The Pack's Doctor by Cooper

Chapter 185 Chapter 185 Christy I was woken by the sounds of the pack's excitement. The feeling in the pack madenervous and scared and I suddenly felt vulnerable and alone. Tears began streaking down my cheeks as fear began to overwhelm me.

"Hey. Are you in pain? What's the matter?" Deborah asks me. She's the one sitting withtoday. "What's going on? Are we under attack?" "No, I'm not sure exactly what's going on. I can find out if you wantto," she says, but I shake my head quickly.

"Don't leave me. Please don't leave me," I say to her.

"I'm right here. You're safe," she says soothingly. I'm not sure I'll ever feel safe again. Every tI close my eyes, I see him. I'm back in that bathroom with Arlo, terrified, dominated, and abused. Luna Yara said I could go back to the packhouse today, but I'm not sure that will be any better. What will the pack say to me? How will they look at me? I hear the doors to the pack hospital open and Deborah goes to look into the hallway.

"Oh, hello Alphas, hello Lunas," she says.

"Kennedy, go with your mother. I'm going to check on Christy," I hear Alpha say. Luna Yara pokes her head into the room first.

"I'm going to get my daughter settled, then I'll be back to check on you," she says, then her gaze focuses onand she steps into the room. "Christy?" I feel my lips trembling as tears begin running down my cheeks again. "What's going on?" I ask.

"I've got this Luna. Go help Kennedy and I'll be in soon," Alpha says, stepping in behind her.

Luna Yara steps back out and Alpha nods at Deborah to join her. When he walks to the bed, a feeling of calm protectiveness washes over me. He wipes the tears from my cheeks then pulls up a chair, taking my hand in his. "What has you frightened, Christy?" he asks gently. I've never heard Alpha speak so softly before. "What's going on, Alpha? The pack feels... I don't what they feel like," I tell him.

"The trackers found Slater. They are angry and they want him to pay for what he did to Kennedy and to you." "To me?" I ask. Why would the pack care about what happened to me? And Slater may be Arlo's brother, but he was in the cells when Arlo attacked me.

"Luna Kennedy may have let the pack know how very angry and disappointed she was that no one protected you, Christy. That includes me. I should have known what was going on. You should have felt comfortable coming to me, to know that I would have protected you. The fact that you didn't tellseverything I need to know about how poorly I was running this pack." "Oh no, Alpha..." I begin, but he holds up a finger.

"If you had felt comfortable coming to me, none of this would have happened. Things are changing quickly in this pack, Christy. I know you've been in the hospital recovering, but when you return to the packhouse, you'll feel the difference. Anyone who is not on board with those changes will be required to leave the pack. Anyone who feels sc or threatened by any pack member needs to feel comfortable coming to me, Beta Kier, or Luna Kennedy," he says, then "Did you hear that Arianna accepted Kier and they've now marked and mated?" he asks me.

1/3 1 1. es.

Mon, Chapter 185 "She did it?" I ask, excited for my friend.

"She did, and the pack couldn't be happier about it." "Really?" 94% 453) "Really. Kennedy has taught all of us a lot about the different kinds of strength that our pack members bring to the pack. The warriors got a firsthand look at how much we underestimate our omegas when Kennedy put the omegas on strike and we had to cook for ourselves." I'd heard from the other omegas how difficult it was to sit back and watch the warriors burn meal after meal.

"We're becoming a family, Christy. It's the way our pack should have been run from the beginning, but none of us, including me, had a good family life to pull from. Kennedy did, and she's leading us into a new way of thinking and living. I don't want you to be afraid. I know you have a lot to work through but know that I am here for you. Kennedy is here for you. Betas Kier and Arianna are here for you. Your friends are here for you and the warriors are here for you too. You are not alone. You are safe and you are loved." I feel the tears coming again but for a different reason this time. I nod as he reaches up and brushes the tears from my cheeks again, as if I'm a child and he's a loving father. It's the safest and most loved I've felt since I lost my parents.

"Hey, Christy..." Leo says, walking in. He stops abruptly, seeing Alpha Quirin. "What's going on? Why are you crying? Are you in pain?" he asks rushing over to the bed.

"Leo, what are you doing here?" Alpha asks him, his voice more stern than it was with me.

Leo looksover quickly before turning to Alpha Quirin. Then he stands up straight to answer him. "Christy is my mate, Alpha. I rejected her when she turned eighteen because I thought she was too weak to be my mate. Luna has helpedto realize that I made a big mistake, and strength comes in all different ways. I've asked Christy for a second chance, and I've been trying to show her that I really do want her as my mate and that I love her very much," he says, as if he's a cadet addressing his drill sergeant.

Alpha narrows his eyes at Leo a moment then turns to me. "And how do you feel about that, Christy?" Leo glances down atbut he doesn't move from his position.

"I'm not sure. I told Leo that if he if didn't wantbefore because I was weak, then he definitely wouldn't wantnow because I'm even weaker," I say honestly.

"That's temporary. Look at you. Luna Yara says you're ready to go back to the packhouse already. You're so strong, Christy. I was just too stupid and blind to see it," Leo says, taking my other hand and practically beggingwith his eyes to believe him.

"Well, it sounds like the two of you have a lot to work through. Leo, do not push her past her limits. You made a mistake and you will give her the tshe needs to decide if she is willing to give you a second chance or not. If she decides she isn't willing to give you another chance, you will accept her decision. If she agrees to give you a chance, you will go at her pace. Are we clear?" "Yes, Alpha." Alpha Quirin turns to me. "If at any point, Leo makes you uncomfortable, pushes you more than you're ready for, or doesn't listen to your boundaries, you tell me," he says, turning to Leo. "And you will answer to me." "Yes, Alpha. I won't make the smistake again. I promise." you chose to throw ti vay. If Christy "Promise her, not me. She's your mate. A gift from the Moon Goddess herself and gives you a second chance, you better thank her for the opportunity to love her every day for the rest of our life, and you'd better show her with your actions that you mean it," he says standing.

2/3 Chapter 185 "Yes, Alpha" "Remember, Christy. If you need anything at all, ever, I'm here for you" he says, budding my gee ons kan m "Thank you, Alpha" We don't say anything until he walks out the door, then ten turns to me.

"I promise you, Christy, if you givea second chance, I will be the best mate I can poly be for you 1 fox was you to feel like you need to go to Alpha if you need something I want you to cto me. It got rescued, if you happy, I want to be the first person you think of to share that with, he says. I look down at our clasped hands then frown. "You're bleeding"

He shrugs. "They found Slater. Alpha let us have him. I punched him several times for you. But foen m redan that what really wanted was обье to be here making sure that you are okay, I was worried that the excitement of the park had set your "It did. But then Alpha cin to talk to me," I say,

"I should have csooner, I'm sorry. I'm not perfect, Christy, and I'm sure I'll make mistakes, but I truly do we to be te best mate I can be fon you. I wanted to kill Slater for having anything at all to do with whe hayered tyn, ba maleg sure you were okay was more important," he says, then smiles at me. "If you say that pummeling tim is more important. I gladly go back out there and continue using him as a punching bay," he says, makingsmile. "I'd rather you stay here with me." "Then here is where I'll stay. As long as you wantto be here," he says softly. "You look tired. Why don't you get sres I won't go anywhere. You seem to sleep better when I'm here" I nod. When he's here, he somehow manages to keep the nightmares at bay.

I close my eyes. I'm just starting to fall asleep when I feel Leo's warm lips press against my forehead. I love you, Christy," he says, barely above a whisper.

His words send warmth spreading through my body and I fall into a calm, peaceful sleep.