Chapter 15 Atasha's POV 55 vouchers The air inside the tent was thick with smoke and sweat and the coppery scent of blood that clung to everything , my skin , my clothes , even my breath . Rain drummed against the canvas overhead in a steady rhythm . It was like a cruel lullaby that did nothing to soften the exhaustion clawing its way through my bones . The lanterns , already dim , flickered with each gust of wind that slipped in through the gaps . I believe I have done this ... seven times . Seven . Werewolves whose wounds should've killed them . Deep slashes through muscle . Arrows laced with toxins meant to paralyze even an Alpha . Throats torn open . Chests split nearly to the bone . Things no healer would touch . Things no werewolf could recover from in hours , let alone minutes . But I had done it . I had mended them , every one of them . A part of me had that sense of pride , something warm slowly blossoming inside my chest , but there was something else that I failed to say ... something that wasn't right . My hands were steady , but my vision blurred at the edges , like ink bleeding into parchment . The warmth that usually surged from my palms when I healed felt weaker , duller . It still worked , I knew it did . I'd just sealed the last of the lieutenant's wounds , smoothed his skin over like nothing had ever touched him . But as I sat back on my heels and gestured for Rio to carry the man away before he woke , my fingers wouldn't uncurl . " Take him ," I whispered . Rio stepped in without hesitation , lifting the soldier's weight as if it meant nothing . He gave me a sharp , respectful nod as he turned toward the tent flap . The lantern light caught on the edge of his armor , and for a moment , I could have sworn it looked like he was glowing . I started to rise . That was my mistake . The world tilted . My breath caught as a cold rush swept over me , like falling face - first into a frozen river . My knees buckled before I could catch myself , and then ... Cassian's arms were around me . He caught me like he'd been expecting it . I didn't even know he was standing that close to me . Did he notice it ? The exhaustion of my ability ? I immediately stilled . I only healed seven 11:04 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 15 : werewolves , and he had thousands of them . Seven is nothing . 81 55 vouchers " You should've said something , " he muttered , his voice sharp against my ears . He sounded annoyed . No. I knew he was annoyed . " I'm sorry , but ... I'm fine , " I whispered . His grip didn't loosen . " You're shaking ." " No , I'm not ." " Yes , you are . " I hated how close he was , how his warmth seeped through my damp cloak , grounding me in a way I didn't want to admit I needed . His scent , ash , cold steel , and something darker , wrapped around me like a second skin , threatening to pull me under . I tried to stand again , but the tent seemed to sway with me . From across the room , Mendez stepped forward , concerned in his eyes . " She's pale . " " I said I'm fine , " I repeated , forcing my voice to steady . " I can- I can heal more . You can ask Rio to bring in the next patient . " Cassian studied me in silence . His hand slid beneath my elbow , steadying me as he helped me into a nearby chair . I sank into it , grateful for the distance it created , even if it was only a few inches . " She's healed seven men tonight ," Mendez said , glancing at the flap where Rio had just disappeared . " Seven critical wounds . The kind that even wolves with Alpha blood wouldn't survive ." Cassian didn't look at him . His gaze was still on me and somehow that scared me . Does he think seven is too little ? What if he suddenly decide , my ability isn't useful after all ? " Are they combat - ready ? " he asked . Mendez nodded . " More than ready . Whatever she did ... it worked . Their vitals are stable , their strength returning quicker than I've ever seen . If we give them a few more hours ... no perhaps even thirty minutes , they'll be able to fight again . " Cassian grunted , folding his arms . " Good . We'll need them . " " Still ... " Mendez's voice dropped , " We're at a disadvantage . It's dark , it's pouring , and the terrain favors the Demon Fangs . They know this forest better than we do . The mud slows our men down , the roots trip them up . And their strikes are precise , meant to maim , not kill ." Cassian's eyes narrowed . " Because they want to draw it out . Drain morale . And they're not just 11:04 Wed , Sep 18 Chapter 15 fighting to defend anymore . They're hunting ." I felt a shiver crawl up my spine at that word - hunting . Yes . That's exactly what it was . All the wolves who had taken fatal hits tonight weren't just anyone . They were lieutenants . High - ranking and very skilled . It wasn't random . It felt like someone wanted to prove a point , show the entire northern command that even the strongest weren't safe . That no title , no bloodline , could shield you from what was coming . " I can keep going ," I said quietly , gripping the edge of the chair like it could anchor me . " Just give me a minute . " Cassian's gaze snapped back to mine . " No. You've done enough ." " But- " " Atasha . " My name left his mouth with a warning wrapped around it . Not loud . But sharp enough to cut . " Rest . " I nodded , biting back any argument . I needed to show him and show myself that I could be useful . In the end , I only managed to heal seven werewolves . It felt underwhelming , almost shameful . But then again , this was the first time I had ever pushed myself to use that ability . The first time I had tried to do something that mattered . Maybe disappointment was inevitable ... but at least I had tried . " Including Rio , " Mendez said , stepping forward , " We have seven armored lieutenants back on their feet ." He glanced at Rio , who had just stepped inside , soaked from the rain but alert as ever . " We've got a three - hour window before the sun rises . If we move before then , we'll have the terrain and visibility working for us - not against us ." Cassian said nothing . He just clenched his jaw and gave a slight nod . Even silent , he carried command like a second skin . I lowered my gaze , avoiding his steel - gray eyes . The air between us shifted again . " I - I believe I can help you ," I blurted , the words escaping before my mind could catch up . Damn it . I cursed myself internally . Why did my mouth always betray me when I needed it to stay shut ? Everyone's attention turned towards me . What the heck was I doing ? " Speak ," Cassian ordered . And just like that , I obeyed . I lifted my head , forcing myself to meet his gaze . " I - I know the terrain ," I said , the words rough at first . " Probably better than anyone else . " I hadn't meant to 11:04 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 15 ... 81 E55 vouchers stutter . It wasn't fear . He wasn't going to strangle me . It was ... It was the way I spoke aloud . Offering something without being dismissed , settled heavily on my chest . Since I failed to awaken , no one had ever asked me to speak . This moment , however small , was the first . However , before I could finish my words , a voice from outside the tent announced . " My lord , Luna Genevieve and Lady Celeste are here to see you ." AD Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!