Ryker sat at the head of the long conference table, his expression unreadable as Alpha Moonshade continued speaking about trade routes, patrol exchanges, and the supposed benefits of an alliance between their packs. He heard every word. Yet none of it truly reached him. His thoughts remained in one place. The hospital. His mate.
Ever since leaving Julia's bedside that morning, his wolf had been pacing restlessly inside him, refusing to settle. Every instinct screamed that they belonged beside her, not trapped inside another tedious political meeting. Then, a familiar voice echoed through his mind.
"Alpha, the Luna has awakened. I just finished examining her."
The healer. Ryker immediately straightened.
"How is she?" he asked through the mind link, unable to hide the concern in his voic
