Alpha's Regret: Marked By The Lycan King

Chapter 141: Chapter 141: Poor Sickly Child

Third POV

“How can a little kid just run off without your notice?” Asher’s voice cracked with frustration as he glared at the head healer.

The woman flinched but held her ground. “Alpha, things have been getting hectic here recently. We’re severely short-staffed.”

“That’s not an excuse!” Asher snapped.

“More and more members are leaving the pack,” she continued quietly. “There are only so many of us left. The supplies are dwindling faster than we receive replenishments.”

Asher stopped pacing. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he tried to control his anger.

“Everything goes to maintaining Finn’s condition,” the healer explained. “If we stop his treatment, it won’t just be a simple fever anymore. His condition could deteriorate rapidly.”

Asher closed his eyes. The weight of responsibility pressed down on his shoulders like a crushing stone.

When Estelle was here, she managed everything so easily. The healers never complained about resources. Patients were treated efficiently. The medical wing ran like clockwork.

Now, without her, everything was falling apart.

This only confirmed what he already knew deep down. He needed Estelle to return. The pack needed her.

Asher opened his eyes and tapped into his mindlink.

‘Nigel,’ he called out.

With Hazel gone, Nigel had effectively been promoted from Gamma to Beta. Nigel was currently running both positions until they could find a suitable Gamma to take his old role. Until then, he had his hands full.

‘Yes, Alpha?’

“Dispatch warriors immediately. Search the territory for Finn. Make sure to check the forest borders, the lake, anywhere a child might wander.”

‘Right away, Alpha.’

‘It’s dangerous for him to be out alone. Make this the top priority, do you understand?’

‘Understood.’

Asher cut the mindlink and turned back to the healers. “Continue monitoring the other patients. I want updates every hour. If Finn comes back, let me know immediately.”

He left the infirmary without another word.

The walk back to his office felt endless. Pack members he passed in the hallway quickly looked away from his thunderous expression.

Asher reached his office and slumped heavily into his chair. The sudden impact rattled the entire desk.

One of the drawers popped slightly open from the vibration.

He frowned and pulled it out completely. Inside, buried under old documents, lay a photograph.

Asher’s breath caught in his throat.

The photo showed him, Estelle, and Finn together at the pack’s summer festival. They were all smiling at the camera. Estelle’s arm was wrapped around Asher’s waist. Her other hand rested gently on Finn’s shoulder.

For once in the photo, Finn looked completely calm. No fever flushed his cheeks. No pain creased his features. He looked like a normal, happy child. In fact, the photograph captured one of the rare times he allowed Estelle to hold him for so long.

Asher ran his thumb over the image. His finger traced Estelle’s face.

When she was here to help him run the pack, they had so much free time. Family outings were regular occurrences. They would take Finn to the lake, have picnics in the meadow, and attend pack celebrations together.

Now, Asher barely had time for himself, much less to spend with his son.

Finn spent most days confined to the infirmary bed. The sterile white walls and constant medical attention were his only companions.

No wonder the boy wanted to escape. Asher couldn’t blame him for trying to find freedom, even if it put him in danger.

Asher buried his head in his hands. Exhaustion seeped into his bones. Every muscle in his body ached from stress and sleepless nights.

The shrill ring of his phone cut through the silence.

Asher’s head shot up. His heart leaped with sudden hope as he grabbed for the device. He didn’t even glance at the caller ID.

“Estelle?” he said breathlessly as he answered.

“Well, that’s quite telling.”

The voice on the other end was not his mate’s. It was older, sharper, and tinged with amusement.

Asher’s excitement crashed like a wave against rocks. “Grandmother?”

“Hello, Asher.”

Dorothy Daniels rarely called. Ever since Colin’s death, she had become a recluse. She couldn’t stand living in the same pack where her mate and son had once walked. The memories were too painful.

She had moved to neutral territories years ago. Her visits were infrequent and brief. It was even rarer for her to call to chat. For a period of time, it seemed as though she wanted nothing to do with the Moonveil Pack.

“I wasn’t expecting to hear from you,” Asher said, trying to mask his disappointment.

“Clearly,” Dorothy replied with dry humor. “You seemed quite excited when you picked up.”

Asher shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “What can I do for you, Grandmother?”

“You said Estelle’s name when you answered,” Dorothy observed. “That’s rather interesting.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t play dumb with me, boy. I may be old, but I’m not deaf.” Her voice carried the authority she had wielded as a former Luna. “Are you and Estelle having a fight?”