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Healer Rhea's POV

It was strange that her daily routine with her males had been altered so much, but that was to be expected, given their movement in between camps. And for one reason or another, she hadn't liked it.
Not when the brew had been watered down and lukewarm, though that wasn't a fault of her males.
No, they did the best they could and offered a near-impossible order in the midst of the chaos outside her tent's privacy.

With the sun grazing the trees above, Rhea realized that the commotion was just the beginning of the day. Especially when Osmin had given her unsure glances in terms of her leaving this very night.

Course, she would have her males and Nelo—Plus a number of his own males to make a dutiful setup and prepare for the back-and-forth travels. But that did not aid his stance in letting Rhea so far out of his sight.

As the sun betrayed the better half of the camp and their movements, Rhea had made it her mission to speak with those who wanted to get their word in. And while she had to deny those ready to get a head start on their travels, she had to remind them that the setup here was better at the moment.

The small shack that Alpha Stephan had teased her on for the past few years was now coming to test her limits. If only she hadn't sacrificed her studies for the time to put forth more knowledge in hopes of protecting and providing for the pack.

"The wolf doesn't want you to leave..." Gilroy noticed, tightening the holds on the horse once more. And Rhea sighed, not wanting to turn and see the despair on Osmin's face anymore.

"It's only for a few days, we have to get the go-ahead from the Alpha...Besides, he's going to be cranky one way or another. Either he follows with us or leaves Lillian behind. We can't leave the pack with no Healer." Rhea was right, of course, and there was no sense in arguing when the safety and duty to the pack came first.

"What happens if the Alpha doesn't accept us?" Rhea had given Gilroy a side eye and smirked, taking hold of the horse's snoot and caressing the fellow. They were being troopers and she didn't want their needs to be forgotten and ignored. "Rhea? What type of plan are you proposing to the Alpha?"
"I can be persuasive at times." She whispered, only for Dane to drop the sack of Rhea's belongings to the ground. "What?!" He hissed, and Rhea sighed as she went to go down to pick up the fallen items, only for both males to curse at the sight of her trying to bend down.

"Foolish as you are stubborn, what on earth are you planning, Rhea?" Dane spat, and she shrugged her shoulders. "I think we all learned a few things in our time in captivity. Or in my case, dying and being resurrected...There are a few things I would like to try. Falling in love, as being one of them." Her eyes burned at the admission of the truth, and both Dane and Gilroy could only be staggered at the thought.

"A-Alpha Stephan?"
"He's tried to court me for the past few weeks, before my escape from the King at least. I told him I couldn't, but I thought it's time to put the past behind me. Don't you think?" While they were happy for the Queen, they were still a bit hesitant and in denial of what Rhea's plan of action was.

However, they did their duty and finished the supplies for the second base—One that was entitled Crimson Circle. Which was fitting since they were taking safety within the Red Moon pack.

As Rhea had finally turned to look at those who were coming to wish the small group safe travels, she had caught Osmin and Lillian whispering harshly to one another in the back. And while it had taken her a bit of time to get towards them, it didn't matter that she was standing in front of them, not with the level of bickering they were cursing each other out on.

"You both are so colorful this evening..." She intervened, finally—Wondering if she should actually be considered about the two of them. "Rhea, please, I would be much better suited to go with you."

"And leave Lillian? And leave the rest of the wolves here without their leader? No. You need to stay, Osmin. I trust you, and more importantly—They trust you. Do you understand that?" It was much easier to digest when it came from Rhea, causing Lillian to huff in damnation.

"As if I didn't say that since this morning."

"It's alright, Lil. His wolf is feeling misplaced because we are in between packs. It's his beast making him antsy. Just as we'll feel once we separate, yes?" The witch nodded in agreement to Rhea's explanation, and the Queen noted the therapeutic motion of Lillian's hand stroking the wolf's arm.

Perhaps they just needed a break.

"I'll be back within the next few days, or send a runner. We'll keep in contact." That had certainly caused a bit of comfort between the two newly deemed leaders. And so Rhea smiled as she looked down to the damp ground between them. Bidding them a quick farewell, otherwise, she would be at risk of being convinced of changing the plans.

