Chapter 14 The doctor knows
Zoe's POV
Ryan burst through the door.
"Olivia!"
I jumped. My heart stopped.
He was just calling my real name few minutes ago outside.
"Olivia." His voice changed. Softer now. "Thank Goddess you're awake... Cause the doctor is on his way for your final checkup before you move back into our chamber."
I stared at him. Confused. Terrified.
"I... I heard you calling someone." My voice shook. "You were shouting... Zoe?"
"Oh." He ran his hand through his hair. "Yes. Elder Matteo's daughter. I saw her running toward his manor. Needed to send her to her father. Important pack business. But she didn't hear me... I think, so she's gone."
Relief flooded through me. So strong I almost cried.
He didn't know. He wasn't calling for me.
Just a coincidence. A terrible, horrible coincidence.
"Are you alright?" Ryan stepped closer. "You look pale."
"I'm fine. Just... startled."
He sat on the edge of my bed. Took my hand.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
Another knock on the door.
A man walked in. Short. Round belly. Kind eyes behind glasses. He's the pack specialist, head of the doctors in the pack we've been expecting.
"Alpha Ryan. Luna Olivia." He bowed slightly. "I'm Doctor Hayes. I've come to examine you before you move to the main pack house."
Ryan stood up. "Please. Do what you need to do."
The doctor set his bag down. Pulled out strange tools.
"How are you feeling, Luna?"
"Better. Much better."
"Good. Good." He smiled. "Now, I need to check your wounds. Make sure they've healed properly."
He lifted my shirt slightly. Checked the bandages on my stomach.
"Healing nicely. Very nicely."
Then he paused.
"Luna, I need you to turn over. Lie on your stomach. I want to check your back."
My blood went cold.
My back.
I hope this is not the end for me.
"Is that necessary?" My voice came out too fast.
"Just a routine check. Won't take long."
I looked at Ryan. He nodded encouragingly.
Slowly, I turned over. Laid face down on the pillow.
The doctor lifted my shirt up my back.
Silence.
Long, heavy silence.
"Alpha..." The doctor's voice changed. "Come look at this."
Footsteps. Ryan moving closer.
"What is it?"
"These scars. They looked Old. Very old."
"Scars?" Ryan's voice was confused. "What scars?"
"Here. And here. And here." The doctor traced something on my back. "These are training scars. From weapons. Blades. Combat training."
More silence.
"That's impossible." Ryan's voice was quiet. Dangerous. "Olivia never trained with weapons. She hated combat. Always hated it."
My heart pounded so hard I thought it would break through my chest.
"Perhaps she doesn't remember..." the doctor started.
"No." Ryan cut him off. "Olivia was scared of blood. Of fighting. She couldn't even watch the warriors train. Made her sick."
The door opened again. Scarlett walked in.
She saw us. Saw Ryan staring at my back. Saw the doctor's concerned face.
"What's going on?"
"Scarlett." Ryan turned to her. "Did Olivia ever train? Ever learn combat?"
Scarlett's eyes met mine for just a second.
"I don't think we should disturb her for now, Alpha." Her voice was calm. Firm. "The Luna's memory is unclear. Doctor am I right? ."
She looked at the doctor. Hard.
The doctor cleared his throat. "Yes. Yes, that's right. If she stresses her brain too much trying to remember, she might lose the chance of remembering things for a very long time."
Ryan's jaw tightened. "But..."
"Alpha, please." Scarlett stepped forward. "She's been through so much. Her mind is fragile right now. Pushing her could cause permanent damage."
I could feel Ryan's eyes on my back. Studying. Thinking.
"Fine." He finally said. "We'll talk about this later."
I pulled my shirt down. Turned back over slowly.
The doctor checked a few more things. My pulse. My eyes. My reflexes.
"Everything else looks good, Luna. You're healing well."
"Thank you."
He started packing his bag.
Then he stopped.
Looked at Ryan.
"But there's something else you need to know, Alpha."
Ryan's head snapped up. "What?"
The doctor's face went pale. His hands shook slightly.
"What is it?" Ryan moved closer to him. "Tell me."
The doctor opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Opened it again.
"The Luna... she..."
"She what?" Ryan's voice was hard now. Impatient.
The doctor looked at me. Then at Ryan. Then at Scarlett.
"She's..."
The word hung in the air.
Unfinished.
Terrifying.
What did he find?
What else was different about my body?
What else would give me away?
Ryan grabbed the doctor's shoulder. "Tell me. Now."
The doctor swallowed hard.
"She's..."