CHAPTER 8.
“Mama, why can’t I go outside?!”
Rowan tugged at my shirt as he looked up at me with all the sorrow his beautiful golden eyes could muster. Theld back the urge to laugh. This was a serious matter and I couldn’t let him think it was a joke.
“Because I said so,” I replied, folding a blanket from the laundry.
“You always say that!” he huffed, crossing his arms as he jumped onto the mattress. “I’m not a baby, you know.”
E
sighed, crouching down slightly to meet his eye level. “Darling, it’s not about treating you like a baby. It’s about keeping you safe. You don’t know what’s out there.”
His little face scrunched up. “Like what?”
D
“Well, there’s wolves who don’t know you and might think you’re a threat,” I said softly, hoping he’d understand.
“But the wolves are really cool. They even let me play with them! Mama, believe me…” He whined softly.
sighed. I had to convince him. “Rowan, some wolves are bad too. And I don’t want you to meet the bad ones. So, for now, you stay close to me, okay?”
He muttered something under his breath, but finally nodded. “Fine.”
“Good boy.” I kissed the top of his head and stood up, brushing my hands off.
I knew I couldn’t keep him away from others for long. And to be honest, it wasn’t bad for him to get close to the pack members and understand what he really is. But what if we don’t get to stay in the pack for long? I wasn’t ready for this to affect my son’s lifestyle.
Elma walked in just then, her arms full of herbs.
“Busy morning,” she muttered, then looked at me. “Ready for your lesson?”
fnodded, glad for the distraction. “Always.”
Rowan climbed onto the small stool by the window, pouting. “I wanna help too.”
You can help by staying right there,” I told him, giving him a warning look. He rolled his eyes but stayed put. The boy could be a little critter sometimes.
Elma chuckled. “He’s got your stubbornness, that’s for sure.”
“Don’t remind me,” I muttered, moving to the table.
Elma held up a bundle of herbs. “There’s been a bunch of injuries nowadays. So today, we’ll be dealing with the herbs for binding wounds.” fnodded.
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CHAPTER 8
She smiled. “Good. First, you don’t just pick the herb casually…” She demonstrated, and I mimicked her movements.
As I worked, I could feel something flowing between me and the leaves, like I didn’t have to think and I just knew what worked.
It’s always been this way. This was the reason I’d opened the clinic back at the human town.
“You’ve got a gift,” Elma said, watching me closely.
I paused, looking up at her. “What?”
I stared at the crushed leaves. I hadn’t thought it was that… serious.
“It’s instinct,” she continued. “You can sense what people need. And that’s really impressive. You might be even more skilled than I am.” fflushed, feeling flustered. “Elma, no… I’m—”
Before I could say anything, loud voices sounded from outside the cabin.
ffrowned, glancing toward the door. “What’s going on?”
Elma’s expression darkened. “Stay here,” she said, moving toward the door.
flooked out the window. Two warriors were standing just beyond the cabin, their faces grim.
I’m telling you, he’s hurt bad,” one of them said, his voice low but urgent.
“Kade? Hurt?” the other replied, disbelief lacing his tone.
“Yeah. Rogue got past the border. Caught hirn off guard. I heard he barely made it back.”
My chest tightened at their words. Kade… injured?
Think he’ll be okay?”
“Don’t know. But if rogues can get that close, none of us are safe.”
stepped back from the window, my heart pounding.
Kade was hurt. It was none of my business, right?
It doesn’t matter, I told myself firmly.
But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake off the worries I felt. Kade wasn’t any ordinary wolf. He was Alpha and was the most skilled wolf in the pack. If the rogues could reach him, then it was pretty serious.