As she settled herself inside the carriage, right beside Nelo and Rolf. They were soon on their way towards Red Moon, which was most certainly easy to get through—Claiming they were on their way through and to the pack, just as Rhea had instructed.

There was no reason to raise suspicion, so using the same reasoning she's heard a hundred times before was nothing to worry about. What was, in fact, was seeing the state of her shack. Knowing full well that her males were most defiantly starting to question just how reliable Alpha Stephan is if he allowed his prized Healer and potential female to live here.

"It's much more comfortable inside. Let's get the horses settled first." With that settled, Rhea had watched her males get things prepared for their carriages while she snuck past them to peek into her home.

Which was completely toppled over and searched through.

It made sense, Rhea had disappeared without a trace and without much notice. Alpha Stephan would have most likely scent warriors after her—And by Goddess, she was thankful that something awful hadn't come to transpire with that.

Instead, she turned her chair right side up before settling down right beside the fire, hoping to get things up and moving.

"Rhea, this an absolute shack of a—"

"It's mine, Rolf. That's what matters." She reminded, and he supposed that meant a great deal with the former Queen and helped her the spark on the fire.

Once that had been settled, Rhea started to use up the majority of her remaining supplies that hadn't been stolen or outdated. And the wolves of the group had come in with their noses up in the air, trying to find the culprit of the scent.

Having gotten an upgrade at the infirmary, she had taken the used supplies and she was once again thankful she had. As everyone had their own bowl and mug to use for tonight's feast.

And better yet, she never felt more fulfilled than having her shack filled with those closest to her.

With things starting to settle down, the bed was taken out to have more room for the males—And the wolves shifted and searched around the property, Rhea had taken her one last look around before she set her sights on her departure.

Though she hadn't dared to leave without taking some sort of weapon this time around, and better yet—She had taken the quicker way instead of the detour as she had the last.

In circling through the main town, she smiled underneath her hood in hearing the familiar voices of those she could recognize—Even if she couldn't reach out and ask them an endless line of questions about town gossip.

No, she had to settle a few things as of yet.

It was most definitely in her heart to check the infirmary and its state of service. And her heart soared in seeing both Noira and Sadie's handwriting throughout the scattered bits of papers throughout the desk, while the wall held her own.

In settling a few things, placing the needed brew in the cauldron would settle the basis of what the stores are missing. She felt at ease to leave without another trace, though it did catch a few guards' attention.
They hadn't bothered her, not when she smelled so differently—In combination of wolf and human males.

Osmin had claimed that her scent had altered slightly since her resurrection, and it was confirmed by the rest of the wolves— Nelo included.

As she slipped through the side door into the pack house, Rhea sighed in relief to see that the candles were dimmed. Some were blown out as it was getting later than she actually realized, which was perfect for what she wanted to do.

Upon heading to the Alpha's study, she was sort of relieved to see that the male was getting sleep—Otherwise their first words to one another would be a chid him for having bad habits.

Though Rhea was certainly the last person to be pointing her finger at anyone in that regard.

Still, it's what the Alpha adored in her.

Hurrying through the hall as quickly as her leg would allow, she finally arrived at the Alpha's personal quarters. And the lack of noise behind it had suggested that they were most definitely snoring away.

Making this much easier on her sore body.

Quickly getting the squealing door pushed open, Rhea inhaled the familiar scent with ease. Honey and thistle wood, a signature fragrance that burned religiously. Not only for the pups but because it had been the former Luna's favorites.

Thinking of the triplets, Rhea had stalled her directive one last time as she peeked in to see the three—Or two, considering one was shifted.
It wasn't strange, not at all.

Not when these were Alpha children and were born in fur.

It had been a tearful reunion, realizing that her heart was going to burn once she started to act on her promise to herself.
That when she escaped the Rogue pack, she would embrace this life.

That was if Alpha Stephan would still accept her.

Upon taking the steps towards the Alpha's room, she stopped at the door and tried her best to maneuver her feet—Hoping to get them to comply, but Goddess be damned.

Rhea was feeling her nerves rise tenfold.

