Chapter 41: Worth the Pain
Chapter 41: Worth the Pain
Astrid's POV
I pressed my lips tightly, suppressing the pain that radiated from my wounds as the Pack Doctor applied ointment to my deep scratches.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
"Be careful; do not press too much on the wound," Alpha Everest commanded the Pack Doctor when he saw my pained expression.
The Pack Doctor pauses, then starts to dab ointment on my wound more carefully this time.
Alpha Everest never left my side. He called the Pack Doctor and had me stay in his office to receive medical treatment.
"It's okay," I uttered, knowing that pain is inevitable and the Doctor has to thoroughly cleanse my wounds to avoid infection. "I have high pain tolerance."
As a Pack warrior, I've had worse injuries. As werewolves who use our canines and sharp claws to fight, deep scratches like this are expected. It cannot be avoided in a fight.
I didn't even know I was hurt until Lucinda pointed at the blood seeping through my clothes.
"I think we need to stitch it," the Pack Doctor suggests after cleansing my wound and applying ointment.
I stared at my wound. Usually, my wound shouldn't look as raw and red as it is now; my wolf should have kicked in already and healed my injury. The fact that my wounds would need stitches to heal just goes to show how weaker I had become. It's like my wolf is not even there to heal me. My eyes squinted as I felt the needle and thread pass through my skin. It was such a weird feeling, almost tickling, but the pain overpowered it more every time the Doctor tugged the needle and pressed my skin together.
"How is Lucinda?" I asked Alpha Everest, who has been keeping me company, making sure that I am safe and not hurting as much.
I shouldn't have brought her far from the Packhouse. The attack must have relieved some of her trauma.
"She's with Lady Nova and her mother. She had stopped talking again," Alpha Everest answered.
"I'm so sorry," I muttered. "I shouldn't have brought her far from the Packhouse."
"No, it's my fault for not keeping our Pack safe enough." Alpha Everest argued. "You don't have to blame yourself for anything. Because of you, I heard my daughter call me Daddy again. Thank you for protecting my daughter with your own life."
I smiled at his words. I couldn't forget the joy on Alpha Everest's face and the tears that welled in his eyes when he heard his daughter speak again. I was also happy for Lucinda that she finally found her own voice.
I count all my pain worth it as long as Lucinda and Nova are safe. We heard Lucinda speak, and I was the only person who ended up injured.
"It's all done," the Pack Doctor stood up and started to pack up his things. "Always be careful. Avoid moving too much to keep the stitches intact," he reminded me.
I looked at my wound, which was perfectly stitched in a balanced pattern, showing how skillful he was. "Thank you," I muttered to him before Alpha Everest showed him the way out.
"Does it still hurt?" Alpha Everest asks me as he takes a look at my wound.
"Not anymore," I answered him. "I heard you are going to sign an alliance with the Silvermoon Pack. Is that why Giselle is here?" I asked him. Since we were already in his office, I thought it would only be convenient for us to talk business.
Alpha Everest couldn't respond. He must be wondering where we heard the news.
"You've kept us waiting for your decision for months. Alpha Drystan has been sending gifts to your Pack. The Nightsong Pack gave you special treatment. You've accepted everything and made us wait," I told him.
"It wasn't taking advantage of your Pack. I really had plans of forming an alliance with you," Alpha Everest explained.
“Then what made you change your mind?" I prodded.
"The Silvermoon Pack offered to partner with us. How can I pass up such a great opportunity?"
"So, have you signed it with them?"
"I haven't yet. Lady Giselle came here so I could officially sign the papers."
“Oh, that's why she's here?" I asked out loud. I thought she was only here to negotiate, just like me. I didn't know that she was here because he had already decided to sign with them.
"Then why did you let us come here
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then, at the same date that Giselle is supposed to arrive and sign the papers with them? If you have already fully decided to sign with them, then why would you allow us to come here?"
Alpha Everest scoffed at my questions. "It's not like that—"
"You feel guilty about us... No, your heart is not fully convinced to sign with them, are you?" I squinted my eyes at him.
"What does my heart have to do with
this? As an Alpha, I need to decide for the Pack. It's obvious that the Silvermoon Pack is the most logical decision," Alpha Everest spoke, almost like trying to convince himself.
"I know you have your own doubts and reservations about their Pack. It's impossible that you don't. The
fact that you are not thoroughlyet
convinced to sign with them despite their outstanding background must mean something.
S
It's not even about you signing with our Pack anymore. I'm just genuinely concerned. I don't want you to regret a critical decision in the long run."
Alpha Everest couldn't speak. His eyes were deeply lost in his own thoughts.