Chapter 0388

Theodore

I tied my hair back and picked up the clipboard to review the medical inventory. Isabella had always maintained meticulous records, ordering supplies through Alexander whenever stocks ran low. Continuing her system felt like a small way to honor her memory.

Becoming the new pack physician was never my intention. Yet among those Isabella trained, I possessed the most experience. Our growing population of Wolves and Lycans demanded a dedicated doctor.

I checked each item, compiling a list of necessities. Treating Brianna's gunshot wound and now Hannah had depleted our reserves significantly.

The front door creaked open then slammed shut. I peered around the corner but found no one. The air carried no unfamiliar scents. Just the wind, I concluded. Though accustomed to solitude, this place amplified my loneliness.

I collected a fresh IV bag and headed toward Hannah's room. Her bed stood empty.

"Hannah?" I called out, thinking she might have woken and visited the bathroom. "HANNAH?"

Silence answered me. For a moment I wondered if she had stumbled out the front door. Then a faint moan reached my ears.

I yanked the bathroom door open. She startled me badly.

She lay unconscious with her face pressed against the toilet bowl, blood smeared across the porcelain. Rolling her over revealed torn stitches. Luc would murder me if this kept happening. Last time he threatened to remove certain body parts.

I lifted her from the floor and carried her back to bed. After setting up a new IV, I cleaned her wound and restitched her face. Hopefully Luc wouldn't notice.

As I finished, she mumbled Levi's name. The monster who did this to her. Cruelty didn't begin to describe it. I thought forced bonds were horrific. Learning Athena endured four bonds sickened me. But this...no words could describe it. He deserved to rot.

Hannah coughed and rolled onto her side, reaching for the water jug.

"I'll get it." I rushed to prevent her knocking it over.

I filled a cup and inserted a straw. Helping her sit up, she groaned as her deep chestnut eyes met mine. "Where's Luc?" Her voice came out raspy.

"He went to assist Alexander. He'll return soon."

"Am I safe?"

"Yes."

"I made it?"

"Yes."

She nodded and sipped through the straw. She was an unusual person. Or had been. A Lycan who couldn't shift. I hadn't researched her condition yet, but she believed her captors' drugs caused it.

From my recent studies, I suspected otherwise.

Hannah closed her eyes. "I have a message."

"A message?"

"Levi said I am the message."

"You are the message?" I repeated. She gave a faint nod and lazily pushed red hair from her face.

"Where's Luc?" she asked again, her eyes barely open.

"He'll be back soon," I reassured. "Can I get you anything?"

She shook her head weakly. "I ran. I ran as fast as I could." Her fingers twitched. "Why aren't I healing?"

Luc must have told her already. Her memory seemed affected.

"Levi took your Lycan abilities. Remember?"

She frowned, lips parting slightly. She nodded slowly then shook her head.

"You can't heal anymore, Hannah."

"You're wrong." She snapped defensively. "I can heal. I've always healed."

I lifted her arm, showing the purple bruises covering her skin. "You've been here almost four days."

She examined her arm then looked at the other equally bruised limb. "He pinned me down."

She sounded like she was trying to convince herself.