Chapter 4 Pride and thornes

Kieran

The knock on my office door carried Marcus's familiar pattern, but something in its urgency made my wolf stir uneasily.

"Enter," I called, pushing aside the trade agreements I'd been pretending to read.

My Beta's face confirmed my concerns. "Alpha, we have a situation. It's Emma."

My grip tightened on the desk. Emma – one of our oldest pack members, beloved grandmother to half the younger wolves. "What's wrong?"

"Fever. Delirium. Sarah's tried everything she knows, but..." Marcus hesitated. "She says we need Luna."

The mere sound of her name sent a jolt through my chest. My wolf surged forward, eager despite my iron control. Three weeks since the rejection, and still every mention of her...

"No," I said firmly, to both Marcus and my wolf. "Sarah is a capable healer."

"Sarah is the one requesting Luna." Marcus met my gaze steadily. "Emma helped raise Luna after her parents died. Are you really going to let pack politics keep her from helping?"

The accusation in his tone made me bristle. "Politics has nothing to do with it. The rejection-"

"Doesn't change the fact that she's our most gifted healer." Marcus stepped closer, lowering his voice. "And you know it's more than that now. The reports I gave you about her changed magic-"

"Are exactly why we should be cautious," I cut in. The memory of those reports – of wild-growing plants and unprecedented healing power – made my skin prickle. What had the rejection done to her?

Protected her, my wolf growled. Made her stronger.

I shoved the thought aside. "Have you forgotten what happened the last time she healed someone?"

"You mean when she saved Thomas's leg?" Marcus's eyebrow rose. "When she demonstrated more control over healing magic than anyone's seen in generations?"

"When plants grew thorns in response to her emotions," I corrected. "When she couldn't control-"

A scream echoed through the pack bonds. Emma. The pain in it made both Marcus and me flinch.

"Your call, Alpha," Marcus said quietly. "But Emma's fever is climbing. And Selene's father is watching how you handle this. The Northern Pack values their elders highly."

The political implications hit like a physical blow. If Emma died because I let personal complications keep our best healer away...

"Fine," I growled. "But you stay with them. Any sign her magic is unstable-"

"I'll handle it," Marcus promised, already heading for the door. "Though you might want to tell your wolf to stop looking so pleased about this."

I snarled at his retreating back, but he was right. My wolf was practically wagging its tail at the prospect of seeing her. Pathetic.

The walk to Emma's cabin took too long and not long enough. Even from outside, I could smell the sickness – sharp and wrong. But underneath it was another scent, one that made my wolf strain against my control.

Lavender. Pine. Mountain streams. *Luna*.

I forced myself to enter anyway.

She knelt beside Emma's bed, her back to the door. Even from behind, she was achingly familiar – waves of dark copper hair falling loose past her shoulders, so different from Selene's straight platinum locks. Luna had lost weight these past weeks, but her healer's grace remained in every movement. She was smaller than most wolf-women, barely reaching my chest when standing, something that had once made my wolf's protective instincts surge.

The room was thick with herbs – some drying in bunches on the walls, others growing impossibly from cracks in the wooden floor. Sarah hovered nearby, grinding something in a mortar.

"-and then Tommy tried to convince me he wasn't the one who put frogs in the creek pool," Emma was saying, her voice weak but amused. "Covered in mud from head to toe, but swearing up and down..."

"That he'd been hunting for special rocks," Luna finished softly. "I remember. You made him scrub the kitchen floor as punishment."

The affection in her voice made my chest ache. This was why she was our healer – not just her magic, but her heart. The way she genuinely cared for every member of our pack.

*Our mate*, my wolf insisted. *Ours to protect. Look how small she seems now, how tired.*

"Alpha," Sarah squeaked, finally noticing me. Luna's entire body tensed, but she didn't turn around.

"Report," I demanded, grateful for the excuse to be official, to focus on anything except the delicate curve of her neck, exposed by her carelessly tied hair.

"The fever's magical in nature," Sarah explained quickly. "Something she picked up in the southern woods. It's... it's trying to burn out her wolf."

Ice settled in my stomach. A magical fever that targeted the wolf spirit was a death sentence for elderly pack members. Unless...

"I can help her," Luna said quietly, still not looking at me. "But you're not going to like how."

"Meaning?"

She finally turned, and the sight of her hit me like a physical blow. I had tried to forget the details of her face – those large eyes the color of spring moss, flecked with gold when the light hit them just right. The scatter of freckles across her nose that my wolf longed to count. Her lips, naturally curved into a gentle smile even now, when she looked so exhausted.

She'd lost weight, shadows haunting those remarkable eyes, making her high cheekbones even more pronounced. The old Luna had favored bright colors, but now she wore a simple black sweater that made her cream-colored skin look even paler. Yet there was something different about her, something that made my wolf stir with both pride and unease. Those eyes... they blazed with something ancient. Something wild.

