Healer Luna's Heart

Traitor

Seara paced back and forth in her room. Perhaps it was time she found out what was going on between Austin and the elders in the meeting.

She followed Austin's footsteps quietly. Occasionally hiding behind a pillar, or crouching behind a display table in the corridor when Austin stopped to greet pack members who passed him.

Meanwhile, Austin felt that Seara was following him. He let her. To him, Seara could know the contents of the meeting because she was his Moon candidate.

Austin knew that the infiltration of Rain Hill was not just a random attack. The Rogues knew exactly when to attack and where their weak point was: the rain.

In the dimly lit meeting room, Austin sat in the main chair. To his left and right, the pack elders had gathered with stiff faces. Alex stood behind him as a loyal witness.

The atmosphere was tense, as if the oxygen in the room had been sucked out by the tension on the faces of the Lycanisius wolves.

"I have gathered you for a closed investigation," Austin began, his voice low and threatening. "Information about my trauma could not have leaked to the Rogue's ears without an inside source."

Nolan, who sat at the end of the table with an infuriatingly casual style, chuckled softly. He sipped his black coffee before placing the cup down with a loud clink.

"You're getting paranoid, Alpha Austin," Nolan sneered dismissively. "Maybe you just need to admit that your guilt over your parents' death is making you careless. Don't blame imaginary 'traitors' for your failure to keep secrets."

"Watch your mouth, Darkmore," Austin hissed. His jaw tightened so much that the muscles in his neck bulged. "You're a guest here, but that doesn't mean you're free to insult your Alpha."

The argument began to heat up. Elder Stroud, the oldest Lycan with a long white beard, slammed his fist on the table. "Enough! Alpha Austin, the Council needs certainty, not just conspiracy theories. If there really is a leak, show us the proof. If not, your leadership is indeed being questioned by all of us."

Austin stared at Stroud with his glittering golden eyes. "I will find the proof soon. But right now, the stability of the pack is the priority."

Elder Vanya, the only woman among the elders, finally spoke up. Her voice was soft, but it carried undeniable authority. "Stop acting like wolves fighting over territory. Alpha Austin is working. Nolan, if you can't contribute anything other than sarcasm, you'd better leave."

Nolan fell silent. He stared sharply at Elder Vanya, then stood up from his chair. He smoothed his expensive, bloodstain-free suit and walked out of the room without saying goodbye, slamming the door loudly in protest.

After Nolan's departure, Austin sighed deeply. He opened the document in front of him and looked at the elders. "There is another important matter to report. During the mission at Rain Hill, Seara proved her abilities. She is not just a non-dominant healer. She managed to calm my trauma and heal critical wounds with extraordinary precision."

Austin paused, looking at each Elder one by one. "I intend to appoint Seara as the official Luna of Lycanisius as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, Seara, who was peeking through the window, had to struggle with her pain.

She still wanted to listen to the Alpha speak, but the pain in her hand was throbbing even more. She stared at the purple bruise that wasn't fading, but instead seemed to be getting darker, almost resembling a symbol she didn't recognize.

Every time she touched the bruised skin, a cold whisper crept into her mind.

"He's targeting you..."

Seara flinched. The voice did not belong to Arach, her wolf. A dark aura emanated from the bruise, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

[Seara, don't touch it again,] Arach's voice appeared, sounding alert and anxious in her head. [There is black energy residue attached to it. We must see Winona now.]

Seara nodded slowly. She immediately put on her robe and stepped out of the room carefully. She had to get to the healers' pavilion before the sun got any higher.

Seara's steps faltered as she passed through the hallway leading to the quiet side garden. Behind a large pillar near the door to the pavilion, she saw a figure she recognized very well. Nolan.

Nolan was unaware of Seara's presence. The man seemed busy with a small communication device in his hand. His face, which was usually full of childish smiles, now looked very serious and cold.

"They're having a meeting," Nolan whispered into the device. "Austin is getting suspicious. Make sure you stay at the border. Don't move until I give the code."

Seara held her breath. Her heart was beating so fast it hurt. Nolan was speaking quietly in a secluded place far from the guards.

"Is Nolan the traitor?" Seara whispered.

Seara was about to slowly back away to find Austin, but unfortunately for her, she accidentally stepped on a dry branch that broke under her foot.

Nolan turned around immediately. His sharp eyes immediately caught sight of Seara standing frozen.

"Seara?" Nolan quickly put away his device. His sweet smile returned to his face, but this time it looked very fake to Seara. "What are you doing here, Beautiful? Shouldn't you be resting?"

"I... I want to see Healer Winona," replied Seara, trying to keep her voice from trembling. "Nolan, what are you doing behind this pillar?"

Nolan stepped closer. "Just getting some fresh air. The meeting with my cousin was so boring."

"Are you contacting someone?" Seara asked directly, her courage rising from her disgust.

Nolan laughed hollowly. He was now only a meter in front of Seara. "You're too curious, Seara. It could be dangerous for your health."

"What's dangerous?"

The deep voice came from behind Seara. Austin stood there with his jaw clenched. He looked at Seara, then turned to Nolan with a hostile gaze.

"I went to your room to look for you, Seara. And I didn't expect to find you chatting intimately with my cousin in a secluded place like this," said Austin, his voice tinged with sharp jealousy.

Seara turned to Austin, her eyes pleading for help. "Austin, I have something to tell you about..."

"About how I miss him?" Nolan cut in quickly, deliberately provoking Austin's anger. He reached out as if to smooth Seara's hair, a provocative gesture he knew would get a reaction.

Austin lunged forward, grabbing Nolan's wrist before he could touch Seara. His Alpha aura exploded, making the air around them feel heavy and suffocating.

"I told you, don't touch her!" Austin growled.

"Austin, stop!" Seara shouted. "This isn't about jealousy. Nolan was talking to someone when I got here."

The atmosphere suddenly fell silent. Austin froze, his eyes shifting to Nolan, whose face was slowly turning pale.