Mated by Marriage

Chapter 5

I open my eyes and blink furiously, my vision struggling to refocus. When I get my bearings, I find myself lying on a loveseat in a room on the first floor that overlooks the courtyard. I can hear a few muffled voices just outside the barely open door.

"Hello?"

I call out to whoever's in the hallway, my voice shaking ever so slightly. The door opens wider and a small group led by Tia makes their way inside. She's accompanied by a middle-aged man I don't recognize, a maid, and in the rear I can make out the shape and aura of a disgruntled Chase.

"You're awake, thank goodness! You had me worried for a minute there. Oh, you'll have to forgive me, this is Dr. Henry Warren. I told him about your...condition. He can be trusted, of course, he's been the main practitioner to the Alpha and his family for years."

A distinguished man with dark auburn hair and brown eyes steps out from behind Tia. He smiles softly as he approaches me.

"Hello Ms. Cartwright, it's such a pleasure to meet you. I surely wish it were under better circumstances. How are you feeling?"

I prop myself up against the back of the loveseat and rub my forehead.

"I feel okay now, a little sore, a little out of it. I don't know what happened, I've never passed out before."

Dr. Warren clears his throat before turning to address the others in the room.

"Perhaps it's best if Ms. Cartwright and I have this discussion alone. Patient confidentiality and whatnot. You may wait outside in the hall, a respectable distance from the door, please. I'll collect you when she's ready for visitors."

There's a collective grumbling emitting from the group, but they exit without complaint. It strikes me as a testament to the doctor's respectability that he can boss them around so easily, especially Tia.

"Alright then, let's get to it. I'd like to take some vitals, but first I'll need to ask you a few questions about your wolf."

He gives me a meaningful look that tells me Tia has already given him the short-hand version.

"Fine, what do you need to know?"

"Well, it would help to know when you first lost connection to your wolf and how long it has been since you've shifted?"

I sigh and cup my head in my hands.

"I guess it started when I turned 18. I was named heir apparent, performed my ceremony, and Dad passed the next day. That was the last time I shifted. So I guess it's been maybe 3 years total."

Dr. Warren pulls out a notebook and writes something down before turning his focus back to me.

"And in that time, have you had any night terrors, or lost periods of time? Any emotional outbursts?"

I pause for a moment, genuinely considering his question. I haven't exactly been keeping score, but now that I think about it, there have been a few odd occurrences.

"I guess I've had a few night terrors where my wolf was chasing me...and truthfully, she only surfaces when I'm struggling with my emotions. I've also unconsciously shifted a few times."

Dr. Warren continues scribbling in his notebook before returning it to his bag. He looks at me with a deeply worried expression, sliding his glasses to the top of his head.

"This is serious, Melissa. It's been years since you've shifted, and you're already showing signs of madness. We need to resurface your wolf as soon as possible and reconnect the two of you. If we don't, your symptoms will only get worse. I'm certain your wolf was the cause of your fainting spell today, and it won't end there."

He pauses for a moment, making sure I'm paying attention before he continues.

"If this progresses, you're facing potential aggressive outbursts, erratic shifting, psychosis, blood lust, and more. Now tell me, what was it that triggered your wolf earlier? Tia says she sensed it and noticed subtle glowing in your eyes before you passed out."

I think back to the moments in the courtyard just before I passed out, and I remember the closeness of Chase's face to mine, the way he smelled like mahogany and leather. My chest swirls, and I clutch at it to calm my wolf. The doctor raises an alarmed eyebrow, clearly sensing my wolf.

"I was, uh, sparring with Chase actually. I was fine, physically, but my wolf smelled something, or maybe someone, and she just started going crazy."

I watch as the doctor places a hand on his chin, deep in thought.

"Interesting, well, there are plenty of reasons your wolf could've reacted to a scent. Perhaps it's territorial behavior brought on by the madness, or she interpreted something as dangerous, or a threat. In rare instances, she may have even sensed your mate."

The doctor trails off, still clearly pondering the possibilities. However, none of his theories bring me any peace of mind whatsoever. At this moment, I'm choosing to believe my wolf has lost her damn mind, because otherwise, we're both seriously screwed. There was no real danger, and the only scent we smelled was Chase. So, my wolf either thinks he's trying to kill me, which I can't blame her for, or she thinks he's our mate. That last option is impossible. Chase would’ve reacted first, I mean, he's totally in touch with his wolf. Not to mention, I absolutely cannot be mated to my soon-to-be stepbrother. That would ruin everything, I mean, my mom would surely have a heart attack. I can't even begin to imagine Dallas' reaction. No, no way. I refuse to even consider the option. The doctor clears his throat abruptly, breaking through my rapidly spiraling thoughts.

"Well, knowing what I do now, there's no need for me to take vitals just yet. I will be dropping by frequently to check on your progress and monitor your symptoms. If you develop a fever, please call me immediately. My number is programmed on all the house phones, and I'll have Tia share my personal number to keep in your cell phone as well. I'll have Tia draw up some specialized training to evoke your wolf. Please rest and take care of yourself in the meantime."

The doctor gives a slight bow before collecting his things and exiting the room. I'm left on my own for a brief moment. Outside, I can hear the doctor updating Chase and Tia. He keeps it vague in front of Chase, of course. I hear him politely suggest that Chase checks in on me while he and Tia discuss modifying my training. It takes only a few seconds before Chase is standing in the doorway, arms crossed, looking moody as ever.

"What do you want? You don't have to check on me just because the doctor said to. I'm fine."

Chase says nothing at first. He continues to stand in the doorway, his presence becoming more and more irritating. Finally, he lets out a sigh and drops his arms, stepping towards the chair opposite my loveseat. He sits down and leans forward, examining me as if I might be broken.

"I'm here because I want to be. You've clearly decided that I'm some kind of asshole, but I'm not. You don't know me, but if you did, you would know I take it very seriously when someone I was sparring with suddenly passes out."

His tone is neutral as usual, but his words are icy. He's right. I made up my mind about him before I'd ever laid eyes on him. I assumed a lot about the Dixons before I arrived, and being here less than a day, it would seem that I'm the only one causing trouble. I sigh, leaning my head against the wall.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I'm not really used to being around people this much. This has all been a lot for me. I shouldn't assume I know anything about you. Let's start over, okay?"

Chase nods affirmatively and rises to his feet.

"Good, I think that would be best for both of us. I'm sorry I ended our sparring session early; my wolf was reacting strangely to the sudden presence of yours. I didn't want to risk your safety. I hope you understand."

I watch him for a moment; he shoves his hands in his pockets, keeping his eyes on me as he waits for a response. I guess I'd assumed he'd left our match because of me and my reaction to his scent. I'd even considered the possibility that he'd sensed my wolf and figured out my issue like Tia had. I wouldn't blame him if he didn't want to spar with a weakling like me. I nod slowly.

"Right, of course. I really hadn't even thought about your wolf during all of this. I'm sorry I troubled you."

Chase shakes his head dismissively, his dark curls tumbling aesthetically around his face.

"It's no trouble at all. I'm just glad you're feeling alright. Let me help you back to your room; you should rest until dinner."

I'm reluctant to accept his help or to accept being close to him for any extended period, but I relent in the name of repairing the awkwardness between us. He guides me up to my room and waits while I get settled in bed. We don't talk, but he looks over his shoulder again as he leaves. The look in his eyes is sorrowful and worried, but much softer than any expression he's ever given me. He closes my door, and I shut my eyes, picturing his strange expression while I drift into a much-needed nap.