Stay alive

“Her pulse is weak, but she will make it,” the pack healer said as she examined Esme. Her face contorted when she saw the many scars on the body of Esme, but she was quick to mask it before the wrong set of people saw it.

“Give her the medicine and apply the herb to her wounds. She will recover faster that way,” she said again as she packed up her stuff.

She knew the girl was maltreated qnd abused by everyone, but seeing her like that and the result of the actions, the marks on her body were equivalent to being branded. Such scars would leave a lasting effect on a person. The physical ones might fade with time, but the emotional scars might never fade, especially if she keeps on being subjected to such cruel treatment.

She felt bad for her but there was nothing that she could do. Not unless she wanted to offend the alpha and his family as well as all of the NightCrawler Pack.

“Thank you, Lucy,” Alicia said, truly grateful that woman could make it in time.

Lucy nodded her head at the concerned maid. Her eyes met with that of Alpha Dane and she quickly retracted her gaze and bowed. “I will take my leave now with your permission, Alpla,” she said.

For a moment, Lucy thought the man's anger was directed at her but hadn't done anything to warrant that. The intensity in his gaze was bone chilling despite having only fleetingly made eye contact.

“Leave,” he said coldly.

Lucy didn't hesitate to walk out of there. Her job was done, and she would rather keep her head on her shoulders than stick around long enough to know what else would ensue. With a curt bow, she was gone the very next second and the clicking sound of the door indicated that it was closed.

“When did you find her?” Dane asked. His eyes narrowed at the maid who didn't do her duties but rather came to Esme's room for unknown reasons.

“About thirty minutes ago, Alpha,” Alicia answered. Her head bowed, and her eyes stared at her feet. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her dress as the pressure from the alpha's gaze weighed over her head.

“Why?” Dane asked. He studied her to see if she was lying. No one was supposed to come up here. Not without his permission or Esme dragging herself down the stairs for everyone to see. But this maid had the guts to disobey that order and came here on her own.

“I…Esme and I usually clean the packhouse together but today…today I couldn't find her so I came to…to…” Alicia stuttered. One thing she was grateful for was the fact that Dane hadn't recognized her as the girl who was saved by the late Alpha Hawthorne. He treated her like he would treat every other omega in the packhouse.

“Who is cleaning the packhouse now?” Alpha Dane asked, the scowl on his face deepening as if he were ready to rip her head off.

“I will do that right, away, Alpha,”she bowed and even did a little curtsey. But as soon as she took the first step to leave, Dane spoke. His eyes fixated on the unconscious Esme.

“Apply the herbs on her before you leave,” he instructed and Alicia became conflicted. She was glad that he was letting take care Esme's wounds but what about his previous order? Was he going use that as a means to get rid of her?

“Are you expecting that I do it myself?” Dane's voice startled her and she quickly shook her head.

“Never, Alpha,” she ran back to Emse and picked up the little pot where the herbs have been grinded and squatted beside the little bed. She waited to see if he would leave but he didn't take even a step and she could still feel his gaze on them. She bit her lower lip praying that he should leave.

Dane clicked his tongue, fully aware of what was holding her back. Even though she didn't say it, her actions were enough to pass on the message. She was asking him to leave. With narrowed eyes eye knotted brows, he stormed out of the little room.

Alicia let out a breath of relief when she felt his presence grow dim. Dipping her fingers into the herbs, she prayed that it would work. A balm would have done a much better job but the alpha was too stingy to spend money on something like that for Esme. So all she got even her state was a bunch of herbal leaves grinded together to make what she was applying on her now.

Dane didn't care whether Esme took eternity to heal or whether it took just a few days. All that matters was that she stayed alive.

“You will be fine, okay? Just hang in there like always have,” she said as she rubbed the herbs on her back, mostly on the fresh wounds so they didn't get infected.

Almost every inch of Esme's body was covered in scars. All except her face, arms and her legs. Somehow, they always avoided these places whenever they tormented her.

***

“We are here, the first pack in the north,” Leonardo said, he glanced at the back seat where Grant sat, his head thrown back and his eyes closed. “Your wolf hasn't reacted yet, Alpha?” He asked.

Grant shook his head and Leonardo sighed. He looked a the driver and instructed, “Head to the packhouse. We can't leave without seeing the alpha and warning him of the possible danger that might come their way.”

“Yes, Beta Leo,” The driver did as he was instructed and drove towards the packhouse. The convoy behind them followd them closely. Each vehicle carrying warriors who were ready for battle should anything happen.

Although right now, it felt more like there were trying to appease the alpha beast rather than searching for the pack that Calista had prophesied about.

“Your Majesty,” Leonardo decided to try his luck. “Why dont you ask the alpha about what he is looking for? It will help narrow down our search,” he said even though Grant didn't respond.

“He isn't sure either. We will just have to go and find out when we get there,” Grant replied and Leonardo's jaws nearly dropped.

So they wouldjabe to drive all around the North without knowing what they were looking for? He sighed and pulled out his phone to call the alpha of the current pack. Any distraction was welcomed.