The One He Claimed

Chapter 171: Jocelyn’s Healing

Sophie

When I walk to the Survivor’s Center, there’s more chatter than normal. I even hear soft laughter and pups talking excitedly. I follow the sounds of voices and walk out to the garden where nearly everyone is working in the dirt, planting seeds or plants.

“Luna! Come see what we’re doing!” one of the pups shouts when they see me. Immediately, all of the pups come rushing over, taking my hands in their dirty ones and leading me to the garden.

“Careful with our Luna. She’s pregnant!” one of the mothers says, sternly.

“Sorry, Luna!”

“Yeah, sorry, Luna.”

I nod at the mothers, and smile at Jocelyn. “How are you doing?” I ask.

“I’m doing well, Sophie. After the pups show you around, we can talk,” she says. The lines of stress, anger, and pain on her face have softened in just the day that I’ve been away. I’m anxious to hear how she’s healing.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

But I focus on the pups, knowing they need to feel my love just as much as the pack does. Since most of them aren’t old enough to have their wolves yet, I make a point of hugging them, telling them what a great job they’re doing, and ohhhing and ahhhing over what they’ve planted. It’s a good hour before I have a chance to really sit and talk to Jocelyn.

“Here, Luna, take my seat,” Sandy says to me.

“I’d say it’s not necessary, but unfortunately, if I sit on the ground, you’re all going to have to help me back up again,” I say, rubbing my stomach.

“How is our Alpha heir doing?” one of the women asks over her shoulder while she continues to work in the garden.

“Growing every day,” I say, smiling down at my stomach. “So, how are you doing, Jocelyn?”

“I’m good. I’m really good. I went to the hospital today and Dr. Felicity took x-rays again. I think Cassidy is over-extending herself a bit, trying to heal me. Dr. Felicity got Dr. Caspian on a video call and we looked over my x-rays. I’m healing much faster than he expected.”

“That’s wonderful. How long does he think it will be before you are completely healed?”

“He thinks maybe a week or two. He said that, depending on what happens with the birth of your sister’s daughter, he may come back and do the surgery on my other leg so that at least from the waist down, I could be healed.”

“Oh, Jocelyn. That’s such great news!” I say, leaning over to hug her.

“You know, I didn’t realize how much pain I was in. I guess my body just became accustomed to it, but now, having so little pain compared to what it was, I realize how much better I’m going to feel when all of these surgeries are done.”

“I’m so happy for you, Jocelyn,” I say, smiling at her.

She reaches over and takes my hand, squeezing it. “Thank you, Sophie. I know I’ve said it before, but I don’t know how I can ever thank you for what you’ve done and continue to do for me.”

“Your healing is enough thanks for me, Jocelyn.”

She looks at me a moment. “They were right, you know.”

“Who was right about what?” I ask.

“You really are worthy of being called The Legend.”

The women around me chuckle as I huff.

“Did I say something funny?” Jocelyn asks, looking around.

“Our Luna is the only one who doesn’t seem to realize how much she deserves the title she was given.”

Jocelyn turns back to me. “Really, Sophie? You don’t see it?”

I shrug. “I’m just doing what anyone else would do,” I say.

“No one else has done what you’ve done, Sophie. No one. And let’s be honest, most people would have kicked me out the minute I arrived with the massive chip I had on my shoulder.

I shrug. I don’t really feel like I’ve done anything, except what was right. Thankfully, I have a supportive mate, someone who adores me and encourages me to be the best that I can be.

I spend another hour with everyone, enjoying the peacefulness and the gentle laughter that has started to come in this place. I can see that the women here have bonded together in their grief, supporting each other, being there when one of them breaks down, becoming a village that takes care of the pups.

When I return to the packhouse, let Hunter know that I want all of us to start taking turns visiting the Survivor Center. At least one of the ranked members should go be every day to support our pack members and most especially, the pups. I work with Kinsley and set up a schedule, knowing that I plan to go more than once a week and so does she. When we mention it to Penny, she tells us that she’s already going by at least once a day, checking in to make sure the pups feel supported.

“What if we started bringing the pups to the packhouse?” Penny asks.

“I’m not sure they’re ready for that yet,” Kinsley says,

“Not all of them are, you’re right, but I think some of them are. They either miss their friends, or they miss the companionship of being with other wolves. Some of the pups are old enough to shift but they haven’t since their fathers died,” Penny says.

“Maybe dinner a couple times a week, Pen. And then we could take them for a run afterward. Well, you can, Kinsley and I can’t,” I say, gesturing to my stomach,

“True,” Penny says, smiling.

