17
The next morning, I woke with a pit of dread in my stomach. Elias was still here, recovering in the spare room I’d begrudgingly prepared for him. Every fiber of my being screamed to shut him out, to lock the door and pretend he didn’t exist. But I couldn’t
It wasn’t just his command that kept me compliant. It was a strange instinct that told me he wasn’t what he
seemed.
Rogues didn’t smell like Elias. They reeked of desperation, blood, and death. Elias, on the other hand, had an intoxicating scent. Earthy, clean, with a hint of spice that sent a shiver down my spine every time he was near
I hated that it affected me.
“You’re awake”
His voice startled me. I turned to see him leaning against the doorframe, his shirtless torso bandaged and his dark eyes studying me that made my pulse quicken.
“You should be resting,” I commented. “Your wounds are still healing.”
“I heal fast,” he said, stepping closer.
“Not from silver and wolfsbane. Sit down before you undo all my work
Elias didn’t argue, which surprised me. He sank into the chair by the window. He was stronger than he’d been a week ago, and my wolf could sense it. His presence had grown, filling the room like a storm cloud
“I’ve made a new concoction for you,” I said, busying myself with the herbs on the counter. “It’s stronger than the last one. It should help with the poison still lingering in your system”
“Why are you helping me?” he asked suddenly.
The question caught me off guard. I hesitated, my hands pausing over the mortar and pestle “Because I’m a
healer. It’s what I do.”
“That’s not the only reason,” he said
I turned to face him, meeting his piercing gaze “Why are you asking about it now? Remember I was forced to do it since you wouldn’t want to go to the hospital.
“It’s because I’m curious about you.” His lips quirked in a half–smile, the first sign of amusement I’d seen from him “And now it seems that you’re already enjoying taking care of me.”
The Scared Lumas From Whe
him. “And now it seems that you’re already enjoying taking care of me.”
“Well, this is my practice, and I enjoy helping others, whoever they may be,” I said, turning back to my work Despite my irritation, I couldn’t shake the strange pull I felt toward him. It was maddening.
As agreed, I continued my duties at Shadowpine Hospital during the day. The chatter among the nurses about rogue sightings hadn’t stopped, and their words gnawed at the back of my mind. Every time I prepared a tincture or salve, I found myself thinking of Elias, tailoring the formulas to his condition.
“Who’s that for?” asked Clara, one of the younger nurses, as she watched me mix herbs into a jar.
“Just future stock,” I said quickly, sealing the jar and tucking it away.
It wasn’t a complete lie. The blend was universal, but I’d added specific ingredients for Elias to strengthen his immune system and speed up his recovery.
Two weeks passed. By then, Elias’s condition had significantly improved. His wounds had mostly closed, leaving behind faint scars that would fade entirely in time.
But one night, I was startled awake by a soft knock on my bedroom door.
“What is it?” I called, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.
Elias stepped in “Did I wake you?”
“No, I was just… What’s wrong? Are you in pain?”
He shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips.
I froze.
It was the first time I’d seen him really smile. It softened the sharp lines of his face, transforming him from intimidating to something achingly beautiful.
My breath caught, and I found myself staring, unable to look away.
“Mauve?”
“Y–Yes?” I stammered, snapping back to reality.
“It’s time for me to go.”
“What?” I stood, and the blanket fell from my shoulders as I frowned. “Go? You’re not fully healed yet.”
“I’m strong enough,” he said.
“But-
“Thank you,” he interrupted. “You didn’t have to help me, but you did. I won’t forget it.”
I swallowed hard, my emotions a confusing tangle of relief and extreme sadness. “Where will you go now?”
He didn’t respond. He moved closer, and his hand lightly touched mine as he walked by. His touch made me feel a rush, and my wolf reacted inside me.
“I’ll see you soon.”
Before I could reply, he turned and walked to the window. With one last glance over his shoulder, he leapt into the night, disappearing into the shadows as if he’d never been there at all.
I stood there, staring at the empty window. I clutched my chest that suddenly became heavy.
