AZALEA

After breakfast, Liam took Azly with him, claiming I needed to rest. When he was well out of earshot, I told Azeron we were going to the clinic. Before we left, I went to the kitchen as asked Miss Marci to help me prepare something for Lily. She was two steps ahead, already having something prepared.

Azeron wasn’t happy but dutifully followed. He got the car pulled up front so I wouldn’t have to walk over to the clinic, which I was secretly thankful for. When we arrived, the receptionist waved us right back.

When we got back to the room, Lily was lying over Damien from her seat beside him. My heart broke for my best friend. Her hair was dull and needed a wash, her skin ashen and paler than usual. It even looked like she had lost a bit of weight.

I moved to her side slowly so I didn’t startle her, then kneeled down and gently put my hand on her back. “Lily,” I said softly. She stirred, turning her head toward me.

“Lea,” she croaked.

“Hey,” I said, giving her a commiserate look. She sat up fully, rubbing the sleep from her face.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I wanted to come see you and Damien,” I said.

“You didn’t need to come,” Lily said sadly, looking back over at Damien. “I’m sure you would rather be with Liam and Azly.”

I shook my head. “No, I want to be here with my best friend.” Lily looked back at me with watery eyes. I opened my arms, and she threw herself at me, hugging me tightly. I let her sob into my shoulder.

“I’m so happy you’re awake, but I need him back,” she cried. I patted the back of her head, trying to comfort her as much as I could.

“I know, I know,” I said softly.

“The kids. How am I supposed to tell them any of this? It’s not fair!” she sobbed.

“He’ll wake up; he has to,” I said. I let her cry herself out. When she calmed enough, she sat up and tried to apologize.

“Lily, you have been there for me through everything. If you think you can keep me away now, you’re crazy,” I told her. She gave me a sad smile.

Doctor Ron decided to join us then. “Good morning, Luna,” he greeted me as he came into the room. “I wasn’t expecting you until this afternoon.”

“I came to see Damien,” I said. Doctor Ron smiled.

“I knew I couldn’t keep you away for long. I suppose you have also spoken with Theodore then?” he asked.

I nodded my head. “Yes, I have. Has he relayed his theory to you as well?”

Doctor Ron let out a heavy breath. “Yes, he has.”

“And?” I pushed.

“I am just not sure,” he said. “His theory is based around a wolf with the ability to heal injuries caused by supernatural means. I am not sure the full extent of your abilities, but thus far, you have only used them to heal otherwise normal injuries.”

“What are you two talking about?” Lily piped up.

“Theo has an acquaintance who used to know someone from White Moon,” I started.

“Your mom’s pack? The one Liam destroyed when you first came to the pack?” she clarified.

“Yes,” I answered. “This wolf could supposedly heal others in some way like I can. Theo didn’t know anything about me and my gifts, but that was the only lead he had been able to come up with.”

“But you couldn’t help Hiram when he was bitten,” Lily said.

“This is true, but the situation was also different,” Doctor Ron said.

“So you think she might be able to help?” Lily said, hope blooming in her eyes.

“I would not go that far yet,” Doctor Ron said. Lily visibly deflated. “We know very little about Azalea’s gift, not to mention the physical toll it takes on her.”Content rights belong to .

“I want to try,” I said quickly. Lily looked at me with wide eyes while Doctor Ron shook his head.

“I am not sure my nephew would be so happy about that, especially as you have only been awake for a couple of days now,” he said.

“I will deal with Liam, and he would want to do everything we could to help Damian. He is Liam’s best friend,” I said.

“Lea, you don’t have to do this. Like Doctor Ron said, you have only been awake a short while, and the physical toll….” Lily reasoned. I could tell that she was speaking logically, but deep down, she wanted me to try.

I shook my head. “No,” I said. “It is the least I can do. What if I can help him even a little? I owe Damian that much.”

Lily looked like she was going to start crying all over again. I looked to Doctor Ron, who had his eyes on Damian with a thoughtful look on his face. “I guess I cannot stop you, and it would be better if I were to at least stay here to make sure you are alright,” he finally relented.

I smiled, feeling like I could actually help for once. “I need you to tell me exactly how he was hurt. I know much of it was already healed, but the more I know, the more I can focus on the injury.”

Doctor Ron explained the extent of Damian’s injuries and the treatment he received both at the medical site outside the location of the battle and when they arrived back at the pack. It always amazed me how much Damian and Liam could both physically endure; they were a whole different breed of Alpha and Beta.

Once he was finished, Lily moved away from Damian so I could come over to his side. She stood at the foot of the bed with Doctor Ron. “Alright, here I go,” I said as I gently grabbed Damian’s hand. Lily was right; he was cold. I held his enormous hand in both of mine and closed my eyes.

I took a deep breath and concentrated. First, I tried to visualize the power inside of me. Maybe if I could give it shape in my mind, I could control it better. All that came to mind was an orb that radiated a brilliant light, light pink in color. The ball seemed large and heavy in my mind. I held onto that image and turned my attention to Damien. I tried to feel him in the same way.

