Faking it with the Alpha

　　CLAIRE

　　"The captain's running late."

　　That was how my first official day as team doctor for the Frenzied Wolves began.

　　Coach Harper said it without slowing down, already halfway through the hallway.

　　"Players are ready for pre-season medicals."

　　"I can start with the others first," I said, matching his pace.

　　He nodded once and moved on.

　　I slowed only after he disappeared around the corner, adjusting my coat and taking a steady breath. First day nerves were expected. Late captains were apparently part of the package.

　　I headed toward the exam room, reminding myself that schedules could be fixed. Professionalism couldn't be compromised.

　　I stepped into the room I can call mine while I am working here and started to prepare for the check-ups. I popped the computer on, printed papers, checked the vials and needles, and quickly took all the sterile instruments out that I might need. I could hear the players come in, one by one and loudly at that. I took a quick glance in the mirror to make sure I looked at least presentable and straightened out my coat.

　　The waiting room was full. Players everywhere. Already halfway through their morning energy it seemed. Some greeted me, others made jokes. I smiled politely and got to work.

　　They were a bit hyper but they did exactly what I told them to do without hesitation, I relaxed a little bit. Maybe this first day isn't that bad after all. Luckily I only have to do the checks for the active players. Because I worked tirelessly and without wasting too much time, the lineup moved quickly, and I was reviewing the last chart when all of a sudden I realized something.

　　One player still hadn't shown up. Aiden Frost.

　　I heard his name enough times in briefings that I was curious about this team's captain. Star player. Fan favorite. "Charming," someone said. "Too perfect to be real," someone else added. I thought they were all exaggerations. People get dramatic about athletes all the time.

　　One of the players paused on his way out. "Good luck with the Captain, Doc. He can be a handful. Oh, and welcome," He waved goodbye and sprinted out to his mates.

　　I didn't have time for this.

　　Schedules existed for a reason, and I had no intention of bending mine just because the team captain felt like taking his time.

　　I reminded myself to stay focused as I prepped the room. The captain's lateness was already testing my patience, and I had no intention of letting that affect how I did my job.

　　I was setting up the blood draw tray when the door opened.

　　I lifted my head, irritation flashing for half a second before I shut it down.

　　This was not the moment to lose my professionalism.

　　Aiden Frost walked in like the room belonged to him. Shirt damp near the collar from warm-ups. Deep blue eyes with a flair of confidence. Broad shoulders. And yes, he was attractive enough that my brain skipped a beat and left me hanging. I almost started drooling right there and then. He is a piece of meat alright…

　　Great, calm down, professional thoughts only, Claire. Stop staring at the shoulders.

　　"You must be the new doctor." he said. "Apologies for being late, I was in a training session and honestly I forgot"

　　I straightened. Hoping the blush wasn't clearly visible "Dr. Claire Bennett." I said, "good that you are finally here."

　　He stepped closer and held out his hand. "Aiden Frost, team captain."

　　His grip was firm, his hand warm and like a perfect size to wrap around my… Stop it Clair! Pull away before your face gives you away. My hand tingled. Ridiculous.

　　"Nervous?" he asked.

　　"No." That's a lie. I could feel my pulse in my throat, but at least my voice cooperated. He just didn't have to know that he in fact makes me nervous.

　　He looked amused. "Good. I like doctors who are confident."

　　Of course he did. He flirted with me the way most people mention the sky is blue.

　　The last player left, and suddenly it was just us. Aiden leaned slightly, eyeing my setup like he was planning chaos.

　　"So, Doc. What's first?"

　　"Your weight, step on the scale first please." I was genuinely impressed I was able to contain myself and keep my professionalism. He stepped on the scale and I noted the numbers on his chart.

　　"For the next part I'll need you to remove your shirt for the physical exam," I said.

　　"Sure."

　　He took it off without hesitation. So much for being in control, it disappeared the moment I saw his chest and those abs that looked unfairly perfect. And when his shirt came off, my mind went straight to the kind of thoughts I should definitely not be having. Him hovering over me, my hands on his skin, my nails digging into his back as he groaned my name. And the way he moved made it worse. Aware of his body in a way men usually weren't unless they used it for a living.

　　Inner me: he looks like trouble with arms. And I;m up for some chaos in my life.

　　Outer me: neutral doctor expression.

　　I pushed the fantasy aside quickly and snapped myself out of it fast, cheeks burning like I'd been caught.

　　I forced my voice to stay calm. "Please sit down."

　　He did.

　　The thought slipped through before I could stop it. Good boy.

　　I checked his heart rate, lungs, posture, reflexes. Everything was normal.

　　Except his mouth curved slightly.

　　"Good boy?" he repeated.

　　Heat crept up my neck. "Just… sit still. I didn't say that," I replied.

　　"No," he said. "You didn't."

　　I froze for half a second before continuing. "Don't read into it."

　　His smile deepened. "Too late."

　　He watching me like he was memorizing my movements. Every time I touched him to test muscle rotation or shoulder tension, he tensed slightly. Not from pain but like he was bracing or holding something back.

　　His eyes kept tracking my hands. My stomach tightened. I ignored it. Or at least tried to.

　　"You're in excellent physical condition," I said. "Only the blood test left."

　　His face twisted. Barely. But I noticed.

　　"Blood test," he repeated and his eyes flicked toward the blood tubes. Some athletes had needle anxiety, but with him it felt sharper.

　　"Yes. Blood test." I said again.

　　I reached for the tourniquet. But behind me I heard movement.

　　"Actually," he said, "I just remembered something I need to do."

　　I turned. He already had his shirt in his hands.

　　"You can do that after the exam," I said. "It won't take longer than 5 minutes."

　　"It won't take long, it's important and I need to do it before I forget."

　　His smile didn't reach his eyes. Red flag. Huge waving red flag.

　　"Aiden, this is mandatory. You need the blood test to complete your exam."

　　"I'll be right back. Promise."

　　He put his shirt back on, opened the door and walked out before I could stop him.

　　I stared at the door. Did he seriously just run away?

　　Yes. Yes, he did. On my first day at that!

　　I wrote "incomplete exam" on his chart while I let out a big sigh.

　　Players avoided tests sometimes. But dodging a blood draw with that much urgency? That was unusual. Very suspicious and I don't like it. Something was off. I will find out sooner or later. I cleaned the workstation, organized supplies, and tried to move on, but the thought stuck in my head. Aiden Frost was trouble. And he was going to make my job a lot more complicated than I hoped for.