Healing Hearts

10

Marley started to dodge trees, her senses getting stronger. She felt so free— like the chains around her body broke. Her bare feet padded against the hard dirt, but she kept going. The only thing was she wasn't ready to see the sight before her. Wolves were killing each other, and she flashed back.

Oh beautiful her pack was. Yes, they may had been old fashioned— all waiting for their mates and not learning about anything till they meet them. It made feel innocent, living life without any sins. They only killed when they had to, and even then, Marley knew what it did to her father.

Her dad. The Alpha, the leader, the protector of the pack. He always held his head high, talked and communicated with his lower ranks. It was his idea to make Marley Alpha— probably still would because he knew what Marley could do. Most people told her she was more like her mother, but she wasn't, not anymore.

Her mom. The Luna, the mother, the warrior of the pack. She really made the Alpha work, and with the whole pack too. She was perfect. Everything Marley's younger sister wanted to be.

The world flashed back to Marley's eyes. She stumbled slightly, shaking her head as took a deep breath. She knew she could shift into her wolf, and that was what made her feel so stupid— but she refused to run away again. "This is for you, Ella," she whispered, suddenly growing angry. She grabbed a stick, her fingers curling around the dead bark. Honestly, Marley had never been more terrified, but she pushed it to the side.

All those times she gave up— refused to fight— she was finally rising to the occasion, to the challenge, to her right. The Alpha and the Luna blood was finally pumping in her veins, her spiritual part of her wolf showing when she was weak.

*•*•*•*

Layla was tired. She felt her eyes were about to fall out of her face. Not only that, her hands stared to shake, but everyone was almost done. The fighting got done a couple minutes ago, the pack of rogues running away. Layla didn't want to understand why— honestly, they were winning. It was like they were a huge pack.

"Ok," the Doctor smiled down to the young warrior— a pride expression on her face. "Take it easy on your leg, and since everyone else went home, I'll allow you to go home too, but only if you stay off your leg. Understand?"

The boy laughed, nodding his head, "I'm sure my mother would sheared me to pieces." Layla nodded her head, smiling to herself. "Thanks, Doc."

The Doctor gave a nod before she left the room, allowing the boy's mother and father in before she started to look for Gabby. Something deep in her gut stared to turn, noticing how weak her muscles were— almost like she was running and fighting instead of patching up wounds.

The hallways were still crowded, but luckily for her, everyone moved out of the way, recognizing her as a doctor. Layla could sense the Alpha around, most liking talking to the families of those who lost their brothers and sister, moms and dads, sons and daughters. A wave of pain went through her, even if they had somehow won, they still lost a large part of their pack, and nothing could ever fix that wound.

She gave small, sad smiles at people as she past, heading towards where Gabby usually was. She followed her friend's scent once she separated from the old blood and cleaning supplies. She pushed opened the door, walking into the break room where Gabby was waiting for her.

"I've had a long day, Gabs," Layla started, early and stress in her voice, but her tone was still soft as ever, "and I know you had one too. Alright, cut to the chase."

Gabby took a deep breath, swallowing as she ready herself to tell Layla. Oh, how had she was going to take it. After everything Layla had been through: the rejection of her friend, the terrible way she found her mate, how she spent days and hours making sure everyone in the pack was safe. She didn't deserve this, not at all. Layla didn't deserve this, and especially, Marley didn't deserve it either.

Some wolves had already made the connection, dead right as ever, but twisting the way they should had thought. The group of rogues, including the taken over pack, that had attack wouldn't had been here if Layla didn't run in their direction. Marley had brought them here, in her race to escape and save herself. Marley was the cause of death and lost for today— even if she went out and fought. She may had gain a few friends and protectors, but it wouldn't be enough to save her from the hatred from her mate's pack.

It was spreading like a wildfire. Most of the pack already hated Marley, their Pack Doctor's mate and somehow still loving Layla. Some even whispered how sorry they were for her, mentioning how she was mated to someone so terrible as the sweet and innocent girl— who was currently being carried to the hospital as she fought against the pack of rogues, for the first time, for them.

"There is going to be a meeting for the whole pack," Gabby whispered, making Layla stare at her. They always had pack meetings after huge occasions. Why would this one be any different? "It's going to be about today, and... and your mate, Layla."

Layla narrowed her eyes, "What about my mate, Gabby?"

Gabby frowned, "Some wolves in the pack want her gone— saying that she brought us war."