After a minute, I could almost feel Damien, like his light was just barely there. I tried to push my own toward him, but it felt like there was resistance.

“Azalea,” I heard someone call my name. I kept trying to push, hoping that I could bring his light back with some of my own.

“Do something,” someone near me said. I tried to ignore them and keep pushing; I just needed to get close enough.

Arms wrapped around me and yanked me back. My eyes shot open, and I could see worried looks on Lily, Azeron, and Doctor Ron’s faces. Warmth started bleeding into me, and I realized I was now freezing. My head began to spin.

“Goddess damnit, Azalea!” Liam said from behind me.

“I’m okay,” I said, trying to get my bearing. My legs wobbled and almost gave out when Liam picked me entirely.

“What were you thinking?” he shouted as he set me down in a chair. “Why would you let her do this?”

I looked up at Liam, who was red in the face. I could see the vein in his neck twitch, and I wondered if Gavin was angry as well. I felt wetness on my l*p. I brought my hand up to find b***d dripping from my nose. Liam directed his attention at his uncle.

“Did you really think this was a good idea?” he shouted.

“Liam, calm down,” Doctor Ron said calmly. Lily rushed over to me with a wet cloth, holding it to my nose.

“She just woke up! She hasn’t even recovered from childbirth, and we are just going to see if she can wake Damian up?”

“Liam, I’m okay,” I said through the rag over my face.

“Oh, no, you aren’t. Azalea, you were ice cold, and your nose is pouring b***d! If I wouldn’t have stopped you, who knows what would have happened!” Liam directed at me. I involuntarily shrank a bit. I looked down at my shirt that was covered in b***d.

“It’s okay,” Lily said. “You tried.” She had a bittersweet smile on her face, a poor mask for her disappointment. I grabbed her hand in mind.

“It’s okay,” Lily said. “You tried.” She had a bittersweet smile on her face, a poor mask for her disappointment. I grabbed her hand in mind.

“I was close, Lily,” I said softly. “I think I almost got there.”

Liam pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. He was distraught with this. I took the rag from Lily and finished cleaning up my face; luckily, the bleeding had stopped. I reached for Liam’s hand.

“I had to try; can’t you understand? He is your best friend, and if I can help, I need to,” I silently pleaded with him. He slowly looked over to me before he knelt down to my level.

“I just got you back,” he said. “You cannot leave me trying to save anyone. Azalea, I cannot live without you.”

I cupped his cheek with my hand. “We owe it to Damien to try everything we can. I was close, Liam; I know it.”

“Well, your effort was not in vain, Luna,” Doctor Ron said, interrupting us. We both looked over at him. Lily was by his side once more. “He is oxygenating slightly better now. It also appears his breathing is improving.”

Liam turned to me with wide eyes; I could tell he had no idea what to say. “We should probably go ahead and check you, though,” Doctor Ron continued. “I certainly did not expect any of that.”

Liam looked back over at him and nodded. Without any more words, Liam grabbed me up and carried me out behind Doctor Ron, leaving Lily with her mate. Whether Liam liked it or not, I was going to find a way to help Damian.

FELIX

I watched Robert and Lyssa playing with Liam Jr and Leo on the playground. This was our third location since leaving the pack; Robert thought it necessary to hide in plain sight. I scanned the park continually, always looking for any threats that may have followed. Taking the kids overseas was a good idea at the time, but now I was not so sure.

My phone rang, and I silenced it. While the children were out in the public eye, I did not like to avert my attention. Robert and Lyssa were capable, but I was also tasked with their safety, and I wasn’t going to let my Alph and Luna down again.

My phone rang again, and irritation picked at me. Usually, the rest of the pack leadership knew not to call unless it was important until we checked in with them. I pulled my phone out, keeping my eyes on Lyssa pushing Leo on the swings.

“Yea,” I answered gruffly.

“Felix,” Doctor Ron said. “I am very sorry to bother you, but I felt it was urgent enough to warrant calling you.”

“What is it?” I asked, my stomach knotting with worry. If something happened to Lacey and the pup…. I immediately shut down those thoughts. That wasn’t going to happen.

“Before I begin, I want you to know everything is fine. Lacey is healthy, and the pup is progressing on schedule,” he explained.

“There is a but in there,” I growled.

“Yes. I am afraid the separation from her mate is taking a toll on Lacey. She has just left her check-up, and I am beginning to worry. I would think it best if you were to speak with the former Alpha and Luna about coming back soon.”

I didn’t answer him. My mate needed me, but I was stuck here, too far from her.

“I know there are safety concerns all around, but I think if you and your mate are separated for much longer, we could be looking at consequences for your pup.”

I hung up the phone, anger pulsing through me. Robert looked over at me. “Who was that?”

“Your brother, sir,” I replied.

“Is something wrong?”

“Yes.”