I cautiously stepped into the infirmary, the scent of antiseptic immediately filling the air.
Dr. Alexander, the Moonlit Pack's doctor, greeted me with a warm smile as he gestured toward the examination room.
"Meredith, good to meet you. I understand this might seem… unnecessary, but it's just a routine checkup. We need to ensure your health, given that you'll be taking on the role of the Luna."
I crossed my arms, frustration creeping into my tone. "But I'm healthy. I don't need a checkup. I don't want to be here."
Damien, standing beside me, shifted closer, his brow furrowed. He placed a gentle hand on my lower back.
"Meredith, this is important. You're human, and we need to make sure everything is alright. Werewolves are different. We heal faster, recover quicker, but you… you're still fragile compared to us. This is for your safety."
I glanced at him, frustration rising. "I know I'm human. I don't need you all constantly reminding me of it. I don't feel sick. I don't see why I need bloodwork or any of this sh*t. I'm fine, Damien."
Dr. Alexander stepped in smoothly, trying to soothe me. "It's just a precaution. Bloodwork, some scans, and a few other tests. We'll check your heart rate, oxygen levels, and make sure you're fully healthy. It won't take long, and it's nothing painful. You have my word."
I stared at the medical equipment, the needles, the machines, and shook my head. "I don't like this. I've been fine on my own for years."
Damien's hand tightened on my waist, his voice soft but firm. "This is about ensuring you're okay. We've waited so long for you. I can't… I won't risk anything happening to you."
I looked up at him, seeing the genuine concern in his face. It softened me a little, but I was still reluctant. After a moment, I sighed.
"Okay. Fine. But if I do this, I want an hour to myself afterward. No one following me. No one watching me. Just some privacy."
The trio—Damien, Xavier, and Magnus—exchanged glances. It was subtle, but I caught the way their eyes flickered.
Xavier, ever the blunt one, was the first to speak. "She's a bit of a headache. You really want to let her go off on her own?"
Magnus chuckled lightly, though his gaze remained on me. "She needs space, Beta Xavier. We can't suffocate her. She's just asking for one hour."
Xavier rolled his eyes. "Yeah, and then what? She gets into trouble because she's stubborn, and we have to deal with that too."
Magnus looked over at Damien. "It's a reasonable request, right, Alpha?"
Damien stood there, his hand still on my back. I watched him, my patience thinning.
"You can't keep me locked up like a prisoner, Damien. I'm not some fragile thing that needs to be pampered every second. I've survived this long alone..."
Xavier smirked at my words but stayed silent this time. Magnus, however, nodded in agreement.
"She's right. Meredith deserves some time to herself. It's her choice."
Damien took a deep breath, his mind clearly weighing the options. His hand lifted from my back as he met my gaze.
"If we give you this hour, you stay close. No running off into the woods or anywhere unsafe."
I held my ground. "I just need an hour. I won't go far. I just… I need space to think without feeling like you're all hanging around."
Damien gave a hesitant nod after a moment. "Alright. One hour. But if anything happens—"
"Nothing will happen," I interrupted firmly.
"Maybe one of us…"
"No, Xavier," Damien warned. "She wanted privacy. We have to respect her wishes."
Afterward, Damien looked away, Xavier groaned, and Magnus smirked.
Satisfied, Dr. Alexander moved forward, his hands already reaching for his equipment. "Let's begin then."
The tests proceeded as promised. Bloodwork, a few scans, monitoring my heart rate and oxygen levels. My discomfort never fully faded, but I accepted the examinations.
I sat back on the examination table, rubbing my hands together as Dr. Alexander made some final notes on his clipboard. The room was quiet for a moment, but a question lingered on my mind.
I glanced down at my hands, remembering the bruises I'd had just a day ago. The injuries from training had been fresh, but now there wasn't a mark in sight.
"Doctor," I began. "I had bruises. Some wounds, actually. But they're… gone."
Dr. Alexander calmly looked up. "That's because of the bites," he said, pointing to the small, barely visible mark on my neck. "It connects you to the pack and, more specifically, to them. The mark helps initiate a small part of the werewolf healing process in you, even though you haven't fully transformed yet."
I gently caressed the mark. "So… I heal like a werewolf?"
"To an extent, yes," Alexander explained, moving closer to me. "Your healing abilities will improve once you undergo your first transformation. Right now, it's slower, but still faster than an average human. When you do shift, small injuries—scratches, minor cuts—will heal almost instantly. Larger wounds, depending on severity, might take a few hours, or up to a day at most."
I processed this information, still looking at my hands as if expecting the bruises to reappear.
"What about… if I'm attacked by another werewolf? Or something worse?"
Dr. Alexander's expression turned more serious. "If you're attacked by another werewolf, especially one who intends to kill, the injuries will be more severe. Werewolf bites and deep wounds can be lethal if not treated in time. Even with the healing abilities, there's a limit to what your body can handle. Broken bones, deep claw marks, and internal injuries will take longer to heal and may require medical attention. And if the bite is serious enough, it can kill."
I swallowed hard at his words. "So, I can still die?"
"Yes, of course. You're not invincible. Werewolves can die from fatal injuries, especially if they lose too much blood or if vital organs are damaged. And, of course, beheading. There's no coming back from that, certainly," Alexander explained matter-of-factly.
