The morning sun had barely risen over Silver Creek when the chief healer entered Sophia’s chambers carrying a small wooden tray.
Upon it rested a single crystal vial, dark red liquid shimmered faintly under the light.
Sophia’s eyes locked onto it immediately and for the first time in days, her composed expression cracked.
No...this woman was going to ruin her plans. What was she doing?
The chief healer stopped before the bed and bowed. "My Alpha. Luna."
Kael looked up from the documents spread across the table beside the window.
"Chief healer, what bad news have you brought this time?" He asked but the woman shook her head.
"This time, Alpha. It’s goodnews."
"Goodnews?" Kael repeated, somehow he hasn’t had a single good news in a while.
"What is it?"
The chief healer carefully lifted the vial with both hands. "I searched Lady Evelyn’s former laboratory again."
"There was one final emergency blood vial hidden behind the reserve cabinets."
The chief healer knelt beside Sophia’s bed, a single vial cradled carefully in both hands.
"This is the last of it," she said quietly. "I managed to preserve one final measure from Lady Evelyn’s remaining reserves. It should clear whatever remains of the sickness from your blood entirely."
Sophia’s eyes flicked toward her, sharp despite the fever still glazing them.
"The last of it." She asked
"Yes, my lady."
Sophia knew what the woman was doing... this was clearly one of those she’d stolen from the pack and kept.
Sophia’s fingers tightened around the blanket.
Kael rose to his feet so quickly that the chair scraped against the floor. "You found another vial?"
Relief swept across his features so openly that even the chief healer looked surprised.
"Yes, Alpha."
"It was hidden amongst Lady Evelyn’s emergency reserves. I believe she intended it for situations where the infirmary’s supply had been exhausted but only one remained."
Kael let out a slow breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding. "Good."
His gaze softened as he looked at Sophia.
"Very good."
He crossed the room in a few strides before taking Sophia’s hand into his own. "You’ll finally recover."
Sophia forced the corners of her lips upward. "...Yes."
Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I suppose I will."
Inside, however, rage churned violently.
Fool. Did he truly think she wanted to recover?
The sickness had become the perfect excuse. As long as she remained bedridden, no one expected her to step inside the infirmary. No one expected miracles. No one would discover just how little she actually knew compared to Evelyn.
But now, that protection was about to be gone. The chief healer uncorked the crystal vial a A faint metallic scent immediately filled the room.
Sophia recognised it instantly as Evelyn’s bloods
Even after leaving Silver Creek...That woman’s blood was still cleaning up her messes.
The thought alone made bile rise in Sophia’s throat.
"Lady Sophia," the chief healer said gently.
"Please drink it while it’s still fresh."
Sophia stared at the vial for several long seconds. She wanted nothing more than to throw it against the wall.
Instead...She accepted it with trembling fingers and without another word, she raised it to her lips.
Almost immediately, warmth spread through her chest and the ache beneath her ribs eased. The pounding inside her skull quietened.
Sophia hated how familiar the sensation was. When the vial was finally empty, she handed it back without a word.
The chief healer observed her for a few moments before nodding.
"It worked."
Kael smiled for what felt like the first time in days. "I knew it would." He squeezed Sophia’s hand.
"You’ll be back on your feet in no time."
Sophia smiled sweetly. "I certainly hope so."
Her nails dug silently into her palm under the blanket. The old woman had just destroyed weeks of careful planning.
Kael turned back toward the table, the weight that had settled over him these past few days finally lifting, if only slightly.
"Then it’s settled." He said and sophia looked up, confused.
"What is?"
"You’ll rest for today." He gathered the scattered reports into a neat pile. "Tomorrow, you’ll return to the infirmary."
The smile on Sophia’s face froze. "...Return?"
"Of course." Kael frowned slightly, as though the answer were obvious.
"The warriors have gone too long without proper treatment. The infirmary needs its Luna."
