At the Healer's Lodge, an attending wolf asked urgently, "Where is the patient's bonded mate? We need the Alpha's mark on the consent scrolls."
Mira was frantic, wringing her hands. "I've sent howl-calls to Alpha Fenris over a dozen times. No response."
She fumbled for the message-sigil crystal I kept by my bed. "I tried seventeen times through the Lady's own channel too. The sigils just... fade. As if warded against."
I forced my eyes open and reached for the healer's sleeve. My voice was barely a whisper.
"I'll mark the scrolls myself. I don't want the pup."
The words left me hollow, as if they'd carved out everything I had left.
I thought about the past two moons—how Fenris had mentioned wanting to strengthen the bloodline, so I'd stopped taking the moon-herb that prevented conception.
This pup had quickened by accident. Now it would leave the same way.
It was never wanted. Never welcomed with love or the joy of true mates.
It shouldn't come into this world.
The head healer's expression was grave, her silver eyes troubled. "The situation is critical, my Lady. The fall has caused great damage. We may not be able to preserve the pregnancy, but we can attempt—"