Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Awakening to Doubt

SONIA’S POV

I had a strange dream. In that dream, I saw someone that looked like my mother. At least, the image of my mother I have in my head. The difference was there wasn’t an aura of death around her. She looked peaceful, with soft light surrounding her like a gentle glow. When I tried to touch her, I actually did touch her. Her skin felt warm and real under my fingers, nothing like the cold emptiness I had always imagined.

When my eyes opened again, I turned to my side and found very beautiful features carved in a man’s face staring at me. His blue eyes were clear and steady, like still water reflecting the sky. The room smelled faintly of herbs and clean linen, and the soft light from a nearby window warmed the wooden floor.

"She’s awake." The words left his mouth so smoothly, I was astonished by it all. His voice was calm and deep, carrying a quiet strength.

"She is?" Another very familiar voice stepped beside the beautiful man and crouched just like he had done. The movement stirred the air, bringing a faint scent of wildflowers.

I saw her face, and that was when I remembered everything. The fire, the smoke, the desperate run. My chest tightened with the memory.

"Alpha Daisy," I reached out to touch her, with a smile on my face. My fingers brushed her arm, feeling the warmth of her skin. "You’re here."

She grabbed my hand and held it tightly. Her grip was strong but gentle, full of quiet relief. "I am, and you’re awake. Thankfully, you’re awake." Her voice wrapped around me like a warm blanket.

The other person present also became familiar. It had to be the alpha Liam that saved me. His presence felt steady and protective in the room.

"Thank you," I turned my attention to him when Alpha Daisy moved a bit. My voice came out soft and grateful. "Thank you." I repeated because I didn’t think I was loud enough for him to hear me. The words felt important, like they needed to be said twice.

"For what?" He asked, his face contorted with confusion. His brows drew together, creating small lines on his forehead.

"For saving me. You saved me." I remembered the strong arms lifting me from the danger, the way his scent had cut through the smoke.

"Oh. But we should be the one thanking you. You saved Ivy. If it wasn’t for you, she’d be dead."

My vision swirled at the mention of Ivy and her near death experience. A sharp worry gripped my heart. Jerking into a sitting position, I turned to him with urgency in my movement. The blanket slipped from my shoulders, and the cool air touched my skin.

"Where is Ivy?"

"She’s in another room. Because of how badly she’s burnt, the pack doctor insisted on wrapping her bo—"

I couldn’t wait for her to finish her sentence before I jumped out of bed. My bare feet hit the cool wooden floor, sending a small shiver up my legs.

"Take me to her," I said in haste. My heart pounded hard against my ribs.

"You can’t just go to her, Sonia."

"I can! If I don’t go to her, we’ll lose her. She’s not supposed to be wrapped. I can heal her." I stood in front of Alpha Daisy, hoping she could sense my desperation. My hands trembled slightly at my sides.

"Sonia, I think the pack doctor is quite capable of handling the situation," Alpha Liam said behind me. His voice was calm but firm.

"No! They’re not. It wasn’t any kind of burn. She’s going to be in big trouble if I don’t help her!" I insisted, at the verge of tears. My throat felt tight, and my eyes stung.

"Alright, Sonia. I’ll take you to her. But first, you have to calm down."

I took a deep breath, as I searched her face for any trace of falsity. She looked pretty genuine. Besides, it was Alpha Daisy. She wouldn’t deceive me. She wasn’t Alpha Ramon.

The thought of him instantly undid all the progress my deep breaths had brought me. All over again, I began to panic. My stomach twisted into knots. If I came across him, I didn’t know which Ramon he would project. Considering how one second he was hot, and the next he was cold. The memory of his touch still lingered on my skin, warm and confusing.

"Let’s go." Alpha Daisy linked my hands in hers. Her palm felt steady and reassuring against mine.

I felt Alpha Liam stand to his feet and follow behind us. His footsteps were quiet but solid on the floor.

Looking around to see my whereabouts, I discovered I wasn’t the only one present in the room before the arrival of both alphas. There were about six other people in the room. They had also been badly injured. The air carried a faint metallic scent of blood mixed with healing herbs. Bandages wrapped their arms and legs, and soft groans filled the quiet space.

Even in their state of unease, they bowed to the alphas as they walked past them. Their movements were slow and respectful.

In turn, the alphas blessed their health by the moon goddess. Their voices carried warmth and authority that seemed to ease some of the pain in the room.

Whilst they did, all I could think of was healing them. I could feel their wolves. Their essences were stuck in a trap, hence the inability to heal themselves. All that was needed was release. The pull to help tugged at my chest, but I pushed it down for now.

I would pitch about helping to heal the others, but for now, I needed to see Ivy. My worry for her burned stronger than anything else.

As we stepped out of the room, we came across a man with grey eyes. He stopped before us and bowed to the alphas. His shoulders looked tired, and deep lines marked his face.

"We’re taking her to see Ivy. She says she can heal her. I believe her," Alpha Daisy said as the man straightened up. Her voice left no room for doubt.

He turned to me, giving me a once over. There was no warmth in his eyes. They were sunken and red, like he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in ages. He was old too, with silver strands in his hair and weathered skin.

"What do you know about healing, child? You yourself can barely stand on your own." His voice was rough, carrying the weight of many years.

It would be easy to pick offence at his obvious condescension. But I couldn’t do that. He was an old man who was obviously the healer they spoke about. He felt threatened, and it was only right that he defended his position. I could see the fatigue in the way his shoulders slumped slightly.

"I never learnt, I just know. I know what to do when someone’s in pain. I know what to do about different types of pain. Every body is peculiar, and so is how they heal. Trust me to help Ivy." My voice came out steadier than I felt. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"She was the one who went in to grab Ivy from the fire. No one knew she was in there. If it wasn’t for her, Ivy would be dead. I support Daisy in believing in her," Alpha Liam said to my surprise. His words carried quiet strength.

He didn’t have to take my side, especially because he was Alpha Ramon’s best friend. But he was, and I was grateful I had two alphas by my side. Their presence made the hallway feel less overwhelming.

Grey eyes began to soften, and as he looked at me, the guarded look he had on before was gone. Some of the hardness melted from his face.

"If you’re sure you can do it, then go ahead. But if anything happens to her, then it will be your fault."

He walked past us and entered into the room we just came from. His footsteps were slow and heavy.

Alpha Daisy picked up on her heels, dragging me along with her. Her hand stayed warm and firm around mine.

We walked forward a bit and stopped at an adjacent room. The door looked plain but sturdy, and the air here carried a stronger scent of burnt herbs and worry.

As her free hand touched the door handle, my heart skipped a beat. I could already feel him even before she opened the door, and we stepped into the room. His presence pressed against me like a storm cloud.

"Ramon," Alpha Daisy called as we entered the room.

He turned around, and our eyes met. Storming towards me, he stopped at arm’s length. His eyes burned with anger, dark and intense. The air between us felt charged and heavy.

"What did you do to her?!" He growled, and my heart jumped to my mouth. His voice was low and dangerous, sending a shiver down my spine.