Sophia’s pulse lurched. "Luna..." she repeated softly. "I’ve only just recovered."
"You had Evelyn’s blood. It works like witchcraft was used. Tomorrow, you’ll be well enough to begin easing back into your duties like nothing ever happened." He spoke with complete confidence.
"You’ve studied healing before. I’m sure you’ll manage."
The words struck Sophia like a slap. Manage? She knew herbs, she knew theories. She knew enough to impress people who knew nothing and that was what she’d planned to do when she’d made mouth.
But actually treating poisoned warriors? Recreating medicines that relied on Evelyn’s blood?
Impossible.
She lowered her eyes, hiding the flash of panic that crossed them. "...Very well."
The chief healer remained silent, though inwardly she almost pitied the woman. She had watched Sophia confidently declare that healing was simple.
Now reality had finally arrived.
Kael seemed oblivious to the tension filling the room. Instead, he picked up another parchment from the table.
"There’ll be little time to ease into anything."
Sophia looked at him, "What do you mean?"
He looked at her now, "I’m leaving Silver creek."
Sophia’s eyes widened. "Leaving?" She breathed.
"In three days." Kael continued.
He unfolded the invitation, his eyes scanning the familiar silver seal pressed into the wax.
"The Howling Auction."
Understanding flashed across Sophia’s face.
Every Alpha in the realm knew of it. It was a gathering unlike any other.
Rare treasures, Political alliances, Trade negotiations. And, perhaps most importantly...Power.
Sophia slowly sat straighter against the pillows. Shes always wanted to attend one of this. This was her chance.
"I’ll come with you."
Kael looked up from the invitation. "No."
The answer came so quickly that Sophia blinked.
"...No?" She asked.
"You’ll remain in Silver Creek."
A small crease formed between her brows.
"But—"
"I said no." His tone wasn’t harsh. It was simply final. "You’ve only just recovered. The pack has been without a Luna for weeks."
He folded the invitation and slipped it inside his coat.
"The infirmary needs you and so does Lily."
Sophia forced herself not to clench her jaw.
"But every Alpha brings a guest," Sophia argued quickly. "A Luna is expected to stand beside her Alpha."
"Then why—"
"Because I don’t need a guest." He didn’t even let her finish. "I need someone here."
Sophia’s smile became strained. "So you’re leaving me behind."
Kael sighed. "Sophia, this isn’t a festival. It’s where the realm’s strongest Alphas gather."
They aren’t there to dance or exchange pleasantries."
"They’re there to negotiate, to recruit, to strengthen their packs." His gaze hardened. "And that’s exactly why I have to go."
He walked toward the window, staring out over the training grounds below where warriors sparred despite the early hour.
"I’ve delayed replacing Tristan for too long."
At the mention of his former Beta, his jaw hardened.
For years... He had simply assumed everything would already be done.
Reports arrived before he requested them. Border disputes were settled before reaching his desk. Merchants stayed satisfied.
Even council meetings somehow managed themselves.
He had never stopped to wonder why.
Now...He couldn’t keep up with all of these on his own.
He looked back at Sophia "I’ll use the gathering to find one."
Sophia’s brows knitted together. "A new Beta?"
"Every major pack will attend. There’ll be warriors, commanders, former Betas... men worth speaking to."
He exhaled quietly. "I can’t continue running Silver Creek alone. I need a beta."
Sophia’s expression darkened almost imperceptibly. She looked away. "In Bloodmoon pack I never had to concern myself with any of this."
Kael stiffened and she continued without looking at him.
"You told me things would be different. You promised I wouldn’t have to carry burdens like these."
Kael sighed and his tone softened immediately, "They are different. You won’t be carrying them."
"I only need you to oversee the infirmary while I’m gone and It’ll only be for a few days."
Sophia lowered her gaze obediently. "...As you wish."
Outwardly, she looked every bit the understanding Luna.
On the inside though....Her mind was already racing. How was she going to manage for three whole days?