Page 40 of Chased By My Grumpy Alpha
Her joy is contagious. I find myself caught up in it despite the rage still simmering in my veins. “What will you do?”
“Andrew and I are going to run his herb shop together.”
Again with that damned human man.
“He says I know more about curative plants than anyone he’s ever met.” Unaware of my growing irritation, Astra practically bounces on her toes as she starts walking again, energy radiating from her despite her injuries. “We’ll help people. Real people who genuinely want my help, not pack members who see me as a necessary evil.” She looks over her shoulder at me again. “My mother taught me everything she knew before she died. She was an incredible healer. The most gifted the Silver Stone Pack ever produced, according to the old-timers.”
“What happened to her knowledge when she died?”
Her voice turns fierce, protective. “Healer Morrigan tried to take all of my mother’s journals and research notes after the funeral. Said they belonged to the pack, not to me.”
“But you kept them.” I’m fascinated now. Astra is not as meek as she appears.
“Every single one. I hid them. And I’ve spent the last sixteen years studying them, learning her techniques, improving on her remedies.” She grins at me. “I’ve tried new preparations on myself, tested antidotes of different poisons. That’s how I knew how to treat your wolfsbane poisoning.”
I stop in my tracks. “You developed a cure for wolfsbane? Is that what you gave me?”
She grins at me. “Technically, I developed a treatment that neutralizes it. The paste draws out the poison before it can spread too much.” She tilts her head. “Why? Is that important?”
Important? Wolfsbane has been considered incurable for centuries. Healers across the kingdom have tried and failed to find a remedy. The fact that this woman not only succeeded but also doesn’t realize the impact of her discovery…
“It’s incredible,” I say finally, staring at her. This slip of a woman has been treated like garbage by her own pack, and she is possibly one of the most valuable people in the kingdom. The knowledge she carries could revolutionize shifter medicine. I don’t like the idea of her experimenting on herself, but she’s clearly very intelligent. She’s an asset. And she’s going to be an asset to the humans now.
The thought of her human fiancé brings me back to reality with an unpleasant jolt. Astra isn’t some treasure I’ve discovered; she’s a woman trying to escape to her chosen life.
“Tell me about him,” I say as we resume our walk, side by side now on a wider trail. “Andrew.” Let me see if I can convince her he’s not worth it.
“Oh, he’s wonderful.” Her entire face lights up. “Sweet and gentle, and he really listens when I talk. He never makes me feel stupid or worthless or like I’m a burden.”
“How did you meet?” I ask sullenly, my wolf growling inside my mind.
“I saved his life a few years ago. He was looking for herbs in the forest and got attacked by a shadow bear. I managed to drive it off and get him to safety.” She grins. “He’s been buying herbs from me ever since.”
“And he knows what you are?”
“That I’m a shifter? Yes. Don’t tell anyone, though.” She looks nervous. “I know it’s not allowed and all. He doesn’t care about the latent wolf thing, though. Says I’m perfect exactly as Iam.” Her cheeks flush pink. “He asked me to marry him just a few days before I had to run.”
The happiness in her voice when she talks about this human makes my throat feel tight. I tell myself it’s just concern for her safety—after all, a human can’t protect her the way a shifter could—but the feeling sits heavier than simple worry.
“You love him.”
“I...” She hesitates, then nods. “I think I do. I mean, I’ve never really been loved before, so I’m not sure what it’s supposed to feel like. But when I’m with him, I feel valued. Wanted.”
Her honesty is like a punch to the gut. She’s so grateful for basic kindness that she thinks it might be love.
“And he makes you happy.”
“Very happy.” She smiles that radiant smile again. “For the first time in my life, someone wants me around. Not because I’m useful, not because I can do things others won’t, but just because he likes who I am.”
She deserves kindness, deserves someone who values her. But all I can think about is this human man who doesn’t understand what a miracle he’s getting, who can’t possibly appreciate the treasure that’s being placed in his hands.
“Lucian?” She’s studying me with concern. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? Because you keep getting this weird expression on your face. Is it your injury?”
I force my features into a more neutral expression. “No, just thinking about how foolish your alpha is.”
