Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Whispers of Healing
RAMON’S POV
From the door, I watched Sonia lean into one of my wolf’s ears. The morning light filtered through the clinic windows, casting long shadows across the wooden floors and highlighting the dust motes dancing in the air.
The man who was struggling before suddenly started to settle down with every note she hummed. His thrashing limbs slowed, the wild tension in his muscles easing as her melody wrapped around him. His breathing grew deeper, less ragged, the pained lines on his face softening bit by bit.
"You’re doing really good," she paused to say, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder. "Leave him alone."
The guards exchanged glances, their grips loosening slightly on the man’s arms. They looked at the pack doctor for guidance. He nodded in response, and then they let him go and stepped back. The room felt a little less tense, the air lighter now that the immediate struggle had faded.
She sat now beside him, stroking his hair as she hummed. Her fingers moved gently through his damp strands, careful and soothing. I was fascinated by whatever it was she was doing. This would be the first time I saw anyone heal this way. It was definitely unconventional.
I had been in disbelief for a while, but it was starting to look like she actually knew what she was doing. The low hum vibrated through the space, calm and ancient, pulling something deep inside the man back to peace.
Her hums came to an abrupt end. At the same time, the man closed his eyes and drifted into sleep. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, the lines of pain finally smoothing out.
"Yes!" She pumped a fist in the air and jumped to her feet. Her face lit up with pure joy, eyes sparkling in the morning light. I had never seen her so jolly before. She looked like she was in her element right here, alive and purposeful in a way that made the whole room feel warmer.
"Is that all?" The pack doctor questioned, his voice carrying a note of cautious hope.
She opened her mouth to respond, when she suddenly turned. Our eyes met, and she jerked, appearing startled by my presence. Her body went rigid for a moment, the joy fading from her expression like sunlight behind a cloud.
"Alpha Ramon," the wolves present in the room said in sync, and bowed. Their movements were quick and respectful, heads lowered in deference.
My eyes remained on Sonia who had averted her gaze. She appeared rigid and stiff. As if the light had been snuffed out of her. The change hit me harder than I expected.
I wondered if that had to do with my presence. I knew I should be happy she had the good sense to fear me, but I didn’t like how disturbed I actually felt. Something twisted uncomfortably in my chest.
"I see you’ve settled in already," I purposely directed at her. My voice came out steadier than the storm inside me.
"I have," she replied without looking up. Her hands fidgeted slightly at her sides, the simple dress she wore clinging to her frame from the earlier walk.
"Good. I just came to check the situation of the clinic. I don’t understand why more of my wolves are falling sick. Do you have an explanation for me now?" I turned to the pack doctor, crossing my arms over my chest.
He sighed and shook his head. "Unfortunately, I don’t." His shoulders slumped a little, the weight of many sleepless nights showing in the lines on his face.
"Well—"
"Can I ask a question?" She cut through my words.
When she realised what she had done, she bit her lips. Her teeth pressed into the soft flesh, a nervous habit I was starting to recognize.
"Go ahead." I nudged my head, keeping my tone even.
"Can I see what the other patients look like? I may have an idea."
As much as I needed her in the clinic, I didn’t want her to think she was indispensable. "You’re not to ask for my permission when you have a superior. The pack doctor is your superior."
I knew I was intentionally being an ass, but I just didn’t want her to start thinking she had enough power to demand things. The words left a bitter taste, but I held my ground.
She turned to the pack doctor at once. "Can I check the other patients?" Her voice was polite but determined, carrying that quiet strength I had seen glimpses of before.
Just as she was asking, a loud howl echoed through the walls of the clinic. The sound was raw and filled with agony, cutting through the morning calm like a blade.
I jumped out at once to see one of my warriors being led in through the halls. His body jerked violently, limbs flailing as the guards struggled to support him. He was convulsing like a feverish child at the cuffs of death. Sweat poured down his face, his eyes wild with pain.
