Chapter 8: The Confrontation

Ella sat in her car at the parking lot outside her home, lost in thought as she stared at her reflection in the rearview mirror. Her wolf, Lila, stirred inside her.

"Derek is still our mate," Lila whispered, her tone a mixture of hurt and hope. "He didn’t accept our rejection.”

Ella closed her eyes, feeling the familiar stab of grief. Memories from the past came flooding back, and her voice trembled as she responded, "If Derek had accepted me as his Luna… our pup would still be alive." Her words were soaked with bitterness, the pain of her loss still fresh, even after all these years.

Lila whimpered softly inside Ella's mind, sharing in the sorrow. "But he didn’t, Ella. Maybe there’s still a reason why we haven’t fully severed that bond.”

Ella shook her head, refusing to listen to her wolf. "No, Lila. It's too late. There’s nothing left between us but ashes.”

Back at the hospital, Alpha Derek paced the hallway, his mind in turmoil after his unexpected encounter with Ella. His assistant, Alex, entered the lobby hurriedly, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes as he approached Derek.

"Alpha," Alex said, trying to keep his tone steady, "I have news.”

Derek stopped pacing and turned to him. "What is it?”

"I did some digging," Alex started, holding out a file. "Doctor South isn’t a man like we initially thought. It turns out she’s a woman. She just went home to take care of her ailing husband, but..." He paused dramatically, savoring the moment. "I did get her address.”

Derek glanced up, his brow furrowed. "Since when did the North have a She-wolf with healing powers?" He looked down at the address on the paper Alex handed him. "And where is Ella?”

Alex shifted uncomfortably. "I haven’t found anyone named Ella Brown working in this hospital. No one has heard of her.

Derek's expression darkened instantly, his fists clenching. "Find out where she is and make it your priority," he growled. 

"As for this Dr. South, I’ll handle her myself. If I have to kidnap her to save my pack, then so be it.”

****

Meanwhile, at Doctor South’s home, chaos reigned as Alpha Moore, gripped by the plague, raged uncontrollably, destroying everything in his path. 

The plague wreaked havoc on his mind. The illness had ravaged his wolf, driving him mad. His usually steady control had shattered, leaving him a danger to himself and others. 

The room was in disarray, furniture destroyed, and the atmosphere thick with the smell of sweat and sickness.

Ella rushed in, immediately sensing the gravity of the situation. Her heart pounding as she took in the sight of Alpha Moore in his weakened state. 

Her heart ached at the sight of Moore in such pain, but she moved swiftly. Without hesitation, she placed her hands on him, channeling her healing powers into his body. 

Slowly, she began to calm his chaotic energy, drawing the darkness from his mind.

"Moore, I’m here now," she whispered gently, holding his face in her hands as she looked into his feverish eyes. "How are you feeling?”

Moore slumped against the bed, his strength depleted, but his wolf slowly settled under Ella’s touch. 

He blinked, slowly regaining his composure. "Ella… you were right," he rasped, his voice hoarse from the recent ordeal. "This plague… It made my wolf sick. It drove me to the brink. I thought I would lose control completely.”

Tears filled Ella’s eyes as she looked at him. "You could have been the strongest Alpha in the world," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "But you got sick, and you lost your powers trying to save me.”

Moore gave her a weak smile, despite the pain he was still feeling. "Silly girl," he murmured, his voice tender. "I saved a wonderful healer. I have no regrets.”

Before Ella could respond, there was a knock at the door, and Felix, Alpha Moore’s beta, entered the room, bowing respectfully.

"Doctor South," Felix began, "there are two gentlemen from the South requesting to meet with you.”

Ella frowned, her voice firm. "I told you, I’m not seeing anyone today.”

"They said they won’t leave," Felix responded, his tone apologetic.

Ella sighed deeply, feeling exhaustion creep in. She didn’t want to deal with anyone else, especially with Moore still recovering, but her duty as a healer weighed heavily on her.

"Fine," she muttered. "I’ll go see them.”

Following Felix downstairs, Ella straightened her posture as she entered the foyer. When her gaze finally lifted, her breath caught in her throat. 

Standing before her was none other than Alpha Derek and his assistant, Alex.

Her shock mirrored Derek’s.

"Ella?" Derek said, his voice tinged with surprise, his eyes locked on hers.

"That woman again?" Alex muttered under his breath.

Derek shot him an angry look. "She has a name!" he said icily.

Alex swallowed and quickly bowed, stepping back.

"What are you two doing here?" Ella asked coldly, recovering from the initial shock.

"Is that how you speak to an Alpha?" Alex retorted, stepping forward to defend his leader

"Enough, Alex!" Derek snapped, his voice cutting through the air. He turned back to Ella. "I should be asking you the same question. What are you doing in the North?”

Ella crossed her arms over her chest. "Why is that any of your business?”

"I’m an Alpha, Ella," Derek growled, his eyes narrowing. "Mind your manners.”

Ella chuckled darkly, the sound laced with years of pent-up resentment. "Al-pha," she mocked, drawing out the word. "I severed my ties with the South and with you five years ago.”

Derek’s hand shot out, gripping her chin gently but firmly. His eyes flashed with the intensity of their bond, the mate connection that still burned between them.

"You are my mate," he growled, his breath hot against her skin. "Unless I say otherwise.”

Silence reigned in the room as both of them stared intensely at eachother.

"Alpha," Alex interrupted, sensing the rising tension. "We’re here to meet Doctor South, not to…”

Ella’s eyes flashed with defiance as she ripped her chin from his grasp. "Get your hands off me, Derek. "Doctor South won’t help you," she spat, cutting Alex off, her eyes locked on Derek’s.”

Before Derek could respond, Felix returned, interrupting the tense moment. "Doctor South,” he bowed towards Ella. “Alpha Moore asked me to show the guests inside.”

Derek blinked, the words sinking in, his eyes widening in shock. 

"Doctor South?" he repeated, his voice filled with disbelief. "You…?”