Rejected Luna's Last Run

The next day, I headed back to the pack’s healing center and spotted Vanessa in her white healer’s coat. I tapped her on the shoulder and introduced her to Ashlynn, my mate.

“Luna,” I said, addressing Ashlynn with the respect her title deserved, though my tone was softer than usual. “Vanessa’s back, and I’d like you to show her the ropes from now on.”

Ashlynn nodded, her expression unreadable. She didn’t say much, but I could sense her hesitation. Vanessa, however, wasted no time in offloading her workload onto her.

On the first day back, Vanessa called in sick. The second day, she handed her surgery case to Ashlynn. By the third day, she asked Ashlynn to cover her shift because Maggie had been crying all night...

Ashlynn did five surgeries back-to-back, her exhaustion palpable. When she finally asked for some time off, I turned her down. “Luna,” I said, my voice firm but not unkind, “Vanessa’s situation is tricky. Please support her.”

Ashlynn glanced at the overcrowded healing center, forcing a smile and nodding. “All right, Alpha. I’ll help.”

She helped until she didn’t even get a chance to grab a bite to eat, helped until she was crouched on the emergency staircase at night, sick to her stomach, while the world spun around her.

Eventually, she fell ill. A fever of 102 degrees, her stomach twisted with pain, and every breath seemed to hurt.

While dragging herself to another department to get medication, she bumped into Vanessa.

Vanessa looked vibrant and full of life. Upon seeing Ashlynn, she handed her the baby bottle she was holding. “Luna,” she said, her voice sweet but with an edge, “I was just looking for you. The staff told me you’re great at preparing baby formula. Maggie’s been crying for her dad all day, but you know the Alpha, he’s up to his ears in work. So, I hoped you could help me...”

Ashlynn returned the bottle, a painful throb pounding through her temples. “I’m not feeling well.”

Vanessa’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. “If you don’t like pups, you can just say so... There’s no need for excuses.”

I appeared behind Ashlynn at that moment.

With Maggie crying at the top of her lungs, my brow furrowed. My first words weren’t about Ashlynn’s constant overtime but rather a cold reprimand. “Luna, Vanessa is still getting back on her feet. Couldn’t you just lend a hand?”

Ashlynn’s heart sank. “Alpha, I have a fever, 102 degrees.”

I paused, touched her forehead. “Go home and rest. I’ll bring you your medication later.”

Vanessa spoke softly, her voice dripping with false sincerity. “I’m sorry. I panicked because the pup was upset, and maybe the Luna isn’t a fan of pups. I won’t ask for her help again...”

I sighed, picking up Maggie to calm her down. “A fever doesn’t warrant giving attitude. You’ve scared the pup.”

Ashlynn clenched her fists tightly, nails digging into her palms, keeping herself from losing control right there.

That night, in a feverish haze, she got a call from my mother, Melany.

“Luna,” Melany said, her tone gentle but firm, “Maggie... she’s a King family pup. You shouldn’t take out your frustrations on her.”

The fog in Ashlynn’s fevered mind cleared instantly, leaving her heart in icy pieces. “I didn’t.”

“Vanessa said you let Maggie cry all night... We’re not taking sides, but since you can’t have pups, you should try to be more open-hearted.”

Hanging up, the scar on Ashlynn’s abdomen throbbed, tears silently falling.

I entered then, removing the fever patch from her forehead, adjusting the blanket.

It’s always this way, my care hovering just above the surface.

Yet even if it’s only at the surface, I never see her tears.

In two days, she would be gone.