Healing Hearts

C H A P T E R | 10

Marley followed behind Layla like a lost puppy. After they had left the room, Marley quieted down a lot, staying silent as Layla held her hand. It annoyed Layla to no end how Marley was more comfortable around Gabby than her, but she understood it.

Marley spent most of her time with Gabby while Layla was at work.

"Why do you need to talk to Alpha Joey?" Marley asked, glancing around the hallways. Her wolf felt sick, feeling the presence of wolfsbane so close after her recovery from it hours before.

Layla sighed, "I need to update him on the medical facts. We believe that wolfsbane was used to harm our pack members."

Marley looked to the floor, "I'm sorry."

Layla paused, turning to face her mate. "Sorry?" The Doctor asked, "Sorry about what?"

"This is all my fault. I brought them here."

Layla shook her head, cupping her mate's face to see Marley's eyes. "No," Layla spoke, gently towards her mate, "this is not your fault, and if anyone says it is tell me or Gabby."

Marley nodded her head, her eyes getting watery for what the rogues had done to this pack.

*•*•*•*

"Head Doctor Layla," the Alpha greeted Layla when she walked through the door. Joey gave another warm smile towards Marley when she came into view, "Hello Marley. How are you?"

"I'm fine, Alpha," Marley answered quietly, her eyes wondering around the office. Her presence felt like it should had been larger inside, her wolf pushing for more dominance, but she controlled like she always did.

She controlled it because she needed to.

"Alpha Joey," Layla bowed before her eyes connected her old childhood friend. "Luna Denice."

"How are they?" Denice asked, worry laced in her tone.

Layla sighed, "They are fine, but their wolves locked themselves into a coma. We couldn't find any traces of a new substance, but I'm pretty sure they used wolfsbane."

Joey rubbed his face, deeply thinking, "I want some researchers on wolfsbane. Every single member needs to be relocated into the center of the pack."

"Joey," Denice whispered. Layla looked down at her feet, her head bowed. Large tears ran down her face as she thought the same thing as Denice did.

Marley glanced at them, completely confused. She decided to keep quiet as no one spoke, not knowing what to say.

"I'm alright, Denice,"  the Alpha spoke, taking a deep breath. "Everyone needs to prepare for war— more than they already have."

Layla nodded her head, "The staff and I will get the hospital ready, and do our best to temporally get our interns ready for the new work load."

The Alpha dismissed them.

"What happened to Alpha Joey?" Marley asked, staring up at Layla as she waited an answer.

Layla froze for a moment before relaxing. Her voice pained as she spoke, "Our past Alpha and Luna took a private trip two years ago. They returned in a coma similar to the ones the patrol wolves were in."

Marley's eyes widen, "Two tears ago?" She questioned, putting some of the pieces she had together. Layla nodded her head, walking down the hallway. The young she-wolf took a deep breath, breathing in deeply as she tried to remember the two smells that she was familiar with long ago.

Layla glanced behind her, "Marley, are you coming?"

"Uh," Marley gulped, thinking of some excuse to get her by herself. "I need to go to the bathroom," she spoke, her words tumbling over each other. Marley smiled when she saw the bathroom, and she nodded to Layla, "I'll meet you back in the Break Room."

Layla looked deeply conflicted, "I can wait for you out here, Marley."

Marley thought on her feet, "I just haven't got any alone time, I guess." She gave Layla a small, sad smile as she felt guilty for the trick she was about to pull.

Hurt flashed through Layla's eyes, wondering if she was being too controlling or if Marley didn't even want to be around her. She nodded her head, swallowing her whine, "Of, of course. I'll see you soon." She carefully took some steps towards her mate, kissing her on the nose before rushing down the hallway towards Gabby.

Marley took a deep breath, hating herself for lying. She carefully went down a different hallway, searching for the Alpha Joey's father and mother. She dodged confused nurses and doctors as she glanced into rooms.

"Come on, Marley," she whispered to herself.

It hit her. Marley knew they wouldn't put the past Luna and Alpha in any room. She quickly headed deeper into the hospital, passing random doors as she traveled around. As she went further, Marley saw more and more wolves. She gulped when one of them gave her a hard stare.

She smirked sheepishly.

"What are you doing here?" The woman growled, stepping out of her position. The lack of scent of her pack on Marley caused her wolf to get territorial.

Marley opened her mouth like a gaping fish.

The woman rolled her eyes before humming, "If you are looking for Doctor Layla, she's not here. Turn around."

Marley did what she was told, brainstorming how she could get past the guards. She knew the two alpha wolves she was looking for were behind the door they were protecting.

She turned around the corner, almost ready to slam her head into the wall when her mind was coming up blank. She clinched her fingers into her palms as she looked around. There was nothing in the hallway for her to use, and her time was slowly thinning with each passing second.

Marley walked towards a closed door, carefully pressing her ear to the wood. When she didn't hear anything, she opened it, peaking inside. The room was dark and empty, and Marley search around, looking for anything to help her.

She rapidly looked through the drawers, pushing through files and files of papers before she started to hear footsteps. She turned around, eyes almost popping out when she realized she left the door open.

It didn't take long for another figure to stand in the doorway.

———— A U T H O R  N O T E | 11 ————

Are we in the double digits? I think we are.

I'm sorry that it's been so long since I last published, but I decided to do a double chapter to make up for it.

I can't tell you guys how excited I am. I'm literally smirking as I'm writing this author note. I can't wait till I get the the part I've been waiting to write, and I can't wait for you guys to read it.

Anyways, I was thinking of making a character lists, but I really don't know who I want to be who. I'm sure you guys have your own images of the characters.

Personally, I always thought of Gabby as Gabby Douglas.

QQ (#14): Who do you see playing as Gabby?