"What the hell?" I screamed, and ran after them. My boots thudded heavily against the floorboards as I moved.
I entered the room he had been taken to, and on closer inspection, discovered it was Jason. He was second in command of the warriors. Right after Daniel. His face was twisted in torment, muscles locking and unlocking in spasms.
"What happened?" I questioned the guards that brought him in. The air in the room felt thick, heavy with the metallic scent of blood and fear.
"He was in his room when the attack happened." One of the guards answered, his voice strained as he held Jason down.
Sonia dashed into the room and went straight to his bed. Her steps were quick and sure despite the chaos. My eyes squinted when she regarded him with her eyes first. She moved with purpose, leaning in close to observe him.
He was writhing and howling. Clearly in pain. His body arched off the bed, veins standing out on his neck as another spasm hit.
"That’s the exact same thing that had been happening to the wolves being brought to the clinic," the pack doctor said, coming inside too. His brow furrowed deep with worry.
"Be careful, miss. He breaks into these violent attacks at intervals." One of the guards warned, his grip tightening on Jason’s arm.
My hands instantly folded, feeling an intense need to protect her. It was a given. She was my mate, and our bond dictated I had some protective instincts towards her. I just happened to be better at suppressing my feelings. But not this time. My jaw clenched as I watched her.
She didn’t even listen to what anyone said, as she leaned into the writhing man. "Hey, could you tell me where it hurts the most?" He sprang up and sneered at her, teeth bared in agony.
She jumped back, and I was within her in a heartbeat. With one hand, I forced Jason back to the bed, pinning him to it. My muscles strained against his thrashing, the heat of his feverish skin burning under my palm.
"Question him," I said to her. My hand was firmly on his chest, and I could guarantee he wouldn’t be able to move. The man’s breaths came in harsh gasps, his body still fighting beneath my hold.
I felt her swallow before she stepped forward again. "Where does it hurt the most?" She asked, her voice steady despite everything.
He grabbed his stomach and began to twist it, face contorted in fresh waves of pain.
"That’s enough!" I growled. The sound rumbled deep in my chest.
She flinched at the way I suddenly snapped, but quickly composed herself again. Her shoulders straightened, determination flashing in her eyes.
"Do you have a diagnosis in mind?" The pack doctor quizzed her, leaning closer with interest.
"Poison." Her answer came clear and confident.
"What?" Echoed around the room. The guards exchanged shocked looks, the doctor’s eyes widening.
"Poison isn’t sometimes intentional," she quickly explained. "It could be from waste residues, passing through a channel that is generally consumed. For example—" her voice trailed as her eyes widened. "Water!" She blurted.
"Water? But we all use the same water, and neither of us are sick," I said. My mind raced, piecing together the implications. The thought of tainted water spreading through the pack sent a chill down my spine.
"Sometimes, our wolves are strong enough to fight off some poisons. Other times, our wolves are already compromised, leaving the body to fight for itself. In a case where the body can’t, the sickness progresses faster than usual. Considering how frequent casualties are turning up, I’ll say it has to be from the water."
I let go of the man. She stood in front of her. "Are you sure about what you’re saying?" My voice came out sharper than intended, the weight of the pack’s safety pressing on me.
"It’s a guess. It could be from another source."
"I don’t need you to be making wrong guesses. To investigate, I’ll have to close the water channels and even drain a few sources. I don’t want to start a mission that would turn out to be a waste of time," I continued in a warning voice. The responsibility of every wolf in my pack rested on decisions like this.
"You don’t have to do all of that. There’s a way to test if the water is actually poisoned," she replied.
There was something different about her response. Something strong and confident. You could clearly tell this was her forte. Her posture had changed—shoulders back, eyes focused, no longer the trembling girl from before.
"How?" I asked, stepping closer despite myself.
"It would require you to trust me," she said, catching me completely off guard. Her gaze lifted to meet mine, steady and unafraid in that moment.
