Paternity test

Elena’s POV

The surgery took six hours. By the time I stepped out of the operating theater, my back was aching and my hands were stiff, but Elder Thomas was stable. I had removed the blackened tissue around his heart.

The tissue hadn't just been rotting, but was literally saturated with a dark, oily substance I couldn’t yet identify.

I pulled off my surgical gloves and walked to the hallway. Zack was leaning against the wall directly opposite the door. He looked like he hadn’t moved an inch since I went in. His hair was messy, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"He’s alive," I said before he could even ask.

The tension left his shoulders so fast he almost stumbled. He let out a long, shaky breath. "Thank you, Elena."

"Doctor," I corrected him immediately, giving him a stern look. He adjusted immediately. Something about seeing him cautious around me satisfied a cruel part of me.

I began walking toward the private recovery lounge. I needed coffee, but more than that, I needed to check my phone. I needed to know Sinclair had followed my instructions.

Zack followed me, his footsteps were heavy on the tile.

"The elders are already asking questions. They want to know why the famous Dr. Willow is so invested in a 'rankless' pack’s survival. And Tiana... she’s asking even more."

I paused for a while before responding. “Rankless pack? Is that how far you have fallen? The Silver-Crest pack used to be the most prestigious pack.” I said, almost amused.

“Elena.. a lot has happened these past few years. Especially about Tiana’s inability to bear pups, no one in the pack is. There are whispers.. they think it’s beyond the physical.” Zack said.

I didn’t turn back to look at him, but I could hear the worry in his voice.

"They have the right to, don’t you think?” I said, stopping at the coffee machine. I turned to face him, keeping a wide distance between us.

"But you have bigger problems. I found something in the Elder’s chest. It wasn't just silver poisoning, I’m guessing it was a spiritual toxin. Someone has been using dark additives in the pack's supplies. I think it’s the same thing that is causing the infertility."

Zack’s face hardened. "What are you saying?"

"I’m saying the rot isn't just in the Elder. It’s in the pack house. I need full access to the kitchens and the apothecary stores if you want me to stop this."

Before he could respond, my phone buzzed. I pulled it out. It was a message from Sinclair: The files are ready. He’s outside.

"My husband's brother is here," I said, looking up at Zack. "He brought the medical equipment I need for the Luna’s next stage, and some personal items for me. He’ll be at the gate."

I had asked Sinclair to send his brother over in his stead to make my story more believable.

Zack’s eyes flared with a sudden, possessive heat. "The 'brother' of the man you married?"

"His name is Xander Gunter," I said, using Sinclair’s middle name and my fake husband’s surname. "He’s been helping me raise the children since Mark died. He’s the closest thing they have to a father now."

I could practically hear Zack’s wolf growling. The idea of another man, especially one who was part of my supposed late husband’s family was clearly driving him insane.

"I’ll go with you to the gate," Zack said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, low tone.

"Fine. But remember our deal, Alpha. He is a human. If you use your power to intimidate him, I will leave with him, and the Elder will die in recovery." I said firmly.

We walked to the main gate of the pack territory in a suffocating silence. A silver sedan was parked just outside the boundary. Xander was leaning against his car, wearing a sharp suit and a pair of glasses that made him look like a high-end city lawyer.

As we approached, Sinclair straightened up. He looked at Zack with a cold, protective glare. I figured Sinclair told him how to act.

"Elena," Xander said, as he stepped out of his car. He handed me a thick leather folder. "I brought the birth certificates and the insurance papers you asked for. And the kids wanted me to give you this."

He handed me a crumpled drawing. It was a stick-figure picture of the triplets and a tall man with 'Daddy' written over his head in crayon. I felt a pang of guilt, but I held it up so Zack could see it.

Zack’s face went pale. He reached for the folder, but Xander pulled it back.

"Who are you?" Zack demanded, his voice trembling with restrained fury.

"I already told you, Zack," I replied before Xander could speak.

"Mark’s brother.” Xander straightened, playing along.

“And you must be the Alpha I’ve heard so little about. Elena mentioned her old pack was... traditional. I didn't realize that meant you stood around staring at people on public roads."

Zack closed the gap between him and Xander, his Alpha scent flared; it was a heavy, suffocating smell of ozone and rain.

"Those children are mine. I don't care what papers you have."

Xander didn't move. He didn't even blink.

"My brother raised those children from the moment they took their first breath. He is the only father they know. You? You're just a ghost from the past that Elena worked very hard to forget."

Zack looked like he was going to shift right there on the gravel. He golden eyes flashed and his heart rate increased. I could see his claws slowly pushing themselves against his skin.

"Zack," I cut in. "The folder."

Zack snatched the folder from Xander’s hand and ripped it open. I watched his eyes scan the documents I had spent thousands of dollars to forge two years ago.

Father: Mark Gunter (Deceased).

Birth Date: 19th August, 2020 (Six months after I left the pack)

Blood Type: Human compatible (O negative)

It was all there; a perfect, paper trail that erased him from their lives.

Zack stared for so long, I thought his eyes would burn straight through the paper. Then, his hands began to shake. He dropped the folder, and let the papers scatter in the dirt.

"This is a lie. It has to be. I felt them, Elena. I felt the bond."

"The only bond you feel is your own regret, Zack," I said softly. I stepped toward Xander and took the equipment bag from the trunk. "Thank you, Xander. Tell the kids I’ll be home soon."

"Take your time," he said, giving me a knowing look. "They’re safe with me. They know their family protects them."

As Xander drove away, Zack stood in the middle of the road, looking smaller than I had ever seen him. He was a king with no heirs, an Alpha with no legacy.

"I don't believe it," he whispered, looking at the drawing of the 'Daddy' in my hand.

"Believe what you want," I said, walking back toward the pack house. "But while you’re chasing ghosts, your pack is dying. Do you want to be a father to children who aren't yours, or do you want to be an Alpha who saves his people?"

“There’s only one way I will believe those children are not mine,” Zack growled, and I stopped in my tracks.

“Desperation is not a good look on you,” I said softly.

“I demand a paternity test.” He said, totally ignoring the jab I threw at him.

“If you're so sure they aren't mine, you'll have no problem agreeing to this,” he said as a small smile crossed his lips.

“I guess we’ll find out what Tiana, your Luna thinks of this,” I shot back.