Eden Grace
The moment Eden's fingers closed around Elder Blackthorn's wrist, something deep within her stirred.
A sudden pulse rushed through her veins, hot and sharp and before she could even understand what was happening, Ishira, her wolf, stirred.
And then her vision shifted.
The world around her faded into strange layers of green light and shadow until flesh, bone and blood no longer looked solid, but transparent, as if she were seeing straight through his body.
Wait what!? Eden's breath caught. She could see the muscles, nerves, bones, the flow of blood just with her naked eyes!
She could pinpoint the damage without even needing a scan report like normal doctor do!
What… is this? When did I become like this? Eden's heart pounded and then realization struck her.
Was it because of Ishira? Her healer lineage?
Eden had never learned this, she had never trained for this. And yet, she could see everything. This is divine!
As Eden scanned the Elder Blackthorn she could see the old fractures buried beneath layers of healed flesh, the weakened bones that had once been shattered in war, and the fragile pathways struggling to keep his powerful heart alive.
But then Eden also noticed something unusual.
Thin traces of toxins were mixed into his bloodstream, spreading slowly through his body. They were not meant to kill him at once, but to weaken him over time and trigger sudden collapses.
Poison..? Eden's brow creased.
In that instant, she understood what she needed to do.
Eden quickly pulled a set of silver needles Dr. Martinez has given. The one used by ancient wolf healers. The metal shimmered faintly, responding to the alpha energy in the hall.
Eden took a slow breath and without hesitation, she began.
One needle near his collarbone to cleanse the poisoned blood. One behind his ear to restore damaged circulation. One along his spine to awaken dormant wolf energy.
Each movement was steady and precise.
As the needles slid into place, faint silver light pulsed through his veins, forcing the toxins to retreat and activating his natural regeneration.
The heavy air in the hall slowly lifted. When Eden finally placed the last needle near his heart, she exhaled softly.
His body was recovering!
A sudden gasp echoed through the hall. Elder Blackthorn's chest rose sharply as he drew in a deep breath, his fingers twitching as consciousness slowly returned to him.
Everyone froze. How was this possible!?
For years, whenever his condition worsened, it had taken teams of healers and endless treatments just to barely stabilize him and this doomed doctor stabilized him in seconds, that also with just silver needles and steady hands?
Her medical skills were not just impressive. They were terrifyingly effective!
As Elder Blackthorn's breathing slowly steadied, Eden carefully removed the needles and helped him sit up.
She knelt beside him and spoke gently as she gave the green herb she had prepared in the apothecary, "Grandfather, I need to ask you a few things."
He looked at her, still weak but alert, and nodded slightly.
Eden questioned him about his sleep, his diet, his old injuries, and the medicines he had been taking over the years. With every answer, her expression grew more serious.
"Grandpa, you must stop overworking yourself, avoid excessive alpha surges, and reduce stress. Your body cannot handle it anymore. Also, have you thought about going for surgery?"
"Not surgery!" Elder Blackthorn barked immediately, "I'm not going through surgery! I have survived wars and blades, I will not die helplessly on a hospital bed!"
Grandma sighed in frustration. "This old wolf…he's still stubborn as ever. No matter how many times we try to persuade him, he refuses to undergo surgery. I am already exhausted from arguing with him. Child, only you can convince him now."
"Enough!" Grandpa thundered, "Do you think at this very old age of mine I can go under risky surgeries? Surgery is nothing but gambling with death! I have survived battles and betrayals, but I will not lie on an operating table waiting for fate to decide if I live or die."
Eden remained calm. "Your condition does need surgical correction…" she said honestly, "but if you truly refuse, then we can go through another method which doesn't really need surgeries."
Another method which doesn't need surgery? The words sent a ripple of shock through everyone present.
Eden looked confident when she spoke. "I will prepare every dose myself, using specialized herbs and wolf compatible compounds. You will take them daily, without missing even a single day, do everything I say and you'll be healed in a year."
A year? The illness and the symptoms have been for many decades, she can just cure it in a year? No healer had ever promised that level of recovery!
Grandma's eyes filled with tears of relief. She rushed forward and clasped Eden's hands tightly. "Thank you, child… thank you!" she said with trembling gratitude. "If you can save him, I will support you with everything I have. You have my permission. Do whatever is needed."
Aunt Linda looked at her in disbelief, "Mother in law, how can you trust this werewolf so easily? She is still an outsider. What if she has other intentions?"
"You shut up. How she's an outsider!?" Grandma snapped. " Can't you see she is my grandson's bride..? She's a part of Blackthorn now and upcoming Luna of the pack?"
"And did you not see with your own eyes how she stabilized Alexander just now, when none of you could do anything?"
Immediately everyone shut up. They couldn't deny Eden's exceptional medical skills. Aunt Linda's eyes flashed with hatred and jealousy.
But Grandma looked at Eden and Cassian with adoring gaze.
In truth, Grandma had always been the only one who truly loved and supported his grandson Cassian when no one else did, the one who saw the weight he carried behind his cold exterior.
She knew how much pressure had been forced onto him, how little choice he had ever been given in his own life.
So seeing him choose his own happiness at last did not anger her.
It made her quietly proud.
And looking at Eden now, standing firm for their family, Grandma felt certain that Cassian had chosen well.
Suddenly an idea struck Grandma's mind. Right, it was a great opportunity to patch up the damage now! It was time to bring back Cassian into the heart of the pack, where he truly belonged.
She turned to Eden with a warm smile. "Dear Child, since you will be treating Elder Blackthorn every day, why don't you both move in here for a while? It will be easier for everyone."
The words hung in the air.
All eyes slowly shifted to Elder Blackthorn.
But surprisingly he didn't say anything, just gruffed turning his face away.
Cassian froze. Wait, that means he agrees too?
For years, he had lived on the borders of the pack territory or abroad and now…he was invited back?
And the very sole reason of it was his Wife. Eden Blackthorn.
Cassian slowly turned to look at Eden. There was something unfamiliar in his gaze.
It was no longer just possession, control, or obligation. It was a quiet mix of surprise, gratitude, and a growing warmth he did not yet know how to name.
Grandma's face lit up with immense joy, she clapped instructing the maids. "Quickly, prepare the room for the newlyweds! Make it comfortable. They will be staying here from tonight."
Eden froze. What? Room for newly weds!?
Does that mean…they have to stay together from now on!?
Danger! Danger! Eden's mind and heart bellowed against her chest. How can she live here surrounded by these vicious lineage..?
"What? What's with your look? Do you have anything else in mind?" Grandpa Blackthorn snapped at Eden.
Eden immediately shook her head vigorously, terrified. "No, nothing, sir."
She's doomed! She just entered into royal den!