LJust like in Silverwater… The gates of Redmoon stood tall and large. The Alaro was a fairly big pack and just like Silverwater, Thorne had also only been here once when the pack alpha was sworn into his position.

The pack felt more lively than Silvermoon, the people didn't look as miserable either. They looked normal.

The carriage stopped at the pack house. Thorne stepped out of the carriage first, his gaze sweeping the line of waiting figures. The Alpha and Luna stood at the center, both dressed in red robes, smiles stretched across their faces.

"Your Majesty," the Alpha began, his voice deep and loud. "It's an honor to have you in our humble pack." He said, bowing, and the others behind him followed the motion.

Thorne gave a curt nod. "Alpha Kael. Luna Mirella." He nodded. "You've kept your pack in decent order."

"We try our best, Your Majesty," the Luna replied with a warm smile. "We've had the royal quarters prepared exactly as requested. I hope you'll find them comfortable."

Thorne turned back to the carriage and offered his hand. Adina stepped out carefully, her cloak fluttering behind her in the breeze. She slipped her fingers into his, and Thorne helped her down as if she were glass.

The Alpha and Luna shared a gaze. "My lady, welcome to Redmoon. We hope the journey wasn't stressful," the Luna said, and Adina smiled.

"Not at all, Luna," she replied with a practiced polite smile.

Adina couldn't help but compare. In comparison to Luna Sienna of Silverwater, Luna Cordelia was smaller, petite even. She had an extra graceful side to her but also looked firmer than the previous Luna.

"We at Redmoon are more than—" The Alpha didn't get to finish his words as a thick stone flew over them.

Adina jerked where she stood as the stone hit her temple, blood streaming down from her temple.

"Adina!" Thorne yelled, holding her in his arms tight, his eyes searching the injury.

"What the—" Mason muttered behind him, already stepping forward. The carriers behind drew their swords.

From the side, a small pup stood barefoot in the grass, giggling and tossing stones she'd gathered between her hands. She looked important, dressed in the same clothes as the Alpha and Luna of Redmoon and yet…

"Lira, no!" someone from Redmoon's entourage rushed forward, grabbing the girl. "Forgive her, she's—she doesn't know what she's doing. Please—"

"She threw a rock at my mate!" Thorne snarled angrily.

The child didn't stop laughing, her eyes crinkling.

The Alpha stepped forward hastily, hands raised. "She didn't mean it, I swear. That child is… mentally ill. We usually keep her away from—"

"It's fine…" Adina interjected, squeezing Thorne's hand, immediately earning his attention.

"Get me a healer for God's sake!" He snarked, and she winced from the noise. He softened instantly, and before she realized it, he swept her off her feet, carrying her into his arms.

"And show me the way to the room!" He growled.

The Luna and her maid jumped forward like they'd just been released from a spell, rushing to show Thorne to the room.

Thorne walked quickly, almost running. His arms wrapped tightly around Adina's body. One hand cradled the back of her head, the other gripped her thighs.

"Thorne," Adina whispered, shifting slightly. "I'm fine. I'm healing already."

"You're bleeding," he snapped. "You think I care how fast your wolf heals? That little girl stoned you."

Adina blinked up at him. The muscles in his jaw ticked.

Luna Cordelia scurried ahead, throwing open the door to the quarters. "In here, please, Your Majesty. The healer's already on her way—"

"Good," Thorne muttered, brushing past her. He laid Adina down gently on the bed but didn't move far. He hovered by her side instead.

Adina sighed, reaching up to touch his cheek. "I'm okay. Really."

He didn't answer, his gaze just dropped to the blood on her skin again. His jaw tightened.

Mason appeared in the doorway. "Healer's here."

A middle-aged woman entered the room quickly, clutching a worn satchel. "My King. My Lady," she greeted with a bow, then glanced toward Adina. "May I?"

Thorne didn't move. Adina gave him a look.

"Thorne," she said softly. "Step back. Please."

He hesitated.

"Mason, can you…" Adina gestured.

Mason stepped in. "Your Majesty, come on. Let her do her job."

With a tense exhale, Thorne finally stood and moved back, stalking to the far side of the room. His arms crossed tightly, jaw clenched as the healer moved in.

The woman cleaned the wound with careful hands. "It's shallow. Your wolf's already doing most of the work," she murmured. "Still, I'll apply some salve to ease the pain."

"Thank you," Adina said. She glanced at Thorne, who hadn't moved an inch or even looked away. She couldn't help but smile. No one has been this protective over her.

The healer began to clean the injury then suddenly she paused, sniffing the air.

"My lady….are you…" she trailed off.

"Am I what?" Adina asked.

The woman shook her head, "It's just, you are different." She began.

Her words were no longer strange to Adina. Not after what the old beggar man had said to in the obsidian market. She hummed, "I've heard that one before," she replied.

The healer's brows furrowed. "You have?" She asked, sounding a little puzzled. "I've only smelled this with…."

She didn't get to finish her words as Thorne came closer, making the woman freeze up again.

"Thorne…"

"What? I can't come to see what she's doing after someone from their pack practically assaulted you?" He asked, his voice sharp with no real bite though.

"They said she's mentally ill. It would excuse her mistake," Adina replied.

"If she's ill then it's their responsibility to make sure she isn't trying to kill their guest. Especially their king's mate."

Adina sighed but couldn't help the smile on her face. "I'm fine, I promise. Look, the healer said it's healing. Right?" She directed the last hit to the woman who nodded hastily.

"Y-yes. The damage done isn't life-threatening," the healer said, her voice shaky under Thorne's intense stare. "With your wolf's healing, the wound should be gone by nightfall."

Adina gave Thorne a look that practically screamed see?, but his frown didn't ease. He hovered close to her again, his eyes flicking between her temple and the healer like he was ready to challenge her prognosis.

The healer began packing up her things, still sneaking confused glances at Adina as if something about her still didn't add up. Her nostrils flared subtly, catching the scent again, but she dared not speak with the king looming so closely.

Thorne's hand brushed lightly over Adina's cheek, careful to avoid the bandaged wound. "I'm not letting anyone near you unless I trust them," he muttered.

Adina rolled her eyes but smiled. "Might be hard to run a kingdom like that."

"I'll manage," he said gruffly.

Mason cleared his throat from where he stood in the doorway. "Should I… have a word with Alpha Kael about the child?"

"No," Adina answered before Thorne could. "It's over. Let's not escalate things. Please."

Thorne gave Mason a hard look but eventually gave a reluctant nod. "Fine. For now."

The healer dipped into a curtsy. "I'll check back later, my lady. Please rest."

Adina nodded, then the woman hurried out, no doubt eager to breathe again without the king's intense presence choking the air out of her lungs.

Once they were alone again, Adina tugged lightly on Thorne's sleeve. "Come here."

He sat beside her with a scowl, as if her calling him closer still wasn't enough to soothe the anger. "I should have Alpha Kael punished."

"Over a child's mistake."

"His child. He should've done better."

Adina nodded, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you, My king, but I'm perfectly fine."

Thorne hummed, intertwining their fingers together. "You have to be fine," he muttered.

"You should go. I'm sure they're worried out of their minds about your reaction. They're already going through enough with the missing pack members. And besides, you're here to help them."

Thorne said nothing but knew she was right. After a few seconds, he nodded, kissing her forehead. "I'll be back soon."