Chapter 15 ;Hands That Heal
782 Words
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The decision came from the elders.
“Skyler will assist in the infirmary,” the oldest among them declared. “Her gift has proven… useful.”
Useful.
The word sat poorly in Skyler’s chest. Not insult. Not praise.
A compromise.
She inclined her head anyway, calm on the outside while Sai stirred inside her, a low, thoughtful presence.
They do not know what they are touching, Sai murmured. And yet they place you at the heart of the pack.
Across the hall, Kaden remained silent but Kane was not.
Oh, they are absolutely giving her a throne without calling it one, Kane drawled in Kaden’s mind.
You should be proud. Your mate is about to outshine you with bandages.
Kaden’s jaw tightened.
Not outwardly.
Inside.
Stop talking, he ordered.
No, Kane replied cheerfully.
The council ended, and only in the corridor did Kaden finally speak.
“You don’t have to do this.”
"why", Skyler asked " I will be helping the one in need" Skyler added
" there will be many warriors in infirmary ", kaden says without knowing
then added " I mean you will be more tired, stressed you know work.... much work.... I mean..... ", he start stumerring..
Skyler met his gaze with a mischievous smile . “Yes, I do, I will be glad..”
Their bond stirred not urgent, not aching. Just aware.
Sai brushed against Kane through the link, luminous and amused.
He’s worried. That’s new.
He’s jealous, Kane corrected. That’s funnier.
Kaden frowned slightly. He could feel the wolves present, alert but deliberately distant, like doors gently closed.
“What are you two talking about?” he asked Skyler quietly.
She paused. Then smiled faintly.
“I don’t know. they are not me. ”
They both felt it the subtle absence of their wolves.
Blocked.
Inside the link, Kane laughed.
Let the humans wonder.
Sai answered softly.
They need mystery to grow.
In the infirmary, Skyler became something else entirely.
Not servant.
Not weapon.
Not symbol.
Presence.
Her hands moved with quiet certainty, cleaning wounds, setting bones, calming pain. She used herbs first, skill first moonlight only when absolutely necessary.
Warriors began to wait for her.
Not because she was faster.
But because when she touched them, the fear left.
They are bowing without kneeling, Sai observed.
They always know, Skyler replied. Before the titles come.
Even the head healer found herself stepping back instinctively.
Lyra watched from the doorway.
Leah coiled inside her like a blade.
She doesn’t heal, Leah hissed. She conquers.
“You enjoy being admired,” Lyra said sharply.
Skyler didn’t look up. “I enjoy being useful.”
Lyra scoffed. “Healers become symbols. Symbols become leaders.”
Skyler finally met her eyes.
“Then perhaps the pack is ready.”
Leah snarled.
Break her before they crown her.
That night, Kaden came to the infirmary under the excuse of inspection.
In truth, he just stood there watching Skyler work, watching how the room softened around her.
Inside him, Kane sighed dramatically.
Look at you. Alpha of Ironfang, reduced to silent admirer.
“Shut up,” Kaden muttered under his breath.
Skyler glanced up. “What?”
“Nothing.”
Their fingers brushed as he handed her a clean cloth.
Just once.
The bond hummed.
Kaden frowned slightly. “I can’t hear Kane.”
Skyler’s lips curved. “Neither can I hear Sai.”
Inside the link, Kane leaned toward Sai, voice wicked.
We should let them think we’ve disappeared.
That would be cruel, Sai replied.
Yes.
Skyler tilted her head. “Are they… talking to each other?”
Kaden exhaled. “Definitely.”
“What are they saying?”
They both paused.
Inside the link, Sai answered gently:
That you are both idiots.
Kane added:
And that we are having much more fun than you.
Kaden groaned. “I hate them.”
Skyler laughed real, soft, unguarded.
Outside the infirmary, Lyra turned away, fury coiling tight in her chest.
Because Skyler wasn’t just healing wounds anymore.
She was healing loyalty.
She was healing fear.
She was healing the pack.
And that was far more dangerous.
Later that night, long after the moon climbed high, Lyra followed the path she had sworn never to walk.
Down past the outer watch.
Through ruins the pack avoided.
Into a place where even Leah grew quiet.
A figure waited in the shadows.
Tall.
Still.
Watching her as if he had always known she would come.
Lyra stepped forward
And froze.
Not in fear.
In shock.
Because whatever she had expected…
This was not it.
And inside her, Leah whispered only one word:
Impossible. 🌑🐺
- Writer
