Chapter 80

Claire POV

We pulled into the open area in front of the next mobile clinic near dawn.

I yawned as the small convoy of trucks came to a stop outside the tall canvas tents that served as a woodland clinic. We’d been driving all night since we left the last one, and had a few close calls with rogues along the way.

All I wanted was to unload supplies, get any updates and reports, then fall face first into my sleeping bag.

I’d been basically living on the road for a while now. The constant moving around, the ever-present threat of violence from roaming bands of rogues - it was beginning to take its toll.

And yet I also felt this incredible sense of purpose every single day. Like I was exactly where I needed to be, doing the work I was meant to do with my life.

Sometimes it felt like the entire kingdom was falling apart, like the world might end, but that sense of purpose kept me going.

Dr. Baldwin stepped out of the nearest tent and walked over to me.

I could have wept with gratitude when he handed me a fresh hot cup of coffee. Just the smell of it wafting in the chill early morning air was nearly electrifying.

“How was your journey?”

I sipped the hot coffee carefully, closing my eyes with pleasure at the taste. Then I opened my eyes and shrugged one shoulder.

“Pretty normal. A few brushes with stray rogues, but we didn’t run into larger groups.”

“Well, cheers to that,” he said, clinking his mug with mine and giving me one of his shy smiles.

“I have a report ready for you about the state of this clinic, and its current patients,” he went on. “But before that, tell me how you’re feeling. How have the headaches been?”

“Actually, despite the stress and lack of access to your wonderful healing sessions, I think they’ve improved. I still get them a lot, but they don’t last as long. And aren’t as bad overall.”

He frowned. “I’m glad you’ve been feeling better. I’d like to give you another healing while you’re here however, just to - ”

My name being shouted interrupted him, a booming voice that burst out of the darkness from the surrounding trees.

A voice I knew intimately.

One I hadn’t heard in weeks.

I looked around, confused.

Nathan??

And then I saw him, emerging from the deep shadows of the trees and heading straight for me.

Running. Calling my name.

My heart gave one long hard thump in my chest. And then I was moving toward him, calling back.

Then I was running too.

We met at the edge of the clearing, running right into each other’s arms.

And it felt like coming home.

Nathan POV

When I spotted Claire in the middle of the clearing, surrounded by all the hustles of the convoy unloading, so obviously alive and safe, I just couldn’t help myself.

I couldn’t stop from shouting her name, and from running to her.

Feeling her in my arms again was like nothing I’d ever felt before. I held onto her tightly, nearly undone by wave after wave of relief.

Claire was here. Claire was safe. Claire was in my arms again.

Where she belonged.

But then a feeling of grief spiked through me.

Did I even deserve this?

I thought about waking up in bed and looking over to see Sabrina smiling at me. Thought of her kissing me and telling me how much she’d enjoyed the night before.

Was it another one of her lies? Or had something actually happened between us?

My memories were slowly returning from the time I’d been under the influence of that awful tea, but I still wasn’t sure what happened.

I knew I wasn’t to blame even if something had. But I still drew away, feeling ashamed.

“What are you doing here??” she asked, staring up at me.

“I…” Where would I even start? “Is there somewhere we can talk, privately?”

She frowned, then looked around. “There are usually a few small tents where staff can take a break and get some sleep. It’s where I sleep when I get a chance too.

“Let’s go see if one is free.”

I followed Claire toward the main tent of the clinic and then around behind it. There were indeed half a dozen smaller tents arranged behind it. Claire checked a few, motioning me inside when she finally found one that was empty.

I looked around, curious. But there wasn’t much to see. Inside was just a single cot and a small table with a lamp on it.

“Is this how you’ve been living out here?” I asked in surprise. I had assumed a Royal princess would have more comfort.

She looked around as well, then shrugged. “It’s better than a sleeping blanket on the ground, which is what I do when we’re too far in between clinics and need to stop for the night.

“Nathan, what do you need to say? I can tell you’re avoiding something. Look at me.”

I had been looking anywhere but at her. Now I had no choice.

“Tell me what’s going on,” she said, her voice so soft and gentle that it broke through the wall of defense I’d been desperately trying to build.

And everything came spilling out.

I told her about Sabrina and the tea, the way she’d made me think we’d slept together so I’d feel guilty and stay away. The way she’d slowly been trying to take control of the pack away from me.

Her expression darkened as she listened, and when I was finished I braced myself. I was fully prepared for her to reject me again.

And I didn’t know if I could blame her if she did.

But when she finally spoke, it became clear that her anger wasn’t toward me at all.

“Sabrina!” she cried. “Will she never stop scheming?? When will enough be enough for her?”

I was flooded again with relief that Claire hadn’t rejected me, but realized there wasn’t time for any more personal business.

We had a Royal Alpha to save.

“Listen, there’s more,” I said. “We captured a rogue just before you arrived. Sabrina has been working with the Alphas of other packs, she’s the one behind these attacks.

“He also told me that there’s a plan to take out your father.”

Her anger toward Sabrina instantly faded into concern. “My father? He’s back at the palace. We need to warn him!”

She rushed out of the tent, calling for a truck. I called for Evan and my soldiers, who all piled in with us. We left immediately.

But when we got to the palace, we found out we were too late.

“Uncle already left,” Catherine said when we all burst into the Royal Alpha’s conference room. She was sitting with several staff members, going over supplies lists.

“Haven’t you heard? Sabrina’s moved up the cooperation ceremony.”

My heart sank. She really was going to try to steal Silverfang pack for herself.

“But what does that have to do with Dad?” Claire asked.

“He’s on his way to Silverfang territory now,” Catherine answered.

“He’s going to try to stop the ceremony himself.”

I cursed.

The Royal Alpha, traveling outside his own territory, in secret.

He might as well have just handed himself over to Sabrina and her allies on a silver platter.