The pack hospital sat at the edge of the inner grounds…... today felt different.... extremely loud.... too many footsteps... too many voices speaking in urgency.
The sickness was spreading...…
I stepped inside….. beds were filling..... people sat hunched, pale, weak, bowls clutched in trembling hands.
Some were retching while others just stared at nothing, eyes glassy, bodies drained.
I walked straight to the head healer.
"I want to help." I said.
"I can help with anything, cleaning , carrying or watching patients, just tell me what to do."
He barely looked at me before shaking his head.
"No."
I frowned.
"What?"
"You can't." he said firmly.
"Orders from the king."
"What orders?" I asked.
He finally looked at me his gaze softening ...…. but his answer didn't.
"Only selected caregivers chosen specifically by the Alpha King can work here."
"People are sick!" I snapped.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"You're not cleared."
I turned away before my anger spilled out where it didn't belong.
I walked fast..... straight to his quarters.
I knocked...…
"Come in."
I opened the door.
He looked up and for a moment his mask cracked.
He looked exhausted... dark shadows under his mesmerizing eyes, jaws clenched tight, shoulders heavy like he hadn't rested since the blizzard ended.
Papers scattered across his desk..... he looked like he hadn't been sleeping.
Before I could say anything, he was already moving.
The door shut behind me and suddenly he was crowding my space, hands braced on either side of me, eyes scanning me like I would pass out any moment.
"Are you okay?"
His hand lifted before I could answer, fingers pressing gently to my forehead.
My heart shattered and whatever fury was brewing in me disappeared instantly.
"I...… I'm fine," I stammered.
"I just...."
I didn't even realize my hands were trembling until his arms came around me by hugging me tight head in between my neck inhaling my scent with a deeply.
I froze for half a second then melted in his arms.
My forehead pressed into his chest as his scent wrapped around me, comfortingly and I held on, not wanting it to end.
As if realizing what he just did he pulled back quickly like he'd crossed a line.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice rough.
"I shouldn't have...….."
"It's okay." I whispered.
He stepped away, putting distance between us again returning to his posture his face now closed off.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I went to the pack hospital," I said.
"I wanted to help but they said I was ruled out by you."
"Why?" I asked quietly.
"Why won't you let me help?"
"We don't know what this illness is yet," he said.
"We also don't know how it spreads."
"I'm careful," I said.
"I can...…."
"You're partly human." he cuts in calmly.
"And if this is transferable, you might not survive it."
" I know it doesnt make sense to you but I'm trying to protect you in the way I can."
"So everyone else can risk it," I said softly.
"Just not me."
"Yes.... Especially not you"
I nodded slowly, even though it hurt.
"I understand," I said.
"Is that all?" he asked.
I hesitated.
"Yes." I admitted, turning towards the door.
"Luna....."
I froze.... waiting .... but he didn't say anything else and neither did I.
......….
I ended up at the pack kitchen...…. If I couldn't help at the hospital, I would help where I was allowed.
It was warm, busy, loud with clattering pots and low voices.
Long wooden tables were filled with bowls of crushed herbs, roots soaking in hot water, leaves being ground into paste.
The smell was sharp and earthy, biting at the nose.
Pain-relief concoctions.
They weren't cures but they helped... they eased the shaking and calmed the nausea...… it gave people a little rest.
And right now, that was better than nothing.
I rolled up my sleeves and worked quietly, grinding, stirring ,bottling and passing jars to the runners who took them back to the hospital.
My hands stayed busy so my mind wouldn't wander back to him but it didn't work.
Caroline stood across from me, tying cloths over the mouth of a jar.
Zita leaned against the counter beside her, arms folded, watching the steam rise from a pot.
"Are you sure?" Caroline asked casually.
Zita hummed.
"Of course... saw her myself."
I didn't look up, but my ears sharpened.
"They brought in a high priestess last night," Zita continued.
"Heard she's from the east."
My hands slowed at the information.
"Heard she's the Descendant of the Moon Goddess herself."
"That's not true" Amy's voice cuts in behind me.
" she didn't come personally."
"She's on some important mission."
Caroline frowned.
"What's more important than this crisis we're facing right now"
Amy shrugged.
"Then who did she send?"
"Her right hand." Amy continued.
" she's equally a powerful woman..... old magic.... So I heard"
"If anyone has answers about this sickness, it's them."
I sighed, a bit relieved at the information.
Hope was a fragile thing.... thin as glass but it still slipped into my chest either way.
"Let's just pray it works." Caroline said.
"This pack has been through enough already." She added.