Chapter 6

The healer pressed a new communicator into my hand and left quickly.

I lay alone on the simple cot, my wounds throbbing.

The silver poison was gone, but the burns would take a long time to heal.

Just then, the new communicator buzzed.

It was someone I'd mentioned in my journal.

Elder Samuel.

He was one of the most respected elders in the pack, retired from active duty two years ago, rarely involving himself in pack affairs.

I hesitated, then answered.

"Child, are you alright?"

The Elder's old, kind voice came through the speaker, full of concern.

"I heard what happened. Where are you now?"

"In the medical tent," I answered weakly.

"I'm on my way."

"No, Elder, you don't have to. I'm fine…"

"Nonsense!" he snapped. "You were poisoned with silver, and you call that 'fine'?"

The line went dead.

Half an hour later, Elder Samuel appeared at the tent flap.

He was a tall, old man with a full head of white hair, but his eyes were still sharp.

When he saw the burns on my body, a look of pain crossed his face.

"My child," he said, sitting by my bed. "Who did this to you?"

"No one. It was an accident…"

"An accident?" the Elder scoffed. "Wolf's Blight accidentally appears in your porridge? Liquid silver accidentally splashes on you?"

I stared at him in shock. "How did you know…?"

"The healer told me," the Elder said, his voice filled with rage. "Hazel, just how much have you suffered these past two years?"

I said nothing.

"I know about the things you did for Fabian," the Elder said, his voice full of sorrow. "Sneaking into the Blazefire pack to steal their manual, settling the land dispute in the eastern territories for him, finding the lost Moon Goddess totem on a stormy night…"

Tears suddenly streamed down my face.

Someone remembered. Someone knew what I had done.

"And that time his power went wild," the Elder continued. "You watched over him for three days and three nights, nearly draining your own life force. The healer said if you'd been a moment later, you would have died right there."

"But when he woke up, the first thing he asked was where Gloria was."

I covered my face, unable to stop the tears.

"Child, you deserve better," the Elder said, taking my hand. "I will see justice done," he vowed, his voice ringing with authority. "By the Moon Goddess, this will not stand."

"Don't, Elder," I shook my head. "I don't want to fight about this anymore."

"No, I must," the Elder said firmly. "As an elder of this pack, it is my duty to protect every child who is wronged. I will call a council meeting tomorrow…"

His communicator suddenly buzzed, interrupting him.

I glanced at it. The call had ended.

But just then, the tent flap was violently thrown open.

Fabian stormed in, his face dark and furious.

"Crying again?" he sneered at me. "Is it fun, running to the Elder to complain?"

"Fabian, how dare you speak to her like that?" Elder Samuel stood up angrily. "She is the victim here!"

"Victim?" Fabian laughed coldly. "She betrayed the pack. She deserved to be punished. Now she's playing the pity card again. Pathetic."

"She was nearly poisoned to death!" the Elder roared.

"She was careless," Fabian said dismissively. "Gloria was burned too. Did she complain?"

I looked at him. This man I once loved so deeply.

His eyes held no concern, only disgust and impatience.

"I didn't complain to the Elder," I said weakly. "He contacted me."

"Oh, really?" Fabian stepped closer to the bed, looking down at me. "Then what were you two talking about?"

"He was asking about my injuries."

"Asking?" Fabian's eyes grew colder. "Do you need that? I thought you were so tough."

I looked at him and suddenly realized something.

He had no idea what I had done for him.

Those 100 things were probably just things he took for granted, things he didn't even notice.

"Do you even know what I've done for you?" I asked.

"Done for me?" he sneered. "Besides being a constant, clinging shadow, what exactly have you accomplished?"

Elder Samuel looked at him, shocked. "You don't know that she—"

"Enough!" Fabian cut him off. "I don't want to hear this nonsense."

Just then, his own communicator rang.

I saw Gloria's name on the screen.

He answered instantly, his voice softening. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

"My hand still hurts…" Gloria's weak voice came through.

"I'll be right there," Fabian said gently. "Put some ice on it for now. I'll bring you a better healing balm."

"Okay. Hurry back. I'm scared…"

"Don't be scared. I'm always here for you."

His face was a mask of worry and affection the entire time.

After he hung up, he turned to leave.

"Wait," Elder Samuel called out. "You're just leaving? You're not even going to check on her injuries?"

"She's not dying," Fabian said, his voice flat as he walked away. "Gloria needs me."

He disappeared through the tent flap.

Elder Samuel clenched his fists in anger. "That bastard! I'm going to…"

"Let it go, Elder," I said weakly. "Let him go."

"No! I cannot tolerate this injustice!"

"It really doesn't matter anymore," I said, looking at the moon outside the tent. "I don't care anymore."

Tears slid down my cheeks.

Elder Samuel gripped my arm, his gaze firm.

"Don't you worry. I will handle the Alpha. And once you're healed, I'm getting you out of here."