The patient
1168 Words
I didn't want to go back to my own house that night. My mind was in ruins.
Instead, I headed to my mother's house, which wasn’t too far from there.
The scent of homemade food filled the air as soon as I stepped inside. The familiar warmth of home wrapped around me, and for a brief moment, the tension from the hospital faded.
My mother, Elena, was in the kitchen. She seemed surprised to see me but quickly broke into a wide smile. Her dark hair fell in waves over her shoulders, and her eyes sparkled.
"Sweetheart, what a surprise. And what a coincidence, too. I made your favorite dish."
I smiled, trying to push the day's events aside.
"Thanks, Mom. It smells delicious."
I sat at the table, and she did the same, watching me with that sharp gaze she always had when she suspected something.
"You look tired."
"It was a long day."
She didn’t respond immediately, just studied me for a moment before changing the subject.
"And Sabrina? How’s your girlfriend?"
My fork froze mid-air.
For a second, I felt a weight in my chest, but I quickly buried the pain.
"She’s fine."
Elena frowned.
"I haven’t seen her in a while. Did you two fight?"
"No, Mom. We’ve just been busy with some things. Nothing to worry about."
Lying to her hurt, but I didn’t want to burden her. Telling her that Sabrina had cheated on me with Lucian and that I had been demoted would be too much.
She sighed, taking a sip of tea before continuing.
"You know, Dave… I’ve always believed you’d find someone who truly values you. A real love."
My chest tightened. Of course, she knew something was wrong.
"Let’s not talk about this now, please."
She nodded, respecting my request, but her eyes still held concern.
We finished dinner in silence, and soon after, I went to my room, lying on the bed. But even with exhaustion weighing on me, sleep wouldn’t come.
I was lost.
Without Sabrina. Without my position as a doctor.
And with incredible wolf healing abilities.
What now?
. . .
The next morning, as I arrived at the hospital, I noticed the stares and mocking smiles from the staff.
"Dave," a nurse called, holding a clipboard. "We have a special assignment for you today."
From her tone, I already knew it wouldn’t be good.
"You’ll be responsible for the patient in room 407."
My eyes narrowed.
That patient?
The entire hospital knew about her. Demanding, temperamental, impossible to please. Every nurse tried to avoid her, and now, they had dumped her on me.
Perfect.
I swallowed my irritation and made my way to the room.
I knocked lightly before stepping inside.
And then I froze.
The air seemed to leave my lungs for a moment.
She was… stunning.
Not in a conventional way, but in a way that both drew you in and intimidated you.
Flawless skin, full lips, and piercing eyes filled with mischief as she scanned me from head to toe. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders in effortless elegance, and even lying in a hospital bed, she exuded an undeniable aura of power.
But there was something else. Something more.
My heart pounded. I felt my wolf connect to her. A click, a snap—everything made sense.
She was my mate.
"Oh," she smirked. "So they sent me a new caretaker?"
Her voice was soft, yet carried a teasing edge that made me swallow hard. And apparently, I was the only one who felt that pull, that claim.
"I'm here to tend to your injuries, ma’am."
She arched a brow, amused.
"Ma’am? How formal. You make me sound old."
"It’s a professional habit."
"Hmm. And what’s the name of my oh-so-formal caretaker?"
It was difficult to keep up the conversation. All I wanted was to claim her. To say out loud that she was mine.
It was madness. In less than forty-eight hours, my entire life had been turned upside down.
"Dave Hetfield."
She tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with something I couldn’t decipher.
"Dave… I like it. Has a certain charm."
I ignored the flutter in my stomach at her tone and reached for the patient chart beside her bed.
"I need to check your wounds."
She sighed dramatically.
"How boring. Can’t we just talk?"
I tried to stay professional, but she wasn’t making it easy.
"I need to ensure you’re healing properly."
She slowly lifted one leg, revealing part of her bandaged thigh.
"So… you’re going to touch me, doctor?"
My mind short-circuited.
Heat rushed to my face, and I quickly stepped back, turning away.
"I’ll be back later," I muttered, leaving before I could embarrass myself further.
Her laughter echoed down the hall.
Damn it.
. . .
I leaned against the corridor wall, taking a deep breath.
I couldn’t fail this job.
If I got dismissed as her caretaker, my chances of returning to medicine would be nonexistent.
It didn’t matter how difficult she was. It didn’t matter that, above all, I desperately needed to say what I was—and, of course, to get answers from her. Because there was a wolf inside her. That much was undeniable.
I inhaled deeply and stepped back into the room.
She smirked at me, as if my earlier reaction had been nothing but a game to her.
"Oh? You didn’t run away? You’ve already earned points with me. The others usually passed the task to some unlucky soul."
This time, I held my ground.
"I need to examine your wounds. With your permission."
She blinked slowly, seeming satisfied.
"You’re learning fast, Dave."
The way she said my name…
"I'm just doing my job."
"What a shame. I was enjoying watching you all flustered."
"Sorry to disappoint you."
She smiled, leaning back slightly.
"And what if I don’t let you?"
I frowned.
"Don’t let me what?"
"Examine me."
My jaw tensed.
"It’s a necessary medical procedure."
"And what if I said I’ll only allow it if you do me a favor?"
I sighed.
"What do you want?"
She lazily waved her fingers.
"Entertain me."
I raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"I hate hospitals."
I was silent for a moment.
I hadn’t expected an honest answer.
"Alright. What do you want to know?"
She smiled.
"Something about you. Something no one else knows."
A lump formed in my throat.
I didn’t want to share anything personal.
But if this was necessary to gain her trust…
"When I was a kid, I dreamed of being a pilot."
Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Until I realized my stomach can’t handle heights."
She let out a genuine laugh, and something inside me relaxed.
"Alright, Dave. You win. You can check my injuries."
I carefully unwrapped her bandages, focusing solely on my task.
But against my will, I followed only my instinct.
I placed my hand on her chin…
And with a growl, I claimed her lips.
- Writer
