For the first time since the chaos in the pack house, Raine was allowed to rest.
She lay on the narrow bed inside her room, staring toward the wooden ceiling while her mind wandered restlessly. Heavy curtains softened the sunlight that filtered through the narrow windows, creating a dim and cool atmosphere in the room.
Her body still ached from exhaustion in a way that sleep alone could not cure. The wounds on her back had begun to close, though every slight movement still reminded her of the lashes and how much strength she had spent trying to keep Landon alive.
To keep herself alive.
She was given three days off, during which she was not allowed near Landon’s sickroom while another healer watched over Landon, observing his condition.
Someone she didn’t know. The thought unsettled her. She didn’t like that.
She shifted carefully, exhaling. Three days of rest sounded generous. Yet to Raine, it felt more like exile.
A soft knock sounded at the wooden door. Raine’s eyes shifted toward it. "Come in."
The door creaked open slowly. The man who stepped inside was in his early fifties. His hair, once dark brown, had begun to fade with streaks of grey, and it was tied behind his neck.
His eyes were sharp and black, observing everything in the room before finally settling on Raine. There was a thin scar that looked old near the corner of his left eye.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
"Raine." His voice was calm. "I hope you are feeling stronger." He didn’t move closer. Perhaps he sensed her suspicion.
Raine studied him quietly. "You are the healer the Beta brought."
The man inclined his head. "Alden. We met the other day." His voice was steady, deepened by age and experience.
Raine pushed herself into a sitting position despite the pull in her back. "So, you’re the one watching Landon now."
Alden then walked a few steps into the room, carrying a leather satchel that held herbs and healer tools. He placed it on the small wooden table before turning back to her. "I am."
Raine crossed her arms loosely. "And you came here to do what exactly?"
He didn’t appear offended by her tone. Instead, he gave a small sigh before speaking. "To explain myself."
Raine raised an eyebrow, prodded him to explain further.
Meanwhile, Alden rested his hands on the back of a chair but didn’t sit down yet, as though uncertain whether he was welcome. "I know you didn’t ask for my presence or help."
"That’s true." She replied curtly.
"I know I stepped into a situation where there was already a healer." He smiled at her. He continued, "And I know my presence may feel like an intrusion."
Raine said nothing at that.
"So, before we begin working around each other, I thought it best to speak plainly."
"Please do." Raine leaned back against the bed frame.
Alden studied her for a moment. Up close, he could see the exhaustion in her face. The faint paleness of someone who had pushed herself too far. Yet her eyes remained sharp. Healers recognized that look in each other.
"I meant no harm when I came here," Alden said calmly. His tone was sincere. "I was summoned by the Beta three days ago."
"From where?"
"From the northern valley."
Her gaze sharpened. "That’s two days of travel."
"Yes." Alden smiled. "I’m what some people call a wandering healer."
"You don’t belong to a pack?" She showed a new interest.
"I belonged to one once." He tapped the small scar beside his left eye. "That ended badly." Alden continued after a moment. "My pack was small. Too small when neighboring shifters decided our land looked appealing."
Raine understood immediately. Pack wars. "They destroyed it," Alden said quietly.
"So, you left."
"Yes." He shrugged. "After that, I traveled from one territory to another. Some packs need help during harsh winters. Others, when sickness spreads."
"You’re rather old for a wandering healer." Raine just couldn’t stop herself.
He laughed softly. "Fifty-one isn’t that old."
"For a healer who walks the pack lands alone?" Raine knew she should stop.
"Perhaps." His expression softened. He didn’t show the slightest offense to her blunt honesty and finally, he sat down across from her. "I heard what happened here."
Raine’s expression cooled. "What did you hear?"
"I heard a healer was blamed for poisoning a patient." He added.
"I didn’t poison Landon." Her eyes hardened.
"I didn’t say you did." Silence lingered for a moment. Then Alden leaned forward. "I have examined him."
Raine straightened up a bit. "And?"
"The situation with Landon is... complicated." That word made Raine’s eyes narrow. Alden hesitated before continuing. "The sickness affecting him isn’t ordinary."
"You noticed that."
"I notice that the herbs used for the treatment before were carefully chosen." Alden’s gaze sharpened.
"That was my work."
