Chapter 17
TESSA’S POV
Will was staring at me and I knew the anger and resentment held in that gaze but it only fueled my desire to get on his nerves and expose him.
A medic assistant rushed to us panting heavily.
“Sir, Gideon’s getting worse” He said in a panicked tone
I ignored Will’s gaze and looked at the young Wolf
“Lead me to the patients” I ordered.
The young man looked up to Will as if for confirmation and Will simply nodded.
“This way, Medic” The Young wolf said motioning me forward.
I heard the muffled voices of people, their hopes, so raw and desperate, fueled a fire of determination within me. I wouldn’t let them down. Not this time.
The pack house, once a hub of laughter and warmth, was shrouded in a chilling silence. The air hung heavy with the sickly sweet scent of decay. We were ushered into a large room, its floor littered with groaning wolves, their bodies wracked with tremors, their eyes clouded with pain.
The sight hit me like a physical blow. These were the ones Will had abandoned, Anger surged through me, but I pushed it down. Right now, they needed me, not my wrath.
I beckoned a young apprentice standing a little feet away to come closer. Her doe eyes widened as she moved closer.
“Yes, healer Tessa?” She asked
I pointed to my satchel.
“You’ll help me administer the cure to them” I ordered.
Will was standing by the doorway, his beady eyes watching my every move.
“She can’t do it. I’ll join you to treat them” I heard him say but I ignored him and gave instructions to the young girl.
He was flustered and shuffled his feet.
“I said….” I didn’t allow him finish.
“I heard what you said the first time but I didn’t take heed so I expect you to take the hint and leave” I said gruffly.
Will kept silent.
“My children should be attended to and kept somewhere safe till I’m done” I said checking through the jars in my satchel while the young girl watched with keen interest.
I heard Will’s footsteps fade away in the distance.
I worked quickly and quietly drawing on my combined experience to administer the cure – The symptoms were unmistakable, it was indeed the Moonshadow epidemic.
Hours flew by in a blurry of activity interrupted by only an occasional cough from a wolf or the muffled instructions I was giving to the young girl whose name was Gia.
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“Gia, watch his breathing and make sure his pupils are responding, tell me if anything is wrong” I said softly at her while going to check on someone else.
The effects of the remedy began to show on a few wolves and a flicker of hope returned to the room. The severity of the tremors had subsided leaving a fitful sleep behind.
I heard footsteps approaching where the room and it turned to see the triplets and Ria. Ria looked fed up and I could just imagine how they must have pissed her off.
“Get somewhere to rest off here” I said nodding to a secluded part of the room where I was – The disease wasn’t that contagious so I wasn’t worried of it spreading and infecting them. The triplets and Ria moved to a quiet corner and sat down.
I pressed the back of my palm to a wolf’s head and nodded to myself, he wasn’t running a fever anymore.
Exhausted with a sense of accomplishment, I finally allowed myself to take a moment of pause. The room was silent save for the silent moans of the sleeping people.
I looked over at Gia who sat with her fingers crossed. She was genuinely worries and I admired that.
“They’ll be fine. You did great” I said in attmept to boost her morale.
She looked taken aback, I guess she wasn’t used to getting kind words from people.
I took a look at the sleeping wolves and a wave of relief washed over me. Just watching the colour slowly return to their face was more than enough praise.It reminded me of why I even learnt healing- I didn’t want to see people in pain. I wanted to see resilience and life bloom even in the darkest of times.
I lay my head on the wall and tried to relax my aching bones.
The silence was broken by the sudden creak of the door. Someone stood at the threshold and I felt recognition dawn on me – Adrian. Time had etched lines into his face but there was still a look of determination and resilience in his eyes as I could remember – why did that tiny bit of Information stick in my head.
–
I looked away immediately and tried act professional as I stood up despite my hammering heart in my chest.
For a moment, we stood there, locked in a silent dialogue. His gaze flickered to the children, now fast asleep under Ria’s watchful eye in a corner. Confusion clouded his features. Who were these pups, so eerily familiar? They were yours..Keyword there being WERE not ARE. They were now mine.
I bowed respectfully and gave my best poker look
“I’m Medic Tessa” I greeted.
His eyes were wide and I raised my head up to meet his gaze, different emotions were swirling in his eyes, emotions that I was all too familiar with – Pain, shock, confusion, Frustration and Regret? I didn’t expect him to regret anything.
–
His bottom lip quivered and I felt Daphne howl quietly shut it, Daphne. He’s not ours.
He wanted to speak then he caught sight of Gia in the corner staring at him after curtsying and he cleared his throatTM seeming to change his words..
“The situation….” He began gruffly.
