Page 139 of Broken Dreams

“Let’s set you up then,” he mutters. Dragging a rolling table over to where I’m sitting, he takes his time to stabilize it so it won’t move while I write.

I make sure to turn on the verbal component to the tablet, and lift my stylus to show him I’m ready.

“Alright, so is this selective or complete inability to speak?” he asks.

“Not to be difficult, but it’s both,”I say.

The nurse jumps slightly, though her hands continue to hold steady as she changes out vials as she fills them.

“Well I’ll be damned,” the doctor mutters. “Sorry, tell me about that.”

“Well, when I’m relaxed I can get a word out, but not much more. If I’m anxious, there’s nothing. It’s like my tongue swells,”I explain. “I’ve spent so much time not saying anything, I think I’m stuck.”

“While you’re here, do you want to do a scan to see if there’s any damage to your vocal chords or any neurological reasons for it?” Dr. Adrain asks.

He looks as if he’s trying to cover all of his bases while figuring me out. Good luck, I don’t even really understand myself.

“It appears as if you have a good ability to make yourself understood when needed,” he adds, motioning toward the tablet. “My father has always spoken highly of the Kellys and their resourcefulness.”

My cheeks heat as I smile, because they definitely have the ability to make things happen.

The nurse finishes up, covering the puncture site with gauze before wrapping it so the pressure will help stop the bleeding.

“Caitlyn, please take these straight to the lab. I’d like the results as soon as possible,” Dr. Adrain says.

The nurse hurries to do what she’s asked, and then it’s just the doctor and I. I don’t feel threatened because my alphas are just outside, I’m armed, and he doesn’t give me any kind of bad vibes.

I’ve been around enough bad men to last a lifetime. I know when people have ill intentions after my time around so many evil people.

Keeping my gaze on him, I wait for him to tell me to leave or speak. I don’t need to break this silence. That’s for him to do.

“Right,” he mutters. “I can bring one of your alphas in if it’ll make you feel more comfortable, but I don’t want any of the nurses to have access to this information. The blood tests will be able to tell me what your hormones look like. This will give me an idea of what your reproductive health needs are, if your heats will be affected due to what this club worker has been pumpinginto your system, and if children will be possible, if that’s what you want. Children are a choice, not every pack has them, which means you hold all the cards regarding that.”

Dr. Adrain takes a giant breath at the end, and I clap gently. He appears embarrassed, but that’s not what I meant to do.

“You got through that well,”I tell him. “Those were things I was worried about. I don’t know if I want kids yet because I’m scared to have any feelings about them. My life is very up in the air.”

“I don’t understand what you mean,” he says. “I know there’s a level of danger which is why we’re being so careful about the flow of information. This alpha, Bret. Is he still a threat?”

I nod because that’s enough of an answer when dealing with Bret.

“So there are outside influences here, and there is no suicidal ideation, correct? I just need to be sure,” the doctor adds.

“No, I don't want to die. I can’t say that if it came between returning to the club and killing myself, I wouldn’t choose the latter,”I say. “After being able to be free, breathe fresh air, and live, I can’t go back. I won’t.”

“I don’t think that’s quitting, then. I think it’s a choice to decide how your end will be,” Dr. Adrain rasps. “I believe you met my father, correct?”

As I nod, he crosses his arms as he leans back into his seat.

“Dad called me and told me I needed to take you as a patient a few minutes before Duncan called me. I would have done it either way, but it showed me he’s invested. If he’s already committed, he’ll rally the support of others as well,” he says. “Are there any other health concerns you may have before I take you down for X-rays?”

I shake my head, wincing I feel the room begin to spin.

“On second thought, standing may suck right now. I feel really lightheaded,”I explain.

“I have juice for you. I should have already given you some,” he mutters, annoyed at himself as he opens a mini fridge and opens a small bottle of orange juice. “I didn’t see any allergies written down, any chance you forgot you were allergic to oranges?”

Smiling weakly, I carefully shake my head.

---