Luke hunted a few more hares with the same ease, displaying his skills to the fullest and proving that hunting was not just about brute strength and thunderous roars.

Some hunts required silence, patience, and careful baiting.

As Terek watched Luke lure in his fourth prey, he muttered to his brother, "Seeing him like this makes me envious. I want a kid like him too."

Gustav chuckled. "For that, you need to have one first. Tell me, how much longer are you going to make me wait?"

Terek flashed a sheepish grin. "Not much longer. We finally have some time on our hands, or at least Zuri does. I might not be able to stay for long, but once she bears a child, she’ll remain here under your care."

Gustav nodded. "That’s reassuring to hear."

Terek hummed in response as he followed Luke’s movements toward another burrow. The young hunter advanced with the same graceful silence, and every time Terek watched him move, he found himself amazed by how careful and precise he was.

"Brother..." Terek said, sounding slightly dazed. "...have you ever thought about asking Luke to join the main force of the head tribe?" He folded his arms before continuing, "As long as Baldon remains active, Luke won’t be able to grow much here. With talent like his, it would be a waste for him to stay in a small village like this."

Gustav let out a sigh. "I have my concerns as well, but I’ve decided to leave that choice to him."

Terek nodded. "I’ll talk to him. Not to convince him, just to let him know what he’s missing out on by staying in this village."

Gustav offered no response.

The truth was, he felt the same way. Luke’s talents were being wasted here. As long as Baldon remained, Luke would never rise to become chief.

Perhaps hearing it from Terek would help him realize what was best for his future.

"Do we need to hunt more?" Luke asked as he returned to their side, carrying two hares this time.

The beasts were nearly three feet long when held by their ears, plump creatures with plenty of meat on them.

Terek shook his head. "I think this is enough. We should skin them, clean them, and head back."

Luke nodded before glancing at his father, noticing the unusual thoughtfulness on his face.

....

Knock

Thud

Lex flinched as the door burst open almost immediately after the knock.

"Zuri," he breathed. "Why are you here?"

He slowly pushed himself upright with the help of his crutch.

"What do you mean, why am I here? Can’t I come see you?" Zuri shot back. Resting a hand on her waist, she continued, "And what’s with that gloomy face? Is it the wound, or is something else bothering you?"

Lex sighed. "I’m not gloomy. I’m just trying to get as much rest as I can."

Zuri hummed. "I’ve heard how little you’ve been going out lately. Always stuck in your own head. Crushing yourself under guilt."

A wry smile appeared on Lex’s face. "I think you’re the one person who should understand me. The burden of having strength but being unable to use it."

Zuri crossed her arms and considered his words for a moment before replying.

"Our situations are different, kid. I was the one holding myself back. I was afraid and kept running from my responsibilities." She shook her head. "For you, it’s your body that’s betrayed you."

She stepped closer and gestured toward a seat.

"Come on, sit down and let me take a look at that wound."

Lex was startled. "But why..."

He didn’t get a chance to protest. Zuri pushed him onto the bed and crouched in front of him.

Taking hold of his injured leg, she carefully unwrapped the bandages and examined the wound.

"Hmm. A bear trap, huh?" she muttered. "Who the hell could make something that massive in this village?"

Traps capable of catching bears and other large beasts were usually found only in major villages where true blacksmiths resided. A place like this shouldn’t even have a dedicated blacksmith capable of forging one.

Then who made it?

"The wound is healing, but very slowly," she concluded. "Let me guess. You haven’t been eating properly, have you?"

Lex avoided her gaze.

Aside from forcing himself not to gorge on food the way he once had, they could barely afford a small portion of meat these days.

He had to be careful with how much he ate so his mate would have enough as well.

"It’ll take some time, but I’ll be fine," he said, trying to pull his leg back.

It was a futile effort. Against Zuri’s strength, he could barely move it an inch.

"Hmm..." Zuri lightly pressed a finger against his shin. "I can tell the treatment was done correctly. The bone damage has already healed."

"Are you using your magic on me?" Lex asked.

Zuri nodded. "If I’d been around, I would’ve healed this injury a long time ago. Still, whoever treated you did a proper job in my absence."

Lex looked away before muttering, "It was Luke."

Zuri grinned. "That didn’t seem too difficult to confess. Are you two actually growing closer these days?"

Lex scoffed. "Not really."

Zuri’s smile softened.

There was no doubt things had improved between them. If they hadn’t, that question alone would have earned a string of curses from Lex.

’This change is more than welcome...’

Her brief conversation with Laila had painted the same picture she was seeing now.

’Luke has somehow grown close to every single person who once couldn’t stand the sight of him.’

The thought made her genuinely happy.

"Alright, let’s heal you up now."

As she spoke, Gamma began gathering in the palm of her hand.

A warm sensation seeped into Lex’s skin and flowed deep into his bones.

He had seen her use her healing magic before, but this still made him frown.

"Can’t you only heal minor injuries? Scratches and cuts?"

An injury severe enough to leave a healthy man dependent on a crutch could hardly be called minor.

Zuri grinned.

"Apart from the fact that your leg was already close to healing thanks to proper treatment..." Her sharp canine flashed as she proudly added, "...I’ve gotten stronger recently."

As if to prove her words, the wound sealed shut within moments.

The persistent sting that had been buried in his shin for days vanished completely.

Lex was too stunned to speak.

It happened so quickly that he struggled to believe it.

Zuri wiped the sweat from her forehead and rose to her feet.

Directing Gamma that deeply into the body always took effort, but she was satisfied with the result.

"Alright then." She reached for his crutch and gently pulled it away. "Stand up and see if you still feel any discomfort."

Lex gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and pushed himself to his feet with the support of the bed.

At first, he didn’t put his full weight on the injured leg.

But once he was standing, his eyes widened.

"Huh?"

He cautiously took a step.

Then another.

"There... there’s no pain..." he muttered, his voice thick with disbelief.

Zuri’s grin slowly faded as she watched tears gather in his eyes.

Lex dropped to his knees and buried his face in his hands.

For a moment, Zuri considered comforting him.

Then she realized there was someone far better suited for that.

Quietly, she stepped out of the room.

She hadn’t gone far when she spotted the person she was looking for.

"Dali."

Dalia turned toward the redhead.

Without saying anything else, Zuri placed the crutch into her hands.

"Go. Your mate needs you."

Dalia’s eyes widened as she stared at the crutch.

Then understanding dawned on her.

Clutching it tightly, she rushed toward their room without another word.