Chapter 0079

"I need another blood sample, and you need to eat a full meal."

"Fine. What exactly are you testing for?"

"We're monitoring how Selene is progressing with eliminating the venom."

"She told me it's working. The marks have disappeared."

Genevieve cuts in. "Look at her neck, doctor. The bruises are still there, but the puncture wounds are completely gone."

Dr. Whitmore examines both sides of my neck, his expression shifting to satisfaction. "Good. Let me run these tests. Eat the food your father brought, and I'll process your discharge."

I'm starving. The meal Dad brought is a thousand times better than last night's bland hospital food. By the time I finish, I feel stronger. When Dr. Whitmore returns, I'm ready to leave.

"Alright," he tells Dad and me. "You're cleared to go, but I need you back tomorrow for more tests. Possibly Thursday too, depending on tomorrow's results."

Genevieve stays to help me change while Dad retrieves the car and Nathaniel heads to afternoon training. I eye her. "Won't you get in trouble for skipping?"

A mischievous grin spreads across her face. "Nope. When your dad barred Alpha Adrian from your room, he gave us permission to miss training as long as we stayed with you and provided hourly updates."

I freeze mid-motion, my shirt tangled around my arms and head. "Wait. Alpha Adrian authorized you to skip training... for me?"

Genevieve yanks my shirt down, freeing me. "Yep. As long as we kept him updated every hour—which we did, even overnight."

I stare. "So he meant it. That claim wasn't just talk?"

"Yeah, he's your—" She cuts herself off, frowning. Her mouth opens and closes like a fish before she huffs. "Yes, he meant it. He's dead serious, Evelyn. You should know that before you see him again."

"Good to know. And I won't be seeing him until Dad lifts the ban, right?"

"That's what I heard. I wasn't here when it happened, but Nathaniel was, and his intel is solid. Others confirmed it too, so... yeah."

I finish dressing and follow Genevieve out, where a nurse waits with a wheelchair. "Seriously?" I groan.

"Hospital policy," the nurse says apologetically. I sigh and sit.

As we exit the room, warriors from both Blackthorn and Nightshade packs line the hallway, cheering. My breath catches. I had no idea this many people were here, waiting for me.

Just before the automatic doors, I ask the nurse to turn me around. "Thank you, all of you. Your support means everything. I'll be back on my feet in no time."

A roar of applause follows as the nurse wheels me out to Dad's van. As we drive away, I spot Adrian near the packhouse, watching. Our eyes lock. I raise a hand in a small wave. He smiles and lifts his in return.

I turn to Dad. "How long before you lift the ban on Sebastian and Adrian?"