"Did you hear?" one healer whispered as she wiped down a tray near the back of the ward.
"What?" the other asked, glancing over her shoulder.
"Alpha Zayn. He's been with Victoria for the last three days."
"No way! I thought he'd be too busy with the Alpha King here."
The first woman scoffed. "Apparently not. He’s been sitting by her bed like she’s the only thing that matters. Won't even let most of the other healers touch her. He only trusts a few."
"Well, you know how it is," the first one said with a small, knowing smile. "They’ve been together for so long, even if they never made it official."
Their voices faded into the background, but the words stayed.
Lily laid still on the narrow cot, staring up at the cracked ceiling. Every breath felt heavy, and laborious, like dragging herself through a swamp she couldn’t escape. She tried again—just like yesterday, and the day before—lifting her hand weakly as a healer passed.
‘Please,’ she mouthed silently. ‘Martha.’
