Tyler
Returning after so long feels bittersweet. The familiar scent of fir trees, as I walk through the main park, brings back memories on every street and place in the pack. Every smell, crack, and tree reminds me of who I was, someone I am no longer. I left feeling broken and lost; I returned as someone else. I continue my path, avoiding the "Rue du Renouveau"; I'm not ready to go there yet.
My steps lead me to a comforting place, the pack hospital. I have good friends there from my time volunteering in my teens; I've always liked to heal, to care for wolves.
I wave from afar to most as I walk down the spacious hallway, seeing the improvements that have been implemented and feeling grateful that the Alpha took my suggestions for improving services into account. I no longer live here, but these wolves will always be my pack, and I put all my effort into making sure they are well, that they can have a happy life and enjoy the Goddess's blessings as much as they can. That is the motivation I have left. Being away is simply a welcome consequence, although, to be honest, being here I feel the warmth of my home and I would be lying if I said I haven't missed it.
Suddenly, a laugh and then a child's cry brought me back to reality. It came from one of the pediatrics rooms. I peeked in discreetly and saw my old friend, Dr. Kael, with messy hair and a sticky stain on his coat, while a small pup, no bigger than a basketball, squirmed in his mother's arms, crying at the top of his lungs. The mother, embarrassed, couldn't be more flushed.
"It's just a little prick, champ!" Kael said, trying to sound reassuring, but his forced smile betrayed his defeat. The pup, in a fit of indignation, threw his favorite toy, a squirrel plushie, which now lay on the floor with an expression of trauma.
I couldn't help but smile. It was the adorable chaos of pack life, a reminder of the innocence and joy we fought to protect. Kael saw me and winked, resigned. He certainly wouldn't let me forget it easily.
Before I could see if they managed to administer the vaccine properly, my wolf stirred and I perceived a familiar scent, truly the last one I would have expected to find here: mandarin and fresh rain. Isla. As the doors opened, I could see my friend Jayce carrying her in his arms, her long brown hair floating around her.
Isla insisted she was perfectly fine and didn't need help, but Jayce, stubborn, emphasized her recent faint and her paler-than-usual skin.
"I'll take care of it," I told Kael casually, as I headed to the room where the Gamma was still arguing with the brunette.
Upon entering the cubicle, their gazes were astonished. Though I'm sure for different reasons.
"It's good to see both of you. Can someone please explain what happened?" I said as I found gloves, a stethoscope, and the other items to perform a preliminary evaluation.
I watched them share a quick glance, while I raised an eyebrow in their direction. Then the little brunette broke the silence.
"I just felt a little dizzy and fainted; it might be from the recent trip," she told me, her gaze fixed on the floor and her fingers playing with the hem of her shirt. It was clear that was a half-truth. However, I didn't press and continued the routine examination.
"Where is her mate?" I asked Jayce through the mind link. His reaction, or rather his lack of response, was a clear answer. So this was the Luna who was deceived and rejected by her mate, the next Alpha of Blue Crescent.
As I examined her, my eyes lingered on hers. They were a luminous honey color, vibrant and expressing immense sadness nestled in their depth, a pain that extended beyond the physical. Although I had been informed about the case of the human who had gestated without being marked and then was forced to abort, I never suspected it could be her. Seeing the depth of that pain reflected in those eyes where I had only seen happiness stirred something within me.
"I'll prescribe intravenous fluids and recommend a nutritious meal and good rest," I informed her, my voice soft, trying to convey calm. "It's a matter of rehydration and energy recovery."
Isla nodded, her gaze fixed on my hands as I put away my instruments.
"See, Jayce?" she said, her voice gaining a little more strength as she looked at me, with undeniable respect for my diagnosis. "I told you it wasn't a big deal. Always so dramatic."
Jayce shook his head, a resigned smile on his lips. "Sure, I'm the dramatic one. You're the one fainting in the middle of the main office."
Apparently, the Gamma has developed a deep and sincere affection for the woman; his wolf reacts protectively, and I hadn't seen him so worried and dedicated in a long time.
The effect the little brunette has on the people around her is undeniable; this woman is definitely more than meets the eye; she has been through a lot and yet radiated light and warmth around her.
Finally, after leaving the pertinent instructions and making sure everything was fine, I went to update Kael; after all, he is the doctor in charge. I spent the rest of the morning with him reviewing fertility updates and then headed towards the Alpha's dining room.
As soon as I entered the hall, all eyes fell on me, a river of whispers and smiles that vanished as I took my place next to my parents. I believe my return took everyone by surprise, though my eyes focused on the little brunette sitting across from me, who looked at me with a mixture of disbelief, astonishment, and curiosity.