Dahlia's POV
"Mommy has to go help someone who is very sick," I said softly, kneeling down to look my three babies in the eyes.
"Mr. Sinclair is going to stay with you. You have to be on your best behavior, stay inside the garden, and you must never take off your necklaces. Do you promise?"
I touched the small black stones hanging from their necks. I had spent a fortune on these scent-blockers. They were the only things keeping the werewolf world from smelling that these children belonged to Nate.
"We promise, Mommy," they said together. Their little faces were tight with worry, and it broke my heart.
Leaving them felt like ripping a piece of myself away, but I didn't have a choice. If Nate was sending letters to "Dahlia," he was already too close. I feared for how much he already knew.
I had to meet him as "Dr. Willow" before he tore this city apart looking for the girl he betrayed.
I went into my dressing room to begin my "transformation." I wasn't shifting into a wolf, my wolf was still buried too deep under years of fear. Instead, I was turning myself into a stranger.
I pulled on a long, heavy coat that hid my shape. I put on a high-quality wig, covering my natural black hair with a deep chestnut brown.
Next came the most important part: the mask. It was a white, professional-looking half-mask that covered my forehead and the area around my eyes. Finally, I sprayed myself with a strong, bitter mix of eucalyptus and medicinal herbs. It was a sharp, biting smell designed to drown out my natural scent of honey and wildflowers.
When I looked in the mirror, Dahlia was gone. Only the mysterious Dr. W remained.
I was only a few blocks from the edge of town when the air suddenly felt heavy. A thick, scary pressure settled over the street. The humans nearby didn't know why, but they started walking faster, looking over their shoulders.
My heart started thumping against my ribs. It was Alpha energy.
I didn't turn around. I kept walking, gripping my medical bag tight.
"You there. Stop."
The voice was deeper than I remembered. It was a command that made my legs want to shake. I stopped and slowly turned to face the tall man standing by a big black SUV.
It was Nate.
He was even more handsome than before, but in a scary way. His shoulders were broader, his jaw was sharp, and his eyes were as cold as ice. Two of his guards stood behind him, looking ready for a fight.
"This road is closed today," Nate said.
He looked at me like a predator watching its prey. He moved closer, sniffing the air as he tried to figure out my scent through the herbs. "You have a strange smell, lady."
"I'm a doctor on an emergency call," I said. I made my voice lower, sounding as cold as possible.
Nate's eyes narrowed. He stepped right into my personal space. He was so close I could feel the heat coming off his body. For a second, I was sure he could hear how fast my heart was beating.
"You're about the right height," he muttered. He reached his hand out like he was going to snatch the mask off my face. "I'm looking for a girl, Dahlia. A criminal who ran away from my pack years ago."
My blood turned to ice, but I forced myself to laugh. "Dahlia? I don't know who that is. I am Dr. Willow. Now move, I was summoned on emergency."
One of his guards suddenly groaned and grabbed his side, falling to one knee. I didn't waste a second.
"Get back," I said, pushing past Nate before he could stop me. I walked straight to the guard.
I didn't even have to touch him to see what was wrong. "Your man is bleeding inside. He was hit with silver, probably during training. If I don't fix this in ten minutes, he's going to lose his kidney."
Nate froze. "How do you know that?"
"Because I'm a doctor," I snapped. I grabbed a spray from my bag. "Now, hold him still."
I worked fast, focusing only on the medicine. I didn't act like the "weak orphan" he used to know. I acted like a professional who knew exactly what she was doing.
Nate watched my hands; the same hands he used to hold. But now they were steady, covered in gloves, and saving his best fighter.
When the guard started breathing normally again, Nate stepped back. He looked almost disappointed, his eyes searching my masked face for any sign of a lie.
"I'm sorry, Doctor," he said, though he was still staring at me. "I mistook you for someone else. Dahlia knows nothing about medicine, she's weak."
"Well, we all make mistakes, don't we?" I said.
My heart ached when he called me weak. Is that what he really thought of me?
"I actually have a request from your pack. I hear your Luna needs a healer?" I said, maintaining my composure.
Nate stood up straight. "You're the Dr. W the elders told me about?"
"I am."
He looked at me for a long time. Finally, he gave a quick nod.
"Then you're coming with me. My car is faster."
"I can walk just fine." I protested.
"I wasn't asking, Doctor," he growled, opening the back door. "Save my pack, and I'll pay you well."
I climbed into the car. It smelled like him; sandalwood and rain. My wolf finally stirred in the back of my mind, making a sad, lonely sound.
'We're going home.'
I squeezed my bag. 'No." I thought. We're going back to the man who broke us.