Two hours later after doing what Luna Vasti wanted I walked into the pack Hospital, into Dr. Dirge office. It's small with a desk and couch and a couple of bookshelves. I see him next to the bookshelves with some medical tomes in hand. Shifter medical knowledge is written and passed down in tomes. I've read almost all the ones we have in the pack thanks to Dirge.
"Ah, I was wondering what happened to you dear" Dirge spoke in a low raspy voice. He's a bit scrawny for a shifter. Shifters age a bit slower and we last a bit longer then the humans, but over all relatively we age the same. I'm pretty sure he's somewhere in his 60s but doesn't look a day over 45. Salt and pepper hair, maybe 6'1, wrinkles around the eyes but that's how far that goes. He's handsome I guess for a dad.
Before I could reply to him a high pitched voice came squealing in " Girl where you been !? I was about to call out an Amber alert on your ass!" Cam screeched.
"Cameran dear no need for the profanities" Dirge chastised, shaking his head. I giggled.
Cam was what you call drop dead gorgeous. She's the opposite of me. I have dark brown hair, light fair skin, brown eyes, your typical plain she wolf. Cam is stunning with green eyes. She has long model legs, fair olive skin and dirty blonde hair which she gets from her mom, Gin. She's the one we lost in the fire. I can see the grief on Dirge's face around the time of the anniversary of their death. They weren't fated mates, but chosen. They still loved each other just the same.
Cam was tall. Well taller than me. At this point I think everyone is taller than then me. Im stuck in my 5'7", short for a shifter. "Im not the one who came in two hours late dad!" She chimed.
" Luna wanted me to wash the Alphas shirt. She didn't want to wake the pack staff. I am sorry for being late. Is there anything I can do? Any patients?" I guiltily wished for some patients. Give me something to do.
"Of course she did ! Ugh I don't understand them? Why do they treat you so lowly? Don't they know you are a gem to this pack? What if there's an attack! You're going to want an actual medical doctor !" She winced, " No offense Dad."
"No need my dear you are correct," he sighs "I do not know why Jered and Vasti treat you so poorly. Only because you are lowly born and I say that with much respect dear," I nod knowingly " No one should be treated as such. It's like they are trying to run you out of the pack. Shameless I say." He says as he shelves some medical tomes into the shelves.
" It's okay guys, I'm used to it. Nothing to be worried about." I will try to explain. It's not fine, and you know it. Emma whispers in my head.
Sigh.
Cam loops an arm over my shoulder. "Hey tonight's a full moon, how about we go for the pack run? Or just try to shift?"
"Cam" I say pleadingly, "You know I can't shift. Not since that one time. I–I can't." Walking away to sit on the couch. This was a sore subject for me and they knew it. Ugh for all my bravery and self esteem, shifting was a down pour. I haven't shifted since the fire. I just can't shift I–I
"SAM! SAM! SAM! YOU HAVE TO RUN! RUN! DON'T LET THEM SEE!" My mother yelled at me as burning debris fell all around us.
I tried to speak but a canine whine released in its place. I was terrified. Don't know what was going on. It was hot. So hot.
"SAM ARE YOU LISTENING! SAMANTH—--
I shook my head no no no no. I'm fine. We are fine. Breathe. I grabbed the cushions of the couch. Digging my nails into them. A hand came on my shoulder, "Hey hey. I'm sorry I didn't mean to push. I just thought–" I interrupted Cam by saying
" No! I'm okay. I'm okay. Truly. Yeah sure I should try to shift again. Maybe this time it will work. Maybe this time my wolf will come out."
Huff. 'I'm not the problem and you know it.'
Thanks Em. Really. She gives me an internal wolfish eye roll and strolls to the back part of my mind where she lives.
"Are you sure? You know you can talk to someone. A therapist maybe. Not all injuries are physical my dear. You above all know that very well." Dirge chimes in.
