Chapter 285: Foolish But Brave
I sank deeper into the cold plastic chair, wanting the earth to open up and swallow me whole.
To be scolded by Milo was not a nice experience, especially since that would mean I joined the ranks of Dahlia Elrod. It was as good as having the Moon Goddess be displeased with you.
"I got it." I nodded, with the slightest bitterness in my tone.
I couldn’t help but think that if I had a wolf, I wouldn’t be greeted with this lecture. Instead, I would be praised for taking the initiative to save the innocent; it was because I was nothing more than a human that Milo had to hover over me like an overprotective father.
If I had a wolf, I would have made quick work of that wendigo and brought Atlas to the infirmary on my own.
"For what it’s worth, at least Atlas was saved," Milo concluded. I guessed he was finally done with his lecture. "We avoided the worst possible outcome― losing both you and him. But don’t be surprised if Darach scolds you too later when he’s done putting out the fires. You nearly gave him a heart attack!"
I groaned, not looking forward to that. "How is he? Are he and Kyle alright? And Elder Otto?" I asked, worried.
"They are mostly fine, but Elder Otto twisted his arm. Thankfully, reinforcements came in time," Milo said with a quiet huff, "Darach probably needs an infirmary visit as well, but he has too many things to worry about. I’ll be going to help him. Can I trust you to sit here and not get into trouble while I’m gone?"
I bristled. I wasn’t some wayward child who needed constant attention. "I’m capable of that, but is there anything else I can help with?" I asked. "I don’t want to twiddle my thumbs when everyone is so swamped."
"Then go and get yourself looked at by the doctors, while keeping tabs on Elder Otto and Atlas," Milo said. "Atlas’s family is worried, and I think they’ll appreciate your support. I’ll message you if anything comes up."
"Alright."
I watched Milo leave, and then I went to check on the rest of the patients. There were a lot more people in the infirmary than I expected, as visitors swarmed the patients.
"Miss Harper!" Elder Otto exclaimed when he saw me walk in. My eyes zeroed in on the white cast on his right arm. Beside him were several, equally old werewolves hovering around him. "How are you feeling?"
"I’ve had worse days, but I’m more worried about you," I said frankly. "How are you holding up?"
"I’m as healthy as a horse! Those doctors don’t know what they’re talking about." Elder Otto huffed and shook his head. "If they let me, I can go another twenty rounds with the wendigo right now!"
"Don’t you dare," the old woman next to him growled out, smacking his unhurt arm. "If you dare to do something so reckless, I’ll stab you in your sleep!"
"Yes, dear." Elder Otto nodded with a sheepish smile. "Anything you say. Miss Harper, might I introduce you to my mate, Ellen?"
"Who is your mate? I don’t have someone so fool-hardy as my mate," Ellen groused, but she smacked him more gently than before. "And who are you calling Miss Harper? She is this pack’s charlie― use her title!"
"Oh no, there’s really no need―" I protested hastily, not wanting to draw undue attention to myself, but Ellen was on a roll. More than one curious head turned to peer at us.
"Nonsense, I’ve been here since this foolish husband of mine was sent inside, so I heard all the ruckus," Ellen tutted. "You went to save that young boy without even having a wolf! That was very brave, yet foolish of you."
Her words would have sounded more like a scolding, but I detected a tinge of approval in her voice.
"Better than most of our warriors, I must say. All of them claim to be training so hard, but they can’t even do their jobs properly! And now, the old and the weak have to suffer!" Ellen brandished her fist. "Isn’t that right, everyone?" She addressed the people in the infirmary.
There were a few scattered nods, but I focused more on the frowns of disapproval blooming on their faces.
Were they angry that the patrols had slacked off, or were they more upset at Ellen criticizing their fellow pack members? Since they were mates, I didn’t doubt they held the same lack of regard for the late Alpha Thorton and his daughter.
If the infirmary was full of Alpha Thorton supporters, that could be dangerous for them. Elder Otto seemed to have the same idea, for he quickly cleared his throat.
"Ellen, calm down, this isn’t the time for this. Let’s not overwhelm Miss Harper― I mean, Charlie Harper on her second day."
"Don’t worry about me, I’ve been through worse. But I’m glad you’re feeling better and you have your mate with you," I said. "If there’s anything, please let me know how I can help. Here’s my number..."
As I scribbled down my phone number on a spare slip of paper, another person came over to me. "Miss― Charlie Harper? Can you spare my family a few moments of your time?"
"Of course," I said, blinking at the sudden polite request. I nodded to Elder Otto and Ellen and passed my number to them, before following the man to another end of the infirmary.
As I walked away, I didn’t manage to catch the tail end of their conversation. Ellen and Otto stared down at the slip of paper, nonplussed.
"My dear, do we even have a phone?" Otto asked.
"We could get one," Ellen said. "I always wanted to try those fun games."
"Those lead to addiction―"
"Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself― I’m Arthur, Atlas’s father," the man said apologetically as he led me to the bed where Atlas was sleeping, bandages wrapped all over his upper body. Next to him were Flora and Aster, who all but leaped to attention when they saw me.
"Charlie Harper!"
