Their smiles were warm and familiar when directed at Caroline. Their gazes barely even flickered toward me as I sat slumped in the back sent.
The clinic building stood pristine and modern, its polished exterior reflecting the cool morning light. Inside, every corner gleamed with cold efficiency. Everything about the place felt detached, impersonal,
As soon as Aaron parked, I made the mistake of stepping out too quickly. My legs gave out almost instantly, the fever stealing what little strength I had left.
Caroline was there in an instant, her arm curling around mine with practiced ease. The care in her voice grated against my nerves.
“Careful, Freya,” she said softly, her smile picture–perfect. “You shouldn’t try to push yourself like this.”
“I’m fine,” I muttered through clenched teeth, jerking my arm out of her grip.
She laughed lightly, undeterred by my rejection. “There’s no need to be stubborn. Let me help you.”
Bella growled louder in my mind, her fury echoing like a heartbeat. Tell her to back off. You don’t need her meddling hands.
But I didn’t have the strength or energy to fight. This fever was turning me into a shadow of myself.
I gave in reluctantly, allowing Caroline to steady me as we made our way inside. Each step felt like a
monumental effort, my heartbeat thumping sluggishly in my ears. All the while, I was painfully aware of how out of place I was here, in her world.
Aaron walked a few paces ahead, his shoulders stiff as his gaze swept across the clinic. Even though we
were far from Northern Ridge territory, the Alpha in him never fully rested.
Dr. Paul Anderson appeared shortly after we were seated in one of the clinic rooms. He was tall anc his precise movements and assessing gaze giving him an air of authority.
“Dr. Anderson,” Caroline greeted warmly, her voice soft and welcoming. “Thank you for seeing us on such
short notice.”
“Of course, Caroline,” he replied with a small smile. “Anything for you.”
I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling nauseous for a completely different reason.
The doctor’s attention shifted to with
frown deepened.
P,
me, his gaze clinical as he took in my flushed skin and trembling hands. His
“She’s running a high fever,” he remarked, picking up a thermometer.
The device beeped after a few moments, though I didn’t need to see the numbers to know it wasn’t good. Dr. Anderson’s expression grew darker as he turned to Aaron.
“103.7,” he said grimly. “This is severe. We’ll need to act quickly to bring it down before complications arise. I’d suggest an injection to stabilize her condition immediately.”
“No!”
The word burst out of me before I could stop it.
Aaron’s golden gaze snapped toward me, sharp and unyielding.
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<Chapter 5: A Reluctant Pa
“No?” he repeated, his tone cold and full of challenge.
+8 Points >
Bella growled low inside me, but this time it wasn’t directed at Caroline. We can’t let him find out. We can’t let anyone find out.
I shook my head weakly, fighting to keep my voice steady. “No injections. No medication. I–I don’t want it.”
Dr. Anderson frowned but didn’t press me. His expression was calm, measured, as though he’d dealt with difficult patients before.
“Then we’ll have to use traditional cooling methods,” he said after a brief pause. “Wet towels, cold compresses. It won’t be as effective, but it’s safer if she’s refusing medication.”
Caroline immediately chimed in, her voice full of false reassurance. “I’ll help you prepare everything, Dr.
Anderson.”
Her offer was quick, smooth, and left no room for refusal. The pair left the room together, leaving me alone
with Aaron.
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Aaron’s gaze bore into me, his frustration almost tangible. He crossed his arms over his chest, his stance screaming authority.
“You’re being difficult,” he muttered under his breath.
I wanted to lash out, to scream at him that he didn’t understand. But my body was heavy and uncooperative. Even lifting my head felt like too much effort.
“If I’m difficult, it’s because I have a reason,” I whispered finally, my voice barely loud enough to be heard. His lips pressed into a thin line. His wolf, Logan, was stirring behind his golden eyes, pacing rest!
My trembling hand reached for the cold towel folded on a nearby counter. It slipped from my grasp before I could even lift it. Aaron moved instantly, his instincts sharp, and caught it before it hit the ground.
But instead of handing it to me, he held it in his hands, watching me carefully.
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