I exhale. That was too close.
Nova’s eyelids flutter. A soft gasp escapes her lips—the first sound she’s made since the collapse.
“Her color’s returning,” Callum says quietly, something like awe in his voice.
The sickly gray pallor is indeed fading from Nova’s skin, replaced by a healthier tone. Dane’s breathing steadies beneath my hands, the harsh rattling easing into a smoother rhythm.
“Contamination levels dropping rapidly,” Harper reports. “Forty percent ... thirty-five... thirty ... Dane’s fever is breaking!”
I feel it too—the burning heat beneath my palms cooling, his heartbeat steadying. The metallic copper scent that has saturated the medical center for days begins to fade.
“Bond strength holding at twenty-one percent,” Harper continues. “That’s right at our safety threshold.”
“Keep it there,” Callum says, his fingers brushing my shoulder in quiet support. “You’re saving them, Lyanna.”
Nova’s eyes open fully now, vacant stare replaced by confusion, then recognition. Her gaze finds mine, understanding dawning as she feels the deliberate dampening of her bonds.
Under my hands, Dane’s chest rises in a deep, clear breath—the first time without struggle.
“Contamination at twenty percent and falling,” Harper announces, undisguised hope in her voice. “The procedure is working.”
I move from Dane to Ben, every step precise and calculated. Sweat beads on my forehead as I maintain concentration across multiple bond networks.
“Harper, give me readings on Ben,” I call out.
“Ben’s bond levels are stabilizing at twenty-three percent.” Harper’s voice wavers for the first time—just slightly, but I catch it. Her eyes are fixed on his face. “Contamination dropping to forty percent.”
Harper moves between stations like a conductor, tracking each patient on her tablet. “Nova’s fully conscious.Contamination at eighteen percent and falling. Dane’s at twenty-two. We’re succeeding.”
Across the room, Nyxiana’s white flame magic creates a protective barrier around Cassie and Kieran, her wings partially visible as she channels angelic energy to stabilize their life signs.
“Using the same calibration as the Alphas,” she calls out. “The mate bond technique is holding steady.”
Elysia and Isla work in perfect synchronization on Connor and Mariel, another bonded pair. Their combined healing techniques create a gentle resonance that helps maintain the delicate balance between starving the contamination and preserving essential connections.
“Applying Lyanna’s protocol,” Isla confirms, her hands moving in intricate patterns. “The precision she developed for mate bonds is working beautifully.”
“Bonds holding at twenty percent for this pair,” Elysia adds. “Safely above threshold. Contamination falling steadily.”
Callum moves between us all, bringing supplies, checking readouts, and supporting those awakening. His presence radiates calm authority as he speaks quietly to Nova, who’s sitting up weakly.
“How’s the connection feeling?” he asks her.
“Strange,” Nova replies, her voice hoarse. “Like underwater echoes. But the burning is gone.”
I feel the magical drain threatening my focus as I move to the next patient. The precision required to maintain this many bonds at exactly the right level is exhausting. Through our connected monitoring system, I can feel the pack bond energy throughout the Lodge dropping to carefully controlled levels.
“The central contamination reading is at thirty-five percent overall,” Harper announces. “It’s working Lodge-wide.”
The effort is draining me faster than I anticipated. My hands tremble. Sweat drips down my temples, stinging my eyes. I’vebeen holding nine bond networks at precise suppression levels for—how long? Minutes? Hours?
“Lyanna.” Callum’s voice, low and urgent near my ear. “You’re shaking.”
“I’m fine,” I manage, though my vision blurs at the edges.
A cool cloth touches my forehead—Callum, wiping away sweat without breaking my concentration. His other hand settles on my shoulder, warm and steady. Grounding.
More pack members begin stirring. Connor’s eyes flutter open, confusion giving way to recognition. Ben takes a clear breath—the first without rattling—and Harper makes a sound that’s half laugh, half sob. Kieran’s hand finds Cassie’s, their fingers intertwining even before full consciousness returns.
