Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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After dinner, Cassia stood by her bedroom window, watching the people of the pack going about their daily routines. Their laughter and chatter drifted faintly into her room, but she felt detached, like a ghost in someone else’s life.
Her mother’s words echoed in her mind.
Damien is a good man…
She knew it was true. He was kind, stable, generous. But no matter how much she tried, she couldn’t open her heart. Not yet. Aiden’s betrayal had left a wound so deep, she doubted it would ever truly heal.
Sighing, she turned from the window and made her way downstairs for a glass of water. As she reached the hallway, she spotted Kael walking in her direction.
“Uncle Kael,” she called.
He stopped, eyes flicking toward her, visibly surprised. Her use of uncle caught him off guard. She had never called him that before.
“Yes, Cassia,” he replied, voice cool as always.
She felt the chill in his tone. Maybe he didn’t like the title. Maybe it reminded him of something, or someone.
*I heard Damien was going to see you earlier. Did he find you p>
“He did p>
She nodded, then hesitated before speaking again.
“I know… we haven’t really talked in years. But I haven’t had the chance to thank you for saving my life, and my son’s. So… thank you, truly p>
Kael’s expression softened just barely.
“You don’t owe me anything,” he said flatly. “Just don’t take Seraphina’s kindness for granted p>
“I won’t,” she promised.
He gave a small nod, then turned and walked away. She watched him go, a lingering sense of unease gnawing at her.
There was something strange about Kael. It wasn’t just his grief. Something deeper. Something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
Cassia walked into the kitchen. Only one maid was there, Helen. The young woman bowed slightly, and Cassia nodded back as she opened the fridge.
Then came the sudden, sickening thud,
“Helen?” Cassia spun around.
The maid lay collapsed on the floor.
“Helen!” Cassia rushed to her side, panic rising.
She wasn’t responding.
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Chapter 28
“Help! Somebody help!” Cassia screamed.
Within moments, two guards and Kael rushed into the room.
“What happened?” Kael demanded.
“I don’t know, she just fell. We need to get her to the hospital, now p>
Kael turned to the guards. “Pick her up p>
“Wait!” Cassia shouted. The guards froze.
“What is it?” Kael asked, confused.
“Something’s wrong. Don’t touch her without gloves p>
She ran to a cabinet and grabbed a box of disposable gloves, handing them out quickly.
Kael frowned but obeyed, pulling them on before lifting Helen with the others.
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At the hospital, they hooked Helen up to a drip, but her condition continued to worsen. The waiting area was full, patients were arriving one after another, all with the same symptoms.
Cassia caught a passing nurse. “Chloe, what’s going on p>
“We don’t know. People are fainting, running fevers, and developing rashes. It’s spreading fast p>
“All of them?” Cassia asked, her voice tightening.
“Yes, ma’am. Same symptoms p>
Cassia’s heart dropped. That meant Helen had it too. And whatever it was,it was contagious.
She returned to her office, overwhelmed by questions. Why now? Why this pack?
She decided to check on Helen again. The drip was nearly finished, but Helen looked worse. Pale. Burning hot to the touch. Her skin was blotched with dark rashes.
Cassia drew blood and hurried to the lab, but the results confused her. The infection didn’t resemble anything she’d studied.
She returned to Helen’s room just as Damien entered.
“Thank the Goddess,” she breathed. “Damien, have you heard what’s going on p>
“I’ve seen it. Patients keep arriving. What’s happening p>
“I don’t know. I think Helen’s infected too. Be careful, don’t touch her p>
Damien froze mid-step and nodded grimly.
“I’ll make sure the others are attended to,” he said, already heading out.
Just then, her phone rang. Seraphina.
“Cassia, what’s happening? The Council just called me p>
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Chapter 28
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“We don’t know yet, Mom. Everyone’s showing the same symptoms. I’ll run more tests and do some research. But right now… nothing p>
“I’m coming to the hospital p>
“No, you can’t. It’s too risky. We don’t know if it’s airborne or spreads through contact. Just… trust me. I’ve got it handled p>
Seraphina hesitated, then sighed and ended the call.
Cassia turned on her computer and began compiling a list of symptoms: fainting, pale skin, high fever, blackened rashes…
She paused.
This looked familiar.
Her mind flashed back to college. She’d visited an old healer with her mother, and watched her treat a patient with similar symptoms. The woman had used a rare herb…Moonroot.
Cassia’s eyes widened. She bolted from her office, out of the hospital, into the night.
Under the moonlight, she searched the woods, growing more desperate by the minute. Just when she was ready to give up, she stepped on something soft.
She knelt down.
Moonroot.
Relief flooded her chest. “Thank you, Moon Goddess p>
She gathered as much as she could and raced back to the hospital.
Damien met her at the entrance. “Where were you p>
“To get the cure,” she said, brushing past him and heading to the lab.
He followed her, eyes narrowing.
“What are those?” he asked, watching her unpack the leaves.
“Moonroot. I saw it used once to treat a disease with similar symptoms. I’m not sure, but… it’s worth trying p>
They worked through the night, converting the plant into liquid form. By 4 a.m., they had dozens of vials.
Cassia’s hands trembled as she held the first dose.
“Let’s try,” she whispered.
In Helen’s ward, she hesitated, eyes darting between the serum and the unconscious maid.
“What if it doesn’t work?” she murmured.
“I trust you,” Damien said quietly, “Go on p>
Cassia drew the serum into a syringe and injected it.
“This is supposed to strengthen the wolf and make the healing start in an instant”
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Chapter 28
They waited.
Five minutes.
Ten.
Nothing.
Then, a sneeze.
“Ma’am?” Helen whispered weakly.
Cassia’s hands flew to her mouth. “Oh my Goddess… it worked p>
“Let’s get it to the others,” Damien said.
They distributed the serum across the hospital. One by one, the infected began to wake.
Cassia couldn’t stop smiling. Exhausted but grateful.
Damien walked her back to her office. As they entered, Cassia swayed on her feet.
“Whoa…hey…” Damien caught her before she fell.
Their eyes met. Time slowed.
Cassia swallowed hard, her heart racing. Damien’s gaze softened as he leaned in, slowly, deliberately…
And then his lips were on hers.
TBC
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