VERA

one

"So, do you have any idea what's been going on, doctor?"

The blonde-haired green-eyed girl who had just freshly turned seventeen, sat in the corner of the examination bed in a hospital gown. She crinkled the paper lining the bed and swung her legs around, her cheeks burning in embarrassment.

The doctor nodded. "After a very thorough exam, I've concluded that nothing out of the ordinary is wrong with her."

Vera looked up at her mother and her doctor hopefully. "Really?"

"Mhm. You're just presenting, meaning you're transitioning from the scent of your father to your own, which you know is nothing to worry about. It does make you more fertile and your scent is very strong, despite its variation. Could happen to any female wolf under the age of 20. You'll have your own scent in no time." The doctor stood from the stool she was sitting on and folded her hands in front of her, giving Vera a reassuring smile. "You're fine."

Vera was grateful for that info and was even more grateful to wrap up this appointment, but then her mother chimed in.

"About how long do you think her transition will take? I've caught her in some...questionable situations with some boys as of late."

Vera covered her face with her hands and let out a long groan. "Mother-!"

Her mother tucked her own blonde locks behind her ear and then raised her hands in the air in mock surrender. "Just telling her what I saw!"

"Well you saw wrong! Dad was helping me train and I fell on top of Carter by accident! We were just sparring!"

"Regardless of all that," the doctor interjected before there was a family feud between the mother and daughter, "presenting can take between three weeks and a year. But it's rare for it to surpass four weeks. My guess for Vera is two weeks, but it wouldn't hurt to prepare for a few more."

Vera's mother stood and shook the doctor's hand. "Thank you, Dr. Kelin."

Vera gave the doctor a quick smile as she left the room. Once the door was shut, she sighed and started to redress herself under the gown. "Mother, can you refrain from telling the entire world my business? I fell on Carter by accident!"

Her mother nodded. "Yes, I will keep it to myself. But you can't hide the fact that Carter sneaks into the house when you both think I'm asleep."

The girl gasped and turned tomato red. "Wait, you knew!?"

Her mother smirked. "I know everything. Now hurry and get dressed so we can go home."

The walk home was quick and Vera and her mother didn't speak, for there was no need to. As they walked from Dr. Kelin's practice to their home, they passed the training grounds. All of the young wolves trained there, except for herself, as the alpha forbade it. The most she could do was watch from the fence.

She slowed her pace to watch the girls sparring. Their form was impeccable and there was one fighter she enjoyed watching every time she decided to stick around. She didn't know her name, but her long, deep auburn-colored hair was distinctive enough for her.

She was the best in her class, clearly, and even the alpha sometimes came to watch her train. She found herself green with envy at that. She would never know if she was good enough to spar with the girl because the alpha refused to let her train with the others. The upside is that the alpha had a hand in training her himself, no matter how brutal it was.

She felt a hand gently rest on her lower back and she looked up at her mother, who sighed and smiled softly.

"One day, Vera. For now, come along."

When they reached their home, they saw Carter sitting on the doorstep. He stood as the pair approached and Vera looked down and blushed, causing her mother to laugh a bit.

When they stood a few feet away, Carter slightly bowed, a sign of respect. "Good evening, ma'am!"

"Hello, Carter. What brings you here?"

"The alpha demands that Vera come to his office immediately. I will walk her home afterwards." The boy looked at Vera and blushed, scratching the back of his neck nervously.

Vera's mother sighed. "She'll be late for supper, but very well. Make sure you bring her straight home. No shenanigans."

"Yes, ma'am!" Carter grinned and stood beside Vera, watching as her mother started walking towards the door.

"Oh, and Carter?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Ensure that next time you enter my house, it's through the front door and not my daughter's window."

Vera groaned and stared at the ground as if it was the most interesting thing she could look st in the moment.

The boy's cheeks turned even redder and he nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

Vera's mother nodded and glided into the house, shutting the door behind her. The two young wolves started towards the alpha's part of town which was back past the doctor's office, so they had plenty of time to chat.

"Um, how did she find out? Did you tell her?"

Vera gasped, offended. "I would never do that!"

"Hey, I was just asking. I just hope she doesn't tell the alpha. He'll kill me for messing around with you."

Vera rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well he can eat shit, then. He can't tell me who I can and cannot be with."

"I don't want to cross him, okay? He can do whatever he wants with me and nobody can stop him, so I'd rather not invoke his wrath."

The girl looked up at the boy with her big, green eyes. "I understand." Carter gave her a sad smile. It was obvious they wanted to hold each other, but they were in public, so they just kept walking.

When they reached the alpha's office, Carter led her inside the building and told her to wait a few paces away, as it was custom for guests to wait until the alpha cleared them to come in.

Carter knocked on the alpha's door and entered. Vera waited until Carter gave her the okay and she walked in, leaving Carter to stand guard outside.

The office wasn't huge or extravagant. It was big enough for a meeting of about five people and it had one big oak desk where the alpha currently sat.

The girl gave a small curtsy and waited for the alpha to acknowledge her presence.

After a few moments, he looked up from what he was doing and gave her a half smile, allowing her to sit.

"My dear daughter, how have you been?"