The Pack's Doctor novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76: Bradley.

Trena.

I know this pack is different than Simon's. It's obvious in everything that goes on here, every interaction that occurs with Alpha Warren, Beta Charlie, and this pack. Even Yara is different than I remember her from before. Somehow, she seems stronger, as if finding her mate and becoming a Luna has brought out something inside her that was waiting to blossom.

But I'm in no mood to celebrate. I begin walking around the pack, hearing the periodic sounds of cheering, music, and laughter. It's so opposite of my own emotions that it feels almost otherworldly.

Eventually, I find myself standing outside the pack hospital. Just like with the patrols, the nurses here are taking shifts so everyone can go to the party. However, I know there is only one person in the hospital right now. My mate. Bradley.

I walk inside and wave to Katie who is currently on shift.

"How's the party?" she asks excitedly.

"In full swing," I tell her.

"I can't wait to go. This pack has never had a party before."

"I don't know of any packs that have had parties. We've had so much war for so long."

Katie looks off to where we can hear cheering again. "It makes me even more proud to be a part of this pack." She looks back at me. "Are you going to stay and join our pack?"

"T'd like to, but...we'll see how things go. Is it okay if I go see Bradley?"

"Sure. He's still unconscious."

"That's okay," I say.

She nods, giving me a knowing look. Why else would I want to see Bradley unless he was my mate?

I walk into the room and over to the bed, taking my first look at the man who smells better than anything I've ever smelled, like cigars and whiskey, warm and inviting. He's very attractive with darker brown hair and a longer mustache and beard. He looks rugged, but that's probably because he's covered in scars like most warriors these days.

He's a big man and I can see why Alpha Warren chose him to be Luna Yara's guard. He'd be a hard man to get past.

I reach down and take his hand. I wonder what it would have been like meeting Bradley if Simon hadn't done what he did to me over the past year. I wonder what it would be like to find your mate when I'd lost hope, but didn't have the negative feelings to go along with it.

"Luna Yara told me you were a good man. But trust me, you don't want me," I whisper.

"How do you know?"

My eyes flash up to the man who was supposed to be unconscious. I try to yank my hand out of his, but he's surprisingly strong for someone who nearly died.

"Please don't rush off. My wolf is silent but that doesn't mean he doesn't feel your presence," he says.

I nod and lean back against the bed, letting him hold my hand. He begins to rub his thumb over the back in slow circles. It sends tingles up my arm and through my body. It feels so nice, but I know I can never have this in my life. Tears spring to my eyes and I'm angry at Simon all over again for what he did to me.

"You want to tell me why you think I won't want you?" he asks me gently.