"I know," Alden replied, showing no signs of surprise. "However, the poison from the flowers still lingers in his body."
"I suspected as much." Raine paid full attention now.
"So, you already knew that." He looked at her with interest.
"Yes." Raine rubbed her temple tiredly. "Those flowers were not water lilies but Azicus."
Alden’s eyes flickered with approval. "You recognized it quickly."
"I have seen them once before." Raine shrugged as if it were nothing.
Leaning back in his chair, Alden was deep in thought. "That poison is tricky. It reacts badly with certain healing mixtures. In fact, that is why I wanted to speak with you." His voice softened. "You’re the one who knows Landon’s body best right now." Raine said nothing, and he continued. "So, I wanted to discuss how you plan to heal him. I would like to help you."
"You’re offering help." Raine tapped her fingers against the blanket. That was not a question and Alden nodded. "And you expect me to trust you."
"No." The answer came quickly. "If I were in your position, I wouldn’t trust me, either." Alden chuckled a little.
A faint hint of amusement flickered in Raine’s eyes. After a long moment, she spoke again. "There is something I need."
Alden immediately focused.
"An ingredient."
"What kind?"
Raine met his gaze. "Silver Wyrmroot."
Alden froze. Genuine surprise crossed his face. "That herb is extremely rare."
"I know."
"It doesn’t grow near this territory."
"I know that, too."
Thinking deeply, he said. "You want me to find it." That was not a question, either.
"Yes." Raine’s voice remained calm. "If you want to help Landon, bring me Silver Wyrmroot."
"You’re testing me." He said, seemingly amused, but Raine didn’t deny it. Alden considered the request for a long moment. Finally, he stood up. "I’ll find it."
Raine blinked. "How?"
Alden lifted his satchel again. "I’ve traveled half my life looking for herbs in worse places." He moved toward the door. "But before I leave, I have one question. Why not ask Alpha Janson? With his connection, he may find it faster than me."
Raine’s expression cooled instantly. "Because I don’t want to."
"I will leave once you are back on your feet. For the meantime, I will look for him." Alden wanted to ask, but he in the end, he decided not to. He opened the door, and then he left.
Raine stared at the closed door for several long seconds. "Reckless old healer," she murmured.
The second day passed quietly. Raine spent most of it resting, but she couldn’t stop thinking about Landon’s condition. She hated the fact that another healer was treating him while Landon’s life and death determined hers.
It was like giving her destiny into somebody else’s hands.
Alden would only leave after she returned to monitor Landon’s condition.
Late that afternoon, another knock sounded at the door. This one was firmer. Raine didn’t need to ask who it was. "Come in."
The door opened. Alpha Janson stepped inside. The air in the room seemed to tighten in an instant with his presence and Raine remained seated on the bed, watching him calmly.
"I heard something interesting," Janson said.
"Oh?" Raine raised an eyebrow.
"You asked Alden to find herbs for you, instead of asking me."
"That’s correct."
Janson crossed his arms. "You must realize I could provide anything you need."
"I’m aware of that."
"Then why not ask?"
Raine held his gaze without hesitation. "Because I prefer to lessen my interaction with you." The blunt honesty lingered in the room.
Janson stared at her for a moment. Many people would have been terrified by that look. Raine was not.
Silence stretched between them. Finally, he exhaled and then Raine asked quietly, "How is Brianna?"
Janson looked surprised by the question. "She’s fine."
"That’s good." Raine nodded.
"You care about her."
"She helped me when no one else would." Raine tried to be subtle with her passive aggressiveness, but Alpha Janson was not stupid, he could see right through her.
Another moment passed.
"Brianna belongs to you now."
"I’m sorry?" Raine was confused by the sudden statement.
"She will serve as your omega."
For the first time since he entered the room, Raine looked genuinely surprised. "You’re giving her to me? Why?"
Janson’s expression remained unreadable. "You work better when you’re not worrying about whether your only ally will be punished." Then he turned toward the door. "Rest for the remaining days." He left the room.
Raine leaned back against the pillows. "I intend to." She spoke to the closed door he had left behind.
Alpha Janson was being generous by giving Brianna to her as her omega. Well, even though he didn’t apologize to her, this was close to one.