(Author’s POV)

"You are very observant, Healer Hector. I must say," Chris said, a bit too smugly. "Catching on to the small details, quite meticulous. But~ .... is not using the word ’master’ a problem, now? Before being my master, he is the Vampire king after all." He turned the words on her.

Iris’s eyes flinched, but she said nothing. Of course, it wasn’t wrong of him. It was just this nagging feeling she was bothered with, ever since this morning. Ever since Chris stepped inside the mansion and gave that potion. She felt that there was something wrong with Chris Shadow. He looked the same, talked the same, behaved the same, but at the same time~ .... there was something different about him. But she couldn’t point out exactly what.

Recalling a significant detail, she didn’t give Chris any chance to react or protest and grabbed his hand, rolling up his sleeve.

"Hector Healer~ ... what are you doing?" Chris spat with a hint of annoyance. "

Iris’ eyes contracted, then relaxed as they flickered like a candle flame battling a heavy storm. "This~ .... this is~" her words died in her mouth.

"What? Checking on the blood pact you bound me with, huhh? It is still intact. Don’t worry, I won’t be breathing a word about the gold blood or you to anybody," Chris snatched his hand out of her grasp as he rolled down his sleeve. He straightened his shirt collar, adjusted his cufflinks and then his tie, muttering, "I think we are done here. As his aide, I need to be by his majesty’s side. Well then~ ..." he turned around and walked out of the room without looking back.

Iris saw him leaving, her eyes turning sharp, ’The blood pact I forced on him is indeed as it is. So, why am I having this weird feeling? Why doesn’t something feel right?’ She pinched her glabella and mumbled to herself, "I need to keep an eye on him for the time being. And also, look for more details about this rare, red glowing flower potion, which he brought back. Something still feels iffy about the whole situation."

Outside the room, Chris stopped momentarily. Glancing back at the now closed door, a snarky scoff escaped his mouth, "Nice try, Iris Hector." The phone in his pocket started buzzing. When he saw the caller ID, he couldn’t help but chuckle, ’About time, hahh. Let’s deal with one thing at a time.’ Then he walked away. ’After all~ ... I just hit a jackpot I have been searching for half my life. I won’t let it slip away now.’

___________________________

"Now~ ... you can take off your gloves, Ms. Queens," Elio said, his voice detached.

Elisa, who was fidgeting with her hands, nodded nervously. She started taking off the garment very carefully. Nora pursed her lips when she saw the blotch, reddened skin underneath those dark hued gloves. It looked really, really nasty and painful.

Elio, on the other hand, remained expressionless. He, as a medical student, in top of being and Lycan Alpha, has seen way worse.

Elisa extended both her hands in front of him as he started checking them. He took her right hand in his, his action extremely slow and gentle. Still, a near, pain-stricken hiss left her mouth, "Tskkkk~ .... uggghhhh~ ...."

Elio raised his eyes ever so slightly, giving her a quick glance. He then sighed and instructed, "Ms. Queens, you shouldn’t wear tight gloves at all. If you do want to cover your hands, use hydrogel dressings or the non-adherent ones. The itchiness, the pain~ ... it is caused by the cloth sticking to the flesh wound. It will only risk infection and can damage your hands even more. You need to be careful."

"I will keep that in mind," Elisa’s voice came out low and meek.

"Where is the ointment you got from the hospital?" Elio inquired.

"It’s on the vanity cabinet," she said. "I’ll fetch it." She was about to get up when Nora volunteered, "Remain seated. I will get it for you."

She brought back the tube and handed it over to Elio. He mumbled, "Silvadene," and pursed his lips. "Ms. Queens, do you, by chance, have any surgical gloves with you right now?" he queried.

"I do~ ... it’s in the drawer of the vanity as well," she said. Nora was quick on her feet. Elio wore them, unscrewed the ointment and started applying it on the injured part with extreme care. No matter how much he kept his distance from other women, but right now, Elisa was a patient whose injuries needed immediate attention and care.

Halfway through, Nora’s phone started ringing. She looked at the display, her eyes lit up. Without saying anything, she picked it up, "Hello, Myra~ ...."

Hearing Myra’s name, Elio’s ears perked up, his attention now divided. Leo got all excited and giddy when he heard his mate’s voice, "Nora~ .... where are you?"

"I am at the Larson mansion," she replied.

Seeing him distracted, Elisa gazed into his greenish blue eyes and spoke, "Thank you, young alpha Elio. Thank you so much for helping me. If you weren’t here, what would I even do?" She sounded genuine. She then went on to add, "I heard you are already interning in your pack’s hospital."

"Umhmm," Elio hummed absentmindedly, his focus remained on the call, though his movement didn’t stop.

She mumbled, praising him, "That’s so admirable. You are so young, and you have already achieved so much. That’s commendable."

Elio was in a hurry as Nora had left the room and was now in the hallway. So, he could only hear bits and pieces of Myra’s voice. He said, "All done." He took off the gloves and said, "I did what could be temporarily done. Make sure to go to the hospital." He advised.

He was searching for the trash can to dispose of the gloves when Elisa said, "The can is in the bathroom. You can give them to me. I’ll do it for you."

Elio didn’t deem it appropriate to enter her bathroom, so he obliged. He gave them to her and hurriedly walked off.

Before he could walk out, Elisa once again called him, "Young Alpha Elio, once again, thank you for your timely help. I will adhere to your advice. Take care."

He only nodded and then walked out.

Boring her eyes green eyes in the now shut door, a vicious smile formed on her lips. She raised her hands, unwrapping her palm, as she mumbled, "FINALLY~ ...... finally."

To Be Continued . . . . . . . .