The Brave Human Mate

31.

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Healer Rhea's POV

After countless weeks of struggling to find a true purpose for the day, Rhea was delighted to wake up on familiar ground in the very territory that she rooted herself in for the last few years.

Yet what she hadn't expected was just how at ease her body had turned—It even felt as though her immortal wound had taken the morning off, but the moment had been spoiled on account of Stephan's movements.

Though Rhea didn't see the harm, or wouldn't have, had she realized last night that he was partially nude.

"You're alright...I'm going to check on the pups, do you want breakfast?" She peeked an eye open as he managed to transfer her down to the mattress and settle himself by the edge of bed, already getting ready for today.

"And then?"

"Then we'll talk, your majesty." He curtly teased, his lips tilting up as he shrugged his shoulders as Rhea shot to sit up in worry. "Things have changed, and not for the better, Rhea...We'll talk when I get back." Pure fear had spiked up into her heart, even when he leaned forward to kiss her cheek—It was too polite and innocent to truly give her any indication of what was about to happen.

Nor did she have much time to stall about gaining permission to allow her pack to join his. Even upon practicing—Thinking about the aspect that she wouldn't have to stay if he didn't want her to, but her memories of last night started to fog up her vision of the future.

He seemed pleased—Relieved that she returned to the pack. And not only to that, but to him, specifically. The male had only spent a few moments in the bath chamber before coming out nearly dressed for the day and freshened up.

"Alp—"

"The pups will be happy to see you again..." He whispered, a smile tinkering on his lips before he settled out of the room. Damn him!
Cursing herself silly, she threw the covers off her body and went to get up, but of course, things did not go as planned as she curled over and groaned at the mere tension in her side.

Rhea was thankful it hadn't bothered her too much last night, but goddess forbids she could have an easy morning for one.

And if it wasn't her immortal wound, it was her aching wrist still beaten and torn by the amount of scar tissue that overlapped and grew irritated. Whether it was too warm or cold, there was always an imbalance to deal with—And she certainly was not getting used to it anytime soon.

However, just as she was reaching for her cane, the door popped open once more. Rhea had risen to her feet with a wobbling step, only to find Alpha Stephan returning to the room with a very sleepy Edith in his arms. While both Nico and Mauro were just by his feet.

The young pups hadn't taken any notice in the room until Rhea had let out a small gasp—One that escaped without her noticing.

It had caused their attention to turn directly to the woman standing by their father's bed, and in a mere instant, she had been tackled by two toddlers who were set on hugging her legs for dear life.

In addition to the shouts and cheers of their favorite human returning home!

"Rhea, you're back!"
"Did you have fun on your travels?"
"Did you get me anything?"

The three bustled back and forth, but it was Edith who snuggled up in Rhea's arms and settled just as she had when she was in her father's arms. "Alright, alright...Let's go see if your nanny has come with breakfast, hm?"