DISGUISED HELPER

Dan's heart raced as he scooped up Laura's frail body, cradling her in his arms. He could feel her warm blood seeping through his shirt, and her labored breathing sent a chill down his spine. He had to get her out of there, fast. With a surge of adrenaline, he burst out of the dungeon, carrying Laura up the stairs and into the dimly lit psssage way. He didn't stop until they reached the bushy part of the palace, where he gently laid her down beside a tree.

Tearing a piece from his clothing, he folded it around her bruised skin causing Laura's eyes to flutter open again. "Dan...thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Don't talk, Laura. Just hang in there. I'll get you beyond the pack land, and you'll be safe," Dan reassured her, his voice trembling with concern.

But Laura's gaze was fixed on something beyond him. "Monster...it still out there," she whispered, her eyes clouding with fear.

Dan's gripped on her firmly "Don't worry, I won't let her hurt you again. You're safe now."

Dan's heart pounded in his chest as he held Laura's fragile body. Her words which were filled with desperation, echoed in his ears.

"Hang on, Laura. I won't let you die," he whispered lifting her as gently as he could. Even though he was feeling scared, he could not just leave her like that. If he didn't act quickly, she might not make it.

Dan was aware of the fact that if anyone saw him helping her, he would face severe punishment. But he could not let her suffer for a crime he was certain she did not commit.

As he reached the heavy wooden door at the end of a corridor, he paused, listening for any sounds of approaching guards. The dungeon was earily silent except for the distant squeaks of rats which was due to the celebration taking place in that palace. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open and stepped into the dimly lit passage beyond.

"Stay with me, Laura," he murmured, feeling her faint heartbeat against his chest. He was answered by her brief humming before she went mute again.

Minutes later, they emerged into the moonlit courtyard. The cool night air hit them, and Laura shivered violently feeling the cold air. Dan looked around, as he searched for a place to hide and tend to her wounds as some of  her bruises were starting to open.

"There's an old healer's hut just beyond the north wall," he remembered. As it had been abandoned for years, he was worried it might not have what he needs to help Laura.

Keeping to the shadows to avoid being seen, he made his way toward the hut in silence. The journey seemed endless, each step a struggle as Laura's breathing grew shallower. Finally, they reached the small, dilapidated building. Dan pushed the door open with his shoulder and carried Laura inside, laying her gently on an old, dusty cot.

He frantically searched the hut and luckily found a few herbs and bandages. "This will have to do for now," he muttered, starting to clean and dress Laura's wounds. Her pale face contorted in pain, but she remained conscious, her eyes locked solely on his.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Don't thank me yet," Dan replied. "We still don't know how to clear your name and find out who did this to you."

Laura nodded weakly, her eyes fluttering shut. Exhaustion overtook her, and she slipped into a fitful sleep. Dan watched her for a moment, then stood up and went to the door. He needed to find out who had set her up and why.

Suddenly, he heard a rustling outside. His heart raced as he peered through a crack in the door. To his relief, it was just a squirrel, sprinting from the hut to the overgrown weeds.

"Who is that?" Laura's voice startled him making him jump, she chuckled softly but stopped as soon as she started due to the chest burn.

Dan turned back to Laura, relief washing over him at hearing her voice, even if just for a moment. "It's nothing, just a squirrel," he said softly, hoping to keep her calm. "How are you feeling?"

Laura winced as she adjusted her position on the cot. "I am feeling quite better," she admitted, her voice still weak. "But it all thanks to you, I am still alive because of you."

Dan forced a small smile, though his mind was racing. "I need to figure out who did this and why. I can't let you stay here unprotected for long."

Laura nodded slowly, her eyelids drooping as she fought to stay awake. "I trust you, Dan. But be careful. Whoever did this... they must be powerful."

"I will," he promised, squeezing her hand gently. "I'll be back soon. Try to take a rest." He whispered.

Laura watched Dan walk out of the door, she felt grateful to him but thinking back to her last moment with lilian, she felt scared for him as various questions without an answer popped into her head.

As Dan disappeared from sight, Laura's thoughts raced with worries and questions. Who was Lilian, and why is she bent on killing her? What exactly does she want from a maid like her? She was grateful for Dan's help but was confused on how Lilian had managed to poison the entire pack and also heal them within minutes.The more she thought about it, the more her head spun.

Despite her fatigue, Laura's mind refused to quiet down. She had tried to feel her wolf but the space her wolf's occupies just felt numb. She tossed and turned on the cot as her body aches from the injuries. Just as she started to drift off to sleep, she heard a faint whisper in her ear. "You shouldn't have trusted him, Laura."

Laura's eyes snapped open, but she was alone in the room. The whisper seemed to come from all around her, echoing off the walls. She tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through her chest, forcing her back onto the cot.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Dan reappeared, a look of concern etched on his face. "Laura, what's wrong? You're pale as a ghost."

Laura's eyes locked onto his, searching for reassurance. "I thought I heard something," she whispered, her voice trembling. "A voice, whispering in my ear."

"You're hallucinating, I'll stay with you, Laura. I won't leave your side until we figure out what's going. 

Dan's expression turned grave with concern but she failed to see the tiny smirk on his lips.