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Healer Rhea's POV

It was both a blessing and a curse to be in such a position as Healer, a well-respected and diverse one at that. But with that came an entitlement that Rhea wasn't all that sure if she qualified to have.

Course, Alpha Stephen had fought tooth and nail to have her own infirmary established, but that came with the benefit of housing others from out of town—And with her worry of the pups catching a cold from visiting packs, it made things difficult to mandate and control.

Not to mention that researching a potential vaccine or cure was eating away in her free time.

Rhea couldn't remember the last time she had picked up a book for pleasure, not when there was so much work to be done or planning—And with such an unpredictable schedule, it made something so simple as sleep turn her on edge.

It wasn't the first time she'd been woken up in the middle of the night with an urgency like no other.

Yet here and now, it was difficult to gauge the times of aliments. Granted, the space and support of the Alpha came with the ability to train two other women—A she-wolf that went by the name of Noira, while Sadie held the same blood as Rhea herself.

Human.

Though it seemed that Noira was requested highly by Alpha Stephen as she was most certainly top of her class and onto something more than just the average warrior—Even if her training schedule clashed with the better part of the healing lessons. It meant that there would be a Healer on the next hunting trip or something of the sort.

Rhea adored the idea of the help of some kind, and come the second week, they were certainly living up to her high expectations. Even if those around her had made comments about being a hard-ass.

She knew better than to think too deeply of that sort of thing, being a hard-ass in a situation where it could be life or death meant everything.

Both Noira and Sadie had found out that this job was not for the faint-hearted. Their first week consisted of a hunting trip going wrong, a premature birth, and a handful of sick pups.

Leaving Noira to feel awfully protective of them when they stayed overnight for observation—Ultimately leaving the Healer nook to have another set of beds when Rhea couldn't bother Cedric to give her an escort home.

Yes. Even a month later, an escort was necessary. It meant that the threat of Rogues was just as dangerous as it was then, if not more. And Rhea's concern had sky-rocketed, even if she continued to read the King's newest statements as though it were a morning paper to pair with her coffee.

She wanted to stay up to date with everything, and the news remained the same. Enforcers were making their rounds through the packs and Rhea had felt the reminder of the King's up and coming arrival with the first wave of his guard making their way through and mingling with the pack's warriors.

When she had gone by the name Amory, there was hardly a moment when eyes weren't on her at all times. Even behind closed doors, there was an ear out—Where she would eat a meal that had a few bites taken from each portion, insinuating that there was a threat of poison to be found.

And it never helped that her father was overly protective, especially after the death of her mother.

Yet here, she could walk in front of them with ease, and it wasn't that difficult to spot the familiar faces considering she had been introduced when each group had arrived. Clearly, they were taking their time and not addressing the growing concerns, but Rhea knew the right questions to ask Alpha Stephen when he was otherwise preoccupied.

Unrest was taking the country by storm, and Rhea realized that the outer packs were important for the Kingdom's well-being. But she was thankful she could be ignorant, that she wasn't in a position that required her to make a decision, the stress of being a Healer was much more hands-on and direct.

Rhea knew she couldn't help everyone, but seeing it firsthand was much better than in a council room.

"Healer Rhea, does this look right?" Sadie's voice had broken her train of thought as she placed down her current notes and turned to look at the built work desk her pupils were given.

Giving her an encouraging smile and patting her on the shoulder. "Fantastic, how about you get cleaned up and when this boils down and cools, you can deliver it to the families who ordered it."

It wasn't a myth that the confinements of the Healer's lair weren't as spacious as it was made out to be, but it was practical—And perhaps in the years it would grow right along with the pack.

"I can put an order in at the kitchens?" That was a brilliant idea, and Rhea nodded eagerly while Noira groaned in a sigh of relief. "I never thought I would wish for a human nose, please—I need a raw steak after dealing with the herbs." The three shared a laugh while Sadie undressed from her apron and protective gear. Leaving Rhea alone with Noira, allowing for a bit of one-on-one tutoring.

And sure, they wouldn't be able to work on their own, but it still would save her a few visits when it was simple cases. However, when Sadie came back in the infirmary with a distraught look on her face, Rhea frowned.

"Sadie? Is everything alright?"

"There's so many Enforcers, t-they're—" As a human, it was sometimes overwhelming at the idea of being near a group of shifters. And some wolves, much like the Rogues, like to display dominance.

Rhea didn't doubt there were still wolves who felt empowered that they have their Alpha as King. That entitled drifted into their actions towards the human population—Even if others were kind, their mannerisms switched between specious.

Ultimately leaving the separation to remain.

Red Moon pack was rather diverse, but their pack was not the same as every other pack. Their rules weren't kingdom-wide, and that was what worried Rhea to no end. "How about we make a fresh cup of tea?" Her question had diverted the tension in the room, and with Noira having a direct line to the pack's link, Rhea was left to assume that her pupil would divulge when any news concerned them.

"I don't think it's anything to worry about, they're headed back to the kingdom but still needed to check here." It wasn't ideal, but Rhea was hopeful that this could possibly mean business for the surrounding shops and goods. She knew that the wool was outstanding, or so says visitors who made comments about the quality.

Making Rhea all the happier that she decided to plant her roots here.

"Anything else?...What about the Rogues?" Sadie wanted information just as much as any human, but Noira shook her head with a frown. "No, the better links are blocked out from me. But I can ask around during training tomorrow, see if the Delta knows anything." That seemed to settle Sadie enough to focus on her tea, but ultimately left the cooling potion to wait a few extra minutes before Sadie had decided to make her way out with a pack warrior at her side.

Even if her shoulders were hunched in fear about a large wolf just waiting for trouble, she still persevered and continued forward to her task.

"There are a lot of Enforcers on the pack grounds, I wonder if they heard a rumor." Rhea frowned at Noira's observation out the window, but seeing so many unfamiliar faces were starting to become the norm.

"I hope things start to ease up, the last thing we need is a pack falling apart," Noira claimed, yet Rhea hadn't even known that was a possibility. "Which pack is at risk for falling?"

"As of right now, we're higher ranked than a good portion of the rest of the packs surrounding the kingdom. It's probably why the Alpha build the infirmary." Rhea perked her lips and glanced down at her mug, one that she's had for close to a decade and was sturdy as the day she purchased it.

Was this why the Alpha Stephan had wanted her as a Luna?

Yet another thought appeared, one that didn't leave no matter how much tea she drank or tasks she had built up on her to-do list. And the fear continued to trickle down to her heart and planted itself there.

Making her feel ill, anxious even—And Cedric's familiar company on the carriage ride home hadn't offered anything. Not when the unfamiliar faces continued to spike her panic.

What if the Kingdom was hunting her down?

What if the Kingdom knew she was alive?

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Date: 04/20/23

Time: 2:34

Words: 1500