Cara’s povs
The early morning light filtered through the dense canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows along the forest path as Debby and I made our way toward the pack’s main settlement.
It had been five days since my mate ran away from me, and three days since my unsettling encounter with Garreth, the rumored dangerous beta. The memory of his intense gaze and his disturbing smile lingered in my mind, but I refused to let it control me. I had insisted on accompanying Debby to the pack’s sick bay, partly to help her, but mostly to escape the loneliness that threatened to consume me in that isolated cottage. I refused to feel guilty for pressuring Debby, I couldn’t bear the thought of staying in that place for another day.
The tension from that night still clung to us like a dark cloud, but I had made up my mind. I wasn’t going to let fear dictate my actions or any controlling freak cage me. Instead, I would prove my worth, not just to myself but to the entire pack.
As we neared the outskirts of the settlement, Debby glanced at me, her eyes filled with concern. “Are you sure about this? If Gareth finds out…”
“He won’t,” I cut in, trying to sound more confident than I felt. “We’ll be careful. I need to do this, Debby. I need to show them that I’m more than just some outsider, I need to be useful to the pack that feeds me.”
“There are other ways, Cara. Someone might recognize you,” she tried to dissuade me. It was our routine every day, her trying to discourage me, but I had already become adamant. I couldn’t stand another hour in that forsaken cottage. I felt a pang of guilt for manipulating Debby, but when was the world ever fair?
Debby hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. But we stick together. No wandering off this time.”
The pack’s territory was still as I remembered. The scent of pine and earth filled the air, mingling with the sounds of daily life. As we walked deeper into the settlement, I saw members of the pack going about their morning routines, tending to gardens, chopping wood, gathering near the central fire pit for breakfast.
I kept my head down, my hood pulled low over my face to avoid drawing attention. But despite my precautions, I couldn’t help but steal glances at the pack members around me. There was a warmth in their interactions, a sense of community that I had always longed for.
As we approached the infirmary, a modest building tucked away near the edge of the clearing, the sound of children’s laughter reached my ears. My heart softened at the sight of a group of young pups playing in a nearby meadow, their carefree joy, a stark contrast to the tension I felt inside.
Debby noticed my expression and smiled gently. “The children are the heart of the pack. No matter how hard things get, they always find a way to remind us what we’re fighting for.”
I nodded, my gaze lingering on the pups as they chased each other through the grass. It was a reminder of innocence of the life I had lost but might still have a chance to rebuild.
As soon as we crossed the bustling pack center and entered the infirmary grounds, I quickly removed my hood, following Debby’s instructions. Inside the infirmary, I was safe to take off my disguise.
The air inside was thick with the scent of herbs and antiseptics. Several makeshift beds lined the walls, each occupied by a pack member in various stages of recovery. Debby quickly fell into her role, checking on patients with practiced ease, her hands gentle yet efficient as she administered care. I followed her lead, quietly helping where I could, fetching water, changing bandages, and offering comforting words.
The first day I came, the pack members were wary of me, their eyes watching my every move. But as I continued to mingle with them, they grew more comfortable around me. Their hard gazes softened, shifting from caution to something resembling acceptance. I even made a few friends. They saw my dedication, my willingness to help, and slowly, they began to warm up to me.
By midday, I found myself surrounded by a small crowd of children, their wide eyes full of curiosity as they peppered me with questions. I couldn’t help but laugh at their antics, their energy infectious. One little girl with bright green eyes tugged at my sleeve, holding up a handful of wildflowers she had picked.
“These are for you,” the girl, Emelda, said shyly, her cheeks flushing pink. I had attended to her on my first day here, and thankfully, she was already walking and playing around.
I knelt down, accepting the flowers with a smile. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.”
Emelda beamed, her smile widening as she darted back to her friends. I watched them run off, my heart swelling with a warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time. For the first time since I had arrived, I felt like I might belong.
“Looks like you’ve made some new friends,” Debby said, coming up beside me with a knowing smile.
I shrugged, trying to play it off, but the smile on my face betrayed me. “They’re sweet. It’s nice to see them so happy.”
“They’re not the only ones who’ve noticed your magical hands, Cara. You have a real talent for healing,” Debby added with a smile, nodding toward a group of pack nurses who waved at me as they passed by.
I felt a flicker of hope. “Do you think they’ll accept me?”
Debby placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “You’ve already made a good impression. Just keep being yourself, Cara. They’ll see that you’re one of us, and with your magical hands, it won’t be long before the whole pack sees the bundle of joy you bring.”
The rest of the day passed in a blur of activity. Debby and I worked side by side in the infirmary, tending to the sick and injured, offering whatever comfort we could. I found myself growing more confident with each task, the simple act of helping others, bringing me a sense of purpose I hadn’t felt in a long time.
As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the settlement, I took a moment to step outside and catch my breath. The meadow where the children had played earlier was now bathed in the soft light of the setting sun, the wildflowers glowing like tiny embers in the fading daylight.
“I did it,” I whispered to myself, feeling a sense of satisfaction. I had always had a knack for knowing which herbs suited any wound or illness. In my former pack, I was worked to the bone with no one appreciating my efforts. But here, my efforts were being noticed. I had spent days among the pack, and for the first time, I didn’t feel like an outsider. There was still a long way to go, but a victory is a victory.
As I stood there, taking in the peaceful scene, a shadow fell over me. A shiver ran down my spine as I scanned the area, my senses alert. I had a feeling I was being watched.
My breath caught in my throat. Had someone followed me? Who was it?
I turned around, but there was no one there. Yet the unsettling sensation lingered, prickling at the edges of my awareness. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was not alone, that someone, or something, was watching me from the shadows.
Finally, I forced myself to move, stepping back inside the infirmary, my heart still racing from the encounter. Debby looked up from her work, concern etched on her face.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, noticing the tension in my expression.
I forced a smile, trying to shake off the lingering unease. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… had a little headache, that’s all.”
But even as I said the words, I knew it was more than just a feeling. Someone was watching me, and I had a sinking suspicion that Gareth was involved, or the worst, another sinister people with dark intention in the pack is at work. I kept my suspicion to myself as i tried to concentrate on finishing my work for the day.