RHEA’S POV I sat quietly on the edge of the huge bed, my arms wrapped around myself as I watched the soft snow fall outside the tall windows.
The master bedroom was quiet, except for the occasional crackle of the fireplace across the room.
My mind was still filled with the Elder’s warnings and the fear of what was happening to my body.
Suddenly, I felt something warm and heavy against the back of my left hand.
I flinched and looked down.
Kael’s large hand had moved.
His fingers slowly curled around mine, holding it firmly.
I looked at his face.
His dark eyebrows were drawn together, and there was a thin layer of sweat on his pale forehead.
His jaw twitched as if he were fighting his way out of a bad dream.
My heart jumped.
He was responding.
“Kael?” I called softly.
My medical instincts took over immediately.
I reached for the penlight on the bedside tray and carefully checked his pupils.
Then I leaned closer and gently tapped his cheek.
“Kael, can you hear me?
Open your eyes.
Focus on my voice.” His long lashes moved once, then twice.
Slowly, his eyes opened.
Those stormy gray eyes immediately met mine.
Relief washed over me.
All the fear and tension I had been carrying suddenly disappeared.
“You’re awake,” I whispered, letting out a small laugh of relief.
Kael’s voice was rough when he tried to speak.
“Clara…” “Don’t push yourself.” I quickly reached for the glass of water on the bedside table and held it to his dry lips.
“Drink slowly.
You took a bad blow, and your body is still recovering from the poison.” He took a few small sips before resting his head against the pillows.
“How long was I out?” he asked quietly.
His voice was still raspy.
“What happened with the Elders while I was unconscious?” “You were out all night,” I explained as I placed the glass down.
“Your pack healers tried treating your chest and wounds with their herbs, but it almost killed you.
I had to step in, clean the infected tissue, and stitch your wounds properly.” I paused.
“As for the Elders… One of them threw me into a freezing dungeon.
I escaped, and then another one came in here about an hour ago, grabbed my chin, and stared at me like I was some kind of witch.” Kael’s eyes immediately darkened.
A low growl came from his chest.
“They touched you?” “I handled it,” I quickly said, waving my hand to calm him down.
“I told him exactly what I thought.
I also reminded him that I’m just a human doctor and I don’t scare easily.” I took a breath.
“But speaking of yesterday, we need to talk about what you said outside in the snow.” Kael raised an eyebrow.
“What did I say?” “You announced that I was your fated mate in front of your entire warrior guard and the council.” Heat rushed to my face.
“Why would you say something like that?” Instead of answering, Kael reached for my hand again.
His fingers slipped between mine, holding my hand tightly.
The sudden contact sent a strange warmth up my arm.
“I said it to save your life from the Elder and the guards,” he said quietly.
“But when those words left my mouth, Clara… it felt right.” He looked directly into my eyes.
“It felt completely right.” My breath caught.
A small spark of hope appeared in my chest.
Maybe he had said it because, somewhere deep inside him, he remembered what happened between us five years ago.
I quickly pulled my hand away before I could get carried away by my own thoughts.
“Kael, please don’t make things more confusing,” I said as I stood up and crossed my arms.
“I’m already trying my best to avoid a fight with your pack members and the Elders.
They hate me enough because I’m an outsider.
Calling me your mate will only put an even bigger target on my back.” Kael watched me carefully.
“I won’t let anyone touch you.
You’re under my protection.” “You can barely sit up on your own right now, Alpha,” I replied, trying to lighten the mood.
“Come on.
Let me help you adjust your position before you tear your stitches.” I leaned over the bed and placed one arm behind his back.
With my other hand, I grabbed his shoulder and tried to help him move higher against the pillows.
But my foot caught on the edge of the bedsheet.
“Whoa!” I lost my balance.
Before I could stop myself, I fell forward, landing across his bare upper thighs.
Kael let out a sharp groan as my weight landed on his bruised hips and lower body.
“Oh my gosh.
I’m so sorry!” My face burned with embarrassment as I quickly tried to get off him.
At that exact moment, the heavy wooden doors opened.
“Doctor Clara, I—” The young female healer from last night stopped in the doorway.
Her mouth fell open as she stared at us.
I was awkwardly lying on top of a half-naked Alpha in his bed.
“It was an accident!” I said quickly, jumping off Kael.
“I slipped on the blanket.
I was only trying to adjust his pillows and I lost my balance!” Kael said nothing.
He simply leaned back against the pillows, watching us with an amused smirk on his face.
Desperate to change the subject before rumors spread through the entire pack house, I remembered what the healer had told me last night.
“You… you said you had something important to tell me in private,” I said, wiping my sweaty palms against my trousers.
“What was it?” The healer finally snapped out of her shock.
Her expression became serious as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her.
“Yes,” she whispered, glancing nervously at Kael before looking at me.
“It’s about your magic, Doctor.
The golden light you used to heal the little boy in the courtyard.” I straightened.
“What about it?
Do you know why it disappeared?” “My grandmother lives in a cottage near the eastern border,” she explained.
“When she was younger, she spent years around a secretive group of ancient witches.” She stepped closer.
“She knows a lot about old magic and has many old texts.
From what you described, the way your light suddenly appeared and then disappeared after one use sounds like a suppressed magical core reacting to trauma.” She hesitated.
“I think… my grandmother might know how to help you bring your magic back.” “Bring my magic back?” I repeated.
My mind immediately filled with possibilities.
If I could control that power, I wouldn’t have to feel helpless anymore.
Kael’s amused expression disappeared.
His face became dark and serious.
“Where would she have to go?” he asked.
His Alpha command filled the room.
“To my grandmother’s home near the eastern border,” the healer answered nervously.
“No.” Kael immediately tried to move his legs over the side of the bed.
“It’s too dangerous outside the main gates right now.
The Elder’s men are patrolling the territory.
I’m not letting you go there alone.” “Kael, stop!” I stepped forward and placed both hands against his chest, pushing him back onto the mattress.
“Look at you.
You can barely stand without opening your wounds.
You’re in no condition to go anywhere.” “Clara—” “I’m going,” I said firmly.
I met his angry gaze without backing down.
“I need to know what’s happening to my body.
I need answers, Kael.
I’m not going to sit here and wait for permission.” Kael stared at me for a long moment.
He knew he wasn’t going to change my mind.
With a frustrated growl, he turned toward the door.
“GARRETT!” Within seconds, the doors opened and Garrett rushed inside.
His eyes widened when he saw Kael awake.
“Alpha.
You’re awake.” “Garrett,” Kael said sharply.
His voice left no room for argument.
“Find Gamma Aaron.
Tell him to personally escort Clara to the old woman’s house on the eastern border.
Take a full squad of guards with you.
They are to protect her with their lives.” His eyes hardened.
“If a single hair on her head is harmed, I will hold every one of you responsible.”