Chapter 3 #2
He didn’t say anything more, and I was oddly grateful for that. Most people would’ve pushed, demanded an explanation. Carter didn’t.
I sighed softly. “Sorry if I caused trouble. Didn’t mean to make things difficult for you or your pack. I just want to help while I’m here. Whoever I can, before I head back.”
He gave a small smile. “You’re not causing trouble.”
His voice was softer this time, almost thoughtful. It might’ve been my imagination, but it sounded like he meant it.
Footsteps creaked behind us. I turned and saw Rose jogging down the pier, waving. “Devon! I’m ready to go when you are.”
“Right on time.” Then I glanced at Carter. “I saw a diner on the way here. Do you guys want something to eat before we head back?”
The offer came out lighter than I meant it, an easy gesture. For a second, I thought Carter might agree.
But something shifted in his expression. His shoulders squared, his tone clipped back to business.
“No. It’s late. If you plan to heal anyone else, do it quickly. You should be heading back to Pecan Pines by morning.”
And just like that, Carter the lead alpha was back.
I tucked my hands into my jacket pockets. “Back to work, then.”
He gave a short nod and turned away, boots thudding softly against the planks.
I looked out at the lake one last time. The water shimmered under the moonlight, bright for a heartbeat before fading into shadow again.
Rose’s truck rumbled down the dirt road toward the east gate. We turned the bend, and even from a distance, I could see a small crowd gathered near the gate.
A few older wolves leaned against the fence. Mothers held their children, while a few younger men and women sat along a building wall.
Off to one side, a smaller group of what looked like enforcers stood in a loose half-circle.
“Looks like word got out,” Rose muttered, pulling to a stop.
Carter was already unbuckling his seatbelt. “Stay in the truck,” he said, his voice firm. “Let me talk to them first.”
He pushed the door open before either of us could argue, striding toward the group of enforcers.
I watched through the windshield. One of them was arguing with Carter, his stance defensive.
Carter didn’t raise his voice, but whatever he said made the man stiffen, then turn away, muttering under his breath as he started barking orders at his own pack mates.
A moment later, Carter gestured toward the gate, and the group began to scatter, hauling out tables and benches from a nearby shed.
Carter returned a few minutes later. “Sorry. A few people must’ve heard there was a healer in the area.”
My chest tightened at that. Desperation had a way of spreading fast, especially when you were sick or hurt and hope was all you had left.
“I told the enforcers to bring over a few tables and chairs,” Carter went on. “You can set up over there. If you’re okay with this, that is.”
I nodded, scanning the crowd again. I rubbed my fingers together, focusing on the faint hum that answered beneath my skin. Warm, steady, but thinner than I wanted.
“I can heal a few,” I said finally, “but not everyone. I’ll have to prioritize the urgent cases first. The rest…” I glanced at Rose. “There are supplies in my kit. You can help me patch them up?”
“Of course!” she said, already jumping out of the truck.
Carter nodded and turned toward the waiting crowd, his voice carrying as he organized them into lines. “Anyone seriously injured, come forward first. The rest, please stay calm. We’ll see everyone we can.”
Meanwhile, Rose and I worked to set up what would have to pass for a temporary field station.
It was a makeshift table under the shadow of a supply tent near the gate. We spread out clean cloth, laid down salves and rolls of bandages, and filled a small basin from the water jugs.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Carter again. He was moving among his pack members, directing them to fetch stools for the elderly and kids, clearing space for the wounded.
But not everyone followed. A smaller group of Thornebane enforcers lingered at the back, just watching.
I met one of their gazes. He didn’t look away.
I did. There were too many people in front of me who needed help more than I needed to win that silent challenge.
“Alright,” I said to the first person who stepped forward. It was a young woman clutching her arm. “Let’s see what we can do.”
Hours blurred together. Clean, assess, heal, repeat.
My hands moved on autopilot as I moved from one patient to the next, hands glowing faintly as I helped sore muscles and fevered bodies feel better.
Rose worked beside me without complaint, passing me gauze or cleaning wounds when I pointed. She asked questions, quiet but eager, soaking up every bit of instruction I offered.
“Keep the pressure here,” I murmured as she pressed her hands over a shallow cut on a man’s shoulder. She nodded, focused.
Between patients, I caught glimpses of Carter through the shifting crowd. And for a moment, I almost forgot who he was supposed to be.
I had expected someone like him to keep their distance in situations like this. Standing apart, issuing orders.
But Carter was moving. Helping an elderly woman sit down, steadying a boy by the elbow as he limped toward me, murmuring quiet thanks to those who’d already been seen.
When I turned back to the next patient, my fingers trembled slightly. Hours of constant work had started to catch up with me.
The steady hum under my skin had thinned to a faint vibration.
I healed three more before I knew I had to stop.
Rose noticed before I said anything. “You okay?” she asked softly.
“I’m fine,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just need to stretch my legs for a bit. Grab something to eat.”
“Go,” she said immediately. “I can handle this.”
I nodded my thanks and stepped out from under the tent’s shadow. I made my way toward the edge of the clearing, past the parked vehicles, and found a half-toppled crate to sit on.
My back ached, my palms tingled, and my head throbbed faintly behind my eyes.
I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out a candy bar. The first bite was blessedly sweet.
I’d just unwrapped another when a shadow fell across my hands.
“Devon.” Carter’s gaze swept over me, his brow furrowed slightly. “You alright?”
“Yeah,” I said around a mouthful of chocolate. “Just need a breather. Give me half an hour, and I’ll be good to finish up the rest.”
He didn’t look convinced. His eyes lingered on my hands, probably catching the faint tremor I hadn’t managed to hide.
For a second, I thought he might insist I stop altogether. But then he sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“Alright,” he said. “You need some water? I can—”
He stopped mid-sentence, head snapping toward the east gate.
A split second later, every enforcer nearby turned too.
Engines rumbled in the distance, breaking the early dawn quiet. Headlights appeared between the trees.
Trucks first, then motorbikes. Gravel crunched under tires as the vehicles rolled closer.
The light hit the crowd, glinting off faces that stiffened, and I felt my pulse quicken at the sudden brightness.