He stepped forward, brushing a quick kiss against her forehead. “Alright. Rest. I’ll come by later.”
The gesture felt routine—automatic.
She nodded just as lightly.
Without another glance, he turned and strode down the corridor toward the manor exit.
Only after he vanished from sight did she lift her head fully. Her fingers moved instinctively to the corners of her eyes, wiping away the dampness before anyone could notice.
She tried to count how many times he had left her mid-conversation for Olivia.
She gave up halfway through.
And Olivia’s sweet, breathy voice earlier? Any trained healer could tell it carried no trace of illness. There had been no weakness in her tone.
Yet Nathanie always responded as though summoned by instinct.
Adriana adjusted her balance and made her way back toward the infirmary wing, her limp pronounced now that the adrenaline had faded.
A few pack members lounging near the entrance spotted her and grinned.
“Well, Luna-to-be,” one of them called teasingly, “you and the Alpha need to save that energy for the full moon. Don’t overdo it during daylight hours.”