Chapter 144: Tender Care
Chapter 144: Tender Care
(Aria’s POV)
“That…” I felt my face flush with embarrassment as I instinctively wanted to seek help from Dr. Nathan Lewis After all, he was the werewolf physician with steady hands, surely more suitable for such delicate work than
- me.
However, Dr. Lewis had already put on sterilized gloves and was looking at me with raised hands. “What’s wrong? Hurry up and take them off! If we wait any longer, the wounds will scab over and stick to the clothes. His voice carried professional urgency. “Tearing them off will hurt terribly, especially with those moonstone–infused lash marks!”
Hearing this, I didn’t dare hesitate any longer. I carefully continued helping Dominic remove his tattered shirt, my hands trembling slightly as I worked.
The fabric was stuck to several wounds with dried blood. I had to peel it away bit by bit, trying not to cause him additional pain.
“It’s okay,” Dominic said softly, sensing my distress. “I can handle it.”
His silver–gray eyes held mine with reassuring warmth despite his obvious discomfort.
After painstakingly removing the fabric from his wounds and throwing the ruined shirt to the ground, my
back was already covered in a thin layer of sweat. My wolf whimpered anxiously within me at the sight of his
injuries.
The moonstone–infused lash marks crisscrossed his back like a vicious map of his father’s rage. Some wounds were deeper than others, still seeping blood through the torn skin.
Dr. Lewis proved his professionalism despite being an internal medicine physician. Handling external wounds was routine for him in werewolf medicine.
“This might sting a bit,” he warned as he began cleaning the wounds with precision.
Soon, all of Dominic’s wounds were properly treated. Dr. Lewis removed his mask and tossed it aside with satisfaction.
“Done. The wounds are treated – they’re just surface injuries, nothing reached the bone, so it’s not serious…” I felt slightly relieved upon hearing this, my wolf calming somewhat beneath my skin. The tight knot of fear in my chest loosened just a fraction.
“However-” Dr. Lewis’s tone suddenly shifted, becoming more serious. “He has too many wounds. If they get infected and cause silver–shock with other complications due to the moonstone residue, I’m afraid…”
My heart jumped to my throat. My pregnant wolf stirred with renewed concern at the unfinished warning. “What should we do? Does he need to be hospitalized?” asked quickly.
Dominic glared at Dr. Lewis with narrowed silver–gray eyes. “Don’t listen to his nonsense. It’s an occupational hazard of werewolf doctors – they love to scare people!”
<Chapter 144: Tender Care
His Alpha authority was still strong despite his weakened state, commanding respect even while Injured
Dr. Lewis protested indignantly. “How can a patient not respect the doctor! I’m just stating possible risks!
He threw his hands up in exasperation. “Forget it, I can’t reason with an Alpha King…
Turning to me, his expression became more serious. “Miss Summers, you know our Alpha Dominic is stubborn as a territorial wolf. Getting him to come to Silvercrest Hospital daily for dressing changes is
unthinkable.”
I nodded, understanding his frustration with difficult patients.
“So this task can only fall to you…” he continued meaningfully.
“Me?” I asked, confused about what exactly he expected me to do.
Dr. Lewis explained seriously that I would need to disinfect and change the dressings twice daily with the special moonberry extract he’d prepared.
“Make sure the wounds don’t get wet during shifting,” he instructed. “And bring Dominic to the hospital immediately if infection or fever occurs.”
I nervously agreed, only then realizing the implications. Twice–daily dressing changes for wounds covering Dominic’s upper body would require him to undress each time.
My wolf suddenly became attentive at the thought, stirring restlessly beneath my skin.
“I’ll do my best to take care of him,” I promised, though my voice wavered slightly.
Dr. Lewis smiled brilliantly as he handed me a bag of medical supplies. “It’s no trouble at all. I have complete confidence in your abilities.”
At that moment, Hunter Hayes entered with fresh clothes for Dominic. The timing seemed almost too convenient.
