"We heal fast, especially on a full moon. I don't know why he didn't use that state, but if I had to guess, it's a display. On a full moon, your mortal state is your weakest. So, hurting Marcus in Ronan's weakest form was probably a jab at his pride. You see that a lot around here.”
"I am looking forward to having powers like that," Rem mindlessly said, imaging attacking Jackson in a similar manner.
Jola was quick to shuffle the Silvers out of the home to relocate the women to Varga’s. The Alphas followed in the back as Ronan quietly spoke with Enzo. Marcus was the only one who did not join.
The Evensen Pack estate, upon arrival, was similar to the style of Warden with its ornate and detailed architecture. Elements of Marcus's home were peppered throughout, most notable with the large, plain sheets of glass for windows.
"Same rules apply here, ladies," Jola said as they entered the new home, her voice echoing against the tall ceilings, finishing with an exasperated sigh. "No exploring outside the grounds without permission. We still have to check your lodgings and all of that. Also, feel free to get settled in, as you will stay here for at least a month or more, or so I hope, unless they decide to change their mindsagain."
The other Alphas—over half a dozen—joined the Silvers, as if following their precious females to ensure everyone settled in properly.
Jola spoke to Ronan, who rested his arms at his side, the fabric of Rem's dress now soaked with blood. She was shocked when his hands didn't appear to be bleeding anymore. He spoke in length to the Elder over something before Jola pointed him through the giant archway that led to more of the home.
There was a moment where Rem just stood there, nothing existing in her mind. What was she supposed to be feeling? Was nothing an option? Did she follow Ronan—
"I have something for you," Nia muttered, pulling Rem through the same archway that Ronan walked through.
“What is it?” she asked, her heart filling her mind with thoughts of seeing Ronan, but he was already gone. She faced Nia, staring at the excited she-wolf.
“It’s something for Ronan, to help him heal.”
“What do you mean?”
“What I mean is that you should go in, by yourself, and heal him in private. Now is the perfect opportunity, and it would be intimate.”
Rem’s heart raced, her gaze landing back on where Ronan must have walked, the hallway ending to veer off in two different directions.
“Like, go see him… Alone?”
Nia raised her brows. “That’s exactly what I’m thinking.”
23
ALONE WITH THE ALPHA
R E M
Down a hallwayof the Evensen residence was a long corridor with floor-to-ceiling windows on either side, and that’s where Nia eventually led Rem to, digging into her pocket to pull out a tiny jar with an orange ointment.
"What is that?" Rem asked.
"Jola just told Ronan that she will tend to his wounds, and she said to wait for him, as she has to tend to a few things first. I can smell him downthatway… But," Nia began, a mischievous gleam in her eyes, "I have an idea. You can go and tend to himyourself. I doubt she will have something more powerful than this. We got this directly from the Elders."
"You wantmeto go treat his wounds? Those were pretty deep… Not that I wouldn’t mind helping, it’s just… how in the heck do I even clean something like that?”
Nia chuckled. “Oh, no, you aren’t healing anything. It's just similar to the stuff I rubbed on your calve when you got injured, and is just to help with his pain as his body repairs itself. The orange ones are extremely rare, as they are hard to make. I only have it because Ronan gave it to me in case you got injured."
Rem eyed the tiny jar. "You know, for being so scarce, things like this are often around."
"That's because we are around an Alpha." Nia raised her brows. “Trust me, in the Shaw Clan territory, we mostly have herbs gathered from the forest.Theseare made with crystals found deep inside of caves that only the Elders have access to.”
Nia held the small jar in her cupped hand so Rem would take it. "Taking care of one’s wounds is a very intimate thing to offer, if you aren't related or an Elder. I got the idea when I saw you treating his hands earlier. It’s one of the first times I’ve seen an unguarded look in his eyes… Like he forgot that others were watching.”
"Really?" Rem asked, her heart fluttering at the thought of offering her intimacy. It beat even faster at the thought of him accepting it.
Nia nodded. "It's like when wolves lick the other's wound. We treat the wounds of those we care about. He will like it," Nia pushed, then paused, looking at Rem with an apologetic face. "Oh, I mean, if that's what you still want, anyway. I mean if you want Ronan and to become Luna" —Nia’s voice fell to even more glumness— “I know you were just trying to secure the position for your brother, which I understand; I’d do the same. But I don’t want to offer you advice if this isn’t what you want.”
Rem cautiously took the ointment and held it up. "No, it’s alright Nia… Honestly, Iwastrying to draw him in, but next thing I knew I was sucked all the way in myself,” she said, and they shared a laugh. “So… what happens after this? If he accepts it?”
