COUNCILS DIRECTIVE

As the day at the infirmary drew to a close, exhaustion weighed heavily on my shoulders. With Vasil and Adam already gone, it was just Alivia and me left. When the carriage driver arrived, I gestured for Alivia to join me, extending my hand to help her up. She accepted with a weary smile, her touch sending a subtle tremor through me.

As the carriage began to move, I found myself stealing glances at Alivia, her exhaustion palpable in the drooping of her eyelids. With a conflicted sigh, I moved closer, allowing her to lean against me. The warmth of her presence stirred something within me, a mixture of comfort and confusion that I couldn't quite decipher.

Her head nestled against my shoulder, a strand of her hair brushing gently against my cheek. I fought the urge to pull her closer, to lose myself in the intimacy of the moment. Instead, I remained still, torn between the desire to protect her and the fear of what it might mean.

As we arrived at the packhouse, I lifted Alivia into my arms with a tenderness I hadn't known I possessed. With each step, the weight of her against me spoke volumes, stirring emotions I struggled to contain. Yet, even as I settled her into her room, a part of me resisted the pull of affection, wary of the implications it carried.

Retreating to my workshop, where Vasil was diligently working and I couldn't shake the lingering warmth of her presence, nor the unsettling stirrings within my heart.

"Vasil, please summon Council Member Cedric and Seraphine to my workshop immediately," I instructed urgently.

"Yes, Alpha," Vasil acknowledged, hurrying off to carry out my command.

Taking a seat at my desk, I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling a heavy sigh.

When the door finally swung open, Council Member Cedric entered with a purposeful stride, his expression stern and unwavering. Seraphine followed closely behind, her eyes betraying a mix of concern and determination. I braced myself for the conversation that was about to unfold, steeling my resolve against the impending storm.

"Council Member Cedric, Seraphine," I greeted, motioning for them to take a seat.

"Thank you for joining me," I began, my voice steady despite the turmoil brewing within me. "I called this meeting to discuss a matter of great significance."

Council Member Cedric and Seraphine exchanged a glance, their expressions guarded yet attentive.

"What is it, Dr. Volkov?" Council Member Cedric inquired, his tone expectant.

"Alivia," I began, my gaze drifting momentarily to the floor before meeting theirs once more, "has healed her first patient."

A brief moment of silence hung heavy in the air, the weight of my words sinking in.

Council Member Cedric leaned forward, his brow furrowing in curiosity. "Is the patient showing signs of improvement?" he asked, his voice laced with anticipation.

I nodded, relief washing over me at the chance to deliver some positive news amidst the uncertainty. "Yes," I confirmed, "the patient's condition has stabilized, and there are signs of improvement."

Seraphine's expression softened with a hint of pride, her eyes briefly meeting mine in silent acknowledgment. "That's remarkable progress," she remarked, her tone filled with admiration.

Council Member Cedric's gaze shifted to me, his scrutiny palpable. "How soon do you think Alivia can begin healing more patients?" he inquired, his tone edged with urgency.

I hesitated, the weight of the decision bearing down on me like a heavy burden. "While Alivia has demonstrated remarkable skill and potential," I began, carefully choosing my words, "I believe it would be prudent to proceed with caution."

Council Member Cedric's brow furrowed in frustration, his impatience evident. "Dr. Volkov, this is what she has been training for," he countered, his tone firm. "If she has already healed a patient successfully, we shouldn't waste any more time."

Seraphine nodded in agreement, her expression unwavering. "Council Member Cedric is right," she interjected. "Alivia's abilities have improved significantly while you were away.”

A surge of conflicting emotions welled up within me, torn between my duty to protect Alivia and the council's insistence on pushing forward. Clenching my jaw tightly, I struggled to contain my rising frustration.

"I understand your urgency," I conceded reluctantly, "but we cannot afford to rush into this blindly. Alivia's safety must remain our top priority."

Council Member Cedric's gaze hardened, a flicker of irritation flashing in his eyes. "Dr. Volkov, I trust your judgment," he acknowledged, "but we cannot let fear hold us back. Seraphine even agrees that Alivia is ready for this, and the sooner we act, the more lives we can save."

With a heavy sigh, I relented, my resolve wavering in the face of their unwavering determination. "Very well," I acquiesced, "but we proceed cautiously, with Alivia's well-being at the forefront of our minds."

As Council Member Cedric left, a palpable tension lingered in the air, thickening with each passing moment. As Seraphine reached the door, she paused, her gaze flickering back to me with a piercing intensity.

"I hope you are not letting your feelings get in the way of your judgment," she said quietly, her voice carrying a weight of concern that cut through the silence like a knife. "You have been researching and trying to find a solution to this virus for quite some time. Alivia's healing is the breakthrough we've been searching for. I would hate to see all your work go to waste."

Her words struck a chord deep within me, stirring a tumult of conflicting emotions that churned relentlessly in the pit of my stomach. I knew she was right, of course. Alivia's healing abilities to combat the virus was undeniable, and to ignore that would be to disregard the very essence of my life's work.

But still, the fear gnawed at me, a relentless specter that haunted the edges of my consciousness. I couldn't shake the nagging sense of doubt that lingered like a dark shadow, whispering doubts and insecurities into the recesses of my mind.

With a heavy sigh, I met Seraphine's gaze, my expression a reflection of the turmoil raging within me. "I understand, Seraphine," I replied softly, my voice tinged with resignation.

With a final nod, Seraphine turned and left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the weight of my responsibilities pressing down on me like a heavy burden.