My own reflection in Emma's window caught my attention – six feet two inches of coiled tension, shoulders rigid under my white dress shirt. I hadn't been sleeping well either; the shadows under my dark blue eyes rivaled Luna's. At least my black hair was still neat, cut short as befitted an Alpha. Order. Control. Everything Luna's untamed copper waves and wild magic weren't.

"I'll need to use the new magic," she said simply. "All of it. And I'll need you to support the pack bonds while I do."

Which meant dropping our shields. Letting the rejected mate bond flare back to life. Feeling everything we'd been avoiding for weeks. Seeing every detail I'd tried to forget – the way her small, capable hands moved as she worked, how her throat moved when she swallowed nervously, the few strands of hair that had escaped to curl against her cheek.

Emma's breath rattled.

"Do it," I ordered, and tried to ignore how eagerly my wolf welcomed the pain to come. How desperately it wanted to close the distance between us, to gather all five feet four inches of her against my chest where she belonged.

Luna turned back to Emma, one small hand smoothing the elder's sweat-soaked hair. "Sarah, I need you to open all the windows."

"But the fever-" Sarah started.

"Trust me." Luna's voice held an authority I'd never heard before. It made my wolf sit up and take notice. "Marcus, would you help the Alpha move the bed to the center of the room?"

The fact that she wouldn't say my name didn't escape me. Neither did the slight tremor in her hands as Marcus and I lifted Emma's bed, our strength making the task easy despite the solid oak frame.

"Now what?" I asked, hating how rough my voice sounded.

Luna finally looked directly at me, those gold-flecked eyes unflinching. "Now you stop fighting the bond and let me work."

Before I could protest, she placed her hands on Emma's chest. Immediately, the plants in the room began to stir. Vines crept across the floor, carrying herbs I didn't recognize. The dried bundles on the walls rustled despite the lack of wind.

"Luna," Marcus warned.

"I know what I'm doing." But her voice shook slightly. "Alpha, I need the pack bonds. Now."

Gritting my teeth, I let my shields drop. The pack bonds flooded in – dozens of threads connecting me to each wolf under my protection. I could feel their emotions, their strength. At the center was Emma's bond, flickering dangerously.

And then there was the other bond. The one I'd been trying to ignore.

It roared to life the moment my shields fell, nearly bringing me to my knees. Colors sharpened. Scents intensified. Every detail of Luna's presence burned into my awareness – the slight acceleration of her pulse, the catch in her breath, the way her copper hair gleamed in the afternoon light.

*Mate*, my wolf howled. *Ours*.

Luna gasped, her shields falling too. Her eyes met mine, and for one brutal moment I felt everything she was feeling. Pain. Fear. Loneliness. And underneath it all, a love so deep it made my chest ache.

Then she wrenched her gaze away, focusing on Emma. "Everyone else out," she commanded. "What I'm about to do... it's better if there are fewer witnesses."

"I'm staying," I growled, both Alpha and wolf adamant.

"Fine." She didn't look at me again. "But don't interfere. No matter what you see."

Sarah and Marcus retreated, closing the door behind them. The moment they did, Luna began to sing.

The sound was unlike anything I'd ever heard – not quite words, not quite magic, but something ancient that made my wolf want to howl in response. The plants around us swayed to its rhythm. Moonflowers bloomed impossibly in the afternoon sun, their silvery petals glowing.

Then Luna's wolf emerged.

Not physically – she didn't shift. But I could see it, a ghostly white shape rising from her like mist. Beautiful. Terrifying. Nothing like the grey wolf I remembered.

*What have you become?* I wanted to ask. But I couldn't speak, transfixed as her wolf-spirit bent over Emma, nosing at the elder's chest where the fever burned hottest.

The vines moved with purpose now, weaving themselves into patterns I almost recognized. Ancient runes, maybe, or something older still. Luna's song grew stronger, and I felt power pulse through the mate bond between us.

She needed strength. Without thinking, I offered mine.

Her eyes snapped to mine, wide with surprise. For a heartbeat, she hesitated. Then her hand shot out, gripping mine.

The contact was like lightning. Every barrier I'd built since the rejection crumbled. Every reason I'd given myself for denying her seemed hollow. My wolf surged forward, adding its strength to my own, pouring everything we had into her.

Luna's wolf threw back its head and howled.

Light exploded through the room. The moonflowers blazed like stars. And Emma...

Emma took a deep, clear breath.

The fever was gone. But Luna's hand was ice-cold in mine, her face drained of color. As I watched, her eyes rolled back and she began to collapse.

I caught her before she could hit the floor, gathering her slight frame against my chest. She felt even smaller than she looked, too light, too fragile.

"Luna?" My voice was hoarse with fear. "Luna!"

Her eyelids fluttered. "Don't," she whispered. "Don't pretend you care. Just... just let me..."

She went limp in my arms.