Opening her heart was always difficult, and it was why she felt so devoted to the males in her care. Stephan deserved to know the truth as well, but in the morning—In the morning when things needed to be properly discussed.

Instead, she gripped the handle and entered the room before her mind could make the decision that this was a mistake. There wasn't much to the room itself, not since the expansion to make room for three Alpha children.

The Alpha's chambers had everything one would need, but this one room was bigger than her shack. A few times bigger, if she was being entirely honest with herself.

A small groan from the Alpha had caused her to shake off the lingering thoughts as she began to take off her cloak and boots by the door, dropping them promptly in the chair by his attached bath chamber.

This was as risky as Rhea could ever act, but as she took a seat at the edge of the bed—Her hand carefully took hold of Stephan's shoulder with a smile, one that startled to wobble at the fact that she was here.

Here and alive.

The sniffle had caused the Alpha to stir, but the tears were far too demanding to stop now. Not when they were able to be shed in private, or as private as things will be in the next few weeks.

"Edith...Nightmare?" He whispered, starting to turn over about to comfort his pup. And that mere question had caused another bit to shatter. How did the pups respond to her disappearance? "Pup?"

"No...Not a pup. But it was a nightmare." The response didn't register in the Alpha, not until his nose started to work up a storm and inhale the scent of tears. When that failed, the Alpha had risen to sit up, rubbing his eyes to wake up—Only to be greeted by the very female that had plagued him at every moment.

Awake or asleep.

The worry did not falter, not for a second.

"R-Rhea...?" His voice cracked, but she didn't want to believe he was emotional at this time. No, he had just woken up. It was a matter of prospect and—There was hardly a thought in his mind as he pulled her into his grasp, falling back into his bed and curling himself around her.

His nose stuffing directly into her neck and humming in pure delight. There was no record of boundaries. Not when she caught his eyes having shifted to a black shade. However, the movement in bed had caused Rhea to groan, and not in the way that the Alpha wanted.

His attention turned to the area of distress and Rhea pulled his hand away from searching her body for any more injuries. She pulled the hand up to caress her cheek and kissed his palm. "I'm here...I'm here."

"Goddess...Where have you been?" What started as a smile slowly drifted back to a gasping sob as she hid into his shoulder. Perhaps it would be harder to discuss than before.

But after all that she grasped in the last few weeks, she was bound to serving to the greater good.

"I was captured...I'm so sorry, Stephan. I'm so sorry." She croaked, and all the Alpha could do was try and soothe her shaking body. But it did nothing to remove those memories, and it didn't help her state the truth.
"You're here."
"I am."
"You came back."
"I did."
"You came back. Here. To me." He rephrased, almost as if his mind couldn't process it. How many times had Rhea expressed her sheltered opinion on finding love, mating, or getting married?

Whatever of her life there was left to live, Rhea knew that she wanted to try what everyone raved about.

"I couldn't wait until morning." She claimed, her smile starting to wobble further as she took in his features. His growing stubble showcases the amount of stress he's dealt with these past few months.

"A-and this?... What's happened? Gods, Rhea...Why did you leave?"

"That's what I wanted to speak with you about. Tomorrow. Right now I promised myself one thing if I ever did escape." Rhea was not a very embracive person, not with the scares lingering on her body and the amount of depleted courage she's dealt with since.

But right now, Stephan couldn't think more than Rhea being here, in his bed, her wonderful scent surrounding him—It nearly made his wolf growl in approval for the female he set his heart to.

"What did you promise yourself?"
"To spend the night with you...As a start." She whispered, so quietly that Stephan wondered if Rhea was even capable of acting that small. But with a confirming inhale, he wrapped his arms around her fully.
A hand came to cradle the back of her head as he pulled her directly into his neck.

A silent offer of security, adoration, and most importantly, his love.

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Date: 06/01/23

Time: 9:00 (Yay!)

Words: 2677

Author's Note:

Forwarning that there will be a time jump within the next few chapters.
May start posting 3 chapters on Saturday (when I'm not working the weekend), just because my goal is to have this story marked as complete for the Wattys and Ambys.