Chapter 30

Kathy rolled over in bed, blinking into the early light only to find Anthony side empty and already cool. He must have slipped quietly out for work, she thought, leaving her alone with the gentle hush of the morning and the faint ache in her wrist. Sighing, she knew there would be no more lingering under the covers. Today, she had to see the doctor—today, she would find out if her wrist had finally healed.

Reluctantly, Kathy sat up and swung her legs to the floor, feeling the familiar weight of the cast around her arm. The urge to scratch beneath it was almost unbearable, a maddening itch she could do nothing about. She glanced at the clock; there wasn’t much time. A quick shower would have to do. As the warm water ran over her, she dreamed of the freedom she’d soon have, of running her fingers over her own skin without the barrier of plaster and gauze.

Human bones, she knew, healed slowly. Weeks had dragged on, each day marked by frustration and a longing to return to her usual rhythms. But today was different. Today, hope mingled with impatience. The promise of shedding the cast—of reclaiming her arm, of scratching away every phantom itch—felt close enough to touch.

Wrapping a towel around herself, Angela glanced once more at the cast. Soon, she thought. Just a little longer. And with that small hope, she dressed and got ready to greet the day ahead.

Looking through her closet, Kathy hesitated over her usual blouses and sweaters, settling instead on a soft t-shirt whose sleeves hung loose and forgiving—no tight armholes to irritate her healing wrist. She slipped it on, grateful for the gentle fabric, and let out a small sigh of relief.

By now, sunlight was streaming boldly through the window, painting the room in golden warmth. Maybe she thought she’d spend some time outside before the appointment. There was something soothing about the idea of simply sitting in the sun, letting its rays work their silent magic while the world moved quietly on around her. The cast would soon be gone, but for now, she could embrace the morning’s glow and the promise of new beginnings.

Kathy realized she needed to tidy up as she went downstairs; Anthony must’ve done them before he left instead of her doing the dishes. It will take a while to finish putting everything away. Kathy unpacked all the boxes, broke them down, and put them in the closet. She glanced at the clock, realizing she was running late for her doctor's appointment. She went upstairs to get her bag, wondering if she had the house keys. Just grab her shoes, don't worry about anything else, and go outside. Remember to turn off the light and close the door when you depart. She was unsure how to get there, but then Kathy saw a pregnant woman on the street and hurried over.

“Um…sorry ma’am, I am looking for The Silverstone Medical Park Hospital. My mate never shows me where is at?”

"I am also going in that direction. Who is your mate?”

“His name is Anthony Thompson,”

“Ahh, Alpha Anthony, I didn’t know he had a mate. How did you two meet?”

"It's wild that we met at a hotel where I was living, and he eventually asked me out, taking me on several dates. Initially, I was hesitant to start a new relationship because of my recent breakup, but eventually, I decided to give him a chance.”

The two women fell into step, the cool morning air swirling around them as they made their way down the street. Their conversation grew more animated with each block, curiosity and laughter weaving between stories shared of unexpected meetings and new beginnings. The pregnant woman offered snippets about her own journey, confiding in Kathy about the anxieties and joys of expecting a child.

Soon, the modern glass front of Silverstone Medical Park Hospital appeared at the end of the avenue, glinting in the sunlight. Inside, the lobby buzzed quietly—nurses consulting clipboards, families in clusters by the windows, the muted rhythm of everyday care. A sense of anticipation hung in the air.

They paused at the entrance, each woman glancing at the other with a companionable smile. “Thank you for walking with me,” Kathy said, feeling a little less alone in the unfamiliar building. The pregnant woman nodded warmly, her hand resting kindly on Kathy’s arm.

The receptionist greeted them with practiced cheer. Both women checked in, then found seats together in the waiting area, their conversation resuming as naturally as if they’d known each other for years. As the minutes passed, the hospital’s hush wrapped gently around them, replacing nerves with a quiet sense of camaraderie and the promise that, whatever the day held, they would see it through—at least this little part—together.

Just then, a nurse in pale blue scrubs called Kathy’s name from across the room. Kathy rose, offering a grateful wave to her new companion before following the nurse through a quiet corridor, shoes softly tapping on the polished floor. They entered a small consultation room, sunlight filtering through frosted glass, lending the space a gentle warmth.

Kathy perched on the edge of the exam table, her heart fluttering with a strange mixture of anticipation and relief. Today was the day—she was finally having her cast removed. The nurse smiled encouragingly as she prepared the tools, chatting lightly to ease any lingering nerves.

As the cast was gently sawed and peeled away, Kathy flexed her fingers, marveling at the sensation of freedom after weeks of restriction. The nurse guided her through a few careful exercises, encouraging her to move her wrist and test its strength. Each motion—awkward, tender, but increasingly confident—was a small celebration. The prospect of returning to her routines, no longer slowed by her injury, filled Kathy with a quiet satisfaction and hope.

When the nurse finished, she bandaged Kathy’s wrist lightly and handed her a sheet with simple exercises to keep rebuilding strength. Kathy thanked her, ready to step back into the day, her wrist lighter and her spirits buoyed by the kindness of strangers and the promise of renewed movement. Kathy was going shopping for fresh clothes to wear something seductive for Anthony when he returned from work; on the way back home, she felt she was being followed, so she stepped aside to allow the person to pass, but the woman didn't, so Kathy turned out.

“Can you please stop following me?”

“I can’t my alpha told me to monitor you,”

“Tell your alpha that I am okay by myself, he was supposed to send a Beta female to my house but haven’t seen her yet,”

“Um…You must be Kathy, yes Alpha Anthony sent me to watch over you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, who I am,”

“Oh, am sorry I didn’t know either, well I am heading back home, I have to do so much cleaning,”

Kathy trudged back to the house, her footsteps muffled by the dirt, with her Beta female trailing close behind. Kathy checks her cellphone, she didn’t hear from her father or stepsister, which is odd.