Chapter 73

Royal Alpha POV

Back at the palace, after yet another fruitless visit to a neighboring pack, I stood in my crowded board room. I was surrounded by advisors and commanders all talking to and over each other at once, while messengers came and went.

Despite the bustle around me, I struggled to feel like anything was actually getting done.

We were doing our best to manage this horrible situation, but the simple truth was that our resources were dwindling.

It wouldn’t be long before we faced being completely overrun by the bands of rogues plaguing every border of the kingdom.

There were so many parallels between what was happening right now and my earliest days on the throne, when it seemed like the entire world was in chaos.

I’d fought long and hard to bring peace to my pack, and to the realm itself.

How could I do anything but keep trying to do the same now?

And yet…

While I was surprised at how easily I had slipped back into the role of warrior and commander, seeing my kingdom slide back into the chaos of war was breaking my heart to pieces.

Looking around the room, I could read that same hurt and confusion on the faces of everyone around me.

Something needed to be done. And soon.

We couldn’t last much longer.

“Alpha, I have the report you’ve been waiting for,” my Beta murmured.

Finally.

I had ordered Garrett to quietly gather as much information as he could from the other packs.

“What have you found?” I asked, taking a seat.

He settled into a chair beside me and turned away from the room, his voice pitched low.

“There seems to be an agreement between a number of packs. Specifically those who fought or stood against you in some way when you first took the throne.”

I knew it. My old enemies were somehow at the heart of what was happening now.

“Many Alphas have issued orders to their entire packs not to send aid or assist the Royal pack in any way. Some people are ignoring those orders, risking punishment or even exile in order to come with supplies, or to lend their skills.”

Touched, I listened to the rest of Garrett’s report. As he listed the warriors and doctors, the tradesmen and others who were all coming in from other packs to assist us, my heart warmed considerably.

“Issue a decree,” I said when he finished his report. “Anyone who comes to help us will have my protection. And we will welcome them into our pack with open arms, if their own packs exile them for coming.”

There were still good people in this world. I needed to remember that, and take care of them best I could.

But I was still deeply troubled. My enemies were working against me again - but why now?

And who else might be involved?

I looked up as Claire arrived, working her way through the crowded room.

“There you are, darling!” I said as I stood, feeling my mood shift just by seeing her.

Then I felt a touch of worry as she drew closer.

The poor girl’s face was pale, with dark circles under her eyes. She’d lost some weight, if I wasn’t mistaken.

She looked worried, and tired.

I knew she’d been working hard at the clinic, taking care of the injured being brought in almost daily. But it was only now I realized what that must have been like, day in and day out.

“How are you?” I asked, bending so I could kiss her cheek.

“Better now,” she said with a smile. “Amelia is here! She arrived yesterday.”

I blinked in surprise. “Your friend from the Silverfang clinic? What on earth is she doing here?”

“I reached out to her a few days ago, asking if she had any supplies for the clinic. We’ve been dealing with so many injured lately, everything is low.”

“I’m so sorry, my dear. I wish…”

Claire held my hand for a moment. “I know, Dad. You’re doing everything you can. Which is why I have a proposal for you.”

We sat down at the table. “What is it?”

“Well, not only has Amelia come with supplies, she brought nurses and doctors with her as well! And she’s told her friends in other packs, and now that they know it’s okay to come…”

She trailed off, looking troubled. “Dad, did you know other Alphas have told their people not to come?”

I glanced up at Beta Garrett, who stood at a discreet distance. “I’ve just been informed. We’re still trying to figure out why.”

“I hope you find out soon. But now that her friends know we’ll take any help we can get, more people are on the way! The clinic is going to be fully stocked and staffed again within a week.”

“Darling, that’s wonderful news! I’m so happy to hear it. So what is your proposal? Do you need more money to pay the new staff?”

“I will, yes. But…What I’m proposing before that, however, is a series of mobile clinics. Now that our clinic here is well staffed, I think we should start going out to where the injured are.”

Raising an eyebrow, I sat back in my chair. “That’s a wonderful idea, Claire. Tell me more.”

I listened to her plan, so carefully thought out and organized, with growing admiration for my daughter.

She had worked up a detailed plan for the supplies they’d need, the vehicles, the staff, and the places where they could set up temporary clinics close to the borders. She even had a folder full of lists, diagrams and other information.

“With these mobile clinics, we’ll be able to provide immediate care for those who need it most. While also taking the load off of the medics out with the soldiers.

“With their limited training, the medics can only do so much. We these clinics we can do a lot more.”

I smiled at my daughter, a surge of pride warming my heart. “Claire, this is an absolutely brilliant idea. And a wonderful plan. I can see you’ve spent a lot of time on this.”

“I’m glad you think so, Dad. I’ve been thinking about it a lot.” She paused, taking a breath as if to brace herself before continuing. “I’ve been thinking about something else as well:

“I want to go out into the field. I want to be the one to set up these clinics, and treat the wounded.”

My heart, so full and bright a moment ago, sank when I heard her words.

“Claire - do you really think that’s for the best? You’re a Princess, the head of the clinic, and our most talented healer in a generation - or perhaps forever.

“Shouldn’t you stay here, while others go out and set up the temporary clinics?”

But I knew by the determined look on her face, the strength of her gaze, she was already convinced.

“No, Dad. I need to be out there exactly because I’m such a strong healer. I can save lives that would otherwise be lost.

“And I think it’s important that people see a Princess is out there helping them. The same way you told me it’s important that they see their Alpha when you make your own tours of the borders.”

She had several good points, and I found I couldn’t argue with any of them.

And still, I felt like a shard of ice had lodged itself deep into my chest.

My daughter wanted to go out where the fighting was the worst, putting herself directly into danger.

Claire wanted to go out into what was threatening to become an all-out war.