Page 43 of Bite for Sore Eyes

"Very cold," Lana managed through chattering teeth. "But I don't feel dizzy or heavy anymore. And my heart isn't racing."

"That's a very good sign," Emry said, relief evident in her voice. "Let's get you out of those wet clothes and back into bed."

The healers respectfully remained in the bathroom while Torren and Rath helped Lana to the bed. Her movements were shaky but coordinated, and when they carefully peeled away her soaked clothing, she managed to help a little. Then Torren stripped out of his own dripping clothes, his bear's instincts demanding he warm his mate with skin-to-skin contact. Rath was doing the same, both of them climbing under the covers to create a cocoon of body heat around Lana's shivering form.

She melted between them with a sigh of relief, her cold skin gradually warming as they held her close. Through the mate bond, Torren felt her exhaustion but also her gratitude—and underneath it all, a spark of something that might have been hope.

Kelly and Emry finally emerged from the bathroom, their expressions thoughtful rather than worried for the first time since they'd arrived.

"Well," Kelly said slowly, "judging by what we just observed and seeing your triad mate bond in action, our theory seems even stronger now."

Torren's body went still. "What theory?"

But neither woman spoke immediately, and Torren tightened his arms around Lana as tension filled the air like gathering storm clouds. Whatever Kelly and Emry had discovered, whatever theory they'd developed about Lana's condition, he had the feeling it was about to change everything.

SEVENTEEN

LANA

Lana's body was still trembling from the ice bath, her skin gradually warming as she lay sandwiched between Rath and Torren's naked forms beneath the thick covers of her guest room bed. The contrast was stark—moments ago she'd been convinced her brain was finally misfiring catastrophically, that this was the end she'd been dreading for two years. Now she felt their steady heartbeats against her, their heat seeping into her chilled skin like a promise that she was still here, still alive, and still fighting.

She could practically feel their love and determination pouring into her—a steady stream of strength that made her feel less fragile, less like a woman balanced on the edge of death. Torren's arm tightened around her waist while Rath's hand stroked her damp hair away from her face, both men creating a protective cocoon that made the world feel safer than it had in years.

Kelly and Emry stood at the foot of the bed, their expressions thoughtful rather than the clinical detachment Lana had grown accustomed to from Earth doctors. There was something different in their eyes—not pity or resignation, but the spark of genuine curiosity that came from healers who believed they might actually have answers.

"What theory are you talking about?" Lana echoed Torren's question, her voice still weak but growing stronger with each breath.

Kelly stepped closer to the bed, her warm brown eyes meeting Lana's directly. "Well, I'm very aware that you three are fated mates and have a rare triad mate bond. Seeing it in action just now—watching Rath and Torren fight to save your life and you fight to keep your life for them—it became more obvious to me what the solution may be to treat your illness."

Lana wanted to sit up straighter, to demand immediate answers, but she was still shivering and naked and utterly exhausted from the episode. Instead, she remained nestled between her mates while they wrapped their arms around her tighter, their protective instincts clearly triggered by any discussion of her condition.

Solution.

The word echoed in her mind like a prayer she'd stopped believing in. How many times had doctors used that exact word before crushing disappointment soon followed?

"What is the solution?" Lana asked, trying not to sound too skeptical.

Emry stepped closer to the bed, her medical tablet clutched against her chest. "Well, in order to understand the solution, why don't I explain our theory first?"

"Yes, please do," Rath said, his deep voice carrying the authority of an Alpha. "Because I need to understand what is going on here."

Emry's hazel eyes sparkled with excitement. "Well, our theory about why Lana's brain is misfiring yet appears normal is a bit metaphysical and a bit physiological."

Metaphysical?

Lana had heard every explanation and theory under the sun from Earth doctors—genetic abnormalities, autoimmune disorders, viral infections, environmental toxins, rare cancers. But never anything that ventured into spiritual territory.

"I've heard every explanation and theory out there," Lana said carefully. "So what you have to say won't shock me."

Kelly's smile was gentle but knowing. "Well, I think this might. You see, our theory is that every person has a soul—that's pretty well-documented—and what many people may not realize is that our soul has a journey while it's here inhabiting our body." She paused for a moment. "And Lana, your soul and body are very connected, very attuned to each other."

Despite her exhaustion, Lana found herself captivated by Kelly's words. She'd never been particularly spiritual—her military and cybersecurity background had trained her to rely on logic and evidence. But she did believe she had a soul, and had always felt there was some deeper purpose to her existence beyond the work she did and the problems she solved.

What if this isn't just random cellular breakdown?

"Well," Emry continued, her voice taking on the rhythm of someone explaining a complex system, "your soul knows when it's time to expand and move toward its soul purpose. And two years ago, your soul knew that it was ready to move forward. But for whatever circumstances, you remained in your current life—which had served you well for a time, but that season was up." Emry paused, making sure everyone was following along. "So, your soul started causing your brain to misfire, sort of an alarm system to get your attention."

Lana let out a weak laugh despite everything. "Well, it certainly got my attention."