Page 28 of Sold to Three Alpha Kings

I draw both sides of the robe around my body, my damp red hair sticking to my face as I follow them out of the bathroom. By the time we’re back in the room, my blackened footprints have already been cleaned up.

Flames crackle in the fireplace, keeping the room warm and cozy. My clothes are still untouched beside the folded blankets at the foot of the bed.

Someone’s set out a tray on the table by the window—bread still warm, some kind of stew, fruit I don’t have a name for.

I stare at the food, salivating as my hand darts to my lower abdomen.

“Make yourself comfortable,” the older woman says to me. “The healer will be here soon.”

“Healer?” I shoot my head in her direction.

She doesn’t respond. Instead, the two women turn around and leave the room.

Once alone, I head over to the table and take a bite of the bread.

“Hmm.” I close my eyes, savoring the taste in my mouth.

Best I’ve ever had.

I eat too fast, stomach aching before I’m even done, hating myself a little for how good it feels to be full.

The healer comes not long after, the door creaking open behind me. I turn around, chewing gently, my eyes meeting the old man at the entrance.

His long gray hair spills over his back, his grip tight around a crooked wooden staff. “Hello,” he says, voice deep and manly.

I swallow. “You’re the one who came to see me the other day.”

“I am indeed.” His boots scuff against the floor as he closes the distance between us. “I’d been briefed on your…situation, and I was instructed to examine you.” The slight pause comes after he halts in front of me. “Hold out your wrist.”

I do.

The healer works with quiet efficiency as he checks my pulse, my eyes, and presses gentle fingers along my ribs and throat.

“Hmm.” He sighs, withdrawing his hands from me.

My brows form faint creases between them. “Why did they ask you to examine me?”

“To find out what’s happening in your body, of course.”

“And what did you find?”

He dips his hand in the pocket of his grey robe and hands me a small vial. “Here. Drink this.”

I accept it hesitantly. “What is it?”

“It’s a heat suppressant. It will help suppress the heat response while your body settles.”

“Settles into what?”

He looks right at me. “Has anyone ever told you that you ask a lot of questions?

“Has anyone ever told you that your statements and actions can be a little bit vague?” A pause. “You said it’s exactly as you suspected. Can you tell me what’s exactly as you suspected.

Something almost sympathetic crosses his weathered face. “Your wolf isn’t dead.”

Silence.

“It never was. Just starved enough it never had the strength to show itself—until three Kings’ pheromones and a reckless dose of drugs forced it toward the surface.”