The rain began to fall just past sunset, drumming a steady, hollow rhythm against the cedar shingles of the clinic roof.
Downstairs, the village of Oakhaven had gone completely still. Master Thomas had posted guards at the river bridge, turning away all messengers, nobles, and merchants with absolute finality under Commander Caleb’s direct orders.
In the upper loft, the central brazier burned with low, smokeless coals.
Alpha Max sat on the edge of the cot, his combat leathers discarded, wearing only a thin gray linen shirt damp with sweat. Beside him sat a broad ceramic basin filled with cold spring water and a stack of clean linen cloths.
He dipped a cloth into the icy water, wrung it out until it stopped dripping, and gently pressed it across Elena’s burning forehead.
Elena groaned
