(KAELEN'S POV)
"Finally!" Nana's voice welcomed me as I walked past the open doors. "Late to your own doctor's appointment." She greeted, a displeased look on her face.
She was seated on her wheelchair, right next to my mother.
"Good morning, Alpha." My attention shifted to Doctor Maeve in the corner of the room, everything set up and ready for me.
"Are you alright?" Mother rose to her feet and closed the space between us. "You don't look great. You look flustered and tired." Her hand reached for my face.
"I'm alright, Mother. Good morning," I said, taking her hand in mine.
I was far from alright because meeting with Amari this morning had me fighting my body and soul.
"Are you sure?" Mum was searching my face.
"Yes, I'm sure." I looked past her shoulder at Nana. "Good morning, Nana."
"It will be when we get this done, Kaelen. I'm here as a healer and not your grandmother, so get moving. We have waited for twenty minutes already." Even though Nana sounded stern, I could see the smile twitching at the side of her lips.
"Right away." I walked over to the patient's chair, set up by Doctor Maeve.
Her hands trembled as she strapped me in—arms, ankles, and my head.
I closed my eyes and immediately, Amari filled my mind. Her perfect face, her eyes, her voice…
I heard her dry laugh replay in my head. My fists tightened. The laugh had not gotten to her eyes; it was born out of sarcasm and yet, it had set fire to my nerves.
Today she made me feel Ragnar again, the moment I approached her, those clear—
"Alpha Kaelen?"
My eyes flew open instantly, Doctor Maeve stood above me. She twisted her pen nervously, I narrowed my eyes.
My mother and grandmother were staring.
And then, my hand moved and I realized I was unstrapped. Only the Goddess knows for how long.
I stood and crossed to where my grandmother and mother sat.
"What was that about? Did you fall asleep?" Mother asked the moment I sat down. "You were told that you need to rest. Don't you know how dangerous it is to have your wolf paralyzed?"
"Temporarily," I said, crossing one leg over the other.
"Because you're a strong and lucky fool," Nana said, raising a cup of tea to her lips for a sip.
"He's only lucky," Mother insisted. "You promised to rest. And this morning you're not even in bed, resting?"
"I was having breakfast. Outside." I glanced at my watch.
"Well, you should be having it in bed," she accused.
"I had a guest."
Silence.
Mother raised an eyebrow at me, and Nana dropped her teacup.
"Are you truly married to her?"
"Oh, what sort of question is that, Vanessa?" Nana threw her hands in the air.
"He looks doubtful, Mother."
"Because he lost his memory," Nana concluded.
Mother turned to me. "Do you think you really married her, Kaelen?"
"Excuse me." We all looked up.
Doctor Maeve stood, clutching her iPad before her.
"Did it work? Is his wolf waking up?" Nana asked curiously.
"No," the doctor replied sadly. "But there's something I noticed. May I?"
I nodded.
She tapped her iPad as she moved to the center of the room.
A hologram appeared.
"Your Wolf Life is still very low, Alpha. But your Wolf Energy is higher than usual." She glanced at me. "Way higher. A normal Wolf Energy is from ten to forty. From fifty to seventy-six can occur for a new werewolf, drug consumption, or mate bonds. Above seventy-six is caused by excessive pills or first-time mate bond consummation."
"And?" I asked drily.
She swallowed. "Alpha, your Wolf Energy is eighty-eight."
I felt Mother and Nana's gaze on me.
"I didn't do any of the above," I stated matter-of-factly.
"Your mate?" Nana gasped loudly.
Mother looked from me to Nana, then back to me. "W-well, does this mean that you really married her?" She demanded.
"Oh, what else could make an Alpha marry a stranger within three days but a moon-built bond?!" Nana said, clapping in excitement.
"None of that happened," I said.
The women froze, looking at me, perhaps startled by my tone.
I turned to Doctor Maeve. "Tell me. What effect does a high Wolf Energy have?"
"There are positive and negative effects." She began tapping at her iPad, changing the hologram. "A high Wolf Energy is the reason you can move around in your condition. It's like an adrenaline boost. It means your wolf is experiencing some sort of strong turbulence. But it can wear off and take a toll on your body. You must rest, Alpha. You escaped death by a single hair."
She avoided my eyes as she said the last words, then she turned to Nana, promising to send the report, and left.
"It's a good thing you've eaten. You must take your shot now," Nana said to me.
Mother brought Nana's special bag, and I drew closer to them.
"I'm traveling," I announced, pulling my sleeves up gently. "I'll be back this evening."
A pause.
"What?" Mother cried. "You can't be serious! You have been told to rest!"
"Where are you going? The Forest Pack? I thought Varkaine left to represent you this morning," Nana said.
I stretched my exposed arm to her, ready for the shot. "I'm going to Moon Pack," I stated. "I want to visit Moon Haven Village, where I allegedly met and married my wife. I'm taking her along."
"You say it like you couldn't marry her! Is it because she is a village girl?" Nana demanded, wearing a frown.
"No," I answered.
"Kaelen is not like that," Mother said. "I'm sure he just doubts it and he is very right to do so. We were having talks with a Chief for his daughter. He wouldn't jeopardize that in such a messy way!"
Nana snorted. "You just care because you dreamed of having your goddaughter as your daughter-in-law."
"That's not true, Mother. You're just happy because you want a traditional woman for Kaelen."
"Enough, please," I announced, a tone higher so they turned their attention to me. "I am doubtful because I know something is off."
"What do you mean?" Mother asked me.
I grunted in frustration. "I just… something is not right with her."
"So you don't feel anything for her? Not even a little sign from Ragnar?" Nana asked with a know-it-all look.
I narrowed my eyes.
"You see!! That's why he's so hot and bothered." She pulled my hand forward and injected me without warning.
"Mother!"
"Ow!" I yelped at the same time my mother shrieked.
"Sorry," Nana answered, but I could tell she didn't mean it.
"I understand you are curious, Kaelen, but you can't travel. You must rest," Mother pleaded.
"I'm not curious, Mother. I want answers," I corrected firmly. I want to see everything. The village we met, where we got married, her house, her family." I paused as an image of her eyes filled my mind. "I just…. I feel it. Something's off."