"We won’t know until she wakes up."

"She was bleeding from her nose."

"And I told you there is no cause for alarm. Not until I’ve had a chance to examine her myself."

I hear voices. I recognized the one with the gravelly depth. Zade.

The other voice I had never heard before was more hushed, trying to calm Zade down.

I feel so heavy, not just my body but my head too, as though I had just taken a massive shot to the head.

Did I?

My lashes fluttered, and I opened my eyes. Everything was too bright at first before my eyes adjusted.

I made out the room that clearly wasn’t mine. What... happened? Why am I here? Am I supposed to be here?

My face contorted in pain. I think I’m gonna stick to not thinking at the moment. There was an ache... Everywhere was just aching.

With my hands pressed against the sides, I forced my body upwards and leaned against the headboard. That action alone gets me breathing fast.

I licked my dry lips, slowly moving my eyes to Zade, who was discussing with someone.

The sharpness in his gaze and the frown plastered across his face were enough to tell that he wasn’t in a good mood. And here I thought no one could tell, or if he had any good mood to begin with.

He looked ready to strangle the stranger for answers or something. There were more emotions on the surface than they were meant to be.

Impatience radiated off him, but also something else.

Our eyes locked, and for a moment there, his eyes softened, relief behind them. It took me off guard, but the next minute it was gone, shifting back to that unreadable countenance.

I didn’t peel my eyes off him, and neither did he. We got lost in each other’s gaze, enough to pull the attention of the stranger.

He had silver hair and stubble. The look of a man well past his youth. He said something to Zade before walking towards the bed and sitting down.

"Hello, Mrs. Salvero. How are you feeling today?" he asked, smiling, and the age lines got more visible.

I darted my eyes to Zade. He remained where he was, but I could tell his body wanted to move, but he chose not to.

It was weird seeing him trying his best to stand so still.

"Mrs. Salvero?"

I shifted my eyes back to the strange man. He waited, for what exactly? It unnerved me, so I parted my lips.

"Who are you?"

"I’m Dr. Adam Keller. You can call me Dr. Keller."

Dr. Keller.

"It’s alright, don’t think much. I’m the Salvero’s family doctor. I’ve known them for years."

That doesn’t make me feel better at all. Anyone who knew the Salveros was either meat just waiting to be slaughtered or six feet under.

Dr. Keller must have sensed my shift in mood, so he said. "I came as soon as I could to check on you."

"Why?"

"Because I’m a doctor."

I nodded slowly. Even though that made sense, I still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was just... off?

There was this strange sensation all over me that I couldn’t quite explain, like I had hit a wall as if trapped in a box with no light.

"What last do you remember from the hunt yesterday?"

Dr. Keller’s question brought a spark of light into the box.

"Yesterday?" I said, alarmed. "Isn’t the hunt today?"

He shook his head. "No, the hunt is already over."

"Oh..." I instinctively raised my hand to rub my forehead, compelled by a phantom pain.

Zade suddenly moved.

"Mr. Salvero," Dr. Keller stopped him without looking back. "I’d asked to examine your wife alone. I’d appreciate a few minutes with her."

"Examine away."

Dr. Keller sighed as though he knew Zade wouldn’t comply.

"Then please, exercise some patience."

Zade let out a slow exhale through his nose, gaze turning glacial.

I’ve never seen him like this.

He sat on the sofa, resting his forearms on his thighs, his hands clasped together.

Great, now he looked anything but calm.

"Mrs. Salvero. I’d like to ask you a few routine questions. It’s just to make sure you’re alright."

"What are you, a shrink?"

He let out a laugh. "Not quite."

"Then how am I supposed to talk to you if..." I paused, shooting Zade a look. "If he’s sitting there and looking at me like that."

"He’s worried about you. And trust me, he won’t leave. I have tried."

I sighed, feeling as if I had been caught up in some net. I don’t know this doctor, but I know Zade. I don’t like this.

"I sense you’re hesitant, so let me explain. These are just questions. They’ll help me understand what happened during the hunt and rule out any complications."

"Complications?"

"Yes, you suffer no physical injury so—"

"You want to check for brain damage?"

"Not necessarily. I’m just making sure there isn’t anything we’ve overlooked."

I forced down the knot in my throat and muttered softly. "Okay."

"First, please have some water; you must be thirsty." He stretched his hand toward the nightstand and handed me a glass of water.

"Thanks."

I wasn’t that thirsty, so I drank it anyway. However, the moment I emptied the glass, I realized I may have been parched after all.

"Good?"

I nodded with a soft breath. He took the glass and set it down.

"Headache?"

"Not really," I muttered.

"I see. I can’t help but notice you keep rubbing your temples."

"I just feel heavy. Maybe the water will help."

"Muscle memory."

"Hm?"

"You just rubbed your forehead again."

I paused, recognizing I had just done that, so I forced my hand down.

"It seems like you have headaches frequently," he said.

"Stress," I replied. "I’ve been married to Zade Salvero for two months now."

Zade arched a bow.

"It takes a village to handle him, but I’m just one woman."

The corner of his lips twitched, and slowly, he leaned backwards, his muscular arms stretching along the back of the sofa.

He didn’t say a word, just examining me with a darkened regard.