“Ohhh, and let’s invite all of them to your birthday party, Penny,” Kinsley says, turning to me. “I can begin planning her party while you’re gone next weekend, Sophie.”

“That’s a great idea. I mean, you’re already officially our Ga**a, but now you’ll be able to mark your mate.”

“I know. I’m SO excited! Jaime is too. Our bond already feels so strong…”

“Just wait, it’s so much stronger when you turn eighteen,” I say.

Over the next few days, we take turns going to see the survivors and I go by every day to see Jocelyn as well. Her healing continues to go well and mid-week I join her at the hospital for x-rays. Zahn had been asking to see her since our return and she finally agreed to allow him to come to see the x-rays on the day that I attended. Hunter made sure to assign additional guards in case Zahn tried anything.

He surprised me by behaving. Perhaps getting his a**kicked by our pack showed him that he wasn’t going to get what he wanted by trying to force his way to being with Jocelyn.

Because she asked, I stayed when he entered the room.

“Wow, Jocelyn, you look great,” he says, sounding surprised.

“Brooklyn told me this pack was special, and she was right. I feel good, stronger than I was when we arrived.”

“That’s good. That’s really good. How are you healing?” he asks.

“Faster than anticipated. Dr. Caspian and Dr. Felicity think that Cassidy is present, but still silent, I have to agree since I’m healing much faster than a human would,” she says as Dr. Felicity walks into the room with today’s x-rays.

“Full house, today,” she says, looking around at Jocelyn, Zahn, me, and the six guards that Hunter assigned. “Well, Luna, the

news continues to be good.”

She puts the x-rays on the light box and all of us can see that her bones are straight and almost completely healed.

“You still have some fractures here, but Cassidy is doing an amazing job at healing you, Jocelyn.”

“Yes, she is,” Jocelyn says, squeezing my hand as she stares at the images.

“I’ve spoken to Dr. Caspian and he and I agree that it would be better to have your second surgery before Alpha Amelia delivers her pup,” Dr. Felicity says

“Alpha Amelia?” Zahn asks, clarifying her title.

Dr. Felicity looks over at me. We’re all so used to it that even I forgot that Zahn didn’t know about my sister taking over my father’s pack.

“Yes. My sister took over when Alpha Alaric killed my parents,” I say

He frowns. “But she’s a Luna.”

“Not anymore,” I say, mind linking Hunter

“Zahn just found out about Amelia. How do you want me to handle it?

“Tell him to talk to me. I’ll deal with him. I don’t want him interfering with our pack competitions.”

Agreed.”

“What does her mate think of the,” he says, becoming agitated.

“Alpha Zahn, if you have questions about my sister running a pack, you should speak to Hunter about it.”

“I definitely will. What is the f**king world coming to? Women running packs? It’s absurd,” he says, as if his words aren’t insulting the three women in the room.

I look at Jocelyn who nods. “I think our time here is done, Alpha Zahn. Thank you for coming today,” I say, nodding to the guards.

“What? But we’re not done,” he says, looking at Jocelyn.

“Thank you for coming, Zahn,” she says, and he grits his teeth.

“Alpha Zahn, Jocelyn has requested that you leave. It’s time to go,” William says. I notice that they’ve moved around the room, putting themselves between Zahn and the three women in the room.

“Jocelyn, I apologize if my words offended you. But I am happy to see that you are healing and getting stronger,” he says, looking hopeful that his words may make her change her mind.

“Thank you,” is all she says.

He presses his lips together and turns, the guards falling in behind him, keeping a barrier between us and him.

Once he’s out the door, Dr. Felicity turns back to Jocelyn. “Anywho, what I was saying is that Dr. Caspian wants to do your other leg before Alpha Amelia delivers her baby. As you can see here,” she says, pointing to a second x-ray, “your legs are no longer the same length. I’m sure you’ve noticed.”

“Yes, I’m forced to hobble now because of it,” Jocelyn says.

“Right. So, he’ll be here over the weekend, probably Sunday with a plan to complete your left side, from hip to toes, if you are in agreement, Jocelyn,” Dr. Felicity says, looking at her for confirmation.

She looks at me and then back at Dr. Felicity.

“Yes, definitely! As long as it won’t impact Cassidy in a negative way.”

“We don’t believe it will and the time between now and then should strengthen her even more, so hopefully, when Dr. Caspian returns from delivering our Luna’s niece, he can start on your arms and rib cage.”

“Wow! I was thinking a year, but you’re talking months, maybe even weeks until I’m completely healed.”

“Yes, that’s exactly what we’re saying.

I wrap my arms around Jocelyn as she bursts into happy tears.