Page 3 of Healer's Call

Garrett faces Cade. “That’s your call. Ava is another healer in our pack.”

Cade gives a short nod. “I’ll take all the help I can get.”

“She can be...” Garrett glances at me.

“Difficult,” I add when he seems unwilling to.

“She’ll fit right in,” Cade says without skipping a beat. He stands to his feet. “Thank you, Rose.” His words are so sincere, and I feel the pressure begin to build in my chest. I really hope I can live up to his expectations.No pressure or anything.Cade puts his hand out to Garrett. “Thank you.”

Garrett shakes his hand. “I hope you find your answers. Keep me apprised of the situation.”

“I will.” Cade turns back to me once more. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

I decide I need to get out of there before I have a nervous breakdown or something. “Is it okay if I go?” Even though my voice is soft, no one has a hard time hearing me.

“What time do you want Rose to be ready to leave in the morning, Max?” Garrett asks.

Max meets my gaze. “Meet at the clinic at six.”

“Okay,” I say softly and start towards the door.

“We’ll give you a ride,” Paul offers, and he and Sage walk with me outside. It’s silent on the drive to the healers’ house, and I wonder if they’re as overwhelmed as I am.

“Will he kill me if I can’t save his pack members?” I whisper.

“No,” Sage says sternly as she turns around. “Alpha Cade is a good leader of his pack, and he’s a mate and a father. He’ll make sure you’re protected at all times. And if the pack members can be saved, you’ll save them. You've been healing for months now; you’re so much more confident in your skills.”

I appreciate her vote of confidence, but I don’t fail to notice theifshe slipped into that statement.If the pack members can be saved.I stare out the window, wondering what in the world I’ve gotten myself into. “What do you think it is?”

Sage looks over at Paul for a moment before turning to me. “I don’t know. For a wolf not to be able to heal...” she shakes her head. “Have you ever seen that happen?” she asks Paul.

“No. Not unless the wolf was too badly wounded in a fight. There are some wounds that you can’t come back from like a death blow. But getting sick and not being able to fight it? I’ve never heard of anything like that.” He goes quiet, and I knew Paul well enough to know that he’ll be spending a lot of time researching and trying to figure it out.

We pull up in front of the house, but I don’t get out. “I don’t know, Sage. Do you really think I’ll be able to help them?”

She turns in her seat all the way so she’s facing me. “I don’t know.” My shoulders fall at her words. “I don’t know what it is you’re facing, but I know you’re a healer. And you weren’t created that way on accident.”

Her words bring me a sense of peace. “Any light you can shed on what I’m dealing with will be much appreciated.”

Paul turns back to face me. “Tell us exactly what you’re facing when you get there, and we’ll walk through it with you. We’ll do whatever we can to support you. I plan on researching the symptoms tonight.” His words confirm what I already knew. “I’ll also coordinate with Cade to send supplies if you need them, but I think they’re pretty stocked. Keep us updated.”

“I will, I promise.”

“Do you think Ava will go?” Sage asks, searching my gaze.

I sigh. “I don’t know.”

It's quiet a moment, and I reach out for the door handle before Paul stops me. “Rose, be careful with Maverick.” I let go of the handle and turn to face him.

“What do you mean?” I ask cautiously.

“Yeah, what do you mean?” Sage asks, turning her gaze to him.

“I just don’t trust him. At all. And I don’t want to see you get hurt,” he says, and I don’t know when I’ve ever been so touched.

“But she’s his mate,” Sage says. “He wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.” When Paul doesn’t say anything, a sliver of unease spreads through me.

“Just be careful,” he says once more.

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