Chapter 24

Mira

Dominic’s father insisted on having family dinner, which included a sulking Tessa and a very uncomfortable Ward sitting across from them.

Mira avoided eye contact and focused on conversation with her future-father-in-law, discovering every moment how much respect she had for him.

Irene was quiet but polite, and I tried not to worry about what she was really thinking about me taking over the title of Luna from her.

As soon as we’d made it back to our room, Dominic and I both let out sighs of relief. This was followed by laughter at our joint discomfort.

“He can be a lot,” he told me, “but he only talks that much when he is interested in someone. He likes you, quite a bit.”

“I hope so,” I responded, feeling a bit shy. “I really hope to prove myself worthy of this role, I know I am not what he expected for you.”

“He knew I would choose a worthy Mate,” Dominic replied. “And clearly I have.”

My heart swelled as he looked at me, his eyes bright. He may have just been happy the trial was over, but I couldn’t help wondering if he was feeling something more for me.

I broke away and went to look over my medical plans.

“I’m glad he gave his support to some of my ideas,” I changed the subject. “I think the free health clinic can really change a lot of lives. I’ve met too many wolves who are afraid of doctors because of bills they can’t afford.”

“It’s a great plan,” Dominic echoed my sentiments. “The Pack will surely benefit from more attentive healthcare, especially those with financial constraints.”

“I’ll start drafting a plan, and tomorrow I’ll talk to Cinda and the others at the hospital,” I was lost in my notebook at this point. “We might even be able to hold a session this week, if we get enough help with organizing.”

“I’d like to help,” Dominic said over my shoulder. I hadn’t realized how close he was. “I’m not a doctor, but I know a lot about health, exercise, that sort of thing.”

“I had wanted to offer some more active workshops, especially for the children,” I said to him. “Maybe you could do something like that?”

“Whatever you say, Doctor.”

He headed towards the bathroom to shower, and I wondered if he left the door open an extra moment so I could see him remove his shirt. I tried not to stare, glancing sideways towards the steaming room.

I could not afford a distraction at the moment. I went back to my plans.

To my surprise and relief, we were able to organize and publicize a free health clinic in only three days.

Any disadvantage members of the Pack could sign up for a routine check up, as well as some additional scans and tests for anyone who seemed at risk.

There would be workshops on nutrition, general fitness, and cognitive health. Dominic recruited some of his guards to help lead programs, and many others volunteered their time to help their future Luna and each other.

Even Tessa and Ward showed up to help, and I hoped we all might turning over a new leaf now that my place in the Pack was secure.

The day started wonderfully, and I was able to spend the first hour making the rounds before I would be needed for examinations.

I found Dominic in the courtyard, teaching children calisthenics and stretches that would help young bodies grow strong and agile.

He was so at ease among the kids, offering an easy smile among his commands and encouragement. At one point I saw him tie a young girls shoelaces, and I almost felt my womb respond with approval.

He would be an excellent father. Stern, solid, but soft when he needed to be.

I hadn’t allowed myself to think that much into the future without being exiled, but now I wondered: would we have children?

Surely, an Alpha and Luna should. But that wasn’t in the contract, at least not yet.

Maybe it never would be. Maybe I would help raise the village, and not children of my own flesh and blood.

I pushed down the complicated emotions, and went back inside.

As I finished up making my rounds, I noticed it had gotten quieter in the hallways. More people seemed to be leaving the building than were entering, and it was hardly midday.

I went to the reception desk and found the list of sign-ups for the day. We should’ve been busy for hours, and yet most of these people hadn’t yet shown up.

When I asked a nurse nearby who was in charge of check-in, I was directed to the front entrance.

There stood Tessa and Ward.

“Hey, what’s going on out here?” I asked, keeping my voice calm. “Where is everybody?”

“What do you mean?” Ward was so bad at playing dumb. I even saw Tessa fight the urge to hit him.

“Everything is fine,” she said, “I guess some people just didn’t think this was very important.”

“What? So many signed up, and now aren’t showing up— something must be wrong.”

“Well we’ve been out here, with our signs, trying to be welcoming,” there was an accusation in her voice. “Maybe your ideas just aren’t right for these people, for the Pack. Maybe they don’t want your charity or pity.”

“Just—“ I took a breath to steady myself. “Just please, if anyone shows up, let me know.”

I walked back in the doors, still holding one of the signup sheets in my hand.

I got curious, and walked to pick up the phone.

It didn’t take many phone calls to figure out what had really happened.

“She told us to go home, and come back tomorrow,” one person told me, “But I can’t take another day off.”

“I was early for my appointment,” another said, “but he told me I was bumped to the waitlist. I couldn’t sit around all day, so I left.”

“I kept being sent to a different door, and every time it was locked! Someone needs to get that place organized, or I’ll find a new hospital somewhere else.”

She told them to go home. He invented a waitlist. They locked people out.

I knew exactly what happened, and I was mad at myself for not suspecting their attempts at sabotage.

My instinct was to run and confront Tessa and Ward immediately, but I knew that would just lead to more trouble.

I would be Luna soon, and I had to act like it.

I found Dominic.

“I need your help,” I told him as I pulled him aside.

I quickly explained the situation, and how we needed to handle it quickly and quietly.

“Tessa,” he said with a sigh. “I’ll handle her. Thank you for coming to me with this— it means a lot that you want to do this together.”

He squeezed my shoulder and went to find the culprits.

I watched from inside as he used his Alpha aura and authority to keep Tessa and Ward from interfering. He even got them to make most of the phone calls telling people the mistake and that we would reschedule them.

It was Friday, but agreed to keep the clinic open through the weekend to accommodate patients and their schedules. By midday Sunday, we had seen everyone on our list.

“Nice work, doctor,” Dominic found me in the front hall, saying goodbye to our last group of patients.

“I can’t believe we did it,” I said, hearing the exhaustion in my voice.

“Mira, are you alright?” Dominic’s face changed in front of me.

I’m not sure if I responded before I felt myself falling, and the world went black.