Page 4 of The Healer

The male nodded.

“We may not have seen eye-to-eye, but you’re welcome at Knights Ridge, no judgment, a free bear.”

Vik settled his gaze on Alrik, before bowing his head. “I prefer to walk away with my life.”

Relief flooded Rhys at not having to kill someone he had known for so long.

Alrik spat and faced Vik. “You piece of shit.”

Before Rhys could stop him, Alrik swung out a clawed hand, slicing across Vik’s face. Rhys took Alrik down, releasing his bear just as they hit the compacted ground. They rolled, scrambling for dominance, claws and teeth connecting when Alrik assumed his ragged tiger form.

Rhys roared as Alrik bit into his shoulder, his incisors sinking deep. Unable to shake the old tiger off, he flipped onto his back and threw Alrik over his head, tossing him far. Ignoring the throbbing numbness working its way down his front limb, Rhys lumbered over to the tiger, tackling him again. The crowds scattered, then regathered like a shifting shoal of sardines.

A wolf pounced on Rhys’s back and clenched his teeth around Rhys’s fur-lined bicep. As the pain registered, the wolf flew off, sliding along the ground and into the tree stump. Noah’s wolf growled, keeping Dyl at bay. He broke the challenge laws by interfering, but then again, so had Dyl.

Rhys settled his bear’s full weight onto the tiger, hoping to force him to submit. It took all his control not to slice his claws across Alrik’s throat. His bear roared for blood and justice.

“Submit,” Rhys grated, the words barely audible when spoken through his bear.

“Never.” Alrik’s tongue lolled out as he fought for air.

“Submit,” Rhys roared, baring his teeth an inch from Alrik’s cheek. Rhys didn’t want the other’s death on his hands, even though the certainty of it pierced his jagged thoughts.

When Alrik met Rhys’s gaze with blatant challenge, he leaned back to swipe his claws.

Seconds before he sliced the soft flesh of Alrik’s throat, the crowd sucked in a collective breath. Clambering to his feet, Rhys receded his bear to stare at Alrik’s lifeless human body. The pooling blood glowed in the flickering light of the dying fire. The stench was as sharp and as yellow as Aiden’s. The purer the lineage didn’t alter the smell.

Rhys’s sweat-drenched chest rose and fell as the sounds of night settled on him, and his aches registered. Flicking off the blood dripping from his fingertips, he stumbled back then faced his…pack.

He met each person’s gaze. “Any challenger?” As part of the law, he had to ask.

In a wave of obeisance, they dipped their heads, submitting to their new alpha. Noah and Jase holding Dyl in place, also bowed, despite the grins morphing their faces. They released Dyl who took off into the night. Sawyer broke away to chase after him—the determined set of his jaw assured Rhys this loose end would be settled this night.

Rhys threw his arms wide and laughed, success melting the tension from his body. “I need a beer.”

Chapter Two

WELL, THAT EXPLAINS IT

Ilonatracedarivuletof water with a fingertip, smudging the pristine glass on the car’s side window. The scent of polished leather filled her nostrils, mingling with Dad’s spicy cologne and Mom’s subtle perfume. Ilona sat in the back seat, not needing to see their faces as they argued over who spent the most time in surgery. “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven played in the background—one of Dad’s favorites.

“You know, I will always win.” Mom smirked calling forth a grin from Ilona. “I gave birth too.”

Dad laughed. “Nice try, sweetheart.”

“It counts.” Mom pouted, then winked at Ilona, reaching back to pat her hand as it rested on the satin of her black cocktail dress. “How’s our new doctor feeling?” She squealed in delight, shaking her fists in front of her, ruffling the dark pink cowl at her neckline. She had coiled her auburn hair into a thick chignon and painted her lips a deep red. As always, Mom looked beautiful.

“We’re so proud of you, honey.” Mom glanced at Dad. “Aren’t we, Gerard?”

Dad met Ilona’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “I sure as hell am. At first, I thought using your grandmother’s last name was foolhardy when our names carry such weight, but I understand now, pumpkin, I do.”

“Thanks, Dad.” She squeezed their shoulders.

They were almost at the restaurant to celebrate completing her residency at Amity Community Hospital. She interviewed at eight hospitals, specifically in cities close to Fenneg. Her hospital of choice was Indes Pediatrics, and she had just yesterday received the email confirming her successful application. Other offers had begun to pour in, and more flooded in after Dad announced on his forums who his daughter was. As her proud daddy, she couldn’t fault him for it.

She could have met them at the restaurant, but she had dropped by their home instead, hoping to enjoy a pre-dinner coffee with her father while Mom dressed.

“Have you thought about your fellowship?” Mom twisted to look at her at the same time Dad met Ilona’s gaze in the rearview mirror. He flashed her a wink before focusing on the road.

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