Valkyrie's Revenge

Chapter 3

                As Raven walked into the hospital, he was struck the last time he was in this building; eight years had gone by in a flash it seemed. He had not even come to the hospital for his interview for his residency, instead doing it through video conference due to the distance and competitive field. When you choose to specialize in certain fields it can be more difficult to get a placement, but even more difficult when you are a wolf trying to get into a program that knows about your kind and will also teach you about how to care for and treat injuries that are specific to their kind. On paper he looks like a doctor interested in Emergency care, but his focus on virology and toxicology shows he aspires to be more than just a short-term care physician. He is hoping one day to have a practice of his own and protect his own kind, while helping to raise those that may not have a family of their own. He is pulled from his thoughts by a voice that could have been a Sirens’ song it was so beautiful, even just in the simplicity of hearing it say, ‘Doctor Grace?’ he knew he wanted to hear so much more from this person. Raven turned to see a woman, shorter than he is used to since most of his interactions are with female wolves and they are quite tall, but more beautiful than he could have possibly imagine. He stood there staring into her deep brown eyes as she slowly turned a shade of red that attempted to beat out the vibrant colour of her curly hair, finally she looks away and giggles to herself.

                “I’m so sorry, yes, I am Raven Grace, and you are?” He asks as he extends his hand to her, eager to touch her skin and hear her voice again. “Mmm… Mary.” She starts, stumbling over her own name as her eyes meet his again. Quickly she shakes her head then takes his hand, composing herself and realizing where they are. “Doctor Mary Whittaker, second year resident here at the hospital, I am to take you to the Chief, and I will serve as your guide in your first few weeks here.” She explained, still holding his hand as she did. When the words stopped, they still stood there frozen in what could have been hours, but it was only a moment. When she took his hand, he knew she would forever need to be a part of his life, he knew she is his mate, and he would do whatever is needed to keep her safe. His parents had explained to him that a human mate is possible, and he even knew that Knox’s father was a human, but he has never imagined that is why he had never found his mate before now. The sound of a phone ringing pulled them from their moment as Raven realized it was a notification on his phone. As much as he wanted to sweep Mary off her feet and run away in that moment he could not do so, courting a human was going to be difficult even in the best of times. With the mission to avenge their family and reclaim their land it is going to make it even more difficult, forget about explaining it to the others. As he looked down at his phone Mary relieved her hand of his and started walking them to the elevators, entering and pressing the button for the third floor. The notification was a message from his sister simply wishing him luck and saying she loved him, but he could tell Mary had seen the message and she looked hurt. Quickly he put the phone away then stated, “My sister, just wishing me a good first day. She and our twin cousins just started at the college today as well. We all moved here together since this is where we grew up.” This news put Mary at ease some, but he realized it looked like there was something more to her look of concern. He put the thought aside for now, needing to focus on his first meeting with the Chief.

                When they exited the elevator, Mary led him to a set of wooden double doors and knocked awaiting the invitation to enter. Once it was given, she looked up and smiled to him before opening the door and entering motioning to a chair for him as well. Behind the desk was a man that could have easily passed for being in his thirties, but he knew that was not the case, as he had been chief for almost ten years. As Raven moved toward the chairs, he looked around the office noticing various pictures of moments in the man’s life, a few catching his eye as people he had seen as a child. In that moment Raven knew that the man in front of him is indeed a wolf, and that he would need to be on alert until he knew who else could be of concern. Without looking up from the paperwork in front of him the Chief dismissed Mary, which she was quick about, but not before sneaking one last glance in Raven’s direction. Yet again her cheeks attempted to challenge her fiery hairs shade of red, but again failed to stop her from looking so beautiful. As he watched the door close behind her, he was shaken by a throat clearing in front of him, then when he turned, he was met with a deep blue set of eyes assessing the wolf he had become.

                “Raven Grace, I am not sure how much you remember of me, but I knew your parents and of course your uncle Blair. My name is Elias Chase, I am Chief here and I am sure you have already assessed my other secret, but it is part of the reason you are here.” He started, but then noticed that Raven had not yet completely focused on what he was saying. “The last time I saw a man with a look like that in his eyes was when my son found his mate, should I assume Mary is the lucky lady?” He asked with smile. Raven looked and him and nodded, then looked around the office again briefly.

                “Thank you for accepting me into your program, I am sure taking me in has caused a stir with the local packs, and beyond that if you knew my parents and Blair you know part of why I am back is to show the Grace line is still alive and well. I am eager to learn from you and be able to become the doctor my pack will need to grow and survive, but also to find who betrayed my family and bring them to justice as well.” Raven explained looking deep into the man’s eyes. He wanted to make it clear that while he has the strength to overpower him and take what he wants, but that is not his desire or need.

                “So, it is true then; the Grace pack is not led by you, but by another. I heard it is still a Grace, so it must be your sister Valkyrie. She always was a demanding and slightly intimidating wolf, even when she was a child, I cannot imagine that has lessened over time. As for the other packs, the hospital is on neutral ground, and while all the pack doctors have offices attached to the hospital and are employed by us, I am not part of any of them. Think of me more as a rogue with a human pack, the hospital and its employees and patients give me that purpose and belonging I have needed and wanted. Besides, staying outside of the packs makes it easier for me to move freely and help all equally.” He explains, showing his own strength and cunning. This man had done his research and seemed to know a lot about what has happened and what will being going on soon. “You are here to learn and grow as a doctor and that is my focus when you are in these walls, what you do on your own time is your own concern. The only thing I demand, and this is not a negotiable, all pack rivalry stays outside the hospital. Inside these walls we are doctors first and we are here to save the lives, all the lives, that come through that door. If that is not something you can agree to then I suggest you leave now, otherwise, go meet Doctor Whittaker in Triage, she was help orient you on the Emergency Room here and you can shadow her.” He finishes, never looking away from Raven as he says all of this. Raven has quickly found that this is not a man to disagree with, he has found a way to build a pack like relationship within the human world and keep from becoming a rabid wolf or committed. The idea of being that strong mentally is astounding to Raven, but he also knows this is something he wants to understand. Raven nods to Elias in agreement with his demands, understanding their need and agreeing to keep his private life just that.

                He rises to leave the room giving Elias one more nod but is stopped as he reaches the door. “OH, Doctor Grace? I have known Mary for 2 years now, she is like a daughter to me, so if you do anything to her that causes her pain trust that it will not matter how terrifying your Alpha sister is, I will destroy you.” Raven gulps in response, trusting every word that was just said, and fearing what a man like that could do. “To give you a leg up though, she loves fried chicken, and her favourite flower is Sunflowers.” Elias adds with a smile before looking back down at his paperwork. With a quick flick of the wrist Elias motions for him to leave and he does so without a moment to waste, ready to take on the new day and get to know everything he can about this very new world he is in. Never had he thought he would be led by a rogue, able to form a pack bond from no designated pack, but also now wooing a human mate when he has never even really dated.

                This first day has proven to be quite the adventure, but as each moment passed, he could not stop from getting more and more excited about this new journey he is on. Reaching triage, he worked hard to steel his expression and prepare for his first day, hoping the Valkyrie would be as excited as him when he told her about Mary tonight.