~Lucian~

The pack healers arrived within minutes of Odette's call, rushing into the room with their bags of supplies and herbs. I moved aside reluctantly, still cradling Alora in my arms, unwilling to let her go even as they needed to examine her.

"Alpha, we need to lay her on the bed," the head healer—an older woman named Miriam—said gently. "We can't properly examine her like this."

I nodded stiffly and stood, carrying Alora to the bed as carefully as if she were made of glass. I laid ...