Chapter 0353

I glance at Isolde. "Do any require continuous medical care?" She turns to the physician.

"Most won't need intensive treatment," the doctor replies. "But they'll need supervision when they wake. Food, water, and rest to regain strength. A few, however, will need ongoing medical attention. I assume your pack hospital isn't functional?"

"Correct." I attempt to push myself up, but two pairs of hands press me back down—Isolde's and Adrian's.

"We've got this, brother," Adrian says firmly. "Let yourself heal. Sebastian, Isolde, and I can handle things."

"Brother?" The word catches me off guard. After everything, I never expected Adrian to truly forgive me.

"You're mated to a Guardian," he states, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Past grievances don't matter now. You're family. And I take family seriously."

"Very seriously," Sebastian adds dryly from behind him. "You'll get used to it. Though, fair warning—it's weird."

Adrian rises, shaking his head before fixing me with a look. "You should follow doctor's orders. Eat. Rest."

"I'll rest when my pack is settled."

"Spoken like a true Alpha." He extends a hand to help me up. "But at least sit while you eat. Supervise from there."

Standing makes my vision swim. Isolde is instantly at my side, sliding my arm over her shoulders. She guides me to a table, pulls out a chair, then signals Rosalind to bring soup and water.

As I eat, I watch Isolde organize the injured. Those who live in the packhouse are returned to their rooms. Others are taken home. Mates are assigned to stay with them; for those without, omegas volunteer as caretakers, instructed to alert Isolde if anything changes.

One of Adrian's warriors enters with a patrol update—then freezes, nostrils flaring. "Mate!" His gaze darts around until it lands on Beatrice, the gardener. Her face mirrors his dazed excitement. "Mate," she breathes.

"Two down," Isolde murmurs, collecting my empty bowl.

"Two?"

"Donovan found his, too." She nods toward where he assists the doctor, his devotion already obvious. His mate seems equally smitten. Maybe this will finally convince him to accept the Gamma position.

"What about Leopold and Lillian?"

"Right—three, then." She exhales. "Sebastian approves of your pack gathering idea. Clearly, it's needed. I'll miss Beatrice—she's an excellent worker—but we're gaining a doctor from Sebastian's pack, so that balances out."

I observe as the injured are relocated, soup distributed. Twenty-two wounded, only two critical. Adrian offers to transfer them to his pack hospital for proper care.

"Sebastian and I will leave warriors to reinforce your patrols," Adrian says. "They'll alert us via pack link if you're attacked again. Also—" He gestures to the warrior now deep in conversation with Beatrice. "I'd like Sebastian to stay. To bond with his mate."

"Beatrice," I supply. "Of course. I'm glad our members are finding their matches."

"Sebastian mentioned your idea for pack gatherings. We should discuss it. Soon."

"There's much to discuss with you both. This weekend, if things stabilize here."

Adrian nods. "We'll head out now. Update me tomorrow." He clasps my shoulder. "Hope to see you and your mate this weekend."

As he informs Sebastian he can stay, Beatrice's face lights up like a solstice bonfire. She takes Sebastian's hand, and I'd wager they'll be fully mated by dawn.

"Come on, old man," Isolde teases, slipping behind me. "Bedtime."

I stand, pulling her close. "We've had this talk before, Little Alpha. I'm not old."

"Prove it when you're healed," she counters, leading me upstairs. Wrapped in her cherry blossom scent, I finally surrender to sleep.