“Any cure Ie up with would have to be aggressive,” I said. “But I don’t know how much good that would do. He would need strength to endure, and that’s not something thates easily. If we couple the cure with a strength potion…”


    With a sigh, she shook her head. “No. It wouldn’t be enough Strength potions are only temporary. He would need <b>a </b>permanent boost to fight off the virus, or it would just retorn again.”


    She rubbed her forehead with her hand, more clearly showing her strength.


    Suddenly the phone on her desk began to ring. She sighed deeper and made no motion to answer it.


    Noah, a very good assistant, must have seen that she needed someone to run interference. He picked up the phone to answer it himself.


    “Healer Amanda’s office. Oh. Hello, Mr. Jeffers. No, we don’t have that cure yet. No, we don’t have him stabilized enough yet to wake him.‘


    Even without my hyper sensitive Alpha wolf hearing, I would have been able to hear Mr. Jeffers’s reply.


    “Get off your ass and do something!”


    recognized that voice. That was Ken, the middle son. He was a socialite, always at the parties, ever a trickster and yboy. I supposed it was nice to see him finally taking something seriously. It was a shame it came with his father on death’s door, and that it was manifesting by yelling at the people who were trying to help him.


    Noah handled the yelling with professionalism. “We are working around the clock, Mr. Jeffers. Please have patience.”


    Amber stood from her desk and walked toward the window. She looked very small standing next to the oversized ss. Her view looked out over the city.


    Standing I moved to join her.


    She spotted me, then turned, hiding all but her profile from me.


    “The angeres from a ce of worry. I know that, and I’ve seen it before,” she said.


    “It bothers you.”


    “Only when I don’t know what else to do,” she said. “They don’t want to listen to my rmendations, and I struggle to go against the family’s wishes.”


    I inched closer to her, wanting to show some


    of


    my support


    We were at a strange impasse in our rtionship. Too close for professionals. Too distant to be friends.


    I was doing my best, but I truly had no idea how to treat her Especially in moments like this, I wanted to reach out andfort her. I wanted to be the kind of man she needed to support her even when things were hard.


    It was impossible now<i>, </i>with all the roadblocks between us. Both of us had our own entanglements, and she had a child with someone else. I couldn’t judge her too harshly for that, I would have one too if not for the miscarriage.


    The world seemed set against us being together, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t stand by her side in moments like this.


    “You will do the right thing,” I said. “I have total confidence in you. And no matter the oue, you will have my support.”


    Her gaze shifted to me, some surprise in her eyes.


    Had she expected me to say something different? Did she think I would turn my back on her?


    I wouldn’t do that. Not here. Not like this.


    Gently, I reached out and ced my hand on her shoulder.


    I didn’t say the words, but I hoped to convey, It’s going to be alright.


    For a sh of a moment, I swore I saw a hint of affection in her eyes. But when she blinked, it was gone.


    Suddenly, I was too aware of my hand on her arm and I quickly withdrew it, restoring the distance between us.


    Still, she said, “Thank you.“.


    I nodded. “It’s the least an Alpha can do.” Then I turned away.