CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & FORTY FIVE
Talia’s POV
“Someone get a doctor!” I ordered, already moving toward the nurses’ station.
“Stop,” Leslie said weakly. She tried to pull herself free of Solon’s hold, but he kept her upright and tight against him. “I’m fine, Solon. I do not need a doctor. Let go.”
“What are you saying? You just fainted,” Solon responded.
“You are far from okay,” I added.
Leslie rolled her eyes. “You two are overreacting,” she huffed. “I lost too much blood treating that idiot and my body responded accordingly. I do not need a doctor to tell me that. I need to rest.”
“Are you sure?” Solon asked.
“I am fine. I just need to lie down and I will be fine,” Leslie said firmly.
I was not entirely convinced, but arguing with Leslie when she had already made up her mind was not a productive use of anyone’s time. I looked at Solon, but he was focused on Leslie. It made sense. She was his mate. I remembered how Nolan was with me. It was a feat in itself that Solon hadn’t carried Leslie off to the doctor anyway.
‘Because he respects his mate’s wishes,’ my wolf said.
‘Or he knows he’ll never hear the end of it if he goes against her wishes,’ I countered and my wolf chuckled.
“Is there anything I can do?” I asked.
“You can be quiet and let me rest,” Leslie replied.
“Nevermind. Leslie is just fine,” I joked and Leslie almost smiled.
“There is a lounge at the end of the hall. She can rest there for now,” Nolan suggested. Solon lifted Leslie without asking her permission and carried her down the hall.
The lounge was small but there was a long sofa along the far wall. Solon set her down carefully. Nolan pulled a blanket from a shelf in the corner and handed it to Solon, who spread it over her. Leslie had already closed her eyes before the blanket touched
her.
Solon sat next to Leslie and stroked her head.
“You do not need to stay,” he said to me.
“If anything changes, let me know immediately. I don’t care what time it is,” I said.
He nodded.
Nolan and I stepped out into the hallway and pulled the door closed behind us. I stood there for a moment, not wanting to leave just yet. Nolan placed a hand on my back and guided me away from the door.
“Leslie will be fine,” Nolan reassured. “She knows her own limits. Leslie would not lie to Solon about her own condition.”
I knew he was right, but it did not make it any easier. I wanted to do something to help her.
“The best thing you can do is let her rest. Listen to our mate,’ my wolf urged.
“Fine,” I mumbled as Nolan led me away.
“Where are we going?” I asked, glancing down at where he held my hand.
1/2
+25 Bonus
“We should check on Landon,” Nolan said. “And send him home as soon as he is able.”
Landon had caused too much trouble for my pack and loved ones. He needed to go back to his pack and stay there. If I could find a reason, I’d send him to the dungeon for a few days to teach him a lesson.
Landon was awake when we entered his room. He was propped up against the pillows with his right arm immobilized at his side and his shoulder wrapped in thick bandaging. A doctor was carefully working on the outer dressing while Landon stared at the ceiling.
Landon noticed us when we came in. His eyes dropped in embarrassment as he should be. Landon started to say something but I did not give him a chance.
“Are you proud of yourself? Are you happy with your show of dominance, Alpha Landon?” I asked.
“I’m…sorry, Luna Talia,” Landon replied.
“I don’t care that you were sorry. You were warned multiple times before you went into that forest, and again when the bear charged. You were too busy trying to prove me wrong. Was it worth it? Are you satisfied with your performance?” I scolded.
“No…no, it wasn’t worth it,” Landon said softly.
“If Leslie had not been there,” I continued, “you would not be in a hospital bed right now. You would be a mad rogue. You would have lost everything that makes you who you are, and we would have had no choice but to put you down the same way we put down that bear. Do you understand that?”
“Yes,” Landon said quietly. “I understand it.” I believed him. After going through the infection myself, I knew how terrible it felt, but it didn’t make me any less angry with him.
“How is she?” Landon asked after a moment. “How is Luna Leslie? Is she alright?”
“She collapsed from exhaustion after saving you,” Nolan answered and Landon’s eyes widened in surprise. “She gave too much of her own blood to heal you and her body gave out. She is resting now and she is not to be disturbed.”
“I want to thank her,” Landon said. “When she is well enough.”
“I would think carefully about the timing of that visit,” Nolan warned. “Alpha Solon might kill you for putting his mate in danger, you know.”
“Yes… I know.” Landon nodded, his expression dimming. He shifted carefully against the pillows, wincing as the doctor secured the bandage. “When I’m discharged, I’ll go straight back to Lonefur. I’ll begin arranging the construction immediately.”
“That’s good for you,” I said, already turning to leave.
“Luna Talia, please wait.” His voice stopped me. “I want to thank Luna Leslie with a small gift. Could you give it to her for me?”
“Finally, a smart idea coming from you,” Nolan scoffed.
I paused, then reached out and took the small box from his hand.
It sat quietly in my palm-small, yet something about it felt… powerful.
Curiously, I couldn’t help but wonder what was inside.
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