The Surgeon and the Alpha

Prologue – The Girl Who Didn’t Belong

The first time Remington Hayes understood she was different, she was ten years old and ankle-deep in Louisiana mud while a circle of pack children laughed at her.

The swamp pressed close around them, thick with heat and the hum of insects. Cypress trees towered overhead, their roots twisting through the earth like claws. Somewhere deeper in the bayou, wolves darted through the underbrush, their playful growls echoing in the distance.

Remi stood her ground.

Human.

Always human.

And in Bayou Falls, that meant always having something to prove.

“She can’t even shift,” one of the boys sneered.

Another shoved her hard enough that she stumbled back into the mud.

“Why does the pack even keep her around?”

Remi pushed herself upright, her braid half-undone and her palms scraped raw. She glared at them, refusing to cry.

“Because I’m smarter than all of you combined.”

A few snickers broke out.

The tallest boy stepped closer, baring his teeth. “Big words for someone who doesn’t belong here.”

Before Remi could snap back, a sharp voice cut through the clearing.

“Back off.”

The boys froze.

Three figures stepped out from between the trees.

William Carter led them, shoulders squared, dark hair falling over narrowed eyes. Trey flanked his right, restless and ready for a fight, while Elijah stood on his left, calmer but no less intimidating.

All three were her age.

All three were Alphas in training.

And all three were trouble.

The boys who’d cornered her immediately took a step back.

Will’s stare was enough to make most people reconsider their life choices.

“What’s going on?” Trey asked, though his tone made it clear he already knew.

“She was mouthing off,” one of the boys muttered.

Elijah crossed his arms. “So your solution was four against one?”

The tallest boy looked at Will. “She shouldn’t be here.”

Remi opened her mouth, but Will spoke first.

“She belongs wherever she decides she belongs.”

The words hit her harder than expected.

For one brief second, warmth sparked in her chest.

Then Will ruined it.

He turned to her, his expression hardening.

“But that doesn’t mean you should keep putting yourself in danger.”

Remi’s chin lifted instantly. “I can handle myself.”

“Clearly.”

She bristled.

Trey muttered, “Here we go.”

Will stepped closer, his voice low enough that only she could hear.

“You don’t need to prove anything to them.”

“Easy for you to say,” she snapped. “You’re one of them.”

Something shifted in his face, but it vanished quickly.

“You’re not.”

The words landed like a slap.

Silence spread across the clearing.

Remi stared at him.

“What?”

Will’s jaw tightened.

“You’re human, Remi. You need to stop acting like you can keep up with wolves.”

Anger flared so hot she thought she might combust.

“I keep up just fine.”

“No,” he said sharply. “You don’t.”

Trey shot him a warning look.

Elijah frowned.

But Will didn’t stop.

“You don’t belong in fights like this. You don’t belong out here trying to be something you’re not.”

Her throat burned.

He’d defended her only to tear her down himself.

“I hate you,” she whispered.

For the first time, his expression cracked.

Just for a second.

Then the wall slammed back into place.

“Good.”

Remi shoved past him, blinking back tears.

She ignored Trey calling her name.

Ignored Elijah stepping forward as if to stop her.

She ran until the trees blurred and the pack house came into view.

Only then did she let herself cry.

⸻

From the shadows beneath the old magnolia tree, the elders watched in silence.

“She is stronger than they realize,” one murmured.

Another elder shook his head. “Strength alone is not what matters.”

The oldest among them kept his gaze fixed on the path Remi had taken.

“It has begun.”

A hush fell.

One elder leaned closer. “You believe the signs?”

The oldest nodded slowly.

“The threads are weaving faster than expected.”

“And the Carter boys?”

A long pause.

Then, quietly—

“They are tied to her fate.”

A chill swept through the gathering.

Far off in the swamp, a wolf howled.

The oldest elder folded his hands.

“Remington Hayes is far more important than anyone realizes.”