Chapter 13
“Go to the doctor,” Scarlet says. “There is something wrong. True mates would
understand.”
“They might be our fated mates, but they do not care about us,” I remind her in my mind, words that hurt me further even just by saying them.
Scarlet’s voice is sure in my mind. “Then we must protect ourselves.”
“Okay,” I tell Ella.
Fortunately, the brothers seem so focused on convincing Sylvia to get to class, that they don’t notice me slink away. In shame, I wrap my arms over my chest to hide the words
written on it.
Ella waits outside of the examination room while I am looked over by the school doctor. The minute she spot my shirt, her face hardens.
“I take it you didn’t write that yourself,” she says.
“I can handle myself,” I tell her, though lately I have my doubts. Finding out the quadruplets are my mates is bad enough. But now I have this mystery illness?
I have no idea what’s going on or how to manage anymore. Thank the Gods for Ella and for Scarlet, both of whom are the only reasons I haven’t fallen to pieces already.
The doctor seems dissatisfied with my answer but doesn’t press as she continues to look me over. She checks my pulse and my temperature. Pressing her stethoscope to my chest, she has me breathe in and out slowly. Then she flashes a light in my eyes.
Whatever she sees makes her pause. “Your shirt…” she says, carefully considering each word. “Is it accurate?”
I should lie like I have to everyone else. Yet, with a doctor, with my health on the line, maybe that’s not such a good idea.
Chapter 13
“Can you keep a secret?” I ask.
“I have to,” she says. “I’m restricted from sharing your medical records.”
With that assurance, I tell her, “Then…no. It’s not.”
She sighs as she steps back away from me. “Tell me everything.”
+25 Bonus
So I do, briefly describing my situation at home, as well as how the brothers are now my fated mates. I tell her about my desire to suppress these feelings, and how since then, I’ve felt worse and worse physically.
She listens to every single word. When I’ve finished, it doesn’t take long for her to deliver her prognosis.
“You have found your mates but not rejected them. Instead, you’ve been suppressing your wolf. This isn’t good for your health, Ollie. The longer you push down on your wolf, the worse you will feel.”
“There has to be something I can do,” I tell her. “I can’t let them know that we are mated, not even long enough to reject them. They’ll make my life miserable.”
The doctor’s eyes soften with sympathy. “You need to find opportunities to let your wolf
free. Not just shifting, but allowing her to release her scent and be yourself.”
I can’t imagine scenarios where I would be able to do that, but if it’s what it takes to get better… Maybe I can sneak away sometimes to the forest or some other place.
I only need to survive like this a month.
now, rest,” the doctor says, gesturing to one of the hospital beds in the room. It looks comfortable, which is how I know I’m exhausted. “I’ll see if I can find you something w to wear.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” I tell her, meaning it. Just as she’s about to walk away, I ask, “Can my friend come in now?”
2/3
+25 Bonus
As soon as Ella joins me at my bedside, I tell her what happened and what the doctor said. There’s not really any secrets between us.
When I’ve finished, she taps her chin. “Somewhere you can allow your wolf to show her
scent…”
“Yeah,” I say, “I have no idea where that could be.”
“I do,” Ella says, straightening, “There’s a masquerade ball in the next pack over. Let’s go after school and really let loose. Your wolf can release your scent, and we can drink our troubles away.”
After everything I’ve been through in the past few days, that really sounds heavenly.
“When is it?” I ask her.
She laughs. “Ollie, it’s tonight.”
