Rejected Mate's Ascension

Chapter 5. He Will Never Be Yours

The newest Luna that the Moon Goddess graced our pack with knew how to make an entrance. Monica threw the doors of my office open so forcefully, they hit the walls with a twin thud. Then she burst in. My Omega assistant trotted guiltily on her heels, gesticulating wildly and peering at me from huge, terrified eyes. You're my boss, Boss. But she's a Luna. What am I supposed to do?

"Luna Monica?" I rubbed my temples. My plan to hide at the hospital feigning extreme crunch worked for...what? Three hours? Duh. "To which do I owe the pleasure?"

My uninvited visitor's eyes flashed thunder and lightning at me, which was enough of an answer. It had to be related to Harold, because he alone in Grauberg could infuriate a she-wolf this much. Or I was so obsessed with him, I was imagining things. Goddess, I hoped it wasn't about Harold...

I pulled on a peace-making smile worthy of my mom.

"Unfortunately, I'm too busy to chat. If you require urgent care or there is some other problem related to my departure, Dianne can help you with it. She could make an appointment if it requires my attention." I pointed at the Omega, who exhaled in relief. "I, of course, apologize in advance for any inconvenience caused by my resignation."

Monica went right to my desk, digging her gaze into my skull and her stiletto heels into my carpet.

Dammit, this couldn't possibly be medical.

"Let me save your precious time then," she hissed. "Promise me to not get your hopes high with Harold Almarr, and I'll leave."

Of course, this was about Harold. How could it not be? The world revolved around him.

I leaned back in my leather chair and crossed my arms on my chest. "Fine, no high hopes. Actually, no hopes whatsoever. I checked them all at the door before I pledged with Harold. Satisfied?"

"You lie!"

I shrugged. "I don't know what would please you, but you have another minute. After that I'm calling security."

Monica's lips twisted into a snarl. "Why don't you call the sheriff too, since he's your pledged mate now?"

"Forty seconds," I said, waving for Dianne to stop standing there with her mouth ajar and alert the security. Heck, call Harold too, as Monica had suggested, since this little drama seemed to be the latest addition to the long list of things he was guilty of. He might as well come here and sort out his mess...and I would get to hear his deep voice, check if the new dawn still glimmered in his eyes, inhale his scent...

Okay, on second thought, security would be better, even if it put them in an awkward position of ordering a Luna around. Harold wasn't great for my already raw nerves.

"I'm onto your game, Thornback," Monica growled.

"Thornback? What are you, fifteen?"

She planted her arms onto my desk, leaning forward. "It's only the truth. You never changed, so why should your name?" Her heavy breathing, strained tendons in her neck and bulging veins indicated she was one step away from an uncontrollable shift.

"Because I've earned a different one by working my ass off. I'm Julia the Doc now." Luna or not, she couldn't just barge in and steal it from me.

Monica swept my corner office with a long look as if realizing for the first time she was in an executive space of a hospital's administrator. Then her pink lips pinched. "But you threw it all away for a man who wants you as his smoke screen, didn't you?"

"Wrong. I might have resigned, but I never stopped being a doctor. I can even write you a prescription for juvenile incontinence with shifting, if you wish." I reached for my prescription pad. "Never saw the symptoms in an adult Luna, but there's a first time for everything. You're on the verge."