Chapter 3

I stopped looking at him and lowered my gaze to my swollen arm.

Even though I didn't understand healing, after all this time, my arm was probably ruined.

Sure enough, the Pack healer's face grew serious. He used a small flashlight to check my pupils, then gently pressed several key points on my arm.

Each touch made my vision go black. I nearly fainted.

He turned to Damine, his tone grave.

"Miss Thorne is seriously injured. She's been in the cold too long. The soft tissue is severely damaged. I suspect compound fractures and possible nerve compression. She needs to get to the healing center immediately for detailed examination and healing. Otherwise, this arm may never fully recover its function. It could even lead to serious systemic infection."

"Never recover?"

Damien's breathing suddenly stopped. He stared at my mangled arm, his eyes shaking violently. He instinctively stepped forward.

He knew what my arm meant to me.

Without my arm, my glorious warrior career would be completely over.

Just then, Elara, who had been leaning on her assistant, suddenly spoke up in a soft, weak voice.

"Healer, aren't you being a bit too dramatic?"

Everyone's eyes turned to her.

She nestled against her assistant, her face pale. But she forced out a comforting smile and spoke gently to Damien.

"Damien, don't worry too much. I've been in and out of the pack infirmary so many times over the years. I've seen a lot. Sera's arm looks scary, but it's probably just a bad sprain. The bruising and swelling make it look so purple and swollen. But the bone isn't actually hurt."

She lowered her eyes slightly, revealing her slender, fragile neck. She laughed self-mockingly.

"Who would have thought that my little bit of experience from being sick so long could actually help at a time like this. At least you won't worry so much."

Damien's tense expression gradually relaxed as she spoke so seriously.

The way he looked at Elara was instantly filled with heartache and guilt. When he turned back to me, his panic and worry had been replaced by impatience and anger.

"You heard her? It's just a sprain and bruising! Why are you putting on this dying act? Making such a big fuss over a little injury so no one can have any peace. Do you really want sympathy that badly?"

He frowned, his gaze sweeping over my pale face and trembling body. Like he was doing me a favor, he added another sentence, though his tone stayed cold.

"Fine. Since you've suffered too, I'll have the Pack healer treat your bruising."

Before he finished speaking, Elara suddenly swayed very dramatically and softly collapsed to one side.

"Elara!"

Damien's face changed instantly. All his attention was immediately pulled away.

He rushed forward and scooped Elara up in his arms, frantic with worry.

"What's wrong? Are you dizzy again? Hold on, I'll take you to the healing center right now!"

He carried her and strode quickly toward where the car was parked. He didn't even look back at me once.

The wind and snow seemed to get heavier. It cut across my face like a dull knife.

The Pack healer opened his mouth, as if he wanted to call Damine back.

In the end, he just sighed helplessly. He looked at me with pity in his eyes.

"Miss Thorne, your injury..."

I slowly raised my right hand, the one that could still move.

Very slowly, I touched the edge of the terrifying swelling on my left arm with my fingertip.

Under the ice-cold skin was burning, explosive pain that felt like it might burst open.

Experience from being sick?

Elara was so amazing. With just one look, she could see through all that thick swelling and bandages and decide I only had a sprain and bruising?

And Damien believed her.

He chose to believe her.

I watched the car carrying Damien and Elara drive away without any hesitation.

A faint, bitter smile curved at the corner of my mouth.

"Doctor."

I looked away, my voice so calm it surprised even me.

"Please just give me a simple bandage. That's enough."

"But your arm..."

"It's okay." I quietly interrupted him. "Just like this."

Just like this.

Whether it hurt or was ruined.

It seemed like none of it mattered anymore.