Page 36 of Sold to the Alphas

Marshall glared at her like she’d just insulted him personally. “She’s been through a lot. I’ll stay.”

Finn raised an eyebrow and leaned against the doorframe. “You always this worried about a little heat?”

Marshall’s jaw tightened. “It’s not just heat, Finn. She just shifted after not seeing her wolf in years. We don’t know what kind of toll this will take on her.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Finn muttered, his hands in his pockets. “I’m not worried.” He wasn’t fooling anyone. His gaze kept flicking to me as he spoke like he was measuring every move I made.

The healer sighed, clearly annoyed, and motioned for me to sit on a nearby stool. “I’ll do the checkup. If there’s anything to be concerned about, you’ll know soon enough.”

I sat, my body still a little stiff, feeling their eyes on me as the healer began her work. She asked me some questions about my heat and shift, and her touch was quick, efficient, and calm as I responded. She didn’t speak much but acknowledged that while I would be sore, a successful shift was positive, especially given my past.

My wolf had disappeared shortly after I’d found out that I would be given to Raol. It had seemed like the cruelest trick of nature, my shift being compromised at just the time when it would have been the most useful. But I also knew, deep down, that it had been my body’s way of protecting me and my wolf as well.

If I had been a “proper” omega and wolf for Raol, there was no telling what he might have done to me—the ways he might have abused me—if he hadn’t been so disgusted with my inability to shift on command for him.

The years that I’d been separated from my wolf had been hard and frustrating. But they’d been a blessing, too, in hindsight. And now, my wolf was back, and a healer was telling me that I was on the mend.

It was an incredible thing to hear, and I felt a moment of relief, but when she pulled away after a moment and gave me a long look, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of unease.

“There’s something unusual here,” she said, her voice smooth but careful. She took a breath, then added, “Your hormone levels are a little off, higher than expected for a heat cycle that just ended, even with your shift history. I’d like to run a blood test to see what’s going on. It’ll take a few days for results.”

I frowned, feeling a weight settle in my chest. “Is something wrong?” I asked.

“Not necessarily,” answered the healer. “I’d just like to check on something.”

Before I could respond, Marshall was at my side, his hand on my shoulder in a protective gesture. “Are you sure everything is fine?” His voice was a little too demanding, his eyes locked on the healer, but I knew it was for my benefit.

The healer gave him a look. “I’ve been doing this a long time, Alpha. If I thought she wasn’t fine, you’d know it.”

I shot him a pointed look. “I’m fine, Marshall. Really. If I weren’t, I’d tell you. Stop acting like I’m fragile.”

“Youarefragile right now,” said Finn drily. “I’m just hoping it’s not permanent.”

I glared at him. “You’re a joy to be around.”

“Just keeping it real, sweetheart,” he said, but there was a slight softening in his tone. He couldn’t fully hide his concern, even if he acted like he could.

The healer nodded and made notes before walking to a small cabinet. “I’ll prepare the test. It won’t take long.”

As she did her work, the three of them surrounded me, as though they couldn’t help themselves. I could see the worry on their faces, but it didn’t match the calm they were trying to project. They were all on edge.

When the healer returned with the blood vial and instructions, the alphas were hovering in the doorway like they were about to rush in if anything went wrong. Marshall especially had that look in his eyes, like he was ready to charge if I so much as flinched.

“Everything looks good, but I’ll want you to rest, Elisabed,” the healer said, her voice low and calm. “No exertion, especially after what you’ve been through.”

“Rest,” I muttered under my breath. “Right. Because I’m justsogood at that.”

Marshall shot me a look, but I could see the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “You’re not going anywhere,” he said firmly, as though that was the most obvious statement in the world.

Finn leaned against the doorframe, looking like he was barely holding back from grinning. “He’s not wrong.”

“Shut up, Finn,” August muttered from my other side. His voice had a softer edge, but there was still an undercurrent of frustration.

They were all acting insane—like they had no idea how to handle a situation where they didn’t have control over me. And yet, as strange as it was, I couldn’t bring myself to mind. Not entirely, anyway.

“Well, then, let’s get her comfortable,” Marshall said, his tone returning to that low growl I was becoming too familiar with.

They led me outside, and we quickly entered the main fortress. My eyes were drifting shut as we walked through the house to a large room tucked far away from the entrance. It was quiet here, private, with a large bed covered in furs and blankets, looking more like something out of a dream than reality. I couldn’t help but be impressed.

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