Chapter 7

~ RONAN ~

I'd already mindlinked Elias before we even pulled through the gates.

He's waiting when we arrive, him and his team, and I'm grateful for it because the injury on her wrist alone is enough to make Kael lose his mind, and that's only what I can see. There's no telling what's underneath that gown that I haven't seen yet. She looks pale, and this is not in a tired-pale way, it's the other that comes from the inside, from the body quietly negotiating with itself about how much longer it can keep going.

I'm not taking chances.

It takes everything in me to step back and let Elias do what I called him here to do. I'm not a doctor. I know that. Standing between her and the only person who can actually help her right now would be stupidity dressed up as protection, and I refuse to be that man. So instead, I step back crossing my arm as I watch.

'She needs us punk," Kael snarls in his gruff tone.

'I know she does, but we'll be a threat, so, it's better we stay here and watch,"

Elias approaches her slowly, his voice so calm as though he knows what she had gone through. I let out a breathy exhale, knowing she's in safe hands. It's why I trust him. It's why I called him specifically.

"It's not going to take long," he continues with a voice so soft. "You have my word, we're not here to cause you any harm or discomfort. All I want to do is make sure you're well. Nothing more than that." He pauses, giving her space to absorb it. "You've had a long day, so please permit us take care of the rest. You don't have to do anything except let us help you. Can you do that for me?"

She nods. But her body says something else entirely.

She's pushing backward on the examination bed, her spine pressing toward the wall behind her, like she can create enough distance between herself and what's coming if she just keeps moving. I'm particularly drawn to the spike in her heartbeat—thump, thump, thump. I can hear it from where I'm standing, and it's going at a rate that makes my own chest tighten. Why is she so scared of someone helping her?

"Tell Elias to stop," Kael orders.

"That won't solve anything. If he stops, we have no qualifications to heal her, and the last thing we want to do right now is lose her."

"She's refusing help because she thinks he's a threat."

"I know."

"Then do something."

I cross the room quietly, and I watch her track me as I approach, those hazel eyes following my every step, maybe trying to calculate what I'm about to do.

The expression on her face turns to fear. She's already frightened as she shifts backward, her eyes scanning around for maybe a possible place to run to. Did she think I was coming to hit her?

I squat down, right there on the floor, dropping to her level so she doesn't have to look up at me.

Those frightened hazel eyes meet mine, and silently, they're pleading with me not to hit her.

"Roselle."

The sound of her name coming from me tastes strangely nice. The contract had her name on it, but this is the first time I'm actually calling her by it. Her eyes soften, maybe finally realizing that I mean no harm.

"This man right here," I say, keeping my voice low, just enough for her, "is Dr. Elias. He's been with this pack for over eleven years, and there is nobody in this building I trust more than him." I hold her gaze, not pushing, not rushing her. "You're not in Westbrook anymore. Whatever that place was, whatever it did, it doesn't follow you here. These people are not going to hurt you. They're not going to judge you. Not a single thing they see tonight leaves this room."

I reach out slowly pushing a strand of hair away from her face.

Hell.

The hurt in her eyes says more about what she's been through than anything her hands could ever sign.

"I need you to trust me," I tell her quietly. "Just for right now. Just for this."

The room is completely still.

I can feel everyone holding their breath, Elias and his team waiting, but none of it matters right now. All that matters is those hazel eyes staring right at me.

Her eyes scan the room, from Dr. Elias to his team, then back at me, and then she nods, slowly.

I let out a breath I genuinely didn't realize I was holding. Standing to my feet, I turn to Elias and give him a single nod. He steps forward, and she remains still without pushing backward.

He looks at her directly. "Is it okay if I examine your wrist?" he asks, raising one hand and asking for her permission before he so much as touches her wrist.

She glances at me, and I hold her gaze before nodding once in reassurance. Then she looks back at Elias, and after a brief hesitation, she nods.

Stepping back toward the window, I stuff my hands in my pockets as I watch Dr. Elias and his team get to work.

Rolling the gown gently, Kael growls loudly at the sight of injuries, some faded and some looking so fresh… hell fuck, did they also do that to her?

Dr. Elias turns to me, and immediately… I'm aware that I just scared her.

"You need to excuse us, Alpha. We've already made progress in earning her trust. I wouldn't want you to scare her again while we're trying to examine her."

I nod, cursing Kael as I step outside the room, pacing to and fro outside. I'm more than nervous.

"Is she going to be okay?" I ask through the mindlink…

And Elias' response comes immediately. "You need to let me finish, Alpha, and relax… she's going to be fine. Try not to interrupt."