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DAVINA'S POV

The constant pressure in my chest made it difficult to breathe. The headache and nausea were all thanks to the silver bracelet wrapped around my wrist. Masking my wolf caused far more physical pain than I had expected. Maintaining the disguise required constant energy. I was already exhausted, and now my body healed more slowly than ever before.

Being a healer was draining. Healing over fifty pack elites had depleted most of my energy, but the satisfaction I felt every time I saved someone's life made it all worthwhile.

I took two deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling slowly. It helped steady my thoughts and rejuvenate my mind.

It had been a month since I arrived at Deep Paw Claw Pack, yet I was still awaiting the Alpha's arrival while my trial continued.

Despite being more than qualified for the position of Den Healer, I had yet to be officially acknowledged.

How much longer would I have to wait?

My gaze wandered around the infirmary. It was nothing compared to the one in the Eclipse Pack, where I came from, but it still filled me with a sense of purpose.

Hurried footsteps immediately put me on alert.

I turned toward the entrance.

"Grab whatever you need and follow me immediately. You need to heal someone."

The Pack Ambassador's voice was laced with urgency.

Without another word, he turned and strode away. I quickly gathered my supplies and rushed out of the infirmary after him.

I followed behind him like a docile pup. I had no idea where we were going, nor did I dare ask.

Keeping up with his pace was nearly impossible. He walked so fast that I felt as though I might collapse from exhaustion if this continued.

What could be so urgent?

I forced myself to keep moving, trying to keep my mind focused despite my growing fatigue. We hurried through several corridors and hallways. The exquisite architecture surrounding us told me we were entering a much more prestigious part of the packhouse.

When my eyes landed on the endless flight of stairs ahead, my heart sank.

My legs already felt numb from all the running, and now I had to climb those?

Ambassador Flinn must have mistaken me for someone eager to die. This was practically a suicide mission.

"Hurry up!" he called.

I lifted my head just enough to see that he had already reached the top while I was still struggling under the crushing weight of my aching limbs.

At that moment, I truly regretted masking my wolf.

As we continued down another hallway, the thick scent of fresh blood invaded my nostrils.

Whoever was injured had to be in critical condition.

Finally, Ambassador Flinn stopped in front of a massive door.

Taking a deep breath, he turned the doorknob and stepped inside.

I followed.

Lying on an enormous king-sized bed was a devastatingly handsome man covered in horrific wounds.

His abdomen had been ripped wide open.

His golden eyes locked onto mine the moment I entered.

For a brief second, I thought I saw disappointment flicker across his face.

"Alpha, she's the one I told you about... the new pack healer," Ambassador Flinn announced respectfully, bowing his head.

My eyes widened.

He was the Alpha of Deep Paw Claw?

The very Alpha whose arrival I'd been waiting for a month?

I stared at his injuries in disbelief.

How was he still alive?

I could practically see his internal organs, and several of his ribs were broken.

Healing wounds this severe could kill me.

So this was what they wanted...

My life.

His piercing gaze burned through me, sending a chill racing down my spine.

It felt as though he could see straight into my soul.

"Get to work!" Ambassador Flinn barked.

His voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

This was my opportunity to prove I deserved the position of Den Healer.

But this...

This wasn't the kind of injury I'd expected.

Only extraordinarily powerful Alpha genes could keep someone alive after suffering wounds like these.

Judging from the damage, it looked as though an entire pack of rogues had attacked him and taken turns tearing him apart.

His bones were shattered, for Moon Goddess' sake.

Even with an Alpha's healing abilities, it should have taken him months to recover naturally.

And they expected me to restore him within a single day?

I hesitated.

Was this really worth it?

Was my passion for healing worth risking my own life?

Taking a slow breath, I stepped toward him.

I could hear the pounding of my own heartbeat.

Although I knew he had to be in excruciating pain, he didn't show it.

He looked unnervingly calm, as though these injuries were nothing more than scratches.

He simply watched me without saying a word.

Perhaps he was conserving what little strength he had left.

I reached for his wrist and checked his pulse.

It was chaotic.

Yet something else caught my attention.

His body was unusually warm.

Not feverish.

Comfortably warm.

Every patient I'd ever treated had felt different.

There was no trace of a mate's scent on him, meaning he was unmated.

As a healer, I had to confirm that his injuries weren't connected to a broken mate bond.

If a mate bond was shattered, healing became nearly impossible.

Closing my eyes, I reached out through the mind link, gently connecting with his furious wolf.

The beast snarled at first.

Patiently, I soothed its rage before guiding it to begin knitting the broken bones back together.

The Alpha groaned as loud cracks echoed through the room while his bones snapped back into place.

Once the fractures had healed, I focused on the massive wound across his abdomen.

Placing both hands over the injury, I activated my gift.

I drew the pain into myself before pushing healing energy back into his body.

Almost immediately, something felt... wrong.

Healing injuries this severe should have drained nearly all my strength.

Healing an Omega's broken bone usually consumed about 10% of my energy.

This...

This should have taken over eighty per cent.

Yet I barely felt any exhaustion at all.

Before I could process it, the Alpha suddenly shoved me away.

Without warning, I crashed onto the marble floor with a painful thud, a yelp escaping my lips as I landed hard on my backside.

I glared at him.

"Is this how you treat the person who just saved your life?" I snapped.

He looked down at me with cold disdain.

"Your job here is done."

His voice was icy.

"Get out."

My heart sank.

I had just healed him.

How could someone be so ungrateful?

My hands curled into fists.

"You didn't have to treat me so poorly," I shot back. "And saying 'thank you' certainly wouldn't kill you."

Pushing myself to my feet, I tightened my grip on the bottle in my hand.

"Here."

I handed it to Ambassador Flinn.

"This is moonwater. Have him drink a few sips every morning and again before bed each evening."

Ambassador Flinn hurried forward and accepted the bottle.

The Alpha remained completely motionless, his expression unreadable.

It was as though I didn't even exist.

I clenched my fist. “Asshole,” I cussed. His face darkened as if he heard me. 

"Avoid any strenuous activity for the next two weeks," I continued. "By then, your bones should be fully healed."

I bit my lips, trying so hard to compose myself, and forced a smile. "Have a nice day."