Opal

5 ☾ A slow death

     I walk slowly, my hands in the pockets of my enormous winter jacket. The thing swallows me whole, and I enjoy it. It's like a big, fuzzy cocoon. I trample my way through the fluffy snow. It's hard to see with the sun reflecting off of the snow. I have no energy left in my bones, and the cold from the breeze seems to soak into my skin.

     I can hardly focus on the horizon, or where I'm going. I forget that I'm on my way to work several times, having to stop and remember what it is I'm doing while I stand there in the blizzard.

     Not sure what's wrong, I keep going with my head and heart pounding. I stop to take a break as I lean against a tree. I didn't know that simply walking around could hinder my strength so much. Or that I could get so confused so young. I'm basically an old person.

     When I get into Doctor Melbourne's office, the wind has picked up, and it's difficult to close the door. The slab of wood slams shut with my effort. I shiver, and turn when I sense eyes on me. My boss stands behind me, an amused grin on her face.

     "Cold?" She muses, rummaging through her medicine cabinet as a fire crackles in the fireplace in the back. Warmth, finally. I sigh in relief, happy to be somewhere safe so I can rest.

     "A little, yeah." I laugh shakily. The lycan Doctor chuckles with me, going back to her work without another word. It's extremely cold this morning, and I try to convince myself that it's the only reason I almost didn't get out of bed this morning. Although, I know the real reason, I'm just too afraid to think about it.

     I fall in line next to Melbourne, doing all the daily chores that are required of me, which isn't much. It's a small pack, and it's mostly made up of lycans who rarely need treatment of any kind. Curse those immortal creatures. I'm not jealous, not at all.

     I huddle closer to the fire, reverently reading a book alongside the light, soaking up the knowledge while I bask in the heat. Though I've always loved helping other with injuries, I'm mostly studying childbirth and pregnancy. With the increasing number of mates in the pack, there are more pups being born.

     Of course, Doctor Melbourne knows a lot about it, it's still important for me to be trained in it as well.

     I glance up at Doctor Melbourne, who is now typing quickly on her laptop. I feel uneasy, and I have way too many questions. Questions that could reveal my secrets. But, I've convinced myself that they're necessary.

     I clear my throat. My boss glances up.

     "I have a question." I mumble, and Melbourne smiles. She always encourages my curiosity. She just doesn't know that these questions are important to my survival. I gulp nervously.

     "It's about mates, like Lycan mates? What happens if a lycan meets their mate but doesn't... claim them? Is it dangerous?" I wonder out loud, hoping it doesn't sound too suspicious, all the while knowing that it does. Doctor Melbourne is hundreds of years old, she's not stupid.