Chapter 187

Chapter 187

ARIA

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Finished

Aryada was looking at Ivory with an expression I couldn’t quite read. Something like pride mixed with concern. Like she was simultaneously impressed by and worried about what she was seeing.

“You haven’t changed,” Aryada said softly. “Eight years ago, you saved my life by using methods that no one had seen before. By taking risks that other healers would have considered too dangerous. By trusting your instincts and knowledge over conventional wisdom. And now I find you still doing the same thing-pushing boundaries, testing limits, risking yourself in pursuit of innovations that could benefit countless others p>

She moved closer to Ivory, reaching out to touch her cheek gently. “The Moon Goddess blessed you with extraordinary gifts. But those gifts come with responsibility, child. Not just to develop them and use them for the pack’s benefit, but to protect yourself. To ensure that the one wolf who can create these innovations doesn’t accidentally destroy herself in the process of discovery p>

Ivory’s expression became more vulnerable at Aryada’s words. “I’m careful. I document everything. I only test on myself after thorough theoretical analysis. The risks are calculated p>

“But they’re still risks,” Aryada said. “And you’re still alone in a laboratory making those calculations. Still the only one who would know if something went terribly wrong. Still putting yourself in danger that no one else in this pack could survive because you have knowledge and abilities they lack p>

The gentle reprimand hung in the air. Not harsh. Not condemning. But expressing genuine concern for someone Aryada clearly cared about beyond just her abilities or contributions.

Kael had been standing quietly, watching this interaction, but now he spoke. “I’ve asked Ivory to be more cautious. To involve others in her research. To not test every compound on herself first. But she’s… stubborn about her methods p>

“Because my methods work,” Ivory said, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her tone. “Because involving others means putting them at risk. Because testing on myself ensures that I understand exactly what each compound does, how it feels, what the full range of effects might be before I ever consider administering it to someone else p>

“And what happens when one of these tests kills you?” Mooris asked bluntly. “When you miscalculate and a compound proves fatal before you can reverse its effects? The pack loses their most valuable healer. All your knowledge and innovations die with you. All the future discoveries you might have made never happen. Is that acceptable risk p>

Ivory didn’t have an immediate answer to that. She stood there, visibly wrestling with the question, with the implications of her approach that she’d probably never fully confronted before.

“I don’t plan to die,” she finally said, but her voice lacked conviction.

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“No one plans to die in research accidents,” Kalicus said. “But they happen anyway. Especially to brilliant people who believe their knowledge and caution will protect them from every possibility p>

The critique was gentle but firm. These elders clearly respected Ivory-respected her work, her dedication, her extraordinary capabilities. But they were also expressing concern that felt genuine rather than political.

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Chapter 187

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Finished

Like they actually cared about her welfare beyond just her utility to the pack.

“We would speak with you more,” Bridget said, her tone shifting back to authority. “About your research. About your methods. About the role you play in this pack and whether adjustments might be needed to ensure both continued innovation and your personal safety. But that conversation can happen later, in private p>

She turned to look at Kael. “The tour has been informative. We’ve seen the pack’s organization, the medical facilities, the extraordinary work being done here. We’ll spend the next few days conducting individual assessments and observations. We’ll want to speak with various pack members. With leadership. With both of you separately p>

Her gaze landed on me briefly when she said “both of you,” and I felt that familiar spike of anxiety. They were going to question me. Assess me. Compare me to Ivory, who’d just been both gently praised and critiqued by beings she clearly respected.

How was I supposed to measure up to that? To someone who saved Aryada’s life eight years ago and was still pushing boundaries of what healing and innovation could achieve? To someone the elders clearly cared about despite finding her methods concerning?

I couldn’t. There was no comparison. No way I could possibly seem adequate standing next to Ivory’s brilliance and dedication and willingness to risk herself for advancement of knowledge.

“We should let Healer Ivory return to her work,” Lunaris suggested. “Though perhaps with slightly less aggressive botanical specimens for the remainder of the day p>

Ivory managed a slight smile at that. “I think Tentacula Defensiva has provided enough excitement for one day. I’ll focus on documentation and less… mobile experiments for now p>

The elders filed out of the laboratory, Kael following to continue guiding them. I moved to follow as well, but I caught Ivory’s eye for just a moment.

She looked exhausted beneath the composed exterior. Shaken by both the plant attack and being observed in such a vulnerable moment. But also resigned, like she’d been through assessments before and knew what was coming.

And I realized-she was going to be evaluated too. These elders who’d blessed her eight years ago, who clearly cared about her welfare, were going to assess whether she was using her gifts appropriately. Whether her methods were acceptable. Whether changes needed to be made.

We were both going to be judged. Just in very different ways. She for being too reckless with her extraordinary abilities. Me for not having extraordinary abilities in the first place.

I followed Kael and the elders out, leaving Ivory to her damaged laboratory and aggressive plants and the weight of expectations that came with being blessed by beings who could sense every lie and inadequacy.

And I wondered which of us would fare worse in the coming assessment.

The prodigy who pushed too far?

Or the replacement who’d never been quite enough?

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Mark