The Abandoned Luna's Journey to Power (by Emily Reed) novel Chapter 199

Chapter 199 Rupert’s Diagnosis

Cindy’s POV:

“Miss, Dr. Rupert has arrived!”

Rupert was still the same whirlwind as ever.

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As the foremost wolf physician in the Royal Court and a longtime friend of the Silverpeak Pack, he carried his signature oversized medical case on his back. Bits of crushed herbs still clung to his linen robe.

“Let me take a look.” The moment Rupert stepped inside, his sharp, hawk-like eyes locked onto Astra, who was sitting on the edge of the bed.

In that instant, I saw the shock flash through Rupert’s gaze.

He clearly hadn’t expected that Astra, once cherished by the entire pack and plump like a little ball of dough, would be reduced to this state.

Astra was lowering his head, fiddling with the sapphire dagger in his hands. At the sound of Rupert’s voice, he jerked his head up.

The wariness in his eyes froze when he recognized Rupert’s bearded face.

Even after three years, even after all the suffering, certain fragments buried deep in memory remained vivid.

When he was small, it had always been this bearded uncle, smiling as he held that thick syringe and jabbed it into his backside.

It hurt. It really hurt.

Back then, Astra would cry and shout “bad uncle,” then wipe his snot all over Rupert’s robe.

Those were painful memories, but also proof of happiness. Someone had cared about his health. Someone had slipped him candy when he cried.

Astra pressed his lips together. His slender hands, marked with thin scars, clenched tightly.

Then he braced himself against the edge of the bed and slid down on one leg.

He didn’t dodge. He didn’t bare his fangs as he had in Liberty City.

He straightened his oversized sleeves, folded his hands across his chest, endured the sharp pain in his leg, and stood upright. Then he bent deeply at the waist, performing a formal bow of respect to Rupert.

Rupert’s outstretched hand froze in midair.

Rupert, famous for his fiery temper and for cursing nobles to their faces, felt his eyes redden at once.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he struggled to speak.

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09:53 Wed, Jan 28

Chapter 199 Rupert’s Diagnosis

“My child.”

98

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Rupert strode forward and caught Astra just before the frail body could topple.

His hands were large, nearly able to encompass Astra’s entire shoulder.

“We don’t stand on ceremony here,” Rupert said, his voice thick as he sniffed and forced a smile. “It’s enough that you’re back. Come, sit down. Let me see if our little wolf is still as sturdy as he used to be.”

The next half hour was a long, brutal examination.

Rupert opened his medical case and took out a stethoscope, silver needles, and a variety of instruments I didn’t recognize.

His fingers moved over Astra’s body.

From the cartilage in his throat to his abdominal organs and finally to the deformed leg.

A werewolf’s examination differed from a human’s. When Rupert pressed down, a faint glow appeared at his fingertips. He was using his own spiritual power to probe Astra’s condition.

With every area he examined, Rupert’s brow tightened further, his expression darkening by degrees.

When his hand pressed against the kneecap of Astra’s broken leg and applied force to test how the bone had healed, sweat instantly beaded on Astra’s forehead. His body trembled with the pain.

Yet he bit down hard on his pale lips and didn’t make a sound.

“He’s enduring it,” Diana growled within my mind. “Foolish strength. Pain like this would make even a low- ranking adult werewolf howl. His bones have already calcified out of alignment, and that old wolf has a heavy hand. This is practically stripping the periosteum by force.”

At last, the examination ended.

Rupert withdrew his hands, his expression heavy as lead.

He rubbed Astra’s damp hair, signaled Jewel to help him rest, then turned and shot me a look.

We moved into the side hall.

“Cindy,” Rupert said as soon as he spoke, his tone sinking my heart at once.

“What has this child been through these past three years?” Rupert turned and slammed his fist against the table, fury flashing in his eyes. “This is nothing short of gruelty.”

09:53 Wed, Jan 28 GM