Chapter 98 - CLARA -

I sat next to Damon, drawing reassuring circles on his palm with my head on his shoulder, as we waited for a verdict on his mother's sudden unconsciousness. The house doctor—who, I realized, resided in the Alpha King's mansion—was treating her.

"I'm okay, Clara," Damon murmured, kissing my lips. "It's okay if you're worried."

"I know you are," I murmured back. He pursed his lips, then said nothing.

"Where's Mother?!" Delilah entered, dragging her luggage. Luca almost rose to greet her but checked himself. I stood to hug her.

"How's my mother? Is she okay?" Delilah asked. I sighed. "Your father and the doctor haven't left the room. We're still waiting."

She sighed, pulling away. "You said she fainted like that?"

I nodded. Her exchange of glances with Damon suggested this had happened before.

"You don't think…" Before Delilah finished, the doctor and the Alpha King emerged. The Alpha King's solemn expression foreshadowed bad news.

"Your mother has relapsed," he announced. Delilah gasped; Damon remained quiet, though I saw his jaw clench.

"So what now? Can you help her?" Delilah asked the doctor, who shook his head.

"I'm just a doctor; I don't create the herbs or medicines for her condition. I'll do everything I can. If you'll excuse me, I'll retrieve my equipment from the hospital." He bowed and left.

"What do we do? Where can we find an herbalist? The only one who could was Alicia, and…" Delilah stopped, turning to Damon, who stared at the ground. Everything clicked. The girl Damon and his brother had fought over was Alicia, and the reason for concealing her death was that the Alpha King would never have released her—she was treating Queen Luna.

"I'll find an herbalist," Damon muttered, rising.

"I can treat her," I said. They all stared, surprised.

"You… you can?" Damon asked, unsure. I nodded. "I treated many sick wolves in my old pack. I even treated the Alpha, but his illness was incurable."

Damon grabbed my hands. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Didn't see the need. I'm willing to help," I murmured. He smiled. "Are you sure? Can you do it?"

I frowned. "Are you doubting me? With the necessary herbs, I can make medicine. I need to know her illness. Is it curable?"

"We don't know what illness she has. The doctors couldn't determine it, but I believe it's curable. We just haven't found the right herb or medicine. I believe in you, Clara," Damon said, kissing me.

"Where are your herbs? Tell me her symptoms. Take me back to when she first fell ill."

The Alpha King recounted the illness; it was far more serious than I'd imagined—she'd had it before becoming pregnant with Damon. I was then taken to the herb storage room. I gasped at the unique and rare herbs. Of course, the Alpha King had everything.

"I can make the medicine; I've seen all the herbs I need," I said. The Alpha King nodded.

"How soon can you start treatment?"

"As soon as I make the medicine," I replied. He took my hand. "If you heal my wife, the entire wolf clan will be indebted to you."

I smiled, watching him go to his wife. Damon wore a proud smile. He opened his arms, and I ran into them.

"You have many talents, Clara," Delilah said. "I never guessed you knew how to make medicine."

"I dabbled in it; I didn't want to feel indebted to anyone, though I was mocked for it. Many called me a nerd," I murmured.

She scoffed. "They were jealous. I wish I could concoct medicine! I'll go home, drop my luggage, and be right back." She blew me a kiss, and I noticed Luca follow her.

"I know you'll make me proud, Clara. I'll be your little assistant," Luca volunteered.

"Nothing about you is little," I murmured. He grinned. "And that's why you love me unfortunately."