“The Moonshadow epidemic” I interjected, my voice calm and firm “it’s more severe, probably because they were left without the proper care for long” I said stiffly.
“How long have they been like this?” Adrian’s face hardened.
I laughed sarcastically startling him.
“You’re the Alpha and you’ve been in this pack for long so I’m quite surprised that you don’t know the situation in your own 12
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pack” I said. I was under no obligation be be exactly nice or respectful to him, he wasn’t my alpha.
His eyebrows crinkled in confusion and guilt.
G
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“A few days, based on what I’ve gathered” I replied rolling my eyes, “Will didn’t seek help untill the situation became dire”
I saw his jaw clench at the mention of Will and I couldn’t help but wonder what if, just what if he actually had a hand in the attempt on my life? I didn’t think so because he didn’t seem too surprised to see me alive just shock that I was back.
“Where is he?” I heard Adrian said – The same voice that could drive me crazy years ago now could still drive me crazy but literally I mean crazy like mad now in a bad way. I resented his voice.
He had kicked me out without a second thought, he hadn’t believed me, he raised his hand to me, he hadn’t thought of the children in my belly neither had he thought of the pain I underwent after he brutally rejected me that night, the scars were just beginning to heal and I began to fear that he would reopen them I began to have second thoughts, should I just run away in the dead of the night with my children or stay here. The answer was clear, Gabe hadn’t raised a medic to quit, I would stay here and do my job regardless of Adrian, Will and… the new Luna.
“Where is he?” I heard Adrian repeat himself.
I shrugged.
“He was….here briefly” I replied. “But he seemed more busy attending to other matters” I said hoping the gaze in my eyes was matching the anger and resentment I felt.
Adrian’s silence spoke volumes as we stared head on at each other. He understood what I meant. For years, the guilt of his betrayal had gnawed at me.Now seeing the state of his pack, a new wave of anger simmered at the surface I was gone for 6 years and now he had bagged himself an epidemic and needed my help. As stupid as it may sound, I thought of what he would have done if the attempt made on my life had been successful, they would have all died. The thought cooled my aching head – They needed me, that’s why I was here again.
My heart was hammering in my chest and I knew Adrian was hearing it by the guilty look etched on his face as he stared at
- me.
“The patients are stable now, they just need continued care” I said becoming the first to tear away their gaze.
Adrian also looked away.
“Of course, you’ll have whatever you need” He said curtly.
I caught his gaze flickering to the children again then at me, a flicker of curiosity in his soft eyes. I met his gaze head on. daring him to question me. Now wasn’t the time for explanations about their lineage not with the sick wolves in need of
care.
Adrian looked at Gia and motioned her out..
“She can’t leave.” I said as Gia stood to go
Adrian kept silent but his gaze told Gia to get out which she did hurriedly meaning it was just us two….. and the kids
“Tessa..” his troubled voice began.
I crossed my arms.
“Yes, Alpha Adrian?” I said
He wiped his sweaty face with his palm and I was almost tempted to tell him to leave because I feared that being too close to him could evoke emotions I had buried down.
“It’s been…” He paused
“6 years” I said cutting in.
He looked at me and bit his lip.
“…” His gaze flickered to the children again and I knew what he was going to say but I was prepared.
“These children… Whose are they?” He asked with a quivering voice.
I let out a fake smile and curtsied.
“Why, they’re mine of course” I said.
The silence that followed made me know that it wasn’t the type of answer he wanted but it was all he would get. unfortunately.
“Tessa, that’s not what I mean” He said exasperated.
I don’t think I had ever seen him this confused and I liked the reaction so I kept silent.
“I mean….” He began to say when I cut him off.
“I don’t know that you mean, Adrian and why you’re so Interested in my children’s paternity. I’m here as a healer so you have no right to question me about anything not related to my work here” I said plainly.
His eyes widened it was the first time I had spoken so plainly and put him off and he was visibly shook.
I wanted to say something when I saw someone enter the room and my eyes went to the person on impulse.
I didn’t need anyone to tell me, I knew just by the air she carried who she was – My replacement. His new Luna.
My eyes roved over her as she hurriedly to Adrian and held his arm.
“Adrian, what are you doing here. Let the medic do her job” She slurred and I frowned in disgust – I hated her, she was shady and hiding so many things behind those eyes. Was she prettier or better than me?. Even Daphne could see through the fake demeanor of the woman as Daphne growled menacingly. How could anyone not see through it?
She barely spared me a look as she literally dragged Adrian out and I found myself scoffing at the display. Looks like I was in for a treat during my stay here.
For the first time in years, I was back in Silvermoon, not as a banished Luna but as a healer, a force of resilience in the face of despair and their only hope. And while the path ahead remained uncertain, one thing was clear the ghosts of the past were here to stay.
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