Page 2 of Healer's Call

“I don’t understand.” It’s Liam who talks first. “Why can’t they shift and heal themselves?”

Cade pins him with a look. “They’re unable to shift. I don’t know why. That’s why I’m here. We need a healer.” To his credit, Cade doesn’t look at me; he continues to face Garrett.

After a moment of silence, Garrett says, “Sage and Paul are on their way.” Cade doesn’t seem surprised by this. I’m still staring at the alpha, trying to process the awful things he said. My heart hurts for these wolves I don’t even know. What a terrible, awful way to die. I feel my eyes well up, and I wipe at them quickly before anybody notices.

“Is it happening to the kids?” I ask in a whisper, unable to stay quiet.

Cade turns his gaze on me, and I almost wither at his dark look. “Yes.” That’s all he says, but I feel his grief as a tangible thing. My hands start to tingle, filling with a power that is useless to me right now. Thankfully, Paul and Sage come into the office, momentarily distracting me as Cade stands to his feet.

“Hi Cade,” Sage says warmly. “How are Amber and Paige?”

The alpha’s entire face softens. “They’re good. How’s your little one?”

“She’s good,” Sage says with a matching smile.

I’d forgotten until just now that Sage and Paul helped deliver Cade’s and his mate Amber’s baby. Sage told me about it, but I didn’t make the connection until just now. “Good to see you, Cade,” Paul says with a warm smile and a handshake that Cade returns.

“Have a seat,” Garrett says before explaining to them what’s happening in Cade’s pack. Sage’s expression matches what I’m sure is on my face.

“That’s awful,” she says. “And you need a healer?” she asks, knowing exactly why Cade is here. Our pack is the only pack with healers--that we know of anyway.

I don’t miss the worried glance Paul sends his mate’s way. It’s over in an instant, and his face goes neutral once again. But I saw it. “Yes, we need a healer. I worry of course for my pack, but also for my mate and child.” I can hear the pain in his words. Everybody seems to hold their breath at his words.

It’s Sage that’s brave enough to ask. “Are they sick?”

Chapter 2

Rose

“Not yet,” Alpha Cade answers roughly, and my heart squeezes in empathy. I don’t know his wife or child, but I can only imagine. My heart is pounding in my chest for another reason, though. I’m not stupid. I know now why Alpha Cade asked me to come to this meeting. I’m a healer. One of three in this pack. Paul isn’t going to want Sage to go, and it really isn’t practical. She has a little one to care for here, and Paul needs to be here to help care for the pack. There’s no way Ava’s going to go; she barely makes it to her two required shifts at the clinic each week. There’s no way she’s going to leave here and go to another pack in another state...one that is way too many hours away from Wisconsin. Then of course, there’s the wholethis being Maverick’s packthing.

Alpha Cade turns to me suddenly, and I realize I haven’t been paying attention. His eyes are serious as they study me. “Would you come to my pack to help keep my wolves from dying?”

His request shakes me. I knew this was where this was all going, but still. Before I can say anything, he speaks again. “There’s something you need to know.” His eyes don’t move away from mine, and I feel myself fearing what he’s going to say next. But nothing could have prepared me for his words. “Maverick is dying.”

I swear my heart skips a beat as I stare at the alpha. It feels like a cold fist just reached inside my chest and squeezed my heart. I can’t even form the words to reply.

“Maverick?” Garrett asks, sounding as shocked as I am. I know why. Maverick is a powerful beta and as ornery as a bear coming out of hibernation. The idea of him being sick, weak... it’s pretty hard to imagine. But dying? That’s unfathomable.

Alpha Cade merely acknowledges Garrett’s words with a nod, but he doesn’t take his gaze from me. “I’m not being overly sensational when I say I honestly don’t know how long he has.” He doesn’t give me time to process that statement before he continues. “I know thing’s between the two of you are a little rocky, but he needs you.” The corners around his eyes tighten. “My pack needs you.”

“Okay.” The word is a breath on my lips. I don’t know how it’s going to work; I can’t think about it, or I’ll start hyperventilating. But I’m not about to let an entire pack fall to their demise because I was too scared to help them. As for Maverick...I may not like the guy, but I’m not going to let him die when I can save him. “What do I do?” My voice is barely a whisper.

“I need to fly back tonight. You can go with me, or you can fly out first thing tomorrow morning with a team.”

I glance over at Garrett. He studies me a moment. “Are you sure about this?” I nod because I don’t trust my voice not to crack. He turns to Max. “Get a team ready to fly to Orlando first thing in the morning.” Max nods. “Who are you thinking?”

“My mate, Blaine, and I,” Max says.

Garrett nods. “Good.”

I relax slightly knowing that Raechel, Max’s mate, will be on the plane with me. She’s tough, but she’s the real deal.

“What about Dr. Sander?” Sage asks in her quiet voice.

Alpha Cade scowls. “He won’t be a problem; he’s no longer with our pack.” Sage doesn’t seem surprised, and I figure there’s a story there somewhere.

“Is it okay if I ask Ava to go with?” I finally work up the courage to ask. Everybody’s expressions are exactly what Iexpect them to be. Honestly, I’m not really sure she’ll go. But the more I’ve thought about it the last few minutes, I want to at least ask her.

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