CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN.

(MELIORA'S POV)


The old woman then gestured me towards the empty stool beside the sickbed with a jerky tilt of her chin.

"Grab yourself a seat over here, child. You can start by helping me grind these few leaves into a smooth salve to bring down young Marcus' fever."

"Of course," I replied readily, wasting no time in obeying her order as I settled onto the vacant stool. Taking up the proffered mortar, I began diligently crushing the potent leaves into a thick, fragrant paste.

Emma and I lapsed into a focused silence, the only sounds pervading the hushed space being the pitiful whimpers issuing from the frail boy and the rhythmic shushing of the pestle scraping against the stone bowl.

After what felt like an eternity of this quiet communion, Emma finally broke the stillness once more.

"So tell me, Liora - did you volunteer for this, if you don't mind my asking?" Her gravelly timbre held an undisguised note of curiosity.

I felt her eyes boring into the side of my face as I kept my own gaze dutifully trained on my task. Clearing my throat, I offered the most diplomatic response I could muster.

"To be honest, I wouldn't say a direct yes, but I always needed to acquire some vital skills beyond basic domestic work. You know, abilities that could make me more self-reliant and...more helpful within the pack."

Emma made a noncommittal grunt beside me, allowing a hefty lull to stretch out before probing further.

"You had difficulty living among your previous pack or on your own? Because what you said gives a hint of that."


The old woman brazenly insinuated. I didn't know if I could tell her the truth or not.

"I...I think nursing skills will be helpful to anyone, whether under safety or not," I faltered, not convinced to speak my insecurities to a random old woman.


"Very well then, you'll learn the basics while you're here." She replied, letting go of the issue.


"And I'll be grateful for that, Elder Emma." I breathed while focused on my work.


Over the next couple of hours, Emma and I continued our quiet tending of young Marcus, applying cool compresses and gently drip-feeding the herbs into his parched mouth in the hopes of finally breaking his raging fever.

By the time the pack's typical midday meal rolled around, I found myself feeling surprisingly at ease in the aged healer's gruff yet grandmotherly presence.

Emma gave me a curt nod of dismissal when the girl came to announce food was served, urging me to go nourish myself while she kept vigil. Not about to refuse the rare chance for leisure, I hastened to the main dining hall.

The rich, hearty aromas of roasted meat and fresh-baked bread suffused the spacious chamber as I joined the table.


For the first time since my arrival to the village, I didn't have to cook or serve tables. I was free to partake like an esteemed guest rather than a weary servant.

Retrieving my plate overflowing with succulence, I scanned the crowd for a vacant spot to settle in at. Unfortunately, the only open chair seemed to be beside none other than Selene. It seemed most people dread sitting next to her.

Drawing a steeling breath, I decided to bite the proverbial bullet rather than risk incurring any further ire from the alpha princess by seeming to avoid or snub her.

With as much nonchalance as I could muster, I claimed the seat directly beside the highest-ranking daughter in the pack.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could feel Selene's emerald stare like a physical weight boring into the side of my skull. Still, I kept my attention focused squarely on my plate and the delectable bounty awaiting me.

The sounds of raucous laughter and convivial conversation swirled around me in a dull roar as I tucked into my fare.

Just as I was allowing my shoulders to relax, certain we would get through this obligated proximity without incident, Selene's haughty voice cut through the din directly at me.

"Well, don't you look quite pleased with yourself, enjoying what should have been my mate's tender affections towards me, but is lavished upon you."

Shooting her a sidelong look through my lashes, I replied in as mild a tone as I could manage around my full mouth.

"I'm honestly not certain what you're implying, Princess. Right now, I'm simply enjoying this wonderful meal."

Selene's lips twisted in a sneer of derision. "Playing dumb is a bad look for you. Let me spell it out - I'm referring to how the Prince is staring at you right now."

My eyes lifted up to see Prince Luther staring at me nonchalantly. My breath caught. Drawing a measured breath, I slowly turned to face the fuming female dead-on.

"You have my word, I'm not enjoying this, and I think he intends to look at you not me," I stated in as diplomatic a timbre as I could muster while struggling to keep my growing ire in check.

"If you think you have some charm or power to seduce Prince Luther, let me tell you-"

Selene was stopped by the noise from the bulk of the pack members as they began filtering out of the dining hall in a steady stream.

Taking full advantage of the distraction, I hastily shoveled down the last few bites of my meal before rising to make my escape.

No sooner had I slipped out into the fresh open air, however, than I found myself practically chest-to-chest with Selene herself.

"Just so we're crystal clear," she hissed in a venom-laced whisper, emerald eyes glittering with cold menace.

"Tomorrow, Prince Luther and I will be mated officially. After that moment onwards, he'll be entirely away from your pitiful self - ever! You should've found a mate at the ball when you had the chance, not continue trying to seduce someone who will never be yours." She sneered.


Before I could so much as part my lips to respond, she'd already turned on her heel and stalked off, leaving me seething impotently in her wake.