The Princess's Revenge Chapter 22

Valencia’s POV

The walk back to packhouse felt endless. My legs trembled with each step, and only Dorian's steady arm kept me upright. The sun had fully set now, and torches lit our path through the darkening forest.

As we approached the castle gates, I saw more pack members gathered. Word must have spread that they'd found me. Alive.

Their faces showed varying degrees of shock, disbelief, and in some cases, grudging respect. But I was too exhausted to care what they thought.

"Take her to the stone house," Xander ordered. "Dr. Vance should examine her immediately."

The stone house sat near the training grounds. It was a modest building, but warm light glowed from its windows. The door opened before we reached it, and Dr. Vance appeared, his weathered face creased with concern.

"Valencia," he breathed. "Come in, come in quickly." He guided me to a padded examination table. "Sit here, child. Let me look at you."

I lowered myself carefully onto the table, wincing as my stiff muscles protested. The frost flowers were still clutched in my hand, and I set them down gently beside me.

Xander and Amara had followed us inside, along with several other pack members who crowded near the doorway. Their eyes tracked Dr. Vance's every movement as he began his examination.

"Can you lift your arms?" Dr. Vance asked gently.

I raised my arms slowly. They shook with the effort.

He checked my pulse, looked into my eyes, examined my hands and feet. His movements were professional, but I could see the surprise growing on his face.

"No frostbite," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "No signs of hypothermia or exposure damage."

"How is that possible?" Amara's voice cut through the room. "Three days on that mountain, and not even minor frostbite?"

Dr. Vance looked up at her, then back at me. "Her constitution is... unusual. I noted it during my first examination. She heals faster than normal, and apparently, she has exceptional resistance to cold."

"Exceptional resistance?" Xander stepped forward, his amber eyes narrowed. "Or did someone help her survive?"

The accusation hung in the air. My heart hammered against my ribs, but I kept my expression neutral.

"I survived alone," I said quietly. "As required."

"Then explain the lack of frostbite," Amara demanded. "Explain how you had the strength to climb to the highest elevations to find those flowers."

Dr. Vance's hands paused in their examination. "I can explain the medical aspects. This young woman has a remarkably resilient physiology. Her rapid healing, her temperature regulation—these are gifts, rare but not impossible."

"Gifts," Xander scoffed. "For a wolfless?"

"The Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways," Dr. Vance said calmly. "Who are we to question her design?"

He turned back to me, gently lifting my chin to examine my face more closely. "You're dehydrated. Malnourished, though that was already an issue before you left. But considering what you went through..." He shook his head in wonder. "It's remarkable you're in such relatively good condition."

I saw him carefully remove small pine needles and twigs from my hair—remnants from sleeping in the cave and the forest. His fingers were gentle as he pulled away bits of dried leaves stuck to my dress.

"She needs rest," he announced to the room. "Proper food and water. But there's no medical reason she can't return to the castle."

"The trial was three days," Dorian said, consulting the parchment Xander had given him. "She survived all three. By the laws established by Alpha Winston himself, she's passed the Winter Survival Trial."

Murmurs rippled through the gathered pack members.

"I still don't believe it," someone muttered from the doorway.

"Those frost flowers are real enough," another voice countered. "And valuable. More valuable than most of us could provide."

Amara's jaw clenched. "The first trial is complete. But don't forget—the second trial awaits. One week from now, you face me in combat."

Her eyes bore into mine. "And unlike the mountain, I won't show any mercy."

Dr. Vance handed me a cup of water. "Drink slowly. Small sips."

I obeyed, the cool water soothing my parched throat. It tasted better than anything I'd ever had.

"Now then," Dr. Vance said, addressing the crowd. "My patient needs rest. All of you can report to Alpha Logan that Valencia survived the trial, but she requires recovery time before any further examinations or questions."

"Alpha Logan," Xander said. "Has anyone seen him in the past three days?"

The room fell silent.

"Now that you mention it," Dorian said slowly, "I haven't seen Alpha since the morning Valencia left for the mountain."

"Neither have I," Amara added.

"He wasn't at training," a warrior near the door offered. "And he missed the council meeting yesterday. Said he was dealing with border security."

