#Chapter 4 Defiance

Mira

The tension in the hallway was as taut as a bowstring, Dominic and Tessa shooting violent looks like arrows at one another.

“Dominic, don’t be a fool,” Tessa whined. “Are you going to believe her over your own sister?”

“Step-sister,” he corrected. “And why does everyone think it is okay to call me a fool these days?”  

He glanced slightly back in my direction, and I knew better than to meet his gaze.

“Mira is my guest, and that is all that will be said of it.”

“But—“ Tessa began, but something in Dominic’s eyes told her not to argue with the Alpha. “Fine. Keep her. She’ll get what’s coming to her soon enough, isn’t that right, Doctor?”

The venom dripped out of her mouth as she said that last word, reminding me that in two days I would be gone, and most likely would never return. Tessa stomped away, and I could only hope that she wouldn’t cause me any more trouble.

“What did she mean?” Dominic’s voice was softer now, the power of the Alpha dropped now that the threat was gone.

“About what?”

“Mira,” he said more seriously, “I know my step-sister, she loves drama. Tell me what’s going on.”

“It’s nothing,” I looked anywhere but at him. “I’m just…going away soon, and I think she’s more than happy to never see me again.”

“Leaving?” his thick eyebrows went up in suspicion.

“Yes,” I searched for the words, “for work. Nothing that concerns you.”

I could tell he didn’t believe me, but I pressed on.

“What does concern you is your own recovery,” I switched topics quickly before he could question me further. “I’ll examine you again this morning, and leave you instructions for your care before I go. I trust you’ll make a full recovery in no time— as long as you aren’t too proud to take my advice.”

“First foolish, and now proud?” he was stern, but playful. “Did they teach you to insult your patients in medical school?”

“No, I didn’t mean,” I tried to backpedal, feeling my cheeks redden.

“It’s alright,” he teased. “It’s almost refreshing. But, seriously, if there is anything I can help you with while you are here, just ask. It seems you’ve saved my life, and I am forever indebted to you for that.”

“I appreciate it,” I met his eyes, noticing flecks of green I hadn’t seen before. “I’m fine. Thank you.”

“Of course,” he gave a formal nod. “I will be back in my room in an hour or so, you may come examine me then.”

I started to go back into my room, but he put a hand on my arm to stop me.

“There is a dining room just down the hall, I have asked the cook to prepare whatever you’d like. And again, if there is anything I can help you with—“

“Thank you,” I said quickly.

As I walked away down the hall, I thought about his offer. What I needed was a mate, and that was something he could not give.

 Dominic

I miss her already.

I felt my wolf’s desire to follow her as she left. The hallway felt hollow, the silence was deafening. Perhaps I was still feverish from last night’s episode.

I shook off the strange sense of longing and made my way to the office connected to my bedroom. The council meeting tonight was an important one, and I needed all my wits about me.

The door was opened for me by an unwelcome guest.

“I can’t believe you would speak to me like that in front of a her,” Tessa’s shrill voice grated my ears.

“Tessa, please” I stepped past her. “I can’t deal with your school-girl jealousies right now.”

“Jealous?” she screeched. “It is her that is jealous of me! She’s been harassing my boyfriend, Ward, claiming that they were Mates, and then she assaulted him in the medical ward! She’s completely unhinged.”

“What do you want, Tessa?”

“I want you to get rid of her! She’ll be gone soon anyway, so there’s no reason for her to be here.”

“What do you mean, ‘gone?’”

“Well, after she went ballistic on Ward,” Tessa’s snobby side showed up again, “I had my mother suspend her. She’ll be joining the traveling medial team in two days.”

We can’t lose her.

My wolf perked up at this last part.

“Suspended? That seems a harsh penalty for some personal squabble.”

“Excuse me? Need I remind you that I am part of this family too?” She really did sound like a child when she didn’t get her way. “My mother is the Luna, and she will do anything to protect her daughter and future grandchild.”

