able, his skin pale and clammy, the shallow rise and fall of his chest a battle bar

it all like a blade. Then his v

Start hea

toward her, stand

, with respect, this man's injuries are beyond repair

wolf surged just beneath his skin, invisible yet suffocating. The m

ered again, softer

relief. Let her take the fall, their thoughts whispered silently. Better h

m of both her medical training and the spark of power thrumming in her veins. Her voice murmur

ands glowing faintly with the warmth of healing energy. The room held its breath. Then suddenly the m

tched into every line of their

his eyes. Relief washed through Sloane like a tide, her bod

ike a dream come true. She was truly talented and no

s swung shut behind them. The night air was cool, carryin

" he said quiet

wavering. "I'll accept your thanks, Alph

terest sharpening hi

only here in this territory. Everywhere. No ma

ne. He didn't hesitate. "Then you have it. As lon

, a hint of relief

his eyes locking with hers,

ir between them when Dominic's expr

ss Sloane," he said. "You'l

so quickly, she thought bitterly. She crossed her arms. "Is that th

a easing just enough to make his next words fe

faltered. "Jere

likes you. More than you know. And when he's happy, hi

knew something was wrong with Jeremy, and it felt like Dominic did not know what was going on with his n

he relented. "

ep evaded her. The moonlight spilled silver across the polished floors as

she f

crumbling. His entire face was flushed crimson, veins bulging at his temples and neck

he cried, ru

se. The man hurried to Dominic's side, thrusting a handful of pil

shook. "What ha

lance, grim but calm. "Al

ss. She had offered him the warm glass only hours earlier, trying t

en now, sweat glistening across his skin, his

She knelt beside him, close enough to feel the heat radiating of

pered, her hand alm

, untouchable Alpha looked. flustered. Vulnerable. Her nearness stirred something wild

n feared by all

de, until his breathing leveled out into something steadier, less raw. The doctor quietly retreated a

'm sorry," she whispered. "If I'd known, I never would've

d toward her, the sto

ofter. "So this. this whole

d uneasily, plastering himself against the wall as

ith something she couldn't name. Finally, she forced the q

u going to make

om wen

t, but her body wouldn't move. She was too close, close enough to feel the he

s curved, slow, d