Chapter 3 HEALING HANDS LOVING HEARTS

Rose Pov

My heart pounded as I knelt next to Jake. I had never been this close to a human before, and I was struck by how different he smelled from werewolves. It was nice.

"This could be a little painful," I said as I examined his leg. The wound was deep, and the first signs of infection were seen. Jake nodded while hissing in agony. "Do what you need to do." Mira came close to me, her gaze never leaving mine. "Are you very sure you know what you're doing?"

I tried to look confident as I smiled. "Believe me. I've handled worse." I talked to divert Jake's attention from his discomfort while I cleansed the wound. "So, what brings you two out here?"

Jake winked. "Trip for hiking. wished to spend some time away from everything." "A little get away," murmured Mira. I laughed. "Yeah, you chose a rather remote location. Do anybody get it this far." Curious, Jake's gaze met mine. "What about you? What's a wilderness guide doing out here alone?"

I froze for a moment, trying to think of an explanation. "I enjoy the isolation, actually. It facilitates my thinking process."

Jake questioned, "About what?" I shrugged and looked at his wound. "Life, I suppose. To sort things out, you may occasionally need to take a break."

Jake nodded. "I know that feeling."

I discovered as I worked that I required certain herbs to help with the infection. I said, "I'll be right back." "I need to find some plants to help with this." Mira appeared frightened. "You're leaving?"

I told her, "Just for a few minutes." "There's a patch of leaves nearby that'll help prevent infection." Jake's eyebrow shot up. "You know your plants." I grinned. "It's part of the job."

My mind raced as I looked around for the leaves. How did I get there? It went against everything I'd been taught to help others. However, it felt... correct. Jake looked pale when I got back. The virus was spreading more quickly than I had anticipated. "I warned you that this might taste bad," as I grounded the leaves into a paste. "But it'll help."

Jake gulped the concoction with a funny look. "Tastes like feet." I chuckled. "Maybe, but feet that'll save your life."

We looked at each other while I put the paste on his wound. For a moment, I felt a spark of... something. Connection? Attraction? I quickly looked away, confused by these new feelings.

"So, Rose," Jake murmured, his tone becoming gentler. "Tell me more about yourself." I hesitated. "Not much needs to be revealed. I'm just a young woman who adores the woods."

Jake pressed, "There's more to you than that." "I can tell." I grinned, my heart warming up inside. "Possibly. But let's get you better first for the time being."

As the day went on, Jake's health got better. His cheeks took on color again as the fever subsided. At last, Mira calmed down and trusted that I knew what I was doing. As night fell, we set up camp. I showed them which berries were safe to eat and demonstrated how to start a fire without matches.

Jake commented, "You're amazing," as he observed me at work. "Where did you learn all this?" I stopped, flashing back to my time in the pack. "My... family," was my final response. "We lived off the land." Jake gave a nod. "Must have been quite an upbringing."

"It was," I mutely said. "But things change." While seated by the fire, we exchanged tales. I tried not to divulge too much, but I noticed that I was talking more than I had in weeks.

Jake drew nearer to me as Mira went to sleep. With a quiet "thank you," he spoke. "For everything."

I grinned. It's nothing. Anybody would have followed suit." Jake gave a headshake. "No, they wouldn't. Rose, you are exceptional."

When our gazes locked, that flame ignited once more. I kind of thought he was going to kiss me. I kind of wanted him to. However, reality struck back. I was a werewolf. He was a person. This is not going to work.

I got up out of the blue. "I should check your bandages." Jake observed me closely as I cleaned his wound. "You know," he replied, "we could use someone like you at the wildlife sanctuary." Startled, I looked up. "Wildlife sanctuary?"

Jake gave a nod. "I work there. When an animal is hurt, we tend to it so it can heal and go back into the wild. With someone with your abilities would be very beneficial." My heart pounded. A position? A shot at starting over? The offer seemed too good to be true.

With hesitation, I responded, "I... I don't know." "I'm not sure I'm cut out for that kind of work." Jake grinned. "I believe you would be ideal. Just consider it, please." I nodded, ideas racing through my head. a position among people. an opportunity to assist animals using my expertise.

Could I actually get out of the forest, though? My house? I was lost in contemplation as I sat by the fire watching Jake go to sleep. Everything was shifting so quickly. Only a few days prior, I belonged to a pack. I was thinking now about a life among people.

I was startled out of my sleep a twig breaking in the shadows. I raised my wolf senses to full alert and sniffed the air. That smell. That smell seemed familiar to me.

I looked into the shadows, my heart thumping. There were blazing eyeballs that I could see just beyond the firelight.

Kyle. He had located me. I tensed up when I stood. How should I proceed? Wake Jake and Mira? Run? Fight?

Without ever taking his eyes off mine, Kyle moved into the light. "Rose," he murmured. "It's time to come home." I gave a headshake. "I no longer call that place home. You made that quite evident."

Kyle flinched. "Position has shifted by the pack you're needed." I gave a sour laugh. "You need me now? "Please," pleaded Kyle. "Just hear me out." I looked at Jake and Mira, who were still soundly asleep. They were unaware of the threat they were facing. "Not here," I said. "Meet me by the stream. Ten minutes." After giving a nod, Kyle vanished into the night.

My thoughts were racing. What was the pack's desire? Why this time? And Jake's offer what about it? I was confused as I stared at Jake's sleeping form. A chance at something different, or the life I knew? Whatever I chose, there was one thing I was certain of. Everything would change after tonight. I took a deep breath and entered the woodland, prepared to confront my past and make decisions about my future.