The packs outcast Luna (Kaia and Theo) novel Chapter 9

Chapter 009

The night had fallen deep by the time I returned to the healer’s tent to check on Kaia.

The air inside was thick with the sharp scent of herbs and damp linen.

Kaia lay where they’d left her – pale against the rough blankets, sweat glistening on her skin.

Her breath came in uneven gasps, too shallow for comfort.

I stepped closer, my boots soundless on the dirt floor.

Up close, she looked even smaller. Fragile. But there was something about her -something I couldn’t name.

The fever had her in its grip. Her lips moved soundlessly at first, then formed a single word, soft and broken.

“Grandma…”

I froze.

–

The word carried a weight I didn’t expect not fear, but longing.

I knelt beside her, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. Her skin was burning hot.

“Easy,” I murmured. “You’re safe here.”

She didn’t seem to hear me. Her head turned weakly toward my voice, eyes fluttering open for the briefest second – dark and unfocused, but full of something that caught me off guard.

Trust, maybe. Or desperation.

Then she winced, body tensing from the pain in her shoulder.

I pressed my palm gently against her good arm, grounding her.

“Rest,” I said quietly, more to myself than her. “You’ve fought enough for one night.”

Her breathing steadied a little, though her face stayed twisted in fevered dreams.

I stayed there longer than I meant to, watching her fight the fever’s pull.

Outside, the wind howled, and for the first time in years, I wasn’t sure who I should be protecting – My pack, or the girl, fate had dropped bleeding at my feet.

My chest is heavy with confusion.

On one hand, Kaia is lying on her deathbed.

On the other hand, my pack’s safety is in question.

I didn’t realize how long I’d stayed until the flap rustled and the healer stepped in, wiping her hands on a stained cloth.

“She’s worse,” the healer, Seira, said quietly. “The fever broke for a bit, but it came back stronger.”

I straightened, my gaze immediately returning to the girl on the cot. “You said you stabilized her.”

“I did,” the healer replied, fatigue softening her tone. “I managed to stop the bleeding and bring her temperature down enough to keep her breathing steady. But it won’t last.”

Seira’s eyes fell on Kaia, etched with precision.

My jaw flexed. “What do you mean?”

“She needs proper care. An infirmary, medicine, rest. This camp isn’t equipped for that. If you keep her here, she won’t last three days.”

The words hung between us, heavy as the rain outside.

I looked at Kaia again – pale lips, trembling hands, the faint hitch in her breathing with every exhale.

The scent of fever and blood clung to her like smoke.

“The pack infirmary,” I said finally, voice low.

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Chapter 009

A

The healer hesitated. “You know what that means. Questions. Rumors. You’d be taking responsibility for her.”

“I already did the moment I brought her in,” I muttered.

The healer’s eyes softened – not quite approval, but not judgment either.

“Then you’d better decide quickly. She won’t survive another night like this.”

My gaze lingered on Kaia, torn between duty and something I couldn’t name.

Why does the thought of leaving her behind rip my heart open?

Kaia has a strong hold on me.

I can’t let her die.

Not when I can do something to help.

“Keep an eye on Kaia. Make sure she doesn’t die.” I ordered before leaving the healer’s tent.

Then I returned to my tent.

I exhaled slowly. “Prepare a transport. We leave before dawn.”

The camp was restless before dawn.

Guards shifting, cars moving, the air thick with the scent of blood and dirt.

I stood by the cars, arms crossed as my Beta approached.

“You’re really doing this?” Beta Zane asked, keeping his voice low.

I didn’t look away from the men loading supplies into the cars.

“She won’t survive another night here.”

“You heard what I said yesterday. The pack will ask questions-”

“I’ll handle them.”

Beta Zane’s tone sharpened. “Theo, think. You don’t know who she is. What if bringing her in brings trouble to your door? What if she’s a spy?”

I finally turned, eyes glinting in the dim light.

“If trouble was coming, it would’ve found us by now. I’m not letting her die because everyone else is afraid of ghosts. Something we don’t have proof of its existence.”

For a long moment, neither of us spoke.

Then Beta Zane sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “You’ve always had a weakness for strays.”

My jaw tightened. “She’s not a stray. She’s different”

Beta Zane didn’t argue. He just nodded once, grimly. “Then I hope you’re right. Because if you’re not, we will all pay with our lives”

Then, he left.

I stood there watching him leave.

Beta Zane always had my back.

He’s been my friend since we were kids. We did everything together and won together.

For the first time, he questioned my decision and turned his back to me.

Kaia.

My mind drifted to her.

Fragile. Sickly. Dying.

She needs me more than ever. So, I will risk it.

For her.

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Chapter 009

For everything she did when she knew nothing about me.

She risked her life for me. So will I.

Soon the car started moving, wheels bumping over uneven ground.

Kaia sat by my side, unconscious.

Her neck slumping back and forth.

I carefully made her lie on my lap to stop her from straining her neck.

She was still burning up, every breath a struggle.

The forest was moving behind us. I watched through the window.

We were finally returning home after being in the forest chasing down the rogues and attackers after my pack.

But the sad state of the woman in my arms stung my chest.

Oh gods -I hope nothing bad happens to her.

Looking down, I saw Kaia winches her face, despite her unconscious state.

The motion made her stomach twist, and pain lanced through her shoulder, sharp enough to drag a gasp from her throat.

I heard it instantly.

I was at her side in a heartbeat, steadying her as her eyes fluttered.

“Easy,” he murmured. “You’re safe. Don’t move too much.”

Kaia’s eye keeps fluttering. As if, she’s trying to wake herself up.

But, she was too weak. Too weak to keep her eyes opened.

“Where…” Her voice cracked, dry and weak. “Where are you taking me?”

My gaze softened, but my tone stayed calm. “Somewhere you can heal.”

Her brow furrowed, confusion clouding her fevered eyes. “Why?”

I hesitated. “Because I couldn’t leave you behind.”

For a moment, she just fell silent and said nothing.

Maybe she doesn’t recognise me anymore. Or the fever is messing with her mind.

Then her lashes fluttered, and she slipped back into the dark.

I sat back, jaw tight, eyes fixed on the sky where the moon was slowly disappearing.

The first pale light of dawn was breaking.

My eyes returned to Kaia.

Beta Zane caught my look and muttered, “You’re fighting so hard, Theo. Let’s just hope she’s worth it.”

I didn’t answer. I only watched the sunrise, my thoughts shattered.

“The woman pulled me from death, I can’t repay her with abandonment. I’m not like that” I replied, cold.

Beta Zane taunts.

“You don’t bring everyone who saved you to the Packlands, Theo. It’s a first”

I muttered. Uncertain why.

“Because they are not Kaia. Kaia…she’s different”

I may not fight for everyone who saved me but I will fight for Kaia.

I owed it to her.

My life.

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Chapter 010