Shifted Fate by Alicia S.Rivers

Chapter 583

The waking world returned to me in tiny fragments. My eyes were still closed, my mind half awake, but I felt fingers intertwined in both of my hands on either side of me. I felt my fingers twitch, and both hands tightened on mine.

“Baby?” Rowan’s words were a soft siren call, pulling me from the depths of the darkness that held me. I felt the tendrils of blackness slowly slipping from my body as I swam to the surface of my conscience. “Baby? Are you there?”

I tried to talk. I’m here. I called out, but my mouth refused to move. I was still fighting the hold of exhaustion that still ate away at the edges of my mind. I’m here. I tried again, but my body still refused to listen.

I kept fighting because I needed to re4ach Rowan, and my dad. (1)

That thought was like a bomb going off in my mind. Everything came rushing back. The cave–in, my magic failing, Ry’s words. My dad’s last goodbye. I felt the burn behind my closed eyes as tears trailed down my cheeks.

“Baby?” Rowan’s fingers trailed over my face, wiping away my tears.

I felt my lips tremble and finally my words broke free. “My dad’s dead.” The sob that broke free from my chest held everything I couldn’t say. My eyelids fluttered open, and I saw Rowan’s face leaning close on my left. But I couldn’t look into his love–filled eyes when everything in my soul was crying out. I knew he would want to take that pain away, but it was something I needed to face. Because I

was the reason he was dead.

I closed my eyes and turned away but a soft tug at my right hand had my eyes peeking open. A haggard, blood–coated man stared back at me with golden eyes. “Who said I was dead, pup?” I leapt off the cot and dove into his arms.

“You’re alive?” I pulled away fast enough to catch the wince, and I jerked back. “How?” My hands danced over his injuries. “Why aren’t you healing?” I looked around. “Why isn’t anyone healing?”

The doctor, who was a few cots away, stood up and wiped his face. “Wolfsbane. Everyone here has wolfsbane in their bloodstream, and we don’t have enough lupine extract to combat it.” He turned to face me. “Everyone will have to heal human slowly if we can’t find more.” He looked down at my father, who started coughing, blood splattering his cheek. “And for some…that isn’t an option.”

I pushed up. “How much do we have left here?” I looked back down at my father, and I knew I was still on the clock.

sighed. “But we need almost

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Chapter 583

+25 BONUS

wavered. Rowan’s arms caught me and steadied me.” How much do you need to clear the wolfsbane out of

doctor looks around.

don’t need their systems fully purged, just enough that their healing

know. It will be different for everyone.” He looked a little manic. “I, I, I don’t know.” He threw his hands up, and I could see the exhaustion

we get the closest supply?” I looked between my father and the

would know.

to get more this morning. The council denied the request.” I snapped my head toward Rowan and I watched his face darken. “They said that Silvermoon was eradicated years ago, and now trying to fill out an order for that pack is not only fraudulent, but anyone being on

Rowan’s

doctor pulled out his phone. “I made

and my dad. “I need you to prioritize Gavin. Get him close enough to heal most of his wounds. Put the others on one bag. That will

me. “Don’t let

will need the fresh bags within the

I turned away. “Where is Ronnie?”

him” He pulled back with tears streaming down

nodded once and opened his mouth but I stopped him. “I needed to talk to

settled back on top of his cot, and I joined him. “What’s

my dad improves enough.” He nodded again. “I