“Alpha, I brought your spare shirt,” Hunter announced, holding up a clean black button–down.
When he offered to help dress his Alpha, Dr. Lewis stopped him immediately.
“Wait, your rough beta hands might touch the wounds,” he said with obvious concern. “Miss Summers should handle this delicate task.“.
Instead, he handed the clothing bag to me with a knowing smile that made my cheeks burn.
Trealized Dr. Lewis was deliberately matchmaking me with Dominic, but I still accepted willingly. After all, Dominic’s injuries were because of me he had protected me from his father’s rage.
Both Dr. Lewis and Hunter Hayes left the room with barely concealed grins. Their wolves‘ scents betrayed their amusement at the obvious setup.
Now I was alone with Dominic in the quiet treatment room.
Feeling self–conscious now that they were alone, I carefully approached him with the fresh shirt. Being nearly twenty centimeters shorter than his almost 1.9–meter Alpha height, I had him remain seated on the examination table.
“Can you lift your arms slightly?” I asked softly.
“Of course,” he replied, his voice gentler than usual.
< Chapter 144 Tender Care
As I helped him slip his arms through the sleeves, I could feel his intense gaze boring into me. His powerful Alpha scent surrounded me despite his injuries, making my wolf stir restlessly.
“You don’t have to be so careful,” Dominic said quietly. “I won’t break.”
“I don’t want to hurt you,” I replied, focusing on buttoning his shirt with trembling fingers.
His chest rose and fell steadily beneath my hands as I worked. The proximity made my heart race unexpectedly.
Just as I finished the last button and tried to step back, Dominic’s strong arm suddenly wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer.
“Aria, now I only have you,” he said, his words touching my heart deeply. His wolf’s scent shifted with vulnerability I’d never sensed before.
“You must take responsibility for me,” he continued, his hot breath on my ear making me tremble.
My wolf responded instinctively to his Alpha call, despite my pregnant state making me more sensitive to his pheromones.
I quickly stepped back, flustered by the intimate moment. “We should leave. The hospital staff are probably waiting to use this room.”
Dominic smiled indulgently, his silver–gray eyes warm with affection. “Whatever you say.”
Concerned about Dominic’s injuries and the need for frequent dressing changes, I decided to temporarily move back to my apartment at Moon Valley Residences across from his. The proximity would make caring for him much easier.
Due to the rushed timing, we ordered venison steaks from Silver Pine Bistro for dinner. The familiar food provided some comfort after such a traumatic day.
After eating, while I cleaned up the dishes, Dominic worked on his laptop reviewing Shadow Pack business. Even injured, his responsibilities as Alpha King continued.
“You should be resting,” I said as I cleared the table.
“The pack needs guidance, especially after today’s events,” he replied without looking up from the screen. When I brought him warm water and asked when he’d finish, he closed the laptop immediately.
“I’m already done,” he said, giving me his full attention.
Remembering the evening medication schedule, I mentioned it was time to change his dressings. My stomach fluttered nervously at the thought.
As Dominic began unbuttoning his shirt, revealing his muscular chest, I quickly averted my eyes.
“I’ll get the medicine,” I said hastily, rushing to the kitchen where I’d left the medical supplies.
My pregnant wolf stirred restlessly within me as I tried to compose myself.
When I returned with the bag of medical supplies, Dominic had removed his shirt entirely. His powerful upper body radiated Alpha presence with every breath.
I felt my face burning and focused intently on studying the medications Dr. Lewis had prescribed. Moonberry–infused disinfectant and anti–inflammatory powder derived from rare healing herbs.
Chapter 144 Tender Care
Taking a deep breath, I carefully began removing the gauze from Dominic’s wounds. My hands shook slightly
as I worked.
Suddenly, his throat moved visibly, and he grasped my hand firmly. His Alpha pheromones spiked despite his injured state.
Looking up in confusion, I met his dark, smoldering silver–gray eyes. The intensity there made my
catch.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, unaware of the tension building between us.
