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"You have got to be kidding me," Adele muttered the moment she stepped into the infirmary, only to find it crowded to the brim.

What the hell?

It was barely six in the morning, yet her space, which wasn’t even designed for such emergency-level chaos, was bursting with injured students. The beds were occupied with patients such that some had to sit on the floor in pain.

There were broken limbs, twisted ankles, and bloodied faces. Bones stuck out at odd angles in ways that they shouldn’t, but for all it was worth, Adele was thankful they were werewolves and not humans else this would have been another story.

Still, it was not the kind of welcome she expected for the start of her day.

Her infirmary wasn’t meant for this. The hospital wards were only doors away, built for this exact reason, but this space had been assigned to her intentionally by Elijah to give her a purpose in the school.

Adele could never forget the scowl on Patrick’s face after the decree. Unlike the hospital, which was all science, Adele practiced both science and tradition. Sure, her powers were a vital part of her practice, but she came from a long line of traditional doctors who healed with herbs and roots.

But of course, Patrick thought of her as outdated and annoying. Because the truth remained: while she was here to ensure danger didn’t come to the heirs and her supernatural healing ability was handy, she was also there to keep an eye on the mad man. Not that it made any difference.

Adele could never understand Elijah or the things he did—which were rarely practical—and especially not his relationship with Patrick.

To be honest, half the time, Adele felt like she was playing cleanup in his circus.

But the good news was that she and the hospital had learned not to get in each other’s way, even though they resided in the same building. Mostly.

Her gaze swept over the injured crowd, cataloging injuries as she went. And then she spotted Griffin, Alaric and Roman.

All of them huddled in one corner, deep in what looked like a heated discussion.

Roman was the first to notice her, and as soon as he nudged the others, they all turned towards her.

Adele marched up to them, demanding. "What is going on here?"

Immediately, the three alphas exchanged glances like guilty boys caught with their hands in the sacred cookie jar. She didn’t miss the silent communication. The oh-no-who’s-gonna-tell-her shuffle and how-much-exactly-are-we-going-to-tell-her look.

She narrowed her eyes. "Don’t even think of lying to me."

Roman and Griffin both tilted their heads toward Alaric, collectively singling him out. He was Adele’s favorite after all.

"Bastards." Alaric groaned under his breath. With a heavy sigh, he resigned himself to fate.

Alaric began, "This idiot—" he jabbed a thumb at Roman, "—had the brilliant idea to beat up Asher’s beta to force him to reveal where Asher’s been."

Adele’s brows lifted. "You did what?"

Roman raised his hands defensively. "I guess he wasn’t much less of an idiot than I was, since he jumped into the plan without asking questions." He added tauntingly, "Moreover, we all know Asher’s gunning for you over what you did to Violet."

Alaric growled. "Don’t try turning the heat on me when this entire thing started with you and your selfish agenda."

"Alright, that’s enough!" Adele snapped. Then she turned to Griffin. "You talk. You’re the most reasonable right now."

Griffin gave a helpless shrug. "We roughed up Jeremiah for answers. He still didn’t crack in the end.

Unfortunately, we didn’t count on Asher getting back so soon and finding out.

So this..." He gestured to the injured students sprawled across the room.

"... is his payback. The asshole compelled my deltas to hurt themselves.

Not just mine, his house—" he pointed at Alaric, "—and his," he pointed to Roman. "

Adele blinked. "So let me get this straight. You idiots messed up. And now you want me to fix it."

Roman grimaced. "It sounds worse when you put it that way."

"Adele, please," Alaric started, attempting his most charming voice, "you know how much we—"

"No," Adele held up a hand, cutting him off. "I think you guys have officially abused the privilege of my gifts. And it’s high time I reminded you all of that."

She locked eyes with each of them, her voice was as sharp as a blade as she made it clear to them. "My only purpose here is to keep the Alpha King’s heirs safe. Period. Me helping the rest of you? That’s a choice. A choice it seems you’ve taken for granted."

They didn’t dare speak as she continued.

"I don’t care if the hospital gives you bad memories or PTSD.

I don’t care if you run into Patrick and he gives you one of his chilling stares.

No, that’s your business, not mine. And just so you know, I’m a living being, not a tool you can just call up at the slightest issue to kiss your wound and make it better. "

Roman muttered, "You don’t exactly kiss our wounds.... "

One look from Adele shut him up instantly.

Alaric lowered his head in shame. "I’m sorry for making such a demand. I wasn’t thinking."

"No, you weren’t," Adele snapped. "Sort out your drama yourselves this time. Either haul your pack member’s broken limbs to the hospital or let them heal wrong and painfully. Your choice. And if you’re wise, you guys would handle whatever disunity is between the packs before Elijah hears of it and intervenes. Understood?"

"Crystal." Alaric responded, although the scolding was meant for all of them.

With one final look, Adele turned on her heel.

"Oh, and one more thing," she tossed over her shoulder, "clean the blood off my floor before you leave."

And just like that, Adele was gone, her lab coat billowing like the closing act of a goddess who had no time for foolish boys.

There was a moment of silence between the alphas as they decided on what to do.

Then Roman said to the others. "So... hospital, then?"