Page 5 of Lycan Prince's Secret Baby

“Maria,” I instructed, “Mark will take you to the patient.” I felt the tension coiling around us, thick and palpable, with each passing second stretching out and making the council chamber feel crowded. As the healer and my assistant left, the council only seemed to feel more crowded even though only we three seated Moonlights, the two patrol soldiers, and Leah remained.

Irritation flared through me as I noticed that the Moonlight soldier stillhad his hand around Leah’s upper arm. The urge to snap at him to unhand her seared through me, but I smothered it.

“The Blood Moons will think they can do whatever they want after this,” Sam grumbled, his frustration radiating in waves.

Beside me, Emily narrowed her eyes, nodding her head. “This doesn’t clear her of wrongdoing. Leah still has to answer for stealing.” Her tone sliced through the tension, and my heart thumped hurriedly.

“You’re right,” Sam readily agreed, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned back in his chair, narrowing his eyes at Leah.“The council can’t let theft go unpunished. We have to oversee Igaluk’s justice.”

Anger rushed through me as I sat there, feeling torn between the past and the new feelings that burbled within me. The Blood Moons had been proved treacherous. Didn’t the hollow loss that beat through me as I thought of my mother prove that? But Leah had told the truth. My wolf rose up within me, urging me, in a primal and raw growl,“Protect Leah.”

I made a snap decision. “I will oversee Leah’s punishment. She will serve as my personal maid.”

Sam’s face flushed with indignation as he leaned forward, gripping the table. “This is madness, Kyle. She’s a potential threat, and now you want her to stay under your roof?”

My heart raced as I forced my palms flat on the table, curbing the anger at having my command questioned again. “If she’s a threat, it’s better that I keep an eye on her, isn’t it?” I countered, my voice steady but laced with rising tension.

Before either Elder Sam or Emily could protest again, I turned my gaze to the Moonlight soldiers. “Escort Leah back to her cabin.” I allowed my eyes to meet Leah’s. “You’re to pack your belongings, and the patrol will bring you to my house shortly.” I congratulated myself on my clipped and clear instructions.

Although, I could feel the heat rising within me beneath Leah’s stare. It was as if she were summoning something elemental from deep within me. Her eyes were storm clouds, while my blood was the sea, roiling and wanting nothing more than to rise up to meet her.

As the soldiers flanked her out of the room, I watched her retreating figure and felt my resolve settle more confidently. This was the right course of action. After all, here was a Blood Moon who had made me doubt that she had evil intent. What I’d said to Sam hadn’t been incorrect. I would be better positioned to root out Leah’s long-term schemes and designs if she were under my observation.

But as Leah disappeared and something within me started to prowl at her loss, I wondered whether it was suspicion or something else urging me to bring her closer.

“Yes, you don’t want to expose her so much as make her yours,”my wolf rumbled.

I clenched my jaw, burying the absurd taunt from my beast.

Chapter 3

Leah

Only when the Moonlight patrol brought me back to my cabin did the guard release his iron grip. I knew I’d have finger-shaped bruises, but considering how hopeless I’d felt when I was dragged into the council, I counted myself lucky to escape with that injury alone.

“Be quick about it,” the soldier instructed tersely.

I didn’t need to be told twice; I hurried into the rickety cabin.

Despite having witnessed Kyle order treatment for Mary, the drumbeat of my heart echoed through me. I refused to believe it until I saw such a miracle with my own eyes.

As I crossed the threshold, my gaze locked onto the neat figure of Healer Maria in the flickering lantern light. The minty scent wafting through the air told me she was administering the same remedy I’d intended to give Mary earlier. The healer’s movements were poised and practiced, and her hands were steady as she worked. The fresh pomenta was mixed with a hint of citrus. My herbalist knowledge kicked in. I recognized the citrus as Lemonwood, known for its anti-microbial properties and often used to bolster the immune system. The tart aroma banished the odors of sweat and sickness.

A breath rushed out of me. I pressed my back against the rough wall, feeling as if my lungs were working at half their capacity. Mary was getting medicine. It seemed like such a momentous victory, and I allowed myself a moment of stillness.

But that silence erupted as my other two packmates, who shared our cabin, spotted me. “Leah!” they cried in unison.

Despite everything that had happened tonight, the corners of my lips lifted as both Lucy and Phoebe made a beeline for me.

“We were so worried,” Phoebe exclaimed. Her soft brown eyes drank me in, and her chestnut curls tumbled over her shoulders. Lucy beamed at me, nearly squealing. She was the youngest of us, only seventeen—the baby of our cabin. Her delicate frame and porcelain skin accentuated her youth.

Before they could reach me, Healer Maria snapped, “Silence! I’m trying to work.”

Lucy halted as if she’d run into a brick wall. Phoebe’s eyes widened, and she settled for patting my arm—the sore one. I fought back a grimace, but she noticed it all the same. Her gaze narrowed as she inspected me for other signs of mistreatment.

My friends retreated to their respective beds, taking the healer’s rebuke to heart. Like me, they were on edge, worried that if we so much as breathed too loudly, the healer would withdraw her precious care.

My bed was beside Mary’s. I stole a glance at my friend as I removed the few belongings from under my bed. I knew both Phoebe and Lucy’s attention was on me, but I walked on eggshells with the healer present. Thankfully, my friends took their cue from me and remained silent.

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