Page 50 of Rejected By The Alpha Heir

I touch my lips in memory and close my eyes, reliving that moment for just a second.Surreal.

With a deep breath, I reach out and push open the glass doors of the clinic, the cold metal handle biting against my palm. The fluorescent lights of the reception area flicker and hum, castingan eerie glow over everything. The smell of antiseptic fills my nose as I make my way into the treatment rooms.

“Ms. Croft!” a sharp voice calls out from behind me. I turn to see Dr. Taylor, his thick glasses perched precariously on his hooked nose, his arms crossed sternly across his chest. “You’re late. That's unlike you."

"I know, I'm sorry," I apologize quickly, pushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His eyes scrutinize me for a moment longer before he gives a curt nod.

I try to put on a brave face, but everything feels different.

"Room four," he instructs crisply, handing me a patient chart. As I hurry down the hallway to meet my first patient of the day, my mind can't help but drift back to Austin.

How many years did I dream of hearing him say that? How many times did I beg the Moon Goddess to give me a sign, any sign, that he even cared? Why is this happening now and all at once?

I shake off the memory and force myself to concentrate as I push through the doors, greeting a young boy and his mother.

At least my work will give be a worthy distraction.I hope.

My smile is automatic as I ease into the routine, taking vitals and asking questions. The boy, only a few years older than Cleo, watches me with wide, curious eyes. His leg is bleeding with an ugly scrape, and he’s holding an ice pack to his knee.

"Cold," he declares as I press the stethoscope to his bare chest.

I chuckle softly, "Yes, sorry about that."

His mother smiles at our exchange, her eyes tired but grateful for my gentle care. I know firsthand how worrying it can be when your child is injured.

“He’s going to be okay, mom. You did the right thing bringing him in,” I tell her quietly.

She gives me a relieved smile.

As I kneel on the white tile floor, placing bandages on the boy's scraped knee, my heart aches. I'm not sure if it's for this young one who's bravely trying not to cry, or for myself, or even Cleo. I think of the pain that she will one day experience when she has her first shift.

Will she be brave, like this little boy, or will she be scared? My eyes well with tears and I have to duck my head to hide them. She doesn’t even know about her shift yet.

“Can I have a blue sticker when you’re done?” the little boy asks, bringing me back into the moment.

My fear for Cleo and the unknown is still weighing heavy in my heart but I realize there’s nothing I can do about it right now. I need to focus.

“Great job, champ!” I exclaim as I finish wrapping his knee. “You can definitely have a blue sticker!”

His toothy grin is contagious, and it lights up the room.

Maybe distractions are exactly what I need.

After treating the boy, I lose myself in my work, making my way through routine check-ups, minor injuries, and unfortunately, a severe case of pneumonia.

My patients tell me their stories, and I nod in all the right places, even managing to throw in an encouraging word or two, but my mind wanders to Austin over and over.

It’s like he’s infected me, making it impossible for me to forget him or concentrate on anything. When I’m not thinking of him, I’m thinking of the pack.

It’s my fault they don’t have a Luna right now. I know why Austin did what he did with Sylvie. Their match was terrible. Neither one of them would ever have found happiness there. But then he said the things he said to me.

He wanted to choosemefor Luna.

And I said no.

I refused him. I wonder what my pack would say if they knew the truth? Would they resent me? Would they understand? I wish I could tell them how long it took for me to realize that, as much as I love my pack and was honored to be the future Luna, putting my happiness on the back burner almost destroyed me. My daughter, my job, and my own wellness are my priorities now. I can’t give them all up so easily. Not when I know firsthand what it could do to me.

He says he’s changed. Maybe it would be different this time.

---