<h4>Chapter 68: Knowing Her Secret</h4>


    <strong><i>Meredith.</i></strong>


    I sat quietly in front of my dresser, slipping into the matching ck top and skirt I picked from the boutique three days ago.


    The fabric still smelled new. It had a soft floral design that felt too bright for how I felt inside.


    Deidra stood behind me, plugging in the hand dryer. The low hum filled the room as warm air blew through my damp hair.


    "We need to be quick, mydy," she said softly. "The doctor is already here. We shouldn’t keep him waiting."


    I froze for a breath before nodding once.


    She worked efficiently, brushing and drying, her fingers moving with the rhythm of someone who had done this a thousand times. Within minutes, she tied my silver strands into a high ponytail and began braiding it down.


    Azul stood nearby with the balm jar in her hands but didn’t open it. "Mydy, we will skip today," she said, her voice too cheerful. "Since the doctor is here, it’s better not to interfere with anything."


    I tensed.


    Why did she sound so... hopeful?


    Even Deidra added from behind, "Maybe this time, he will offer asting solution to the injury and the scar. I hope everything goes well, mydy."


    <i>’But I don’t!’</i> I screamed the words in my head.


    I didn’t want it to heal. Not yet. Not until I was ready to let go. That mark was more than just a simple injury. It was a reminder.


    A knock came on the door, and Kira poked her head in.


    "They are in here, mydy," she said gently.


    A momentter, I was led to the small sitting area of my living quaters. Jeffery and the doctor were already waiting. Oddly, both of them were still standing.


    I looked to Kira, puzzled.


    "They didn’t want to sit," she said, almost reading my mind.


    Jeffery bowed slightly. "Mydy."


    The doctor offered a kind smile. "It’s good to see you again, Lady Meredith."


    "Doctor." I managed a nod, my pulse tightening. I hope he didn’t notice that I didn’t want him here.


    Jeffery stepped forward. "Since the doctor was already here on other matters, the Alpha asked if he could take a look at your injury."


    "There was really no need for the Alpha to do this," I said with a fake smile before I could stop myself.


    Three faces turned toward me—Azul, Kira, and Deidra—all wearing the same expression: confusion, and a flicker of disappointment.


    But I didn’t care. Their emotions weren’t my concern at the moment. Only my motive mattered.


    Jeffery simply nodded. "The Alpha is waiting."


    I didn’t need him to exin what that meant. Draven would expect a report.


    I lowered myself onto the single sofa, already regretting it.


    Then Jeffery excused himself, stepping outside and closing the door gently behind him.


    The doctor reached into his bag, pulled out a hand lens, and crouched before me. "May I?"


    I gave a small nod, trying to calm the thunder in my chest, hoping he doesn’t see the foul y here.


    The herbal scent from his coat reminded me of the clinic back in my pack. I shut my eyes, trying to steady my breathing.


    <i>Please don’t find out.</i>


    I felt his fingers near my face, gentle and clinical. Still, I wanted to flinch away from him.


    The touch didn’tst long. He withdrew his hand, and when I opened my eyes, a frown was tightening his face.


    "The balm isn’t working," he said finally. "Your injury hasn’t changed. It looks... exactly as it did the first time I saw it."


    I kept my face carefully nk, though inside I exhaled in relief.


    Azul stepped closer. "Doctor, what can be done?"


    Her voice wasced with hope, just like the others. And that made me feel worse.


    He turned his attention back to me. "I might need to try a different method."


    "What method?" I asked.


    "We can try one of Duskmoor’s modern medicines. It’s not as natural, but it might be more effective. If that doesn’t work..." He hesitated.


    "What’s thest option?" I asked, though part of me didn’t want to know.


    "Stitching."


    "What?" My eyes widened.


    Azul gasped. So did Kira and Deidra.


    But the doctor didn’t waver.


    "It will close the wound permanently, yes," he exined. "But it may leave a faint scar for a longer time. Especially since you don’t have a wolf to elerate healing."


    I nodded stiffly, already knowing I wouldn’t let it happen.


    As the doctor rose and packed up his things, I watched him leave with the kind of relief only someone hiding a secret would feel.


    ---


    <strong>~**Draven**~</strong>


    When Jeffery entered with my doctor, I was already waiting in the sitting area of my office.


    I gestured toward the armchair opposite mine. "Come."


    Jeffery gave a short bow and stepped back. "I will wait outside."


    The door clicked shut.


    I leaned forward as soon as we settled down on the couch. "What did you find?"


    Albus took a moment before answering, ncing toward the window before returning his gaze to mine.


    "The wound isn’t healing."


    I had expected that. "Why do you think so?"


    There was another pause, and he looked reluctant.


    I tilted my head. "Go ahead. I want to hear your thoughts—even if they sound absurd."


    That gave him permission. He rxed slightly.


    "I don’t think the balm is the problem," he said carefully. "I think the wound is being reopened. Deliberately."


    My gaze sharpened.


    "She’s hurting herself?" I asked, though I already suspected.


    He nodded. "Not in the traditional sense. But the injury appears freshly aggravated every few days. Same angle. Same line. It’s too precise to be idental."


    I leaned back,cing my fingers together as my guess was confirmed.


    Meredith was preventing her healing by hurting herself. But why?


    I couldn’t make sense of why she would subject herself to that kind of punishment and what good it would do her.


    "And is there another way for an effective and permanent closure?" I asked.


    "We could try stitching the wound shut," Albus offered. "It will seal the injury. But it will leave a mark—longer than a typical scar, especially without a wolf to speed things along."


    I squinted my eyes.


    He folded his hands together. "Unless herdy agrees to let the scar heal... none of our efforts will matter. She will cut it open again."


    I nodded once, understanding far more than I wanted to.


    "Thank you foring," I said quietly. "I know the trip from Stormveil wasn’t light."


    He smiled faintly. "It’s no trouble."


    "Jeffery is outside. He will take you to the dining hall."


    Albus bowed and left.


    I remained seated, my mind churning. I was left confused learning Meredith’s secret and now, I was contemting on whether to confront her or not.