All Chapters of The Alpha’s Scarred Healer: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Raven / Scarlett’s POV“Alpha, look at me. Please.”My palms pressed harder against Alpha Dimitri’s bare chest as another wave of pain tore through him. His body jerked beneath my hands, and a strained sound left his throat.“Just breathe. Please, just breathe.”Heat rushed from my palms as I forced more of my gift into him. I searched desperately for the source of the pain, trying to reach whatever Circe had done to him, but something kept pushing back. The harder I fought against it, the stronger the resistance became.My wrists began to shake.Tears blurred my vision before spilling down my cheeks. Some landed on his chest beneath my hands, but I barely noticed. Panic had already taken hold of my breathing, turning each breath into a short, uneven pull that left me light-headed.Still, I refused to stop.Then my eyes dropped to his arm.The golden words were still glowing across his skin.Your body is mine. Relief will come when I allow it. Pain will come whenever I wish. Nice doin

Raven / Scarlett’s POVI stared determinedly at my hand. There was barely any distance between my fingertips and the waistband of his trousers now, and knowing what lay just beyond it made keeping my thoughts where they belonged nearly impossible.Still, I refused to move my hand until the pain began to ease.The moment it finally did, I slid my palm back toward the safer center of his chest. My heart was still beating far too fast. A few minutes later, Alpha Dimitri tensed again. This time, his forearm.The same one Circe’s message had been carved into.I reached for it immediately, wrapping my fingers around the unmarked skin and sending my gift through my hand. To reach him properly, I had to turn further onto my side.My chest brushed against his.I became painfully aware of the contact, but there was nowhere left to retreat without letting go of him. One of my thighs rested against his, our bodies now pressed together along almost their entire length.I swallowed and kept my atte

Alpha Dimitri’s POVMy attention sharpened.He continued.“I couldn’t find Fiona Lightweather either. Neither name appears in any of the records I was able to access, and I found nothing connecting either woman to the packs surrounding Ironclaw.”Nothing escaped my lips as I considered what he had just told me. I had expected gaps. Missing records would not have surprised me, especially among the smaller packs. Even a trail that disappeared halfway through would have given us something to work with.I had not expected both women to leave no trace at all.“Nothing?”“Yes, Alpha. Nothing that matches either of them.”I leaned back in my chair, my eyes dropping briefly to the folder on the desk.Scarlett had already admitted there were things about her past she was keeping from me. I had known from the beginning that I didn't have the entire story.But Scarlett Bane might not even be her name.And apparently, Fiona Lightweather was no easier to trace.That bothered me more than I wanted

Alpha Dimitri’s POVMy attention shifted fully to him.“How many?”“Six so far. He wants Raven’s body returned to Ironclaw for their burial rites.” Petru lowered the woman’s arm and pulled the cloth back over it. “The last message wasn't a request. He informed us that he would be here by late afternoon to collect her himself.”My jaw tightened. “He’s coming here?”“Under a temporary truce banner.”Of course he was.Petru glanced toward the covered body. “From what we learned about Raven’s life in Ironclaw, Lucan rejected her long before she disappeared. By the end, she had been mistreated, beaten, and cast aside. Now that she’s dead, suddenly he cares what happens to her body.” I looked at the dark cloth covering the woman.Whatever Lucan's reasons were, I had no intention of simply handing over a body recovered inside my territory because he demanded it.“Keep her secured until I say otherwise. No one comes into this room without my direct permission.”Petru nodded.“Have the meetin

Raven / Scarlett’s POVI wasn't planning to betray him, but there were still too many things about me he didn't know.I wanted to tell him that his trust wasn't misplaced, but the words wouldn't come. Not when saying them would only remind me of everything I was still keeping from him.Alpha Dimitri looked away from me.“I’m also afraid of my people seeing me as weak.” His voice lowered. “An Alpha is supposed to be the strongest person in the room, but Orrosta has always reminded me that I’m not.”His eyes remained on the ceiling.“Now Circe can trigger an attack whenever she wants. I don’t know when it will happen, and I have no control over it.” His eyes finally returned to mine. “Every time it starts, I have to wonder if this will be the one I don’t survive.”I had seen that fear the night before. I had felt his body tremble beneath my hands while he struggled to breathe.“I’m still here,” I said quietly. “And I’ll keep you here.”Alpha Dimitri turned his head toward me. His eyes s