Jenna was an expert in reproductive health. Knowing I was in a fragile state after the procedure, she gave me some patient files to organize, hoping to distract me.
I never expected Leon to bring his chosen mate, Tessa Vaughn, here for a consultation—or that their appointment would be with Jenna.
When the consultation room door opened, his gaze fell on Jenna in her Healer's coat, and his eyes widened in surprise.
Jenna saw him too, and the impeccably made-up Tessa snuggled against his side.
Jenna's brow furrowed. She leaned closer to me and whispered.
"Are you okay?"
"What the hell is going on?"
I said nothing, just gave Jenna a meaningful look.
I was pale and gaunt from the procedure, huddled in the corner in a large hoodie with my back to them. Small wonder Leon didn't recognize me.
She understood, turning to the couple with a professional mask firmly in place.
"What seems to be the problem?" Jenna's voice was steady.
Tessa was practically melting into Leon's arms, her voice soft and delicate. "Healer, my future mate and I have been trying for a long time, but I just can't seem to get pregnant."
She paused, a hint of a pout in her tone. "But my tests all show I'm perfectly healthy."
Jenna looked up, her gaze lingering on them. "Please provide your future mate's examination report."
"I don't need an examination," Leon retorted, his voice brimming with arrogance. "There's nothing wrong with me."
He narrowed his eyes, having clearly recognized Jenna. "Healer, I hope you're not planning to use this as some kind of personal revenge."
Leon had always been the epitome of an arrogant Alpha.
In his mind, fertility issues were always a female problem; it was unthinkable that a powerful Alpha like him could be at fault.
Besides, I had already conceived his pup.
So, naturally, he assumed the problem had to be Tessa.
He could never have imagined that, given the curse in his bloodline, my conceiving his pup at all was nothing short of a miracle.
Tessa, all gentle smiles, lightly tugged on Leon's sleeve, murmuring for him to behave.
"Healer," she said, her voice gentle but tinged with urgency, "our situation is a bit special. We must have a child. And it must be a powerful Alpha."
In an instant, I understood. Leon's massive pack was desperate for an heir.
The Leon before me was both lucky and unlucky.
Lucky, because if he agreed to be tested now, he would discover the curse in time.
With the Lockwood family's vast resources and medical network, he might even have a chance to survive.
Unlucky, because his stubborn pride would never allow him to submit to an examination.
He would extinguish that single sliver of hope with his own hand.
The Healer in me couldn't stay silent.
"Listen to the Healer and get the examination," I said softly, my voice cutting through the silence. "If there's a problem, it can be treated."
Leon's brow twitched. A flicker of panic crossed his face, no doubt afraid that Jenna would expose our past in front of Tessa.
He was overthinking it.
If it weren't for my oath as a Healer...
If I could violate that oath...
I would have preferred he never set foot in this hospital at all. I would have let his inner wolf wither and die when its time came.
