Chapter 1 Healer.

“If we remove one more drop of blood from her, she’ll die,” the woman said in a hushed tone. I didn’t think she cared about me—she just couldn’t afford my death right now, not after the money she’d paid for me.

I didn’t need a mirror to know I was as pale as a sheet, but it was the dizziness that hurt the most. I’d lost so much blood that I could barely stand.

“My men are dying,” the captain growled back at her. They kept their tones low for their own good—if word got out that they had me, many others would come for me.

“Oh, snap out of it, Louise. You’ve saved more than your share of men. The other end is losing soldiers, yet your men can’t even keep themselves alive. This is where you call the medics, use bandages and aspirin like everyone else.” The woman snarled.

The captain snarled back, but the woman didn’t stop. She was the only wolf who never backed down when the captain threatened. They seemed to go way back.

The captain stomped out of the tent in anger.

The woman lifted me and shoved a bowl to my lips. Her actions were impatient, but careful too. “Drink this. It’ll help you regain blood. You look like you could faint right now.”

I drank hurriedly but stopped when it went straight to my head, making me lose consciousness for a moment.

It was bitter but familiar.

“Sleep. Food will be here when you wake up. You need to recover as soon as possible—we need you,” she said, laying me back on the mat.

Sleep didn’t come. Instead, I closed my eyes and listened to my surroundings. Like every other werewolf, my hearing was sharp and precise—but unlike others, I saw the world through my ears. I recognized footsteps, breath patterns, voices, tones, and accents. I knew how far the captain was. I also knew he had turned back. He was coming to the tent.

The woman must have known too, because she called for her daughter.

“Eva!” she called, just once. Eva appeared.

Eva’s steps were the only ones I couldn’t follow—it was like she floated, and she was fast. I liked Eva. She fed me better than her mother did, though my affection wasn’t returned. If anything, Eva hated me.

“Get Healer out of here,” the woman said. “The captain’s coming back for her. We can’t let him have her.”

I sighed. Another battle—people fighting for me, all for their own greed.

Did I mention Eva was as strong as she was fast? She lifted me off the ground as though I weighed nothing, moving quickly—maybe even faster than usual.

I glanced at her face. Her jaw was tight. Eva was angry.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. Speaking was hard; I was too weak, but I knew she heard me.

“Shut up,” she growled.

I wondered where she planned to hide me. The borders didn’t have many blind spots—just mountains, rocks, a few caves probably filled with dangerous animals, and one or two trees.

We stopped under a tree.

“Healer,” Eva called softly.

“Yes,” I answered with effort. The concoction hadn’t started working yet.

“Do you ever wish to be free?” she asked, surprising me.

“Your mom says—” I began, but she cut me off.

“Forget what my mom says. She can’t save your life. I’ve seen what’s coming—we’ll lose this battle. The captain won’t accept defeat while you still live. He’ll tear you apart and feed your heart to his men because he thinks your blood keeps him strong. The general is wounded—badly. You know the captain is nothing without him. But if you lose even one more drop of blood, you’ll die.” She looked into my eyes as she spoke.

So much passion burned in her voice—anger, pain, and sorrow—but I was too weak to feel any of it.

“How did you see the end of the battle?” I asked, though I already knew the answer. I just wanted her to admit it.

Eva gasped. She saw the knowing in my eyes. Maybe that was why I liked her—because, like me, she was different. She saw visions.

“Don’t let anyone know,” I warned. “I might die here, but you deserve so much more. Don’t try to change anyone’s fate, Eva. Don’t warn them. Just live your life like a normal person.” My voice was faint, but my words were firm.

I thought I was doing the world a favor when I began healing. I never knew I’d end up like this. Love was a lie. It didn’t exist.

“I’m going to help you up that tree,” Eva said, ignoring my warning. “Wait until the sun sets. The second it does, run. I know you can’t smell the river, but you must try. You’ll have about two hours. Don’t follow the sound—it’ll mislead you. Follow the scent of the river. You’ll be safe once you cross it.”

“Then come with me,” I said, reaching out to touch her cheek. “Let’s run away together.”

For the first time, I saw strong Eva look weak.

“My captain kills my mom,” she confessed. I realized she had seen it in her vision—her mother was still alive.

“Then why take me away? He can spare her if he gets me,” I asked, confused.

Eva shook her head. “Naïve Healer. The world isn’t as simple as you think, yet so much rests on your shoulders. You must stay alive at all costs. Remember—when the sun sets, follow the smell of the water and run. Your life depends on it. Your fate lies across the waters. Until we meet again, my dear friend.”

She helped me climb the tree, higher than I could climb

alone, then left me there—alone.

I sat and waited for the sun to set.