Chapter 675: Back to Normal

Harris wore a confident smirk as he said, “Darcy mentioned that Benjamin never let her get close. Since the beauty tactic fell flat, why not switch to charm? I have a friend who’s got a knack for winning women over…” Leaning in, he shared his scheme in a hushed tone with Jeremy, who nodded along, intrigued by the new plan.

Hayley’s POV:

I waited until the first light of dawn. The lights in the operating room finally dimmed, and Claudio emerged, his face devoid of emotion. Ian, back to his usual self, rushed up to Claudio the moment he saw him, grabbing his arms and shaking them eagerly. “How did it go? Is the patient still alive?!” he asked with palpable excitement. Benjamin and I quickly joined them, eager for the news.

Claudio, turning to Ian with a weary but playful smile, teased, “What if the patient not only survived but woke up again?”

“That’s impossible,” Ian replied, pulling his hands back. “In that state, if you managed a craniotomy and saved the patient, you’d better start believing in miracles.”

“I’m not one for superstitions,” Claudio chuckled, gesturing towards the operating room. “Go see for yourself. If it’s like I said, maybe you should consider being my apprentice.”

“Fine!” Ian waved dismissively and strode toward the operating room.

Claudio then looked at me, exhaustion lining his face. “I’ve done my part. The rest is up to you. I need to catch up on some sleep.”

“Thank you for everything,” I said, giving his shoulder a grateful pat.

Before I could say more, a figure burst from the operating room. I turned to see Ian by the door, his expression one of sheer disbelief, as if he had seen a ghost.

“Why so startled?” I frowned, puzzled by his reaction.

Claudio, ever the provocateur, gave Ian a knowing look and quipped flirtatiously, “I’ll be waiting for you to seek me out.” He raised his eyebrows suggestively, sending a shiver down my spine with his forwardness. Acting as though it was just another day, Claudio stretched out his arms and ambled toward the rest area.

I quickly made my way to the patient’s room. As I approached, my wolf, Hera, reacted more intensely, suggesting that the surgery might have been a success.

Ian’s POV:

Benjamin hurried after Hayley into the patient’s room. Abruptly, he paused, turned, and snapped at me, “Get it together, Ian!” That jolted me out of my daze, and I exhaled deeply, my hand over my heart. The world felt overwhelmingly bizarre at that moment. Hayley and her circle seemed far more formidable than any ordinary werewolves. Despite Hayley’s lower rank, how had she managed to align with such influential allies? From my medical perspective, the patient’s recovery was a miracle. Yet, there it was – a reality.

I rushed into the room and was struck by the sight: the patient, previously lifeless, now lay breathing steadily, his eyes open. It felt as though the ground beneath me shifted. It was a stark reminder that in medicine, as in learning, there are no limits. No disease is incurable; there are only limitations of knowledge and skill.

The hallway quieted down, and I took a moment to collect myself. With a newfound resolve, I walked into the ward. Inside, the nurse and doctor had already left, and Dominic’s bed was propped up, signaling a serious conversation was about to unfold. I locked the door and stood quietly to the side.

The newly awakened patient glanced at me, then back at Hayley, his gaze tinged with caution. I was about to slip out quietly when Hayley reassured him, “It’s okay, he’s with us, Claudio’s apprentice.”

I froze. Was she referring to that guy who keeps teasing me? Who said I wanted to be his apprentice? My fists tightened in frustration.

So, I turned my full attention to them. The patient nodded at Hayley’s words and spoke weakly.