“What will happen?” I ask slowly.
“There will be many deaths since there isn’t a known cure.”
No known cure. Did that mean that there was no modern medicine for such a thing? What if we were to find a healer? Could they help those who are infected?
As this thought hits, a memory of my time in the trade dungeon hits me, and an idea appears.
“Could a healer counterattack the effects of the disease?” I ask, my hope rising.
“I don’t know.” Elise admits. “But do you happen to have a skilled healer just lying around?”
“I do, actually.” I grin, remembering that Maria was settled only a town over.
After we escaped, Rosco and his men helped relocate all the women and children who were left in the dungeon. Some joined Emerald Moon with us, but most insisted on going back to where they came from. However, Maria and Tristan were lone travelers. Because of that, we did everything to set her up with a home and a profession that she could do even without her sight.
“But I don’t have a number to call her, and I can’t just up and leave.”
“Where is she?” Elise asks, eyeing me. “I’m sure if I bring my guard dog with me, the big lug will allow me to go fetch her.”
For a moment, I don’t speak as I examine Elise, and despite telling myself I would trust her and give her a chance, the sudden thought that she may disappear hits me.
“Guard dog.” She repeats, catching onto my thoughts.
“Who you calling a guard dog?”
Turning, I watch as Marty makes his way toward us with Rosco and William in tow, and as warned by Elise, Rosco’s eyes are filled with anger as they stay locked on me.
“Why are you here?” He demands when he reaches. “Didn’t I tell you to stay where it was safe?”
“I wanted to help.” I argue. “I couldn’t just sit back…”
“Yes,” he hisses through gritted teeth. “You could. We have things handled here, and there is no telling whether or not the danger is gone.”
“I’m pretty sure it is.” Elise says, earning herself a glare. “Anyway, your wife was asking a favor of me.”
“A favor?” Rosco repeats, raising a brow. “And what might that be?.”
“She has an idea to counter the illness that could be coming.”
“And that is?”
“Maria.” I respond before Elise can. “If anyone can help them, it will be her.”
“You’re not going to get her.” Rosco growls, making it clear that he will keep me on a tight leash for the time being.
“That’s why I’ll do it.” Elise announces proudly. “Along with my guard dog as well.”
“And me.” William adds, taking me by surprise. “There’s more power with three.”