"For three straight days?" Xander's voice carried clear suspicion. "Without telling anyone where he was going or when he'd return?"

My heart hammered in my chest. I kept my eyes on the cup in my hands, my face carefully neutral. But inside, everything was churning.

"The Alpha doesn't need to explain his movements to us," Dorian said firmly.

"No," Xander agreed. "But the timing is... interesting. He disappears the same day she leaves for her trial. Returns the same day we bring her back."

"What are you suggesting?" Dr. Vance's voice was sharp.

"I'm not suggesting anything," Xander replied smoothly. "Just making observations."

"Well, observe somewhere else," Dr. Vance snapped. "My patient needs rest, not wild speculation and thinly veiled accusations. Out. All of you."

Dorian moved toward the door. "Come on. Let's give her space."

Slowly, the pack members filed out. Xander was the last to leave, and he paused at the doorway to look back at me. His eyes held a promise—this wasn't over.

When the door finally closed behind them, Dr. Vance sighed heavily and turned to me.

"Don't let them rattle you, child," he said kindly. "You did something extraordinary. You survived when they expected you to die. That's worth celebrating, not questioning."

"Thank you," I whispered.

He patted my shoulder gently. "Can you walk back to your room? Or should I have someone carry you?"

"I can walk." I slid off the examination table, testing my legs.

"Good. Get some real sleep tonight. Eat tomorrow. Recover your strength." He smiled. "And try not to worry about the second trial just yet. One challenge at a time."

I nodded and made my way to the door. Outside, the night air was crisp and clear. Stars scattered across the sky like diamonds on black velvet.

The walk back to the castle was quiet. Most of the pack had dispersed, returning to their duties or their beds. Only a few stragglers remained, and they watched me pass with expressions I couldn't quite read.

When I finally reached my room, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, letting out a long, shaky breath.

I crossed to the bed and sat down heavily. I replayed the past three days in my mind.

It had to be him.

My chest tightened with an emotion I couldn't quite name. Through the freezing nights and dangerous days, he'd been there. Protecting me from the shadows.

Why would he do that? Risk the pack's judgment, compromise the very trial he'd been forced to allow?

I know the answer, I thought, my heart racing. I know what this means. What he feels.

But it terrified me. Because if I acknowledged it, if I let myself believe it, then everything became real. The fact that an Alpha like Logan couldn't—shouldn't—care about someone like me.

I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. My body demanded sleep, but my mind refused to quiet.

Why was he so contradictory?

What was he so afraid to admit? What truth was he running from?

"Logan," I whispered to the empty room. "What are we?"

And when I saw him again, I would tell him. Tell him I understood what he'd done for me on that mountain.

Tell him... what? That I felt the same pull he did? That despite everything—I cared about him?

My body was winning the battle against my restless mind. The bed was too comfortable, and I was too tired. My eyes closed despite my attempts to stay alert.

Logan’s POV

The evening air bit at my exposed skin as I approached Cliffwatch's gates. My hair was matted with ice.

Dorian intercepted me the moment I crossed into the courtyard. His eyes swept over my disheveled appearance with barely concealed curiosity.

"Alpha," he said carefully. "Where have you been?"

I kept my expression neutral, my voice flat. "Border patrol. There were reports of rogue activity in the northern passes."

"For three days straight?" His tone suggested he didn't believe me for a second.

"The situation required careful assessment."

"The slave girl's back."

"How is she?"

"She's... remarkably well. Better than anyone expected." Dorian's voice carried a note of wonder. "She not only survived, she found frost flowers. Brought back a small fortune in medicinal plants."

Pride surged through my chest. Of course she did. She was stronger than any of them realized.

"Good," I managed. "Let her rest. I'll check on her tomorrow."

I turned away before Dorian could ask more questions. My boots carried me through the corridors. Her room loomed ahead.

I stopped outside her door.

My hand raised, knuckles poised to knock. Behind that door, she was probably sleeping.

My hand lowered slowly. I pressed my palm flat against the door instead, as if I could feel her presence through the wood.

"Sleep well, Valencia," I whispered. Then I turned and walked away.