The Alpha’s Surgeon

1

Remington’s POV

After nine years, I never imagined the job I would take after college would be in my hometown. Yet here I am, sitting in my midnight blue Hyundai Sonata, the highway lights fading behind us as Rae, Delaney, Aspen, and I cruise toward Moonlight Bayou.

Rae’s in the passenger seat, 5’4 with strawberry-blonde hair pulled into a loose braid and bright blue eyes that seem to notice everything. She’s wearing a shirt that says My Face Said It All and a pair of black leggings, her fingers tapping rhythmically on her phone—probably hacking into some local security cams just for fun. Aspen, her loyal Australian Shepherd, is curled up quietly on the floor by her feet, eyes alert but calm.

Delaney’s in the back, 5’6 with wavy brown hair framing her warm brown eyes, dressed in an oversized hoodie and leggings. She’s scrolling through her playlist, ready to blast something loud the minute we hit town.

Their energy makes the trip less lonely, less heavy.

“Remi,” Rae said suddenly, eyes still fixed on her phone, “you’ve been staring at the road like it owes you money. What’s going on in that head of yours?”

Delaney leaned forward from the backseat, peering at me over the headrest. “Yeah. You’re too quiet, even for you. Spill.”

I hesitated, fingers tightening around the steering wheel. “It’s just… weird being this close again. Nine years is a long time.”

Rae shot me a knowing look. “You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?”

“William Carter,” I muttered, his name tasting bitter on my tongue. “He made high school hell for me. I was the only human in a werewolf community, remember? I can’t stop wondering if he’s still around, waiting to remind me how much I don’t belong.”

Delaney’s warm brown eyes softened. “Remi, you’ve faced worse than some high school bully. Chicago wasn’t easy—you survived things most people couldn’t.”

“Yeah,” Rae added, a mischievous glint sparking in her blue eyes. “And if Carter even looks at you wrong, I’ll make sure his entire online presence vanishes. He’ll be a ghost in his own town.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, the tension in my chest loosening. “I just… I want to feel safe here this time. I don’t want to walk out my front door afraid someone’s aiming at me, like in Chicago. I want this place to feel like home again, not just the place I grew up.”

Delaney reached forward and squeezed my shoulder from the back seat. “Then that’s exactly what we’ll make it. Home, on your terms.”

Rae lifted her fist expectantly. “Together.”

I bumped it, finally letting myself smile. Maybe they were right. Maybe this time would be different.

After several minutes of quiet company and the occasional joke from Rae, I finally drifted back onto the road. Once I passed through the boundary line of our pack, I felt something shift inside me. For the first time in years, crossing that line felt like coming home. Maybe that was a good sign.

Within a few minutes, the town came into view, and I noticed some changes. The stores and even the pack house looked different. It seemed like the community was thriving—there must be a new Alpha in charge. That thought made me wonder who could have taken over.

Del suddenly sat up straighter, pointing toward a glowing neon sign. “Wait, is that the diner you always talked about? The one with the pie you swore was ‘life-changing’?”

I glanced over, recognizing the familiar red lettering. “Yeah. That’s the one.”

Rae leaned forward against the dashboard, eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Well, duh, we have to stop. This is historic. First stop on the Remi Sass Tour of Moonlight Bayou.”

I hesitated, fingers drumming the wheel. “I was just going to head home—”

Del cut in, grinning. “Nope. Not happening. This is our first official trip to your hometown, and there’s no way we’re skipping your favorite diner. I need fries, Rae needs a milkshake, and you need to quit being so broody.”

Rae smirked, sliding her phone into her pocket. “Exactly. Besides, you promised us a taste of your small-town secrets, and we’re starting here.”

I exhaled, already feeling my resolve slipping. “You two are impossible.”

“Hungry,” Rae corrected, giving me her most innocent smile.

With a reluctant laugh, I flipped on my blinker and pulled into the parking lot. The neon lights reflected off the hood of my Sonata, and for a second, it felt like I was sixteen again, sneaking out for late-night fries. Only this time, I wasn’t alone.

The bell above the door chimed as we walked inside, the smell of fried food and coffee wrapping around us instantly. Rae and Del both stopped just inside the doorway, taking it all in—the checkered floors, the vinyl booths, the jukebox glowing in the corner.

“Oh my god,” Del whispered, grinning like a kid. “This is so retro. I love it.”

Rae elbowed me lightly. “I can’t believe you didn’t bring us here sooner.”

For the first time since crossing the pack line, I felt the edge of a smile tugging at my lips. Maybe bringing them here wasn’t such a bad idea after all.