CHAPTER 7: Doctor South

Five years later, a devastating plague swept across the werewolf world, decimating packs at an alarming rate. Pack doctors scrambled to find a cure, but despite their efforts, many werewolves succumbed to the mysterious illness. Panic grew as the packs suffered heavy losses, and desperation hung thick in the air. Yet, amidst the chaos,the northern territory stood out as an exception.

Northern Wolf Hospital.

Within the hospital's sterile white walls, a doctor moved from bed to bed, tending to the afflicted wolves with a precision and calmness that seemed otherworldly. Dressed in full medical gear with a nose mask covering her face and a head wrap concealing her hair, only her sharp, focused eyes were visible. She moved with efficiency, her presence offering a beacon of hope in an otherwise bleak situation.

"Nurse, hand me the next file," Doctor South instructed, her voice muffled by the mask.

The nurse, holding a clipboard, approached hesitantly. "Doctor South, this is the tenth request we've received this month from the southern packs, pleading for your help." She handed over the file.

Doctor South paused, taking the folder from the nurse. Her eyes skimmed the names at the top: Alpha Kevin Taylor of the Silver Crest Pack and Alpha Derek Kingston of the Moonstone Pack. At the sight of their names, her hand stilled, her eyes narrowing as old, painful memories flashed in her mind.

Ella's breath caught in her throat as she recalled the night she had fled everything she once knew—the rejection, the humiliation, and the agony of severing her ties with both her mate and her pack. Rage boiled within her. She had built a new life here in the North, far away from the heartbreak of her past. "Why should I help them now?"

With a cold finality, she snapped the folder shut and handed it back to the nurse. "Throw it out."

The nurse blinked in surprise. "But Doctor South—"

"I said throw it out," Ella cut her off, her voice firm.

The nurse bowed her head in submission and left the room with the rejected file. Once alone, Ella pulled down her mask and yanked off the head wrap, releasing her long, wavy brown hair. The facade was gone, revealing the real Ella Brown—the woman who had once been rejected and scorned, but who now held the power to heal or withhold.

Meanwhile, in Moonstone Pack, Alpha Derek Kingston sat in his office, frustration radiating from him. His Beta, Alex, entered the room cautiously, sensing the tension.

"Alpha, I have bad news. Doctor South has rejected our request again."

Derek's jaw clenched. "He's refusing to help us on purpose," he growled. "He's the only one who has been able to contain the plague, yet he won't even send us a single team!"

Alex nodded. "He's helped every other pack except Moonstone and Silver Crest."

With a sudden outburst of rage, Derek slammed his fist into the desk, scattering papers everywhere. "Enough! Book the earliest flight to the North. I'm going to meet Doctor South myself."

"Yes, Alpha." Alex bowed and hurried out, sensing the storm brewing within his Alpha.

Hours later, Derek's private jet landed in the northern territory. Without wasting time, Derek and his Beta made their way straight to Northern Wolf Hospital. His steps were swift, his mind consumed by the urgency of saving his pack from the plague. The thought of Doctor South deliberately turning them away only fueled his anger.

"Alpha, shouldn't we notify the hospital about our visit?" Alex asked cautiously as they approached the entrance.

"No," Derek snapped. "I want to see firsthand just how busy Doctor South is."

Inside the hospital, Ella moved swiftly between patients, using her unique healing powers to stabilize a warrior whose condition had worsened. Her healing powers were her secret weapon—something she had developed over the years, but it came at a great cost to her energy.

"Doctor South," a nurse called urgently, rushing into the ward. "Alpha Moore has a high fever and is losing control. He's asking for you."

Ella nodded, quickly wrapping up her work. "I'll be there shortly. Look after the patients here."

She rushed toward the other wing of the hospital, her heart racing. Just as she rounded a corner, she collided into someone. Strong arms steadied her, and she looked up, startled, only to lock eyes with none other than Alpha Derek Kingston.

Her heart sank.

"Ella Brown," Derek whispered, his voice full of shock. His piercing blue eyes softened as he stared down at her, recognition and longing mixing in his gaze.

"Mate," Lila, her wolf, whispered within her, the bond between them sparking to life once more.

For a moment, Ella stood frozen, too stunned to react. She hadn't seen Derek in five years, hadn't even thought about him beyond her bitter memories of the rejection. And now, here he was, standing before her, the bond between them still very much alive.

"Ella, what are you doing here?" Derek asked, his grip tightening on her arms. "I've searched everywhere for you."

Ella quickly regained her composure, pulling away from him. "I'm in a hurry, Derek," she muttered, attempting to sidestep him.

But Derek wasn't letting her go that easily. He reached for her hand again, and as their skin touched, the familiar crescent moon marking appeared on their wrists—the undeniable proof of their mate bond.

"He never accepted our rejection," Ella whispered to herself, stunned.

"He hasn't given up on us," Lila answered softly in her mind.

"Ella, don't leave," Derek pleaded, his voice breaking slightly.

But she pulled her hand away from him, her resolve hardening. "I don't have time for this," she said coldly. "Alpha Derek, I have more important things to do."

Before she could take another step, Derek's wolf surged forward, his eyes glowing red as he moved with lightning speed, blocking her path.

"You are my mate," he growled, his voice blending with his wolf's. "You're not leaving me again."

Ella's fury ignited. "Alpha Derek," she spat, her voice trembling with barely contained anger. "I am not your mate anymore. Control your damn wolf." She shoved him aside with surprising strength, her power flaring, leaving Derek momentarily stunned. She didn't look back as she walked away, leaving him standing there, lost in disbelief.

"She's way too powerful," Alex muttered, coming up behind Derek.

Derek's eyes narrowed, watching her retreating form. "First, find out where Doctor South is," he ordered, "and also why Ella Brown is in the North."

"Yes, Alpha," Alex responded, bowing before hurrying off.

Derek remained where he stood, his mind racing. He had lost her once. He wouldn't lose her again.