Chapter 1 What lies ahead?

The Last Alpha Chapter 1

I PUT my scrub suit on the coat rack after returning from the delivery room. I rest my back on the couch and patiently wait for the coffee from my friend, Sir Jeffrey. The cold night in mid-January becomes filled with fiery pain stinging all over my body from overtime.

Three deliveries for today and still even as a volunteer midwife… I can still feel the exhaustion seeping into my bones. I heave a relieving sigh as Sir Jeffrey goes back with two cups of coffee for tonight.

“What’s your plan about that transfer? Are you sure to get the offer from the Director?“ he interrogates while his footsteps are approaching in my direction.

After he puts the coffee cup near my table as I wait until my brain can absorb his inquiry. Sir Jeffrey sat down on the other side with his scrub suit still intact in his body.

“Forks is too far for a volunteer like you,“ he added with his brown eyes darting while sipping his hot coffee.

“My grandma’s house is in that area. … I’ve been thinking about this for a week already,“ I honestly answered with hope underlying in my words.

“I know about it, but you will leave me here?“

I was stunned by his words. I bitterly smiled at his perplexed eyes and facial expression. Sir Jeffrey has been a good friend of mine since I apply as a volunteer at this VA hospital in Seattle.

“That’s clearly happening if the Director will approve. I still can’t go and find an excellent job as a volunteer here in the city—“

“Evan… That’s an absurd reason. You should be working with my department for good. Your self-esteem is still low even at this point. Give it to the other employees,“ he keeps on convincing me to stay, but my heart, body and mind want to go to Forks and visit my Grandmother’s house.

“That place has a part in my heart, Sir Jeffrey. You know it, I grew in Forks with Kayden and Katy until grandma died, and I was transferred here with them. I will go back after three years of my service there… I promise,“ still, my pursuit doesn’t work because the sadness in Sir Jeffrey’s expression is still visible while his legs are crossed.

The office becomes silent for minutes. No one talked about it until someone from the ward called us. I am going with Sir Jeffrey. He is tall with a tan skin complexity and a height nearly identical to mine.

I go inside the room, helping my other colleagues with the soiled lines. I will miss this place because of what it made me as a person, but I still want to go back where I was born.

“Good luck on your journey,“ someone I don’t know says at the corner. She smiles blissfully at me as I smile back in her warm greeting.

“Thank you for that.“

“Forks is so far in Seattle. I heard you were the only one who volunteered for the three-year contract… I love your independence,“ she compliments with the warmest words for the cold night.

For the first time in my life, I heard overwhelming words from other people. She goes to the other side and puts the used linens on the basket for us to prepare it to be taken by the housekeeping.

“It was not the case. To be honest, I came from Forks because of my Grandmother’s passing. I transferred here in Seattle with my cousins.“

“Is that so? The interesting part, my name is Georgia. I am new and will take your position in the future since I am here for on-the-job training in Midwifery.“

I smiled halfway, thinking if I had left my job here. I know it will be in good hands.

“Nice to meet you. It’s not too long for us to have a conversation—“

“Did you hear the news about the sightings of wolves in Forks?“

I blinked twice in her shared conversation. Wolves in Washington? I thought they already migrated to other territories? How come they come back again?

I gulped when I realized my Grandmother’s fairy tale stories about lycanthropy and werewolves. I don’t have the diary where it’s written because it’s at our ancestral house.

“You will be in the rural area… it will be hectic if you will encounter a wolf, right?“

I give a soft chuckle to ease my nervousness, yet I can tell this is exciting to share with my cousins at home.

“Come on, I will not be unlucky for that,“ we both laugh like we were centuries close to each other. I get the basket to bring it on the side since it’s heavy for a lady to lift.

After our conversation, I took a deep breath before reminiscing it back in my head. What if Grandma’s story about werewolf is genuine? Do they exist? The question remains unanswered.

I go inside the office as I change my clothes and leave a letter for Sir Jeffrey that I will be back tomorrow for my resignation and official transfer. It’s already past midnight. I walk past the silent street, waiting for a cab to pick me up since my legs are already frail to walk to Beacon Hills.

Finally, a good driver brought me home. I got the keys, and my foot stepped inside the doorway. When I closed the door, the light in the kitchen was open.

I curiously go because they’re already asleep at this hour. After all, auntie Ashley is sleeping as well as my cousins for their early shift tomorrow.

“It’s midnight,“ I speak without any excuses.

“You startled me, Evan!“ Katy’s expression is priceless. She nearly throws out the small casserole with instant noodles. Luckily, she grips it tight and puts it on the sink.

I laugh at her as Katy pours the noodles into her bowl. “Do you want to eat?“

“Of course, how can I deny this appetizing smell in the early morning?“

Katy generously gives me a bowl of noodles. I sit with her as we both slurp the hot and savoury noodles. I washed the two bowls after since Katy had already cooked for me.

“Evan…“ she breaks the silence between us. I look back after putting the bowl on the dish rack.

“Uhm?“ I hummed, unsure about it. I am perplexed why Katy calls me. She used to be quiet and sleep by this hour.

I wonder with many questions flying in advance inside my head.

“Are you sure about that transfer to Forks?“

I look at her with my lips pulled inside my mouth and taut my teeth in her direct question. The kitchen is silent again because we’re mute.

“Yes—“

“This is because of the lycanthropy that you’re obsessed with? Evan, I am not against your decision this time, but can you go there alone and live your life in a rural community?“

I’m ambivalent in her opinion, but it strikes me so hard that my chest is wrecking. Why I am going? I am always saying I was born there… but is it also because of my curiosity about this werewolf thing that Grandma told us?

Katy’s face is fierce and yet neutral in any means. I drink a full glass of water straight in my arid throat, but the moisture is not enough to slip my true intention.

“What if Grandma’s story is real?“

“You’re already twenty-five, but you still don’t know how to determine the border of imagination and reality?“

My words come back into my mouth. I cannot fix my gaze at Katy’s presence. For years, she has been my adviser when Grandma died of cancer. Katy gives strength to me with the help of Auntie Ashley and Uncle Elias.

“Please take care of Grandma’s ashes for me, Katy. I will not be here for three years—“

My words halt coming out from my mouth, but what I believe still rises in my soul. When I pull myself and walk to the door, I look back at Katy as she heaves a heavy sigh.

Our eyes meet, and I know something in her mind wants to keep me going.

Later on, her neutral expression makes the edge of her lips stretch into a genuine smile. Her white exposed pearly teeth make a whole lot of difference.

“Tomorrow, you need to prepare. I will go with you on Saturday… in Kayden’s day-off.“

I twitch a light smile on my handsome face. “I cannot thank you a million times—“

“Your benevolence in us also reflects what we are showing, Evan. However, I will tell you… be careful in Forks because the news says wolves are back in rural areas and even sightings in urban areas at night.“

I gulped. Maybe I am the only one not to hear it from the news. I nodded at her before I went upstairs. When I clicked the light switch, I witnessed my belongings in their respectful luggage.

This time… I can prove to myself that I can stand on my own after Grandma’s passing. What lies ahead? I don’t know.