The next morning came slowly, filtering through the pack hospital in muted shades of gray and gold.
Diana woke to pain first.
Not sharp, not blinding—but deep. The kind that settled into her bones and reminded her of every blow she had taken, every claw that had torn into her skin. Her body felt stiff, heavy, as if gravity itself had doubled overnight. When she tried to move, a quiet hiss slipped past her lips before she could stop it.
She forced herself to breathe.
The scent reached her next—strong, earthy, unmistakable. Herbs. Freshly crushed leaves, bitter roots, healing salves layered over the sterile smell of clean linen and stone. That told her where she was even before she opened her eyes.
The pack hospital.
Diana slowly lifted her lashes.
White stone walls greeted her, softe
