Fated to the Shadows

Work-Study

Lydia and Silas arrived at the pack hospital, two minutes before their assigned work-study was scheduled to begin. It was their final assignment before they would begin training in their permanent roles in the pack. Every two weeks, they switched to a new position until they had just enough knowledge to decide on their futures.

For Lydia, she was most excited for her hospital experience. Her mother spent more time with her patients than she did at home. Walking through the glass doors, Lydia choked back the emotions of seeing the familiar front desk and stone floors. She could imagine Rosalie strutting down these halls, keeping her brisk pace to save her next wolf.

She swore she saw Silas wipe tears of his own, as he glanced around. She felt his hand guiding her towards the front desk, she smiled through her nerves.

"Excuse me," Silas cleared his throat getting the attention of the receptionist.

"Ah, Silas. And..." the receptionist scanned the page in front of her. "Lydia. Welcome. Julie has been waiting for you. Please take a seat and I will page her for you."

It didn't take long for an older woman in blue scrubs to come hobbling towards them. She introduced herself as Julie, the head of the work-study initiative in the hospital. She gave them both a warm smile.

Julie explained their assignments for the day. They were each given a list of patient rooms to visit on different floors.

"Just check in on them. If they are here, they're probably not having the best of days. Offer them water, or reading material. Anything to make their experience better. Just be sure to check their list of restrictions before bringing them anything. Do you understand? Today is all about the experience of working with patients."

They each nodded and thanked Julie. She assured them that she would be checking in on them throughout the day and then left them to it.

"I'm gonna help so many more people than you will," Silas teased, poking out his tongue.

"You wish," Lydia gave him a friendly nudge.

"Seriously though, good luck. Make your mom proud." Silas gave her a one armed hug and made his way towards the elevator.

Lydia checked her own list.

"Room 133 - peanut allergy" She muttered aloud as she made her way to her first patient.

***

By lunch, Lydia had only one patient left to check in on, room 100. The room number was followed by a star and a comment about nondisclosure. She made her way to the end of the hall. This room was separated from the others, guarded by a thick black curtain blocking her view. As she gently pushed it aside, she found this single room had its very own private entrance and nurse's station. The plaque on the wall beside the door was marked with a star, the same as her list.

Cautiously, Lydia knocked at the door. A deep voice called for her to come in and she felt goosebumps raise on her arms. She gave herself a gentle shake to calm her nerves as she entered the dark room.

Immediately, she felt the powerful aura coming from the bed. Taking a deep breath, she began the same way she had for all her other rooms.

"Sorry to bother you, my name is Lydia. I am here with the work-study students. Is there anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable?"

A lamp flipped on beside the bed.

"I don't know, let me get a good look at you," a flirty voice teased.

Lydia felt her cheeks heat up, but continued on her assignment.

"Can I get you some water? Or maybe another blanket?"

"Well, Lydia," the voice over emphasized her name. "I could use some company. Come, sit with me."

She made her way towards the bed, lost in the hypnotizing blue eyes locked on her. She didn't recognize the face that held them. His messy black fringe complimented his thick lashes. His face was pale from illness, but the spark in his eyes screamed of mischief.

Lydia's trance was broken by the clicking of heals entering the room behind her.

"Lydia, dear, you shouldn't be in here. Gideon, sir, I am so sorry. This was my mistake." Julie rushed out an apology, bowing slightly.

"Sure, just don't let it happen again" his attitude shifted in a moment, assuming a tone of authority.

Lydia was quickly ushered out of the room and back down the hall.

"Sorry, dear. There was a mix up in the paperwork. Only very specific staff are allowed back in the leadship suites, never students."

"I am so sorry, Julie. I had no idea." Lydia apologized, before being waved away for lunch. She hurried off to find Silas, hoping desperately that his first day at the hospital was as weird as her own.