The Pack Doctor's Mate

Chapter 7

One month later...

I always thought it was weird how mates would meet and just throw caution into the wind. All of a sudden, they fall completely for this stranger and their whole world changes. It never quite made sense to me.

Now, I understand how they felt, because I feel it too.

It's crazy to think that a little over a month ago, I was simply a Pack Doctor. My life was filled only with medical duties. Now, I feel like so much more than that. With Blake came a side of myself I never knew existed. Instead of being satisfied with my mundane, blood filled life, I now want so much more from this life.

He makes me feel beautiful, which is something I always struggled with. As a PD, there really isn't anyone to try and impress. Why put on make up to bandage wounds and straighten bones? While I still don't feel the need to look nice at work, I have noticed that my deep-settled insecurities are fading away.

He's also ignited a spark of adventure I never knew I possessed. Just last week, Blake and I spent a few days up in the mountains. We hiked, let our wolves run, and did all sorts of new things together. I was hesitant about leaving the hospital at first, but Demitri insisted that I deserved a break, and Val assured me that the other doctors and nurses could handle everything. It was the best break ever, and I might have to request a few more of them in the future.

Today is our first day back, just in time for the celebration of our Alpha and Luna's anniversary. Most packs don't celebrate such human customs, but in the Dark Night pack, we are all more than happy to celebrate the union of our two leaders. It is also a great excuse to have a big party, something we love doing as social creatures.

I make my way through the crowded streets, looking for the golden couple to give them my well wishes and catch up. I haven't seen them much in the past month.  All of my free time went to getting to know Blake, and helping him find his place within the pack.  After his release from the hospital, he started training under Beta Samuel as a pack warrior.  I learned so much about him in such a short time.  His favorite pastime is going for a run in the rain, brown is his favorite color (just like my eyes, he says), and he has a mischievous streak that keeps me on my toes. 

I spot Ara's short, dark hair and head that direction. She's surrounded by three other women, but seeing me approach, she excuses herself and runs to me.

"Mae! How were the mountains? Where's Blake?" She asks all at once. A few months ago, her questions would have overwhelmed me, but I've grown used to her excited nature. She's really bloomed so much in the past year and a half.

"Ara! Congratulations on another year! The mountains were stunning, we had a wonderful trip. And he's around here somewhere, I think he wanted to find Theo and catch up a bit before coming." I inform her, trying to keep up with all that she's asked.

"Ah, I see the bromance is still going strong." A new voice muses.

I turn to see another good friend approaching, her mate in tow.

"Freya! Samuel!" I greet with a large smile, turning towards the couple. In the past month, we all became closer, and actually got on the first name basis Freya so determinedly pushed for.

"The mountains were as beautiful as ever, I'm assuming?" She grins.

"Oh, yes! It was incredible." I gush, remembering the way the sun looked over the green peaks.

"I knew they would be!" She laughs. She was the one who recommended we go there, and even set it all up for us. Clearly, she's proud of her success.

"Not everything is about you," Samuel says teasingly, speaking for the first time.

She turns to him in mock hurt.

"What?" She puts her hand over her heart. "That's not what you said last night." She says with a smirk.

That shuts him up, and he tries to hide his flaming cheeks by looking at the ground, but we all see the sheepish smile he wears.

"I'm going to pretend I did not just hear that," a disgusted Demitri says. He walks over and throws his arm around an amused Ara, pulling her into his chest.

"Oh please, we've all heard much worse from the two of you," Freya says accusingly.

Now it's their turn to look embarrassed.

"In fact, we've all h-" She's cut off as Samuel throws his hand over her mouth, just in time. She shoots him a playful glare.

"I apologize for my mouthy mate," he tells us all, removing his hand once he's sure she won't continue.

"As I was saying-"

"Goddess woman!" He says in exasperation, before covering her lips with his own.

When they pull back, she stares up at him dreamily, all previous conversation forgotten.

"I might have to do that more often," she says breathlessly.

The rest of us just laugh at Samuel's expense. She's wild at the best of times, but they're perfect for each other.

In my laughter, I take a step back, but don't realize my mistake until I'm slipping towards the hard ground.

A pair of strong arms wind around me, pulling me upright into a hard, familiar chest.

"Shhh...it's okay. I've got you." A smooth voice reassures in my ear.

I smile at the words I spoke so long ago.

The other two couples look on as I turn to face my own mate.

"Hi," I say softly, enraptured by his baby blues, just like the first time.

"Hello gorgeous," he retorts. He leaves a sweet peck on my lips, before leaning down even further and leaving a heavy kiss on his mark.

A delightful shudder encases my body at his actions.

Even though we've shared a month's worth of kisses, each one is just like the first.

He pulls back, a knowing smile on his pink lips.

We pull away from each other and turn towards our friends, just now remembering that we aren't alone. They all wear the same expression as they look at us. It says, "I know how you feel."

Joy fills my heart at the four in front of me, especially the one behind me. A month ago, I didn't have such close friends, if any at all. I sure as Hell didn't have such an amazing mate. But now, here I am, surrounded by my closest friends, in the arms of the man of my dreams. It surely has been a weird month, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Who knows what's next.

Apparently, Freya does.

"Race you to the cake!" She yells, before turning and sprinting off.

We all exchange happy glances before running off behind her.

^^^^^^^^^^

And so it's done!

I got this idea randomly one day about giving Mae her own mate. After all, she was there throughout Ara's story, and even Freya's. Why not give her a happy ending too? I wanted it to be different from the other two. Their stories are raw and full of struggle. I intentionally made hers a little vanilla as a change of pace. Every love story is different, ya know?  She's a sweetheart that deserves a sweet little mate as well.  If you haven't read the previous books, go check them out!  Ara's story is called Little Red.  And Freya's story is still in the works, it's called Phoenix Song.  I'll see ya there!

Until next time,

Jo