I felt a shiver run down my spine. "And… I can't turn back? I mean… once I've transformed, there's no going back to being just human, right?"
Dr. Alexander looked at me sympathetically. "No, Meredith. Once the transformation happens, you'll be a werewolf. The human part of you will always remain, but your wolf side will dominate. You won't lose yourself entirely, but controlling your wolf form will take time. The first transformation is always the hardest because it's unfamiliar, and you're giving into instincts you've never had before. That's why you need control. So that your wolf doesn't take over completely."
I leaned back against the cold surface of the table. "I don't know if I want this," I whispered, more to myself than to the doctor. "It's too much."
Dr. Alexander watched me carefully. "I understand that it's overwhelming. But this is your life now. And while it's a lot to take in, you'll adapt. You're strong, whether you believe it or not."
I remained silent for a while, digesting everything. Then, after a moment, I spoke again.
"And the trio… Magnus, Xavier, and Damien. They're not mistreating me, sure, but sometimes, it feels like... like they're always pushing or pulling me in some direction."
Dr. Alexander's eyes flickered with something I couldn't quite place, and he took a moment before answering.
"They're powerful, Meredith. And they've waited a long time for you. Sometimes… waiting can build a certain intensity that's hard to control. They might not mean to pressure you, but they're wired to protect you, claim you, and lead you. Especially Alpha Damien."
I frowned, recalling the trio's behavior around me. "I get that… but it's hard to keep up with them. They're always on edge, and it makes me feel like I'm… trapped."
Alexander sighed. "They're dangerous, especially right now. You're their Luna, and the bond between you and them is growing stronger. They're tempted. And if you push them too hard, or challenge them in the wrong way, they might not be able to resist their instincts."
I blinked at him. "What do you mean? What kind of instincts?"
"Instincts to claim you fully," Alexander said carefully. "You've already seen it, I know. They're just trying to hold back, but once you transform, their control will be tested. Be careful, Meredith. Don't mess with them, not at this stage. You're not just dealing with three ordinary men. Their desires, their instincts are primal."
I swallowed. "I'll be careful," I murmured.
Alexander nodded. "Good. Just take things slow, and don't rush into decisions. You have time. Control will come, but only if you learn to handle your new instincts properly."
The moment I stepped out of the examination room, Damien, Xavier, and Magnus, who had been waiting outside, rushed toward me.
"Are you okay?" Damien's hand hovered near my arm, not quite touching, but close enough to feel the heat of his worry.
"Did he hurt you?" Xavier added, while Magnus scanned me up and down.
Before I could even respond, Damien turned to Dr. Alexander, narrowing his eyes. "If something's wrong, you'd better tell me now, doctor."
But Dr. Alexander merely smiled, holding his hands up. "She's fine. Truly," he assured them.
Damien wasn't convinced. He crossed his arms and stood taller, clearly not pleased. "Then explain. Why was she in there so long? You know she's still fragile. Human."
Alexander chuckled softly and shook his head. "Yes, I understand she's human, for now. But that doesn't mean she's as fragile as you think. Her vitals are normal, her bloodwork came back clean, and there are no signs of any health issues. Her healing is already progressing at an enhanced rate, thanks to the mark and the bond between all of you."
"Enhanced rate?" Magnus asked, glancing at me again as if searching for something hidden.
"Yes," Alexander continued. "The mark is doing its job. Minor injuries she had before are completely gone, and her body is already adapting to the bond. She's healing faster than any ordinary human could. Of course, it'll be even more efficient after her first transformation."
Xavier shifted uneasily, still not fully convinced. "And what about the transformation? She's not ready yet."
Alexander nodded. "That's where you come in. You need to be patient with her. I understand the pull, the temptation, but rushing her will do more harm than good. She needs time to adjust. Her first transformation will be challenging, both physically and mentally."
Damien exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening as he listened. "So... what do you suggest we do, then?"
Alexander turned his gaze to Damien. "Give her space when she asks for it. I know it's hard for you to let her out of your sight, but she needs to feel some control over her situation. She's overwhelmed. Pushing her further will only cause her to withdraw more. The closer her heat approaches, the more sensitive she'll become. You have to be careful how you handle her emotions and reactions. Besides, she's also a woman."
Alexander met the men's gazes. "When the heat arrives, the bond between the four of you will intensify. She'll crave the connection, and so will all of you. But it's crucial that you manage that instinct carefully. She's going to feel vulnerable, and that's when you need to support her without overwhelming her. She has to trust you completely by then."
I stood quietly, processing everything, before finally speaking up. "I need an hour alone. That's all I ask right now. Just... some time to myself. As you promised."
The trio looked at each other, and I could feel the tension in the air. Xavier shook his head slightly. "I don't like the idea of you being alone. Not when things are this uncertain."
But Magnus was more understanding, nodding in agreement with my request. "She's right. She needs space. We can give her that for now."
All eyes turned to Damien, the Alpha. He stood there, conflicted. The weight of responsibility seemed to pull him in all directions, but after a long moment of silence, he sighed, finally giving in. "One hour. But that's it. We stay close. No more than that."
I smirked, feeling a little victorious, and Dr. Alexander gave me an encouraging nod. "See? They listen, Meredith. Just be careful. And remember, they're not your enemies. They just don't want to lose you..."