Reclaiming Stolen Healing Gifts

The scent hit me first—wild roses and rain, untamed and defiant. I paused in the doorway of my healing chamber, my hand instinctively moving to the mate mark on my neck as I watched Cairo guide the newcomer inside. She was beautiful in that dangerous way rogues often were, all sharp edges and predatory grace, her dark hair cascading over shoulders that held themselves like she owned every room she entered.

"Claire," Cairo's voice cut through my assessment, cold and dismissive as always. "This is Winona Webb. She requires vocal enhancement treatment."

Winona turned toward me, and I saw the calculation in her amber eyes as she took in my healer's robes, the Luna crystals at my throat, the deference that should have been automatic. Instead, she smiled—a slow, mocking curve of lips that made my wolf bristle.

"So you're the famous Luna healer," she said, her voice like honey over broken glass. Even speaking casually, there was something mesmerizing about her tone, layers of melody that seemed to wrap around the listener. "I've heard so much about your... services."

The way she said 'services' made my skin crawl. I straightened, drawing on three years of Luna training to keep my voice steady. "Welcome to Shadowpine Pack, Winona. If you'll take a seat on the treatment table, we can begin your assessment."

She laughed—a sound like silver bells with an edge of mockery. "Assessment? Honey, I think we both know what I'm here for." She moved past me to the healing table, her shoulder deliberately brushing mine in a show of disrespect that would have gotten any other she-wolf immediately corrected.

I looked to Cairo, waiting for him to address her insubordination. He was my mate, my Alpha—surely he would defend my position. Instead, he waved his hand dismissively when he caught my expectant gaze.

"Exceptional voices deserve exceptional accommodation, Claire." His tone was flat, bored, as if my concerns were trivial interruptions to more important matters. "Proceed with the treatment."

My wolf whimpered at the casual dismissal, but I forced myself to move to my workstation. This was the 99th she-wolf Cairo had brought to me over three years. I knew the routine by heart—assess their vocal range, apply my healing techniques to enhance their natural abilities, then watch them disappear into Cairo's private collection. But this felt different. Wrong in a way that made my healing instincts scream warnings.

As I prepared my instruments, I became aware of Cairo's presence in a way I hadn't experienced before. Usually, he dropped off his 'projects' and left immediately, too busy with pack business to linger in my domain. Today, he remained, positioning himself against the far wall where he could watch Winona with an intensity that made my stomach clench.

"Begin with scales," I instructed Winona, trying to maintain professional composure. "Start low and work your way up through your range."

Winona's voice filled the chamber, and I understood immediately why Cairo was transfixed. Her vocal cords produced sounds that