“Well, princess,” I mocked, “it seems you’re getting your way. No need for me to interfere in the Luna’s grand plan to send a doctor to her death.”

Tessa had no retort, and with a squeak and a huff she was out the door, slamming it behind her.

It took everything in my power not to throw something across the room. What business did my step-mother have sending good doctors away? The reports from the traveling team were grim, and it seemed we should be keeping the Pack closer than ever.

My eyes fell on the medical bag that Mira had left on my desk.

“Lucas?” I paged my intercom, a plan coming together in my mind.

“Sir?”

“Please do a full background check on this doctor, Mira.” I ordered. “It seems I will need more personal medical attention after all.”

I opened the lowest drawer at my desk, then released a latch to an inner compartment. I retrieved a slender box, one that belonged to my mother.

It contained a necklace, a simple gold chain with a few small diamonds at the center. I had saved it for another, but that plan had fouled long ago.

Knowing that Mira would not accept a gift offered directly, I placed the chain into a side pocket inside the medical bag. A small token for the woman who saved my life, and my wolf confirmed had changed it forever.

It will suit her well.

The time for the council meeting came, and I was feeling stronger after another treatment from Mira. I resisted bringing up her situation, and she didn’t seem in the mood to discuss it either.

“Dominic, son,” my father’s voice boomed through the council chamber, “we are all aware of the purpose of tonight’s meeting.”

“Yes, father,” I kept my voice steady, even as I dreaded to hear what came next.

“It will soon be time to pass on the title of Alpha to you,” he continued, “and tradition calls for you to have a Luna to lead with you.”

“Indeed, no man in complete without a good woman by his side,” my step-mother, Irene, chimed in. “The masculine and feminine must be in balance for a healthy Pack to succeed.”

Murmurs of affection went through the crowd, couples looking to one another in agreement.

“Of course, my love,” the Alpha seemed bewitched by his Luna’s words. “And as is custom, if you do not choose a woman to be your Mate, one will be chosen for you.”

“I understand the tradition,” I began, “and yet I have to refuse.”

“I beg your pardon?” my father did not like being disobeyed.

“This archaic ‘rule’ does nothing to make us stronger or keep us safer.” Now was the time to switch to my more important demands.

“We speak of safety,” I turned out to face the crowd, “and yet we turn a blind eye to the attacks on our medical team in the field. These rogue attacks by rival wolves increase daily, and yet the so-called investigation has made little progress.”

Irene made a move to speak, but a look from my father stalled her.

“We continue to send away our best doctors away from the Pack, forcing them to serve in the most dangerous areas. This is not duty, this is death sentence.”

I heard gasps in the crowd, and the elders of the council squirmed in their seats and looked to my father.

“Dominic,” a quiet rage poured out of the Alpha, “you are out of line. This is not a discussion for tonight.”

“This is a ridiculous accusation!” Irene added. “How dare you question the decisions of the Alpha, and the council? We know what is best for the Pack, you arrogant young man!”

“Irene, quiet!” my father roared. “Dominic, if this issue is important to you, we will schedule a time to discuss it properly.”

“Thank you, father,” I bowed my head slightly to show him respect, and to avoid the fire in his eyes.

“We will reconvene in two days time,” the Alpha told the room. “This meeting is adjourned!”

I stayed still as the room emptied, my eyes on my step-mother as she spoke vehemently into my father’s ear on the way out.

She’s not what she seems.

If only my father’s wolf were as perceptive as my own.

I spent the next two days pulling records and preparing for my pitch for the council. Lucas found me as I was leaving my office in the afternoon, handing me a file on Mira.

“Sir,” he told me, “there’s something you’ll want to take note of.”

I looked to where he pointed on the page.

“Mira’s wolfless,” I read aloud, “And without Mate. That is why she is being sent away. She is scheduled to depart— today.”

I knew what I had to do, and I had to do it fast.