Page 13

Dr. Kate White carried herself with the kind of confidence that came from regularly dealing with supernatural creatures. Her silver-streaked dark hair was pulled back in a neat bun, and her green eyes missed nothing as she surveyed the scene.

“Gentlemen,” she said dryly, “perhaps we could give my patient some breathing room? Unless you’d like to explain to the council why your mate expired from lack of oxygen between makeout sessions?”

The brothers reluctantly created space, though they didn’t go far. Marcus and Caleb moved to opposite ends of the couch while Derek took up a position by the window, all three watching like particularly attractive guard dogs.

Dr. White paused before starting the physical examination. “Would you prefer privacy for this part? The brothers can wait outside.”

I glanced at the three alphas, who had taken up strategic positions around the room like overprotective sentries. On one hand, privacy sounded nice. On the other… “They probably know more about what I am than I do,” I admitted. “And they’ll just hover outside the door anyway, right?”

“Like worried wolves,” Maria said from her position by the door.

“We’re staying,” Derek stated, though his eyes flickered to me for confirmation.

I sighed. “They can stay. But,” I added as the brothers relaxed slightly, “if anyone growls when you check my bruises, they’re out.”

Dr. White’s examination was thorough, if surreal. Height, weight, blood pressure—all standard stuff, until she started checking things like “aura clarity” and “moonlight sensitivity.” She took detailed notes about every bruise and scratch from last night’s fight, though most were already healing at a rate that made her hum with interest.

“Accelerated healing,” she said, typing one-handed while examining a particularly nasty bruise on my ribs that was already turning yellow. “Consistent with quarter-wolf genetics, enhanced by First Pack bloodline. Notable increase in healing speed post-initial shift trigger…”

“What exactly do you know about quarter-wolves?” I asked, curious to hear a medical perspective after the brothers’ explanation earlier. “The guys mentioned it’s not actually a dilution of power, but…”

“They’re right,” she said. “Most packs misunderstand quarter-wolves. They think less wolf blood means less power, but that’s not how supernatural genetics work. Especially not with First Pack bloodlines.” She sat back, studying me with clinical interest. “The combination of human adaptability and wolf power can create unique abilities. Your readings are particularly fascinating.”

“Fascinating how?” Marcus stepped closer, ignoring Maria’s warning look.

“His healing rate is closer to a full shifter’s, especially since the partial shift trigger last night. And these energy readings…” She showed Marcus her tablet, pointing to something that looked like a very complicated heat map. “See these patterns? They’re not typical for any wolf bloodline I’ve documented. The way his human and wolf energies are interacting…” She frowned at her tablet. “It’s unlike anything I’ve seen. Quarter-wolves typically show distinct separation between their human and wolf sides, but yours are perfectly intertwined, creating entirely new energy patterns.”

“Like the First Pack?” Marcus suggested, though something in his tone suggested he wasn’t entirely convinced either.

“Similar, but…” She held up the crystal pendant again. “May I? I want to check something.”

I nodded, watching as she held it near my chest. The crystal immediately lit up with swirling colors—mostly silver and blue, but with threads of gold that seemed to pulse like heartbeats. What immediately caught my attention was a flash of something else—a flicker of red-gold, like flames beneath ice, there and gone so quickly I might have imagined it.

Dr. White’s eyebrows shot up. “Did you see?—”

“No,” Marcus cut in smoothly, though his eyes had narrowed. “Just the usual readings, correct?”

She glanced at him, then back at me. “Right. Of course. Just… unusual First Pack markers.”

I looked between them, certain I was missing something. “So what does this mean for the whole ‘learning to be a proper supernatural being’ thing?”

“It means,” she said carefully, making more notes, “that we should expect the unexpected. Your quarter-wolf status combined with First Pack blood already makes you unique, but these readings suggest there might be even more to your heritage than we understand.”

“More?” I couldn’t help the edge of panic in my voice. “Isn’t being werewolf royalty or whatever complicated enough?”

“Think of it as being genetically gifted,” she suggested, though her eyes kept darting to her readings. “Your mixed heritage isn’t a weakness—it’s an advantage. You can adapt in ways pure wolves can’t. Access different types of power. The trick will be learning how to control it.”

“Before it controls me?” I asked dryly.

“Before it overwhelms you,” she corrected. “These energy levels… they’re building. Like a dam about to break. You’ll need to learn control quickly, especially with your mates’ influence accelerating the process.”

Derek shifted by the window. “What do you mean, accelerating?”

Dr. White gestured at my healing bruises. “His body is already adapting to match your energy levels. The presence of three alpha mates is literally rewiring his supernatural DNA. It’s fascinating, really. I’ve never seen anything quite like?—”

A growl rumbled through the room—Derek again, apparently not appreciating me being referred to like a science experiment.

“What did I say about growling?” I reminded them, though watching Derek get protective over a mere mention of scientific observation did funny things to my stomach.