Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Test of Trust
SONIA’S POV
It was left for me to prove my skills to Ramon. I knew that, and that was why I didn’t let anything he said bother me. The morning light in the clinic felt warm on my skin, carrying the sharp scent of herbs and the faint metallic tang of sickness that hung heavy in the air.
Even now, he was acting like I was just an ignorant child who didn’t know what they were saying. His presence filled the room, tall and commanding, with that familiar mix of sandalwood and restrained power that always made my wolf stir.
I could be ignorant in every other aspect, but I breathe healing. It was something I had indulged in for years. How could I not know a strong thing or two about it? My hands still tingled from touching the warrior, the echo of his pain lingering in my fingertips like a dull ache.
"You want me to trust you?" He scoffed. His voice was low and edged with doubt, sending a small shiver down my spine.
"Yes, because—"
The warrior wolf coughed, a harsh, rattling sound that cut through the room. I was immediately by his side. The bed creaked under his weight as he shifted, his skin hot and clammy under my touch. His breaths came in short, labored gasps, chest rising and falling unevenly.
"You’re right," I turned to the pack doctor. "But we can boil some water and sprinkle salt in it. That should be safe for drinking for a while." The idea felt solid in my mind, a simple fix drawn from years of watching and learning.
He nodded, and scrambled out of the room. His footsteps echoed down the hall, quick and purposeful. The guards followed suit, perhaps hoping to join him to boil as much water as possible. Their boots thudded against the wooden floors, leaving the room quieter.
I was left alone with the alpha and the sick warrior. The air between us felt thick, charged with everything unsaid. I ignored Ramon. He was only going to further belittle me, so there was no need to engage him. Instead, I focused on the man on the bed. His face was pale, sweat beading on his forehead, the lines of pain etched deep.
Taking a bold step, I sat beside the warrior and took his hand in mine. His palm was rough and feverish, fingers twitching slightly. I closed my eyes and took from his pain. Ever since I discovered I could do that, I had done it as much as I could.
My wolf was forever in a state of unrest, because even in her weakness, I still inhaled sickness from others, in hopes she would join me in fighting it off. She usually did, but I couldn’t always bank on that. The familiar pull started deep in my chest, drawing the agony into myself like threads being unwound.
"What are you doing?" I heard Ramon ask. His voice was close, laced with suspicion.
I smiled in response. He wasn’t going to believe whatever I had to say. There was no point in rendering any explanations. The pain flowed into me, sharp and burning in my stomach, but I held steady, breathing through it.
As I took from his pain, I was hoping to come in contact with the source of it. Although he said he felt the pain in his stomach, it could very well be coming from another part of his body. The connection hummed faintly, like a distant echo, guiding me toward the truth.
"Are you going to explain what you’re doing?" Ramon’s question came again, more insistent this time. I could feel his eyes on me, heavy and watchful.
I had taken enough pain. As much as my wolf could heal without breaking down. Letting go of his hand, I stood to my feet and walked to Ramon. My legs felt a little unsteady, the borrowed ache settling into my own body.
"Help me help him," I said, and I stepped on my toes and placed a small kiss on his lips. The contact was brief but electric, sending a jolt through me that cleared the fog in my mind. I just needed to feel electrified. Kissing him had that effect. His lips were warm and firm, carrying the faint taste of him that always lingered.
"If you’re going to steal a kiss, be proper with it." His words were low, almost a growl.
My eyes went dizzy when I felt his hands behind my waist, pulling me closer. He kissed me properly, until my lips quivered under his mercy. The world narrowed to just the heat of his mouth, the strength of his arms around me, and the way my body melted against him. A groan from the sick warrior made us separate. The sound pulled us back to reality, sharp and urgent.
I went to him and saw he had fallen asleep. His face looked calmer now, the deep lines of pain softened. My hand went to my chest as I let out a sigh of relief. Taking away from his pain had worked a little. Kissing Ramon had also worked. My wolf was excited and jumping again. She could very much fight the poison I took from the sick man. The energy hummed inside me, renewed and ready.
"He’s sleeping," I said behind my shoulders. My voice came out softer than I expected.
"I can see." Ramon’s reply was short, but there was something different in his tone.
"We should let him rest for a while. Maybe I’ll see the other patients so I can make better judgement." I straightened up in readiness to leave, when my stomach suddenly rumbled.
The sound was loud in the quiet room, embarrassing and insistent. Biting my lips, I tried to pretend it didn’t happen, until it happened again and again, quite successively. Embarrassment washed over me, and I wanted nothing more than for the ground to open and swallow me. Heat flooded my cheeks as I kept my eyes down.
"Are you hungry?" He asked, and I was astonished. His voice held a note of something almost gentle.
"No." I shook my head quickly. I don’t know if it was silly pride, or just plain stupidity. In truth, I was starving! My stomach twisted again, empty and demanding.
"Are you sure about that?" He pressed, stepping a little closer. I could feel the warmth radiating from him.
"It’s nothing," I said, and instantly regretted it. What was wrong with me? I meant to scream into the heavens how hungry I suddenly was, but every time I opened my mouth to answer, the opposite occurred. My pride wouldn’t let me admit it, not to him.
The door opened, and I heard a familiar voice ask. I whipped my head up, staring through Ramon to the doors. Relief flooded me like cool water.
"Ivy!" I dashed towards her before I could even finish calling her name. My feet carried me fast across the room, heart lifting at the sight of her.
She laughed as I stopped in front of her, contemplating if I should jump on her body or not. Her skin looked healthy, the burns gone, replaced by smooth renewal. "Ho-w – Ho-w are you here?" I stumbled through my words, as I questioned her. Joy bubbled up inside me, making my eyes sting with happy tears.
"Ivy?" Ramon called behind me. His voice carried surprise.
"Alpha Ramon." She bowed respectfully.
That answered my question. He only cared about her because she was a maid. If there was something more, she wouldn’t be so formal and casual with him. The realization settled strangely in my chest.
"Your skin looks—fresh, renewed even," he said. There was genuine wonder in his tone.
"The pack doctor said the same thing when I woke up this morning. My recovery was supposed to be a surprise, but as I sat in my room, and continuously heard the agonising groans of wolves being led in, I couldn’t help but rise up. Then I heard Sonia’s voice on my way out, and diverted." Ivy’s voice was strong, full of life again.
"I’m so glad you’re fine!" I finally hugged her. Her skin was good as new. I expected her to be healed, but I didn’t expect it to happen so swiftly. Even though I was the one with the abilities, I had managed to doubt my capabilities. She felt solid and warm in my arms, the scent of clean herbs clinging to her.
She returned my hug, and my heart fluttered with joy. The embrace was tight and comforting, chasing away some of the morning’s heaviness.
"The pack doctor told me everything. You saved me from the fire, and also saved me from its after effects. Thank you so much, Sonia. I’m forever indebted to you." Her words wrapped around me like a warm blanket.
"Don’t say that. You’ve been nothing but kind to me. I could heal you a thousand times, and it would pale in comparison to the companionship I’ve found in you." My voice cracked a little with emotion.
We hugged again, but this time, it was brief. The pack doctor stormed into the room screaming, "Another wolf!"
I whirled towards Ramon. "Get a sample of the water from any source at all, and I’ll run a test." The urgency pushed the words out fast.
"What?"
"Just do it!" I replied, frustrated by his stubbornness. My hands clenched at my sides, the need to help burning inside me.
He blinked, taken aback. I held my breath, because I had crossed my boundaries. However, he suddenly moved his feet.
"For your sake, you better be right about this," he warned, before moving on his heels. His footsteps echoed as he left, leaving a charged silence behind.
