Eden Grace
"Then I'll show you the proof, if that's what you want."
Eden slowly opened the small pouch at her waist and took out a set of slender silver needles.
Eden placed one steady hand on Lucien's back to keep his spine still. With her other hand, she swiftly tapped several nerve points along his spine using two fingers.
At the same time, she drew three silver needles and inserted them in a flash into precise points along the damaged nerve channel.
The moment the needles pierced the skin, Lucien's body jerked violently, shocking everyone.
But then suddenly, a mouthful of blood spurted from Lucien's mouth.
His body began convulsing uncontrollably, his breathing turning erratic as the wolf aura around him flickered wildly.
Rachel screams. "Stop! He's getting worse!"
Benedict immediately attacks. "I warned you! This ignorant girl is murdering the Alpha!"
Inside, however, a cold smile crept across his mind. Foolish girl.
He had been waiting for this very moment.
The moment she dared to use silver needles. The hidden sealing needle he planted would react the moment anyone tried to stimulate Lucien's nerves. His condition would only worsen.
No one in the werewolf realm could surpass the dark acupuncture art he had mastered. Now this mere girl could challenge him? Impossible!
Lucien coughed another mouthful of blood spilling from his lips as his body convulsed even harder.
Rachel panicked and rushed forward. "Grandpa, stop her! She's going to kill him!"
Malrik stepped forward angrily. "Guards! Catch her!"
The guards moved at once, but Cassian stepped in front of Eden, blocking their path.
His voice turned cold. "Anyone who touches her will answer to me."
The guards hesitated and instinctively looked toward Elder Calveris for orders.
But the Elder's attention was fixed on Lucien's convulsing body, his expression dark and tense as doubt about Eden slowly crept into his mind.
What is she doing!? Didn't she say she could cure him!?
Eden's brows knitted in tension.
She was certain she had struck the correct acupoints. Then why was Lucien's body reacting like this the moment the needles went in? That also Divine moon goddess silver needles…?
Until and unless….
A forbidden dark art technique used by ancient rouge packs is done. There must be something lethal planted deep inside his body!
But where is it? And can she remove it? Because one wrong move now could rupture the damaged nerve and kill him instantly!
Her gaze moved slowly along Lucien's spine. If she made a mistake now, not only Lucien but everyone from Blackthorn here could lose their lives!
Doctor Benedict let out a mocking laugh. "What's wrong? Lost already?" He sneered at her. "I knew it. You're just a wolfless woman who is here only to play doctor!"
He turned to Claveris with a triumphal look, "What did I say, Claveris? You shouldn't trust a fraud like her! Her punishment should be death for touching Alpha!"
No..!
Suddenly Ishira stirred within her. A faint glow spread through her fur and Eden felt a strange pressure on a certain point near her spine.
Eden's eyes widened slightly. Wait, is Ishira showing me…? Trusting the instinct, Eden gripped a silver needle and drove it into that exact spot on Lucien.
"You, how dare you!!!" Rachel snarled, surging ahead.
But then Lucien's violently convulsing body suddenly went still. In the next instant, a thin black needle shot out from his back like a dart, flying straight toward Eden's face.
Gasps erupted across the room.
But Eden moved faster. Her fingers snapped up and caught the dark needle midair. This is it! The black needle that was placed deep in his body to block other healer's techniques!
She succeeded in removing it!
Elder Calveris walked forward, his heart pounding as he sensed something. Lucien's eyelids trembled slightly before slowly opening. His consciousness was returning, his golden wolf eyes flickering back to life!
Elder Calveris bawled out loudly, "Lucien! You're awake!!"
Lucien's lips moved weakly. "D-Dad…?"
His body was still weak, but he was fully conscious nonetheless.
"Yes, it's me son! Your Dad." Many times Elder Calveris had dreamed of hearing that word from Lucien, for several decades and now he could finally hear it! It was surreal!
Grandpa Blackthorn on the other side stood shocked. The sight of Lucien awake after so long overwhelmed him, tears quietly rolled down his aged face.
Eden suddenly rose to her feet, her gaze turning icy as she aimed the black needle at Benedict. "Benedict, you bastard! Where did you get this forbidden dark needle? And how do you know of such a high level dark technique?"
Benedict's face drained of color. Her skill… surpassed mine? How is this possible… such terrifying medical talent from someone so young?
No…now nothing can be done! Benedict turned and tried to flee but the surrounding werewolves reacted instantly. They lunged forward and pinned him to the ground before he could take more than a few steps.
"Let me go!!" He screamed.
Cassian stepped forward, his gaze cold as he looked down at Benedict. "Tell me who is behind this. You couldn't have done this alone!"
"Like hell I'll tell you! Go ahead and kill me if you want to!" Benedict spat, his eyes blazing with defiance.
Elder Calveris's face darkened instantly. He turned to the guards, his voice cold and commanding.
"Lock him up. Torture him if you must, but make sure he stays alive. We need to gather more evidence."
The guards dragged Benedict out as he struggled and cursed.
Suddenly, Elder Calveris stepped forward and knelt down in front of Eden. " Thank you for saving my son, Lucien! Please accept my apology for doubting you!"
Everyone was shocked, Ashton Claveris who never bowed to anyone his whole life, knelt down in front of a young woman?
Eden was startled and quickly stepped back. "Please don't, Elder Calveris. I only did my duty as a doctor should, that's it. Please get up!"
Elder Calveris straightened, his eyes filled with admiration. "Such courage and wisdom in someone so young. You are truly worthy of being the daughter-in-law of the Blackthorn family."
A ripple of shock spread through the room. Does that mean he accepts Eden as the official bride of Cassian's?
Rachel's face twisted in disbelief. "Grandpa! How can you say that! You can't accept this witch!"
"Shut up!" Elder Calveris snapped sharply. "Can't you see she just saved your uncle's life? Show some respect!"
Rachel glares at Eden with venomous hatred. Eden Grace…it's you again! You not only awakened Lucien's consciousness, you also managed to snatch Cassian away from me!
Elder Calveris treated them with great respect after that. Eden calmly advised Lucien not to speak further and to take proper rest so that both his body and his wolf could recover faster. Investigation could take part later.
As they walked out of the chamber Grandpa Blackthorn suddenly stopped and looked at Eden with a serious expression.
Cassian immediately stepped forward. "Grandpa, please don't be harsh on her. It was me who defied despite your warning. Please punish me instead."
Grandpa Blackthorn ignored him and gestured to Eden. "You, come forward!"
Eden hesitated for a moment but slowly stepped ahead, a little nervous under his piercing gaze.
"Tell me what you want," he said firmly. "I will grant it."
Eden blinked in surprise. What..?
Grandpa Blackthorn grumbled, turning to the side, "What? You relieved a great burden and immense guilt the Blackthorn family had been carrying for decades. So it is only natural to ask what you want. Tell me is there anything you want? I'll grant it!"
Eden hesitated. Could she really ask for anything from him?
After a moment, she gathered all her courage to speak. "Then help me join back the hospital I was thrown out of, Grandpa."
Grandpa Blackthorn looked at her surprised, "What..? You want to join that same hospital?"
Eden looked at him confidently this time. "Yes."