Page 35 of Alpha Varsity

Same reason I’m back now.

“I had to do it. I wanted to pursue an education in art, and the best school was in Chicago. It was the only way I could cope with living amongst humans.”

Dr. Oakley raises a brow as if to say he disagrees with my reasoning, but he doesn’t argue. I supposed he lived amongst humans for years getting his medical degree, too.

He brings the stethoscope to my chest and listens. “So you shifted for the first time again–when? With the full moon?”

“Yes, sir.”

He waves a hand. “You don’t need to call mesir. When you’re in this office there’s no pack hierarchy or tradition.”

I lower my gaze, just the same. I may be an adult, but respect for elders has been thoroughly bred into me. “Thank you.”

“And now you’re experiencing hot flashes? Extreme hunger?Low blood sugar?”

“Yes.” I swallow and nod. I leave out the part about Asher. About my desperation to feel him inside me, riding me hard. My intense need to crawl all over that muscled body of his. To have him master me with dirty-talk and rough handling.

“Well, I expect it will be just like the onset of your wolf again. I don’t think it will last as long as puberty. I would think since you’ve been through it before, and you know how to shift between forms and how much food and exercise your wolf requires, you should adjust in a matter of a few months.”

“Months?”

He shrugs. “Two to three would be my guess, but it’s only a guess. You’re thin, Carlotta. I would say get as much protein and fat into your body as you can to help stabilize the return of the hormones.”

“Okay.”

“Anything else?”

“I need to get back on birth control.”

“Okay.” He glances at my chart. “It looks like we stopped mailing your formulation to you six months ago.”

Dr. Oakley works with a compounding pharmacist to make special formulations that will work with shifter hormones.

The only reason I stopped taking it was to keep myself from having gratuitous sex with my self-absorbed roommate, Andy. He was good-looking and available but completely conceited and empty in the brain department. I knew the roommates with benefits thing was a bad idea, but I indulged.

Obviously, I was using him. When I started feeling used back, I realized the relationship wasn’t healthy for either ofus, and I cut off the sex. To keep myself from the temptation of returning, I went off the pill.

“Do you need a post-full moon shot?”

This is Dr. Oakley’s bread and butter, if I had to guess. Except I don’t know if he even charges anyone for it. His primary contribution to the pack is keeping teen wolves from getting pregnant during full moon runs.

It’s hard enough to keep your wolf under control, but when you’re a new shifter and the moon is full, nature takes over.

The post full moon shot is like the morning-after pill for humans.

“Yes, please.”

Dr. Oakley nods at Melinda, who is already pulling out a syringe and alcohol swab. She rips open the swab packet and paints it on my shoulder.

“This may help stabilize your hormones,” Dr. Oakley says. “Or it could make it temporarily worse.” He takes the needle from Melinda and jabs me. “Hard to say.” He pulls the needle out and disposes of it.

I’m sweating and hot. Itchy like I need to shift and run.

“I suggest you get plenty of rest and increase your caloric intake.”

“Got it.” I hop off the table, eager to get out of there.

“And Carlotta” –he turns at the door to give me a smile– “Welcome home.”

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