“This woman is so full of herself; no wonder she’s spent her whole life as nothing more than a rounds doctor,” the old man growled, still fuming. I couldn’t help the small laugh that bubbled up; then I looked at him and said, “It’s fine. From now on, your treatment’s on me. You won’t have to worry about a thing.” His sharp features softened into a warm, almost grandfatherly smile. “Such a kind girl… here, this is my card. Call me whenever you want. Oh, and tell me—do you have a boyfriend?” Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Aiden’s sharp gaze and smiled. “Alpha, I do.” Only then did the old man notice Aiden standing quietly to the side. His face flushed with embarrassment, and he let out an awkward laugh. “Ah, I thought you were single. I was going to introduce you to my most promising grandson… but never mind, never mind. Young people these days have their own plans.” Aiden, who’d been silent this whole time, suddenly stood; there was an edge to his voice that wasn’t hard to miss. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be taking Raelyn home. She’s still recovering.” The old man, sharp as ever, nodded quickly. “Of course; get her home and let her rest.” With that, Aiden took my hand and led me out of the hospital. We were walking along the quiet street when he suddenly said, “Raelyn.” I startled slightly. “What is it?” “When can you be my Luna?” I let out a dry laugh. “Didn’t I say we’d talk about mating after I find my mom?” He clearly wasn’t satisfied. “Then we get engaged first. Once we find her, we mate.” “Why the sudden rush? I remember you promising me you’d wait.” Before I could react, he had me pinned against the wall, his arms caging me in. “I don’t want any other wolf looking at you,” he said, voice low and rough. “I want everyone to know you’re mine—Aiden’s mate.” For a moment, I froze. Was I not giving him enough of a sense of security? “Do you want to be engaged to me?” I asked softly. Under the dim glow of the streetlights, I couldn’t make out his face; but I could see the spark in his eyes.“Yes,” he said. “Then let’s do it,” I whispered. “As soon as we get home, we’ll get engaged.” “Good,” he murmured. Malia’s POV: I stormed out of the hospital room, my chest tight with anger. I’d only taken a few steps down the corridor when a familiar figure caught my eye. “Senior?” At the corner near the ward, Andrix turned his head. His face lit up with surprise and warmth. “Malia? What a coincidence. It’s been ages. So, this is where you’re working.” He walked over and gently patted my head, the same way he always used to. Looking at the man I’d been secretly in love with for years, my heart leapt. “Senior, what brings you to Veloria all of a sudden?” “Work,” Andrix said simply, glancing at his watch. “But it’s all taken care of now.” I nodded, feeling my pulse quicken, my long-buried feelings roaring back to life. “Then… if you’re free, maybe I could treat you to dinner?” He looked at me for a moment before smiling softly. “Sure.” I could barely contain my excitement as I led him to a small restaurant near the hospital. Sitting across from him, sharing a meal, made all the humiliation from earlier melt away. My mood lifted; everything felt lighter. “Malia, how have you been lately?” he asked. I ducked my head shyly. “Pretty good. The hospital promoted me to director. I think… I think I’ll catch up to you soon.” “But, I’m not a doctor anymore.” The words hit me like a slap. I stared at him, stunned, unable to believe it. “What? Why?” Andrix sighed, the weight of his disappointment written all over his face. “Because… my eldest brother and Raelyn never liked me. To avoid them, I had to sell the hospital. I even joined another company just to stay out of their way.” I looked at his handsome face, my chest aching with sympathy—and something darker, sharper. “Don’t think too much about it. The pain you’ve endured… someone will make sure it’s paid back.” His lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s fine. I’ve gotten used to it. Besides, I’ve already accepted the reality of it.” I clenched my fists under the table, unable to agree. Rage from earlier surged back, hot and sharp. “Why should you have to swallow it? I thought your brother was a good man; I didn’t expect him to side with that Omega, Raelyn, to bully you.” His brows lifted slightly, surprised. “You have a history with Raelyn?” Just hearing her name made my blood boil. “You have no idea. Back when we were overseas, I was the one who found Senior Tempest first. But no—he picked Raelyn as his apprentice instead. Said it was fate. Fate? Please. She must have bribed him behind my back. I can’t stand her.” “I see,” Andrix said, as though a light had finally clicked on. He looked at me, his tone warm. “Malia, if anyone bullies you, tell me. Don’t keep it bottled up.” The warmth in his voice sent a thrill through me. I smiled brightly. “Don’t worry, I won’t. And you—no one will lay a finger on you as long as I’m here.” Whoever dared hurt my Andrix would pay dearly. The next morning, I was called to the director’s office. “Malia, there’s something I need to ask you,” the director said, his tone low, simmering with restrained anger. My stomach sank. “What is it?” “Do you know what happened with the patient in Room 360? Someone sent over two banners today.” My heart leapt; for a moment, I actually felt a flicker of hope. “Really? Are they praising me?” The director gave a cold, humorless laugh. “See for yourself.” I looked down… and froze. The first banner read: “Ms. Beck A Healer With a Kind Heart.” The second banner screamed in bold, damning letters: “Malia, The Quack Who Harms Patients.” Humiliation burned hot and sharp through my chest, my face twisting. “Sir, this is blatant humiliation!”His lips curled into a thin, cold smile. “Do you have any idea who sent those banners? Veloria’s wealthiest man. The Alpha of the Voltclaw Pack. Do you think you can afford to offend someone like him?” My mouth opened, but no words came out. “I…” “So, here’s what you’re going to do,” the director cut in, voice like ice. “You’re going to swallow your pride, and you’re going to apologize to the old man. If you don’t, and he decides he doesn’t want you here, even I won’t be able to save your job.” His words hit like a warning bell, sharp and cold. “I understand, Sir.”