“A dozen, maybe more. We’ve called in our warriors, but they’re still regrouping.”
Alpha Elias turned to me; his jaw set with a grim determination.
“Lysa, I could use an experienced healer at the infirmary. Could you please help?"
The sense of having a purpose birthed inside me somehow overpowering the pain I felt.
"Of course, Alpha. Lead the way."
We moved quickly and we arrived at the infirmary just in time for the injured to begin arriving. I worked alongside the Red Crest healers, tending to the wounded with much focus.
Hours passed, and I witnessed a lot of blood, and I bandaged many warriors, but I felt alive in a way I hadn’t in a long time. Amidst the crisis, I found a sense of belonging.
When dawn approached, the last of the injured were stabilized. I sat back, exhausted but deeply fulfilled and feeling proud. Then, my nostrils were hit with that forest and breeze scent once again and it brought a chill down my spine.
"You did well today. Red Crest could use a healer like you," Elias said as he watched with an expression, I couldn't tell whether it was admiration or something more.
“You… want me to stay?”
Elias chuckled and I felt it was more of begging for me to do so.
“It’s your choice, Lysa. However, if you stay, no one will make you feel invisible here. You are equally important as anyone else here. I would prefer and be happy if you would. But you must make it clear with your pack."
For a moment, I thought of hearing those words from Alpha Kade. I had been waiting for it, and it never happened. Was it because I meant to hear it from Alpha Elias?
“I’ll think about it,” I replied.
“Take all the time you need. But I really hope that you would."
Then, Alpha Elias smiled and turned to leave. My heart suddenly shifted, now longing for him instead of Alpha Kade.
Lysa
I went down to the infirmary, expecting the usual hustle and bustle of healers attending to the wounded. After spending hours helping yesterday, I had grown comfortable here, finding solace in bandaging wounds and mixing herbs. But what surprised me was the kindness of the Red Crest Pack members. They were genuinely grateful, the complete opposite of the cold indifference that I was used to.