Chapter 5

Mira

It felt strange to be back in my own room. Everything was right where I’d left it, but it seemed like it belonged to a stranger. The furniture, the clothing: these belonged to a woman of the past, to a life I was being forced to leave behind.

I wandered in my bedroom, aching for sleep after the tumultuous events of the past twenty-four hours. I sat on the bed and noticed the framed picture on the table next to it.

It was a picture of me, and Ward. We were young, smiling, in love.

I barely heard the glass smash when the frame made contact with the wall, and within minutes I was asleep. The next day was a blur as I made my preparations to leave, including a trip to the medical facility to discreetly collect my things and nick a few extra supplies. I figured getting caught stealing first-aid items couldn’t result in any worse punishment than the one I was already given.

I woke early on the day of my departure. I unpacked and repacked, and sat drinking coffee from my favorite mug as I awaited my fate. I expected sadness, but felt totally numb. The only emotion I felt was when I thought of Dominic, wondering if he was heeding my medical advice. I was surprised at how much I wished I could’ve given him a proper goodbye.

There was a knock on the door, jolting me out of my reverie. The driver was here, early, but I guess the four horsemen can arrive whenever they please.

As I got up to answer the door, I was shocked to hear the key turning in the lock. Had the Pack leaders somehow gotten access to my home?

I was about to call out when I saw a pitiful head peek into the hallway.

Ward.

“Mira, hey,” he said sheepishly.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“Oh, I, um,” he stammered as he closed the door behind him. “I wanted to see if you were alright.”

I said nothing.

“So, are you alright?”

“Am I alright? Are you serious?” I took the few steps towards him and shoved him in the chest. “Thanks to you I am about to be banished from my home, from my work, from my whole life! Just because you couldn’t keep it in your pants!”

“Okay, hold on—“

I kept shoving him, throwing small slaps at his chest and shoulders. “And now you have the audacity to show up here, as if you care at all about me!”

“Mira, please!” he grabbed me, pinning my arms to my sides to keep me from hitting him anymore. “I know I messed up, but if you had just listened not freaked out in front of Tessa, you wouldn’t be in this situation.”

I was too shocked to respond.

“Listen,” he continued, “it’s not completely hopeless. I think I have a way to help you, something that would benefit both of us. A sort of…loophole.”

“A loophole?” I was slightly intrigued, but didn’t want to show it.

“Yes,” he lit up at my intrigue. “Obviously I am with Tessa, I am her Mate, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still have you, um, be with you.”

My interest was turning quickly to disgust.

“We would have to be discreet, but I can save you: if you become my mistress.”

The color left my face, my eyes saw red, my fists clenched.

The air was heavy between us, as it time had stopped.

I broke the spell by spitting in his face.

“I’d rather spend my life in the field with the medical team than ever get back with you.”

I hardly recognized the hardness in my voice.

I turned to pick up my bags by the door, Ward grabbed my wrist with force and whipped me back around to face him.

“You always were an ungrateful, entitled little she-wolf,” his eyes were wide with fury as he spoke. Always so proud for an orphan girl who is now a wolfless woman. A woman like you will never survive in the medical corps, and even if you do, what man would ever want you after that? You’re bound to die a lonely, bitter old virgin.”

I yanked my arm away, knocking into a chair and dropping my medical bag. It flew open, spilling its contents, including a sparkling necklace that clinked onto the hardwood floor.

“Well, well” Ward said while picking up the necklace, “where does a wolf less doctor acquire such a beautiful piece? Does this mean you’ve already found yourself a new Mate?”

I remained silent, hoping he wouldn’t notice my own surprise at seeing the necklace— a necklace I had never seen before in my life.

Ward examined the jewelry intently, and suddenly his expression changed.

“This as the scent of an Alpha on it, Mira,” his voice was angry but his eyes were jealous.

I thought of Dominic, my heart leaping in reaction to the memory of his face, his eyes, his desire to help me if you could. He must’ve hidden the necklace in there before I left his room. A smirk slid across my face, and I squared my gaze at Ward. “That’s none of your business,” I said as I grabbed the necklace out of his hand. “Now, if you through threatening me with with your revolting propositions, my chariot will be arriving soon.”

“If you have someone new,” Ward scoffed, “why don’t you just tell me, tell everyone? Then you won’t have to go.”

I ignored him as I re-packed my bag.

“Mira, come on,” he pleaded, “we’ve known each other forever, you can tell me anything.”

“Honesty, Ward,” I said, “you’re not worth my time.”

It was like the universe was looking out for me, because just then a car horn blared from outside. Perfect timing.

“Now, if you don’t mind,” I smile sweetly at him, “get the hell out of my way.”

I shoved past him and out the door, unprepared for what I would find on my doorstep.

A crowd was waiting for me.

It was my patients from the hospital, past and present, and they had come to see me off. My eyes stung as tears welled up, and it took all the strength I had left not to completely break down.

I walked among them, receiving hand-shakes and hugs, kind words and well-wishes from those whom I had devoted my life to helping and healing. I didn’t realize how much I needed these last moments of love before I faced whatever hell-scape awaited me.

The horn blared again, and I looked to the dark van that idled out front. Two guards stood in front of it, dark glasses hiding their eyes but not their annoyed expressions.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of pink and noticed that Tessa had arrived and stood clinging to Ward on the lawn, looking like the cat that got the cream. She was holding her belly, trying to show off her pregnancy even though she wouldn’t be showing for months.

“Farewell, doctor,” there was that sneer again as she said ‘doctor,’ like it poisoned her mouth to say it. “The gods must be pleased to see a wretched creature like yourself getting just what she deserves, right honey?”

Tessa looked to Ward, pulling on his arm to force his compliance. He looked from her to me, squirming with discomfort, before lowering his eyes and nodding his agreement. How could I have ever loved a man so pitiful as him?

I handed my suitcase to one guard to put in the van, as the other slid open the door for me.

“Can you wait one moment?” I asked the doorman. “There’s one last thing I need to do.”

I received a curt nod, and turned to walk the short distance to stand in front of the tiresome couple, keeping a courteous smile plastered on my face.

I sighed politely at Tessa, then slapped Ward hard across his face. Without waiting for his reaction I spun away and walked back to the van.

“You evil bitch!” I heard Tessa scream at my back, and could tell Ward was doing his best to hold her back.

I didn’t look back until the guards filled the space between us, not letting Tessa attack me, their pressure cargo.

“I hope you die out there!” Tessa spat her curses as the van door slid closed. “I pray those rogues wolves find you and rip you apart!”

“TESSA!” a voice roared over the commotion.

I looked out the window to see a black luxury car had pulled up behind the van. Everyone on the lawn froze, many of the by-standers beginning to slink away from the unfolding drama.

A door opened, blocking my view of whoever was exiting the car. I watched Tessa’s face as she realized who was about to read her the riot act. It wasn’t until he stood at full height in front of her that I knew who it was.

It was Dominic.

“Dominic, brother, I—“ Tessa stuttered at her step-brother.

“Quiet, Tessa,” he barked into her face. “Guards, release the doctor from your custody. Mira isn’t going anywhere.”

“Sorry, sir,” one man tried to explain, “but we have strict orders from the Luna to take her to the medical corps today. What reason do you have that she should stay?”

“Because,” Dominic responded in voice of authority, “she is my Mate.”