Alliance of Shadows: NEIL

Phillip

Phillip Kade had been my father’s best friend since their college days. They had been your typical frat boys and partners in crime. Well, right up until my mother came into the picture. Before that, they enjoyed the freedoms awarded to them.

Thankfully, I had no hassle registering her. Clara had already listed herself as Izzy's next-of-kin, which saved me a lot of time. Not that the nurse wanted to mess with her Alpha's order or deal with an angry Grand Luna.

By the way, if anyone was wondering why I switch between Grand and King or Queen, the answer is simple. Grand Alpha King was the highest power. The Alpha King title was only handed down after the Alpha Prince – me – met and completed the required Rituals with his Mate. For now, because he didn’t know I found her already, dad held both of the higher titles.

Suddenly, Izaria made a break for the front door. Catching her around the waist, I carried her down the hall. When I set her to her feet, I said, "You're acting like a child, Izzy. This appointment is important."

Her blue eyes met my browns, and the world seemed to stop. There was real fear in them, and when she spoke, I could hear it in her voice. "No! Nope, I've changed my mind. I want to go home. Please, Neil? Please don't make me do this."

"I promised Clara that I would take you to see Phillip and that I'd take care of you. It's not a big deal, Izzy." I said with a frown, loving the way her nickname rolled off my tongue.

"It is, though," she argued quietly. "I'm taking up your time when you probably have better things to do today."

I ran my hands along her arms and tried to kiss her forehead, but she pulled from me. Sighing, I said, "You're wrong. I didn't have anything better to do."

When we got into the room, Phillip was waiting. He held out a hospital gown, advising her to change in the bathroom so he could do a complete physical. I sat stone-faced while he talked and joked with her in an attempt to make her relax. He succeeded, and she allowed him to do his job in peace. When he touched a small bruise on her arm, asking where it came from, she winced.

Narrowing my eyes on the offending mark, I realized it was in the same place where I had held her down. I never meant to hurt her. My knee bounced. It was a habit I took to using when I was nervous. Unfortunately, Phil knew about it and would call me on it as soon as he had the chance.

The concerned look that crossed his face while he wrote something down on his notepad made me want to disappear. I was screwed. I knew I was because he would likely contact Clara or my father over it. Clara, I could probably talk my way around. My father would hand me my ass. Finally, knowing that she was hiding things from him, he turned his eyes to me. “Have you noticed any changes in her appetite or sleeping habits lately?”

“She’s been having a lot of panic attacks lately, and I noticed that she scarcely eats. There have been some nightmares, too.” As I said the words out loud, I understood that the situation was much worse than I had formerly predicted.

He nodded, resigned. The doctor in him was disappointed. The wolf wanted blood. His instincts as a pack Warrior were clear as day, and nothing could stop a decorated soldier determined to protect his people. “That would account for her weight being under the normal standards for her height and age. As for birth control, we have three options: the first is the pill, the second is an injection given every three months. The final option is a little more invasive for such a young girl, the IUD or Intra-Uterine Device, also known as a Mirena.”

I sat forward in an attempt to show some interest. “What’s the difference between the three?”

“It all depends on what Ms. Wilkes wishes to do at this point. However, before I can recommend anything, I have to ask when your last PAP test was, Ms. Wilkes.” He replied.

"Never," she murmured.

He shook his head. "A Papanicolaou test isn't just for girls who have a lot of s****l intercourse. It can also determine health concerns such as HPV, cancer, etcetera. Are you a virgin?"

Blushing, she shook her head.

"Okay, so the first thing we need to do is get that done and draw a little blood to test for any hidden medical issues you might have. When the results come in, I'll let your aunt know." Phillip indicated the exam table as he spoke and told her to lie down.

Turning to me, she held out her hand. I took it and tried not to let my jealousy get the better of me. Another man was touching her. I knew he meant no harm and that she needed to have this done, but she was mine. I rubbed her arm gently, “You’re not in any pain, are you?”

“No,” she replied.

I knew better, though. She was in pain, but she was used to it. Her stepfather was lucky he was already dead. Otherwise, I would hunt him down and end his putrid life. My eyes widened a fraction, and I slowly checked my thoughts. I wanted to protect her. For her to feel safe, and to know I cared for her.

Worse, I knew I would stop at nothing to make my desires a reality.

He opened a private mind-link, reaching out. He was surprised when I let him. ‘Something you’re not saying is glaring at me.’

Tracing circles over the back of her hand, I looked over to Phillip. I was not the friendliest wolf in the pack, and he knew it. I sent back one word I knew would help him hold his silence. ‘Mate.’

“It may take a few weeks for the results,” he replied as he finished the exam. “Other than being slightly underweight, she seems to be in good physical health. I can contact a psychologist friend of mine to see about doing a few in-home sessions with her if you like.”

I watched as Izaria left the room to change. Phillip looked over at me when she was gone. His face blank, he asked, “I figured it was something like that. The Goddess works in mysterious ways, Neil. You’re not a risk-taker, not like Colt, but this is calculated. Does Clara know?”

“Yes, it is. No, she doesn’t, and neither does Izzy. Grand Alpha’s orders,” I whispered as I looked toward the closed bathroom door. Having known the man my entire life, I told him everything.

“You took her to see Molly? Neil, that was careless,” he scolded. "You don't give the Devil ammunition, boy. You take it away. It won’t make helping Izaria any easier, either."

Falling back in the chair, I sighed heavily. I didn't like the way he spoke to me about it. However, Dad had given Phillip Elder status when I took over as Alpha. As an Elder and my fathers Beta, he outranked me, overruled only by dad and Clara.

Phillip leaned over in his chair as he spoke in a hushed tone. “Are you serious about what's happened to her, Neil?”

“Yeah,” I breathed, not really wanting to get into it too deeply.

He whistled low, "That's not good.”

Watching the door cautiously, I said, "I don't know what I can do to help her, though."

Phillip snorted a laugh, “There's only so much you can do on your own, so don't go beating yourself up over it. Maybe you should let her in.”

“I'm just as broken, Phil,” I replied. "Probably on a different level, sure, but still broken."

He leaned back in his chair after he handed me the paperwork. "I don't know what to tell you, Neil. For now, I'm ordering a complete set of labs to make sure that there are no serious concerns and that everything is functioning properly. Keri can draw the blood before you leave unless she would like me to go it. It’s just so we can get it out of the way as fast as possible. These meds should help with the anxiety attacks, too.”

I nodded, thanking him as I pocketed the papers. A dark shiver stole up to my spine. Phillip’s eyes went wide as he looked past me. Glancing over my shoulder, I spotted Izaria watching us. Her eyes were locked on me, and there was an unreadable expression on her face. It honestly scared me more than I was willing to admit.

“She’s a quiet one,” he commented. “A dangerous skill when trapped, too.”

I cast my eyes to the worn linoleum floor as she gave me a withering glare. For someone so tiny, she packed a ferociously short temper. She looked over at Phillip, getting right to the point of our visit. “What about the birth control options? Can I have time to think and do research?”

He pursed his lips, nodding in response before he said, “Absolutely, darlin. I can give you a while to decide between the three options. In the meantime, I can administer a single dose that will last three months.”

“Alright,” she huffed in agreement.

I was a little shocked to find out that she was scared of something no bigger than a sewing needle. Phillip finished administering the injection and tossed the used needle into a sharp’s container. I glanced at him, smiling weakly. “Thanks for seeing her on such short notice.”

"Anything for a kid I helped raise. By the way, Neil, if there are any concerns or if Ms. Wilkes has any questions, don't hesitate to call me." He said as we left the office.