Blaise and I shared a look, while Nicole exhaled heavily in the door’s direction, with Kaine pinching his lips shut into a thin line. No words needed to be said― everyone knew that Damon was only saying what he did because he was afraid of being disappointed in the event Nicole’s serum failed.

"Alpha― I mean, Damon must just be anxious," Kyle said, being the first to speak and hence the first to break the silence that followed after Damon’s hasty departure.

"Of course he is," Nicole murmured, still staring forlornly in the direction where we last saw Damon. "His wolf meant everything to him. Without it, he cannot be the alpha of Fangborne."

She turned her attention to Blaise, her eyes widening.

"No offense, Alpha Blaise."

"None taken," Blaise immediately returned. "I wish for Damon to regain the title of alpha more than anyone," he confessed. "It’s much too taxing to be in such a position of power."

"I’m sure," Nicole said with a sigh, nodding. "But for now, it’s true. We can be hopeful that there’s a high chance it could succeed― the results have come back favorable. Yet, we mustn’t assume it definitely will. What works for Kyle might have adverse effects for someone else." She turned her gaze to me. "That includes Alpha Darach."

"Do we have to make adjustments to fit the patient?" I asked, my hands clenched into fists.

Curing Kyle and Damon was one thing― they weren’t in positions of power and did not have an entire pack looking to the recovery of their wolves. Darach, on the other hand, was an alpha. He needed his wolf to maintain order, and without it, his life and leadership were both in danger with each passing day. Milo and Hornstead could only help for so long.

Kaine studied my expression, and without changing countenance, he said, "Perhaps Alpha Darach should be informed."

"Kaine?" Nicole said, turning to look at her mate.

"I agree," said Blaise. "As you said, what works for Kyle might not work for others― likewise, what Kyle has no control over could be different for a different wolf. Alpha Darach might handle the serum better. He is the alpha of Thunderstrike, after all, and that should stand for something."

"Or worse," Nicole pointed out. "Did you all just forget what I just said?"

"We owe it to him, Nicole," I pleaded. "And maybe if it works on him as well, maybe when Damon sees the progress..." I trailed off.

"He might not be as pessimistic," Blaise finished for me, and we shared a look.

Nicole sighed, rubbing her temples. Kaine stepped a little closer to her, his hands resting on her shoulders while gently kneading. Feeling his touch, she turned back to smile at him before looking back at us.

"I see your point," she said. "Very well― I’ll send word to Alpha Darach informing him of our progress."

A smile immediately broke through my face as I glanced at Blaise. He offered me a gentle, encouraging smile, nodding.

"Maybe the serum is just missing something," Kyle said. "Could we try again? I might have better control over my wolf this time."

"I have a theory," Nicole said. "But I will need Alpha Blaise in the room for this experiment. Harper―"

She turned to look at me, and I immediately nodded, stepping towards the door.

"I’ll be looking for Damon if you need me," I said, placing my hand on the doorknob. Turning my attention to Kyle, I gave him a thumbs up with my free hand. "I hope it goes well this time."

"You, me, and everyone else in this room," Kyle said, laughter coating his words. Either way, his eyes were filled with optimism, something Damon severely lacked.

Kyle was taking the loss of his wolf surprisingly well, but I could only imagine how excited he must be at the possibility of regaining it after having lost it so suddenly. Guilt churned in my stomach at the thought. He wouldn’t have lost it if it weren’t for me. Neither would Damon.

Blaise, having noticed the sudden change in my emotions, frowned as he took a step forward.

"Harper―"

"Good luck, Nicole, Kyle," I said. Meeting Blaise’s eyes, I could only offer him a smile. "I hope there’s good news."

I didn’t need any comforting. There was more to do than wallow in guilt and self-pity. After all, what had I lost in comparison to them? Blaise had more to do than attempt to comfort me.

With a smile and a nod, I left the room, leaving Nicole to be the carrier of good news. Darach would no doubt be pleased with the developments. On the other hand, I had a mate who badly needed an ego boost.

I did not miss the heat of Blaise’s gaze as he watched me leave, all the way until the door clicked shut behind me and I was gone from his line of sight.

***

"Blaise is worried about you," I said, leaning against the trunk of a mighty tree as I watched Damon toss yet another icicle. It soared through the forage and jabbed right into a tree, the force of it causing snow to scatter from the branches above.

He turned and glanced at me when he realized I was watching, huffing under his breath. A puff of white smoke escaped his lips as he exhaled, swirling around him before disappearing.

"He’s always worried about something," Damon grumbled under his breath as he turned back to his target. He opened his palm, facing it toward the sky, and just like that, ice crystallized in the palm of his hand to create yet another spear.

’Harper,’ Blaise’s voice called out through the link, and I stood a little straighter, placing a hand on my temple. His voice came in a little clearer after. ’Nicole has an update. You two might have to make a trip down to Thunderstrike for the treatment.’

"Blaise?" Damon asked when he noticed my silence, and I merely nodded before turning my attention back to Blaise.

’Now?’ I asked. ’Did the treatment work on Kyle?’

’Not yet,’ came Blaise’s reply. ’But Darach has offered Thunderstrike’s expansive medical equipment to aid in the experiments. You’ve found Damon, haven’t you? Bring him to the office. We’ll talk there.’