Page 17 of The Alpha's Shattered Bonds

Carefully, I pulled the last herb from its wrappings—spray-lilies, pristine and delicate. I plucked the flowers, keeping them whole, their sweetness a stark contrast to the bitter taste of the rest of my mixture. Pouring hot water into the potion bottle, I watched the colors swirl together, a mix of hope and power.

Setting my crystals in a circle around the brewing concoction, I focused my energy. The familiar ebb and flow ran through me as I infused the mixture with magic. With anticipation, I whispered the ancient incantations, “Saya uki kaumma tapiktuk.” With each syllable, a pulse of energy surged around me, lighting the blend until it shimmered with vitality.

“Is it true the Shadow Moons harvest the herbs under the dark moon?” Kelly asked, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.

“Yes, they are far more potent that way,” I said with a smile, memories of nights spent in the woods flitting through my mind. Selina, Lyvia, and I had gathered herbs by moonlight together. Those nights seemed instilled with friendship. “Sometimes, the Shadow Moons celebrate under the dark moon,” I told Kelly, “making a night of it, with dancing and wine—”

My words were cut short as the air shifted. Linda had approached quietly, her presence breaking up our rapport. “Aren’t there packmates you should be attending to, Kelly?” she interrupted.

I shot an apologetic glance at her, but she shrugged nonchalantly. My focus returned to the deepening hues of my potion, a rich green emerging as I strained the mixture into a cup. Adrenaline spiked as I advanced toward Tyler’s bedside.

His eyes fluttered open, dimmer than usual but still alight with determination. “Just resting my eyes,” he murmured, the weight of fatigue thickening his voice. For a moment, the sleep-heavy tone made me think of nights when he’d dozed off beside me on the couch when we watched movies. Except then, I’d stolen as many glances as I could, feasting on the intimate sight of Tyler sleeping.

I forced the past from my mind. “I want you to drink all of this,” I urged, offering the cup. His hands closed around it.

But as I guided the cup to his lips, I saw Logan rising from his chair, his face a mask of distrust. I sighed, frustration coursing through me. There was no respite from his incessant hostility.

“One moment,” I said, taking the cup back. I took a gulp from the cup before swallowing it down. “Happy?” I shot a glare in Logan’s direction.

He relented, slumping into his chair with a scowl, his arms crossed over his broad chest.

“It’s entirely safe for you, Alpha Tyler,” I emphasized, shifting my attention back to him.

“I never had any doubt,” he replied, holding my gaze with an intensity that ignited a flutter in my stomach. The world around us faded as he took a sip, followed by another. Moments later, I felt a surge of energy as the fever that had begun to envelop him retreated, leaving behind only a light sheen of sweat.

Ten minutes later, Kelly came over and confirmed what my magic already sensed. “Your vitals are stable,” she exclaimed, measuring Tyler’s pulse and heart rate. “Your cure worked, Seraphina.”

A wave of relief washed through the room, lifting the weight of uncertainty from my shoulders. Whispers of awe blossomed among the gathered pack members as they approached, marveling at the transformation Tyler had undergone. Their eyes softened, hope replacing the trepidation that had clouded their hearts moments before.

As time slipped by, I lost myself in the rhythm of healing—the chopping of herbs and steeping them. With each batch, I infused the elixirs with magic and intent. Tyler, an enthusiastic advocate for my work, navigated Linda and returned with supplies from the closet.

Meanwhile, Linda, Kelly, and Laura administered the tea to those who were conscious.

By late afternoon, those with only mild cases were sitting up, their fever dissipating. The more serious cases who were unconscious, like David, would require the tea to be fed to them intravenously. Though I held out hope that my remedy would mend them as well, I had to leave it to Linda and the aides to set up the medical equipment for their treatment.

As the afternoon shadows began to fall in the infirmary, I felt a creeping exhaustion settle over me.

At that moment, Tyler approached me. “Can you come with me a moment?”

“What is it?” I asked, frowning, already thinking about the next batch I needed to start to prepare.

But he only gestured for me to follow. I trailed him to the sink. “Wash your hands,” he instructed as we went to the sink in the corner. I followed his instructions after he’d washed up, too.

He exited the infirmary and put on his coat. I followed suit. We wandered out into the afternoon, its biting chill making me snuggle deeper into my coat.

I realized Tyler likely wanted the rundown on what had really caused the packmate’s illness. I glanced around, wondering if this was the place to discuss it. Currently, there wasn’t anyone around.

But Tyler surprised me. “You need to eat something,” he ordered, pulling out a chocolate bar from his pocket.

My stomach growled as if my wolf were suddenly out in the open.

Chocolate had always been my weakness—a sweet indulgence I simply couldn’t resist.

I moistened my lips, my fingers eagerly unwrapping the bar. I snapped off a chunk, enjoying the sweet, sugary goodness as it melted in my mouth. “Mmmm,” I sighed with satisfaction. “Thanks,” I added, glancing at him.

I licked my lips. Tyler’s eyes darkened with a hungry look that I was sure had little to do with chocolate and everything to do with me. That thought had my heartbeat thumping into overdrive.

“So,” I said, suddenly needing to look anywhere but Tyler. I fixated on the landscape as if trying to melt the snow with the intensity of my stare. “It’s going better in there than I thought it would.”

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