Behind me, Emma sat up, looking decades younger. Around us, the plants gradually stilled, though the moonflowers continued to glow.

And I held my rejected mate, my chosen healer, this impossible woman who'd just demonstrated more power than I'd ever seen, and had no idea what to do next.

But my wolf knew.

*Protect her*, it insisted. *Keep her. Choose her*.

"I can't," I whispered.

But for the first time since the rejection, I wasn't sure why.

Three days. It had been three days since I'd carried Luna's unconscious form to her cabin, since I'd hesitated far too long at her door before letting Sarah take over her care. Three days of my wolf pacing, snarling, demanding we check on her.

Three days of Marcus's increasingly detailed reports.

"Tommy's been quite attentive," my Beta announced, strolling into my office without knocking. His tone was deliberately casual, but I caught the glint in his eyes.

I didn't look up from my paperwork. "I assume you have actual pack business to discuss."

"Oh, absolutely." Marcus settled into the chair across from me, looking far too comfortable. "The young wolf hasn't left her side. Very dedicated. Brings her tea, helps her tend those interesting new plants. Sarah says his presence is definitely speeding her recovery."

My pen snapped in half. Ink spread across the trade agreement I'd been pretending to read.

"Fascinating," I growled, reaching for a new pen. "The Northern Pack's delegation-"

"Apparently," Marcus continued, as if I hadn't spoken, "he's quite good at making her laugh. Who knew the boy had such a sense of humor? Just this morning, I heard her giggling at something he'd said. First time she's laughed since..." He paused meaningfully. "Well, you know."

The new pen creaked dangerously in my grip. My wolf was all but frothing.

"Marcus."

"Yes, Alpha?"

"Get out."

He grinned, entirely unrepentant. "Of course. I should go check on them anyway. Luna's still a bit weak – keeps needing support to walk to her garden. Tommy's been *very* happy to help with that."

The pen shattered completely.

Marcus stood, but paused at the door. "Oh, and the most interesting thing..." His voice took on an innocent tone that made my teeth clench. "Her magic responds quite positively to him. All those plants that grew thorns around others? Perfect roses when he's near. Quite remarkable."

*Kill him*, my wolf suggested. *Kill the pup touching our mate*.

"Actual. Pack. Business." I bit out each word.

"Just keeping you informed, Alpha." Marcus's eyes danced with mischief. "Since you're so determined not to check on her yourself. Even though she drained her power saving one of our elders. Even though she's still recovering from using magic none of us understood to help our pack. Even though-"

"Enough!"

The word came out as a roar. Papers flew off my desk. Marcus didn't even flinch.

"She asked about you," he said quietly, all humor gone. "Just once, when she first woke up. Wanted to know if you were angry about the magic she used."

Something in my chest tightened. "What did you tell her?"

"That you were too busy with wedding preparations to form an opinion."

The words hit like a physical blow. My wolf howled in protest.

"That was cruel," I said finally.

Marcus's eyebrows rose. "Was it? Crueler than rejecting her in front of the entire pack? Than letting her think her magic might get her exiled? Than leaving her to wonder if saving Emma's life was a mistake?"

"I can't-"

"Can't what? Can't admit you made a mistake? Can't acknowledge that every time she uses this new magic, it proves how perfect she would be as our Luna? Can't face the fact that young Tommy might actually succeed in helping her move on?"

"She's not moving on," I snapped, then immediately wished I could take the words back.

Marcus's smile was downright wicked. "Oh? And how would you know that? Unless... can you feel something through that rejected bond you're trying so hard to ignore?"

I turned to stare out the window, fighting for control. In the distance, I could see Luna's cabin. A figure – Tommy – was leading her slowly around her garden, one arm supporting her waist.

My wolf slammed against my control.

"The delegation arrives tomorrow," I said stiffly. "Make sure all preparations are in order."

"Of course, Alpha." Marcus's voice dripped satisfaction. "I'll just go tell Luna and Tommy to expect company. They've been having such nice quiet afternoons together, but I'm sure they won't mind being interrupted. Young love is so adaptable."

The window frame cracked under my hands.

"That's not-she wouldn't-"

"Wouldn't what?" Marcus was enjoying himself far too much. "Wouldn't find comfort with someone who openly cares for her? Wouldn't respond to kindness after rejection? Wouldn't-"

"Get. Out."

This time he went, but his parting words drifted back: "He's teaching her to play chess, you know. Says she has the most adorable look of concentration when she's planning her next move..."

The sound of my growl echoed through the pack bonds. In the garden, I saw Tommy's head snap up, looking around nervously.

Good.

But he didn't move away from Luna. If anything, he shifted closer.

*Go to her*, my wolf begged. *Before it's too late*.

Instead, I turned back to my desk and reached for another pen.

I had a wedding to plan.

Even if the mere thought made me want to rip something apart.

Preferably something young, male, and s