Dorothy's POV
A replacement? That word hits me like a slap across the face. I refuse to be anyone's stand-in. The moment Joseph recovers from this injury, I'm walking away from this place. My eyes drift toward the intimidating Alpha lying on the table, and something twists in my stomach. Will he actually allow me to leave when the time comes?
Dean's involvement has my nerves on edge. If he manages to trace his father's financial support through my medical school records, he'll track me down within days.
"Oliver," I murmur while carefully positioning the bone fragments, my mind spinning with worry.
My car sits abandoned somewhere. My belongings scattered in an apartment I may never see again. My residency program expects me back on Monday morning. How can I simply vanish without consequences?
"Give me your car's location and I'll send someone to retrieve it. Same goes for your belongings. Regarding your education, we'll arrange for online coursework and complete your residency requirements here at our medical facility," Joseph states with casual authority.
I stare at him in disbelief. "How did you hear that?"
"Your thoughts weren't exactly private. Werewolf hearing, remember?"
"Joseph, I can't abandon my program," I protest, treating him like he's lost his mind.
"Nobody mentioned abandoning anything. You'll finish your residency here while taking virtual classes," he responds as though the matter requires no further discussion.
"You can't hold me prisoner!"
That infuriating eyebrow arches upward once more.
"You're not my Alpha," I start to argue.
He shifts forward slightly. "What I am is your destined mate. Answer me honestly: if I release you back to your program and visit you next week, will you still be there?"
I focus intently on his injured leg, refusing to meet his gaze or provide an answer. Even without our mate connection, Dean's potential discovery would force me to transfer schools immediately.
"Exactly what I expected. That's precisely why you're staying, dear mate."
He settles back against the table while we both retreat into contemplative silence. I signal Oliver when I'm ready for the next healing session.
"Earlier you called me brave. Why?"
"What?" His voice carries the strain of prolonged pain.
"You listed intelligent, compassionate, brave, and lonely as my qualities. I understand the first two and you explained the loneliness, but what made you think I'm brave?"
"When my pack members arrived, you didn't flee. You had every opportunity. You couldn't have known they belonged to me. Instead, you looked prepared to fight, ready to defend me. For someone who avoids conflict, that requires genuine courage."
I glance up, frowning. "What makes you assume I avoid conflict?"
"Your build tells the story," he says matter-of-factly.
"Are you calling me overweight?" Offense flares in my chest. I maintain a regular workout routine at the human fitness center. Sure, I should let Ivy run more frequently, but I'm nowhere near overweight by any standard.
"You know perfectly well you're not," he observes carefully. "But I've seen your body. Those of us who've spent years fighting pack wars don't possess the softness you have. And before you misinterpret that comment, I find your body incredibly appealing and undeniably sexy."
My hands freeze mid-motion, caught off guard by his directness.
"Sexy isn't a word anyone's used to describe me before," I admit, then realize I've spoken aloud again. Looking up, I catch him smiling. "Some people, myself included, find intelligence extremely sexy. But I've been desperate to touch you, to explore the softness of your skin, from the moment I first saw you."
"Some people, myself included, find it difficult to believe that someone trapped in a bear trap was 'desperate' to touch anyone," I reply, rolling my eyes dramatically.
"That should demonstrate exactly how powerful the mate bond truly is. While what you're doing causes significant pain, your touch simultaneously helps manage it. Your scent filling this room, growing stronger with each passing minute, provides relief. As an Alpha, discovering your Luna, your fated mate, brings certain advantages. You represent the missing half of my soul, and at the risk of sounding cliched, you complete me on multiple levels. Now I have a question for you."
"Go ahead," I respond, maintaining focus on his injury.
"Why didn't you run?"
I look at him like he's completely irrational. "You were hurt. If those weren't your people, they would've killed you."
That damned eyebrow rises again. "They would've killed you as well."
"I didn't rescue you from a bear trap just to abandon you to the same monsters who set it!" I snap.
"So you're more stubborn than brave?"
"Label it however you want. I wasn't leaving you to die," I declare firmly.
"Thank you."
I wait for elaboration, and when none comes, I meet his eyes.
"For what exactly?"
"For freeing me from that trap, for staying when I faced death, and for preventing Dr. Anker from amputating my leg."
"That man seriously needs retirement," I mutter.
"Which is why you'll be taking his position," he states with maddening confidence.
"I'm not replacing anyone, Joseph. I have academic commitments, laboratory work, examinations."
"We'll coordinate with your school regarding lab requirements. As you must realize, you'll gain more practical experience here than in any human institution's laboratory. Examinations can be completed online. It's standard practice nowadays. Any other objections I can address?"
"So incredibly arrogant," I grumble angrily.
"Confident," he corrects.
"What?" I ask, confused.
"I'm not arrogant, I'm confident. There's a significant difference."
"How do you keep overhearing my comments?" I demand.
"How long have you lived among humans? I think you've forgotten how acute werewolf hearing can be, and as an Alpha, mine's sharper than most."
Great! Living with humans has made me careless about muttering thoughts aloud. Now I'll need to monitor every word to avoid offending anyone.
Someone knocks on the door.
"Enter," Joseph calls.
"Doesn't anyone understand this is a surgical suite?" I mutter, already forgetting his enhanced hearing.
"Excuse me, doctor. I brought one of our seamstresses who handles clothing repairs, but she claims she doesn't know how to suture warriors," Karl, Joseph's Beta, explains. I turn to see a terrified young woman staring at Joseph's exposed leg.
"Give me a moment," I say, quickly covering his leg with a towel. The last thing I need is someone vomiting in my workspace.
Karl escorts her out while I return to Joseph. "I've repositioned all the smaller fragments underneath. Some tiny slivers are too damaged to salvage, but hopefully Oliver can work around the missing pieces."
"I'm a powerful Alpha wolf, mate. I'll manage," he says, that proud tone returning.
"Right. I'll position the large fragment against the existing bone and let you begin healing while I check on the other injured warriors. When I return, I'll place the remaining smaller pieces and get you sutured up and nearly restored, Alpha."
"Joseph, Dorothy. Call me Joseph," he says, exhaustion heavy in his voice.
I look into those expressive brownish-green eyes, seeing complete fatigue. Moving closer, I place my hands on his chest, gently pressing him into a resting position.
"Why don't you sleep while I'm away?" I suggest softly. "You've endured a long day and your body requires healing."
His eyes begin to close. I know it's unwise, I know I shouldn't, but my fingers have been aching to touch him too. I gently stroke his hair, feeling its softness where blood hasn't matted it.
"Sleep, Joseph. I'll be here when you wake."
Something compels me to lean down and press my lips to his, hearing him sigh as deep sleep claims him.
"Sleep well, Joseph," I whisper against his ear, then cover his leg and exit the room, instructing his Beta to post guards while I assist the nurses and omegas throughout the medical facility.