Chapter 9: Is she talking about our Mirabelle? The one who raised you?

[Can I safely assume this woman has a fucking homing beacon on us?] Noelle mutters, her voice thick with annoyance.

An ominous feeling settles in my stomach, dark and foreboding. My fingers instinctively curl into fists.

It can’t be… right?

The supervisor’s face brightens with a professional smile. “Perfect timing! Come in.”

The door opens, and my vision blur. The supervisor is still smiling. “Natasha, that’s the—”

“The new intern,” I finish for her.

She nods, to my horror. “Why, yes. Thalie Noor, our new intern. She’ll be shadowing you.”

I snap. “Does she even possess the basic qualifications for this ward, or is this just another privileged placement?”

“What do you mean by that?” Thalie’s voice echoes behind me, filled with confusion. Ivan’s arm is wrapped possessively around her waist. They both stare at me; his expression a mix of warning and disappointment, hers wide-eyed innocence.

The supervisor smiles awkwardly. “Natasha isn’t feeling well today. Please excuse her.” With that, she shoots me a glance that screams 'what’s wrong with you' before motioning for the couple to sit.

“Let me formally introduce you. Thalie, this is Dr. Natasha Zorin; a senior OB-GYN and researcher. And Natasha, this is Thalie Noor. She will take over your position.” Her voice turns more reverent. “And this is Ivan Radek, the Alpha of this pack.”

She continues, staring at the file. “Thalie is a remarkably fast learner. She graduated from New Wales’ prestigious academy, and most impressively, she is a personal student of Dr. Mirabelle. You know her work.”

[What?] Noelle cries in surprise. [Is she talking about our Mirabelle? The one who raised you?]

“I think so,” I whisper back. There is only one Dr. Mirabelle in New Wales, a legend in gynecological medicine, a woman of formidable intellect and standards.

[Why would Mirabelle take her as a student? She is definitely lying!] Noelle mutters with deep conviction.

Of course.

She probably is.

Mirabelle; the woman who becomes my guardian after my mother’s death has accepted only one student in her entire career: me.

She turns down heirs, prodigies, and nobles, calling them distractions from the real work. She takes me in after I show interest in the field and because she made promise to my mother. The idea of her taking on Thalie... this performative, manipulative creature — what a joke.

Thalie sweeps her hair off her shoulder, the gesture condescending. “She probably never heard of Mirabelle. It’s understandable. Her work is specialized.” Her eyes rake over me from head to toe.

I tilt my head and glance at her. “Are you certain Dr. Mirabelle accepted you? When she took on her first and only student, she hosted a gala. Every elder and dignitary from three territories attended. I don’t recall hearing your name celebrated at such an event.”

Her smile freezes, but only for a split second.

She blinks.

Once.

Twice.

Then breaks into a chuckle. “What do you know, Omega? You think I’m lying or what?”

Before I can respond, she continues suddenly, her voice dropping. “Your accusation is unexpected. I come here to be beneficial to the pack. Her private acknowledgment is honor enough for me. I don’t need a party.” She shakes her head faintly. “I thought you’d know better. Compared to my senior sister, who also bears the same name as yours, Natasha. You really…” She clicks her tongue. “Not as bright. No offense.”

[Does she know she’s acting like a clown right now?] Noelle cringes. [At the same time, I admire her ability to lie while keeping a straight face.]

“You met Natasha?” I press, now curious how far she can go with her white lies.

And to my surprise, she rocks her head with a sweet smile. “Yes. You don’t expect that, do you?”

Well, I certainly never expect her to somehow meet me in a pack I left years ago.

“We also get along wonderfully. She is my senior, after all.”

I glance at Ivan. “Do you believe her?”

He stares at me with a look that is basically an affirmation, but he doesn’t say anything.

The supervisor clears her throat and cuts in, purposely emphasising what she said earlier. “Natasha, I’m sure you recognize Alpha Ivan. He oversees all pack operations, including this hospital.”

In other words, don't mess around.

Isn't it laughable?

I'm his mate. His fiancé.

But I seem to be the only one aware of that fact.

Even he himself is now hanging around with another woman.

Who can I blame except myself for trusting the lies that left his lips?

No one ever sees us together.

No one.

We seem to be from different worlds, never to collide.

Yet we’ve been skin-deep… soul-deep… bed-deep…

To the public eye, their Alpha is the single, hot, desirable bachelor, the man several women have their sights on.

The same man who tells me he needs time to make everyone accept me, yet is now publicly walking around with his arm wrapped around the waist of another.

While I wait, endure, and expect. All this time.