“Yes.” I swallowed.
“Then you deserve care,” she said plainly as she slipped toward the back to gather her supplies.
I didn’t dare look Zola’s way, although I could feel her stare burning into the side of my head.
“Remove your shirt so I can inspect your wounds closer.”
I obliged the healer’s request and reached down to remove the base layer gifted by Idris, which I was thoroughly impressed with during the battle. I would’ve had more wounds than just this gash on my shoulder if I hadn’t been wearing it.
“Do you need help? If you’d like, we can attach a screen for privacy.”
“No,” I said with a shake of my head. “I’m used to it. I’ll be fine.” I tugged at the bottom of the shirt, wondering how much trouble it would be to fix the tear. It was impenetrable to most weapons, but not all strikes.
“By the way, I’m Kaia,” the female said as she fronted me.
“Shaw,” I replied. “Beta of the Solace pack.”
“Beta?” Kaia repeated.
“Second in command,” I answered, settling on the cot.
“Ah, right.” Kaia’s touch was gentle. Her hands delicate, just like the comely contours of her face.
Flecks of gold in her eyes shimmered as she focused on the gash along my shoulder, a strand of chestnut hair falling across her brow. I reached up to tuck it behind her pointed ear, which caused her to still.
I swallowed heavily. My hand slowly returned to my lap as I sat up straight, clearing my throat.
“Thanks,” Kaia whispered, a flush of pink on her cheeks as her gaze wandered down my chest and toward my stomach. “Are there any other wounds you need tending or looked at?”
A pit of dread surged through my center as a large crashing sound caught my attention. I peered past Kaia to see Zola standing at attention, her darkened stare barreling into me like the wrath of the wilt itself.
“Outside, now,” Zola commanded.
Gunnar crossed his arms and chuckled, raising his brows with a half-grin, mouthing, “Good luck.”
I gritted my teeth.Why does she believe she can command me like this?
“Shaw?” Zola’s voice echoed outside the tent.
I stilled, sensing the pleading tone in her voice, understanding the deeper emotion threaded beneath the hard bite of her command only seconds before. Instinct to run to her overtook me as I abruptly stood from the healer’s cot, my eyes transfixed on the opening she stormed out of, the need to answer her call driving me forward.
And yet… Gods, I needed to be smart about this.
Without a word to Kaia, I marched outside the tent, fists clenched, as I prepared myself for only the Gods knew what.
I hadn’t known my mate long, but I knew, like me, nothing was as it seemed. She was a spymaster with centuries of life experience, yet somehow, we were bonded. I admired the complex layers of her character. She intrigued me, and I would be lying if I denied my eagerness to learn everything and anything about her.
But did she feel the same?
The mate bond was not a guarantee.
I pushed past the canvas to see Zola waiting with crossed arms and a firm scowl. Her darkened eyes met mine, and I froze in place. But, instead of the cowardly fear she was accustomed to conjuring with her hardened stare, I met her with the same unwavering ferocity. My panther fueled me with a wave of power as my magic flowed around me, the green aura dancing in a faint light, highlighted by the morning sun.
Zola’s expression remained stoic, but her eyes widened. She felt it. Uncrossing her arms, she inclined her head for me to follow her, a silent request this time, not a command.
I’d take it.
Chapter Seventy-Seven
