Ever since Ryland won’t let me grow herbs and flowers at the packhouse, I’ve been keeping a small garden at Rose’s place to help the sick patients. Every week, I make sure to deliver fresh herbs and flowers to the Pack Hospital.
Ryland’s face darkened at the mention of my name. “I don’t know. She hasn’t come to see me.”
Rose frowned, her wrinkled face filled with concern. “Alpha, is everything all right between you two? Did you fight with her? Elara usually answers her calls and I know how much she worries about these patients at the Pack Hospital. Maybe you should give her a call – send her a mindlink or something and just ask.”
Rose was one of the oldest healers in the pack and had watched me and Ryland grow up. She was like a grandmother to both of us.
I had prepared a large batch of Healing flowers and Herbs but I couldn’t deliver it anymore. I could tell Rose could sense something was wrong, not just between me and Ryland but with me even if she didn’t understand what.
Ryland’s expression grew more displeased, but he restrained himself because it was Rose he was speaking to.
“Elara and I have rejected each other,” he said, his voice strained with forced patience. “We’re not together anymore and I don’t want to hear or talk about her.”
“Is this because of Selene?” Rose asked her voice gentle but firm. “Elara told me about her. You know, Ryland, you two…”
“Forget it, Rose!” Ryland interrupted, with a sharp tone. “It doesn’t matter anymore what she said. I have pack business to attend to, goodbye.”
With that, he ran past Rose to a nearby clearing where rare moon flowers grew, the only blooms Selene wasn't allergic to.
I watched him from the corner of the clearing, my heart aching in ways I didn’t know were still possible. He used to bring flowers to me too. But now, all that was left between us was silence and regret.
