Healing Hearts

C H A P T E R | 5

Marley woke to an empty room. The lost presence of Layla immediately affected her as she started to panic. She glanced around, moving herself off the bed. Her weaken wolf was struggling to the surface, feeling something unknown near.

The door knob started to turn, and Marley braced herself for a fight. She couldn't sense Layla or Gabby near, and she knew she was going to be alone in this.

The door opened, and the light in the hallway spreader throughout the room. An old man stepped through, and if Marley was a wolf, her haunches would be rising in warning. He huffed, "This room is supposed to be empty. Who are you?"

Marley stared at him, asserting him for any weaknesses. "I am supposed to be here," she spoke, lowly and slowly. "You can talk it up with Doctor Layla, Nurse Gabby, Luna Denice, and or Alpha Joey because they know I'm here," Marley wore a smug look, smirking as she stared at the man.

He sneered, "You must be why all the rogues are here." The man looked down on her before taking a deep breath, "Never mind that, you are a patient here, and as a doctor, it is my job to ensure you safety and health."

"I'm fine," Marley took a step back, keeping her breathing calm. The nerves of being trapped in a room with someone in better heath caused her to feel locked up in what she just escaped from. "Doctor Layla can do her job very well," she added, rubbing her hands over her shoulders and arms.

He chuckled, "Your bandages need to be change."

Marley gulped.

"I rather wait for Doctor Layla."

The Doctor nodded his head, humming, "If you insist." With a glance over his shoulder, he left the room, leaving Marley wondering who he was.

Marley was left alone for a couple of minutes before Gabby knocked on the door. "Hey," she greeted, a warm smile on her face helping calm Marley's nerves.

"Hello, Nurse Gabby."

Gabby waved her hand, "No need for the title. Plain old Gabby is just fine." She walked in, hesitating for a moment. "Was someone else here?"

Marley nodded her head, "Yes. He said he was another doctor."

"He is," Gabby sighed, "but I think it's best if you stay away from him."

"Why is he a doctor if you think he is dangerous?"

Gabby closed the door, checking the hallways for anyone. She took a deep breath, "Our pack is low on doctors. Majority of the pack wants to become warriors, which is fine, but we need to have a better ratio of fighters and healers."

"Healers?" Marley looked a mix between excitement and fear, swallowing as she stared at Gabby. "Do you believe in the myths?"

Gabby shrugged her shoulders, "Maybe. No one has seen the Moonlight Healing Pack in hundred of years. If they did exist, they probably all died of or something. I meant healers in a doctor sense."

"What do you think happened to them, if they were real?"

Gabby stared at Marley, noticing the blood leaking through her bandages. She bit the bottom of her lip as she moved through the room, gathering the materials she needed. She took a quivering breath, "I think they were all slaughtered. The Moonlight Healers Pack were no warriors, and when the cut ties off with the rest of the packs, it left them vulnerable."

Marley nodded her head, her chest tightening. She quickly asked another question, "Why did you think they went into hiding?"

Gabby snorted, "They can heal any wound, Marley. Wolves would be hunting them for their own benefits, and they would have no idea who to trust." She motioned first Marley to lift her arms, allowing her to change her bandages over her chest. "It's like with female alphas," Gabby mentioned, "the Alpha family will actually hid their daughter for their protection— keep them locked up from the world or have them grow up in a different family."