Marrying a Warhound (Cassian) novel Chapter 15 read online

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The air inside the tent was thick with smoke and sweat and the coppery scent of blood that clung to everything, my skin, my clothes, even my breath. Rain drummed against the canvas overhead in a steady rhythm.

It was like a cruel lullaby that did nothing to soften the exhaustion clawing its way through my bones. The lanterns, already dim, flickered with each gust of wind that slipped in through the gaps. I believe I have done this… seven times.

Seven.

Werewolves whose wounds should’ve killed them. Deep slashes through muscle. Arrows laced with toxins meant to paralyze even an Alpha. Throats torn open. Chests split nearly to the bone. Things no healer would touch. Things no werewolf could recover from in hours, let alone minutes.

But I had done it. I had mended them, every one of them. A part of me had that sense of pride, something warm slowly blossoming inside my chest, but there was something else that I failed to say… something that wasn’t right.

My hands were steady, but my vision blurred at the edges, like ink bleeding into parchment. The warmth that usually surged from my palms when I healed felt weaker, duller. It still worked, I knew it did. I’d just sealed the last of the lieutenant’s wounds, smoothed his skin over like nothing had ever touched him. But as I sat back on my heels and gestured for Rio to carry the man away before he woke, my fingers wouldn’t uncurl.

“Take him,” I whispered.

Rio stepped in without hesitation, lifting the soldier’s weight as if it meant nothing. He gave me a sharp, respectful nod as he turned toward the tent flap. The lantern light caught on the edge of his armor, and for a moment, I could have sworn it looked like he was glowing.

I started to rise.

That was my mistake.

The world tilted.

My breath caught as a cold rush swept over me, like falling face–first into a frozen river. My knees buckled before I could catch myself, and then… Cassian’s arms were around me.

He caught me like he’d been expecting it. I didn’t even know he was standing that close to me. Did he notice it? The exhaustion of my ability? I immediately stilled. I only healed seven

11:04 Wed, Sep 10

Chapter 15

werewolves, and he had thousands of them. Seven is nothing.

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“You should’ve said something,” he muttered, his voice sharp against my ears. He sounded annoyed. No. I knew he was annoyed.

“I’m sorry, but… I’m fine,” I whispered.

His grip didn’t loosen. “You’re shaking.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.”

I hated how close he was, how his warmth seeped through my damp cloak, grounding me in a way I didn’t want to admit I needed. His scent, ash, cold steel, and something darker, wrapped around me like a second skin, threatening to pull me under. I tried to stand again, but the tent seemed to sway with me.

From across the room, Mendez stepped forward, concerned in his eyes. “She’s pale.”

“I said I’m fine,” I repeated, forcing my voice to steady. “I can- I can heal more. You can ask Rio to bring in the next patient.”

Cassian studied me in silence. His hand slid beneath my elbow, steadying me as he helped me into a nearby chair. I sank into it, grateful for the distance it created, even if it was only a few

inches.

“She’s healed seven men tonight,” Mendez said, glancing at the flap where Rio had just disappeared. “Seven critical wounds. The kind that even wolves with Alpha blood wouldn’t survive.”

Cassian didn’t look at him. His gaze was still on me and somehow that scared me. Does he think seven is too little? What if he suddenly decide, my ability isn’t useful after all?

“Are they combat–ready?” he asked.