" A therapist? There's no wolf therapist. What am I supposed to say to a human? Hey! I'm supposed to shift into a big wolf and run around! She's in my head constantly but cant come out! They are going to think I'm sane or possessed. Anywho, I'm going to go to my office and get some work done. Ill take care of the walk-ins today so you don't have to worry. Ill see you guys for dinner at the pack house." I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. Get into the routine of work and waste the time away. I stand and head for the door. Dirge gave a sad placating smile and waves me off. Cam as usual follows me out
"Ill come by and walk with you to the pack house after work. I seriously need to vent about Nick. This relationship is going no where. I know we are not fated mates. And dont get me wrong im not holding out for my fated. I honestly don't expect to find him. But If i have to chose a chosen than at least a decent one, right?" Cam spoke with such vigor I honestly couldn't help but giggle. We walk down the long corridor of the hospital. We have the same conversation about every three days. I love her shes my best friend and ill tear the world down for her. But her love life is a wreck. And all this about fated mates? Honestly it's a fantasy. Most shifters don't even find their fated mates. Most just chose and bond under the Moon Goddess's light. The bond ties the two wolves in body, spirit and soul. It's an unbreakable bond that can only be separated by death. Some occasions if the connection is strong enough the pain of losing your other half the surviving wolf dies from heartbreak. Morbidly romantic. But to think that there is one wolf out that that the Goddess has chosen specifically for you? To be the other half of your soul? Sounds far fetch. I'm no stranger to dating but just the thought of being bonded to any of these over zelest, power hungry, male wolves? Gives me the total ick.
"It's just crazy, you know, to bond for power. Serephina honestly thinks she's going to be top bitch because she's being mated off to the Alpha Heir of Herculean Pack….." She was interrupted by my abrupt pause. Wait, what did she say?
"I'm sorry what?"
Serephina is the daughter of Alpha Jered and Luna Vasti. Their only daughter, they have a son who's to take over as Alpha when the current one steps down. But Seraphina? She is what you call a snake in a dress. The girl is beautiful but completely ugly on the inside. We used to be friends before the fire but I have no idea what happened. After she became nasty. Then after she shifted and demonstrated she had an alpha aura, I swear it got into her head. She walks around the pack like she owns it. She has a group of she wolves that follow her like groupies. It's sickening. For her to be mated off to another Alpha and be a Luna? I pity her future pack. She belittles anyone who she deems un worthy. Well since I'll be here, it's not too bad, she wont be able to keep tournamenting me if she is gone right? This is actually good news! My day is getting better.
" That's if she doesn't go after the Wolf King and you know she will!" Cam announces.
I look at her with a blank expression as we enter my office. It's a small space . One window, a small desk and a cabinet. Nothing else.
"You are not even paying attention! Earth to Sam! Are you in there!?" She's basically yelling by now. I cover one and give her an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Spaced out on the good news that Serephina is getting mated off!" I give her a wicked smile. She smiles just as wickedly back.
" Don't get your hopes completely up. Like I was saying before you went to La La Land." She leaned against my desk as I sat in my chair behind it.
" The Alpha is trying to secure a mating between the Herculean Pack's heir and Serephina. Since we are such a big pack in this region we are hosting a huge ball with all packs in the country. It's going to be huge! Granted it is also for Seraphina's birthday so her head is inflating a shit ton. Double now since the Wolf King confirmed he was going to arrive. Rumor is he's looking for his fated mate.If he cant find her he will just take a chosen mate. I bet Serephina is going to try to bag him first. Nasty Bitch."
Cam said all this with a gleam in her eye. I wonder if she's hoping to find her fated. All the packs in the country. That's alot of people, alot of unmated males.
My wolf sturrs at the thought. She's never given thought at any of the males I've dated. Not that there's many but few dates here and there. One serious relationship lasted almost two years until I saw him in bed with her highness herself Serephina. On Valentine's Day no less. Stayed away from dating since. That was a year ago.
'Should have let us rip her throat out.' Emma decided now to voice an opinion.
'No girl, killing the Alpha's daughter is not a good idea!'
'Disfigure her face?'
'What is wrong with you? Why are you so violent?' I chastised her.
'I'm not violent, she needs to know her place.' Emma growled
'She's the Alpha's daughter! She has an alpha wolf!' I hissed at her. Not understanding her sudden anger.
'SO DO Y—'
I cut off the connection to her not wanting to continue to fight. She's usually so passive and barely talks. I have no idea what gotten into her. Sure some random times she comes out with her violent tendencies like the time we found Steve in bed with Serephina. But besides then, she's pretty chill.
Cam is looking at me a bit wary. I shrug and ask,
" Isn't the Wolf King Old? Why would she go after him?"
"The power? Money ? Knowing Seraphina ? Shes a power whore."
"Well you are not wrong."