Lost Wolf

Chapter 19

Ashton POV

Morning came slowly. I couldn't sleep, still not able to shut my mind off. As soon as the sun came up, I got up to shower and get ready for the day. I picked a pair of shorts and a tank top wanting comfort. I made my way down stairs for breakfast and was surprised to see Damon already sitting there with his beta.

"Damon, Beta Grady, good morning," I greeted.

Damon gave me a gentle smile and then a slight nod toward Grady.

"Good morning Ashton. I hope you don't mind, I wanted to ask you a couple questions this morning," said Grady.

"Sure," I nodded as I sat down at the table.

"First I wanted to ask.... if your parents ever discussed adoption with you?" He cautiously asked.

"No, who's adoption?" I asked.

"Yours" he responded without missing a beat.

I glanced between him and Damon. Neither one said anything.

"Are you telling me, you think I'm adopted?" I asked both of them.

This time Damon answered. "It would make the most sense. The reason why you knew nothing about yourself or our kind and probably the safest way to keep the heir concealed."

I stared at him in disbelief. I think I'd know if I was adopted. My thoughts were interrupted when Mary walked into the dining room with Dr Crawford.

"Hello Ashton," Dr Crawford smiled warmly. "Would you like to come with me to the clinic room?"

I nodded and stood up to follow her out without saying another word.

When we got to the room Dr Crawford motioned for me to sit while closing the door behind us.

"So, tell me what's been happening?" She asked.

"Well Damon has been trying to teach me to connect with my wolf and be able to shift the first time. He had asked me to try to call to her and get her to come forward." I paused and waited.

"And did she come forward?" Dr Crawford asked.

"I.... I'm not sure," I hesitated for a moment. "I saw a wolf in my head briefly but that was it.

"Okay, and would you mind if I do a standard exam on you?" Dr Crawford asked.

I nodded.

A while later, Dr Crawford was complete. She sat back down across from me. "You're perfectly healthy Ashton."

I felt a moment of relief but it was quickly replaced with more questions.

Damon POV

Ashton and Dr Crawford had been in there awhile. My nerves growing with even minute now. I tried to focus on work but found myself watching the clock instead.

For Ashton's sake, I hoped everything was okay.

"Alpha, would you join us in the clinic room?" Dr Crawford's voice rang through the mind link.

"Be right there," I responded.

I walked in to find Ashton and Dr Crawford sitting across from each other. I sat down next to Ashton.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Ashton is completely healthy," Dr Crawford said. "I've already discussed this with Ashton but she wanted me to tell you as well."

I nodded in acknowledgment.

"The night that you found Ashton, her wolf was attempting to come forward. If Ashton had been aware, she would have accepted her and shifted for the first time without any issue. Due to the fear and traumatic circumstance, the shift halted and her wolf retreated." Dr Crawford paused.

"So how do we get her wolf to come back?" I asked.

"That is up to Ashton and her wolf," Dr Crawford explained. "Their bond needs to be repaired."

"Okay, that's what we will do then," I said confidently.

"There's more," Dr Crawford stopped me.

"The longer her wolf stays hidden, the harder it will be to get her to come forward. Ashton could start to feel unwell or uncontrollable. And if Ashton goes through a second full moon without her wolf...... the bond may sever permanently." She continued.

"Permanently? Ashton could lose her wolf?" I asked but I already knew the answer.

I glanced at Ashton to see tears forming in her eyes.

I can't let that happen.