Chapter 95

Ella POV

I arrived at the doctor’s office in the capital early Monday morning, feeling far more nervous than I should have. It was just a physical—simple, routine. But the fact that I was meeting with one of Alexander’s doctors to double-check my own physician’s work made the whole experience feel unsettling.

I didn't really expect her to find anything. Yet if Dr. Bowman, my doctor since birth, had betrayed me, I wasn’t sure how I’d react. I couldn’t imagine him intentionally harming me.

I was still a few steps from the reception desk when a side door opened abruptly, and a firm female voice called out, “Ella Rowan. The doctor will see you now.”

I walked toward the door, offering a tentative smile at the nurse, who was still focused on her clipboard. “Down this hallway, last room on the left,” she instructed, barely looking up. “The doctor will join you shortly. Please change into the gown in the room.”

I listened to her directions, thanking her as we walked. “Of course,” she responded, with a polite but professional smile. “The wait won’t be long.”

I nodded, determined to keep my stride steady until I reached the door. There, my steps faltered as nerves hit me with renewed force. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The room was stark white, with medical charts on the walls and a metal-topped counter across from the examination table. A plain white hospital gown lay on the table, waiting. Quickly, I stripped off my clothes, folded them neatly, and put on the gown, tying it closed at the back.

Just as I finished, the door opened, and a woman in a long white lab coat entered. She was tall and slim, with sharp, intelligent eyes behind horn-rimmed glasses. She gave a nod of acknowledgment. “Miss Rowan. Thank you for being so prompt.”

“I don’t like to keep people waiting,” I said, feeling a bit self-conscious as I sat on the edge of the table. “And I appreciate you doing this.”

“Of course,” she replied briskly. “I’ll listen to your heart and check a few vitals, then we can discuss my recommendations.”

I perched stiffly on the table’s edge, trying to focus on her instructions as she moved around me, adjusting my arm, tilting my chin. Yet my mind kept drifting. What if she did find something wrong? What if I was sicker than I realized? What if it was already too late?

“Miss Rowan?” The doctor’s voice jolted me back. “How long has your wolf been dormant?”

I blinked, pulling myself together. “It’s been about two years,” I replied.

“That’s a substantial amount of time,” she said thoughtfully. “But not too long. I believe I agree with your doctor’s assessment—it may be possible for you to recover your wolf, as you seem to be in good health. Alpha Black tells me that you’ve eliminated the source of the poisoning that was keeping it dormant. Is that true?”

“Yes, that’s true,” I replied, surprised by how much Alexander had shared with her. But I supposed it made sense; she could only help me if she understood the full extent of the situation.

She pressed a cold stethoscope to my back, taking a quiet moment to listen to my lungs before stepping back with a thoughtful expression. “Your doctor suggested occupational therapy. Is that correct?”

“That’s right,” I said. “He seemed to believe it could help.”

“It can in some cases,” she agreed, “but I’d like to recommend something in addition to the therapy.”

“What is it?” I asked eagerly. “I’m willing to do anything to get my wolf back.”

She nodded. “I suggest that you start exercising regularly.”

I stared at her in confusion. I had been an athlete in school and had always stayed fit, so the recommendation seemed odd—it wasn’t as though I needed to lose weight.

She smiled slightly. “Strengthening your body will help strengthen your wolf as well,” she explained. “Remember, your wolf is a part of you, not a separate entity. When you’re stronger, she’s stronger. And she’ll need her strength to emerge from this dormant state.”

“I see,” I said, smiling. “That makes sense. Thank you for doing this and for giving me some hope.”

“Of course.” She nodded. “Now, Alpha Black is waiting for you. He told me to send you on to this address when you were finished.” She handed me a small notecard with an address written neatly across it. “It’s not far from here.”

“Thank you,” I replied, taking the card.

The doctor nodded once more. “I’ll give you some privacy to get dressed. When you’re ready, you can exit the way you came.”

With that, she left the room. I quickly dressed and then entered the address into my phone. It was a short walk, so I decided not to call for a ride.

When I stepped out of the office, James was waiting on the sidewalk, his posture alert. He had insisted on walking me here but agreed to wait outside for privacy.

He’d been more cautious since the incident with David, and I couldn’t blame him. Honestly, I was relieved that Alexander had kept James as my bodyguard—he and I had grown close, and I would’ve hated for him to be held responsible for what happened.

James smiled when he saw me, moving to walk beside me as we started down the sidewalk.

“Alexander’s waiting for me somewhere nearby, apparently,” I said, handing him the note card.

“Oh,” James said thoughtfully, glancing at the address. “That’s the gym.”

“The gym?” I repeated, surprised. “Why would Alexander want to meet me there?”

James shrugged. “Many members of our pack use this gym. He might be finishing a workout and figured he’d meet you there.”

“Maybe,” I said, considering it. I hadn’t pictured Alexander as someone who worked out regularly, but of course, a physique like his wasn’t maintained by sitting in an office all day.

James led me easily to the gym, a plain brick building. Inside, the scent of lemon and soap greeted us. The gym’s decor was simple and clean, and all the equipment looked brand new.

I scanned the room and immediately spotted Alexander on the far side of the floor. As James and I approached, I noticed a few others joining him, all of them watching us with interest.

“What’s going on?” I asked Alexander once I was close enough to speak in a normal tone.

“I spoke to the doctor this morning before your appointment,” he replied. “She mentioned that if all went well, she’d recommend an exercise regimen to help strengthen your wolf. So, I thought I’d get a head start by meeting my team here.”

“Your team?” I asked, a bit confused.

“My personal trainers,” he clarified, gesturing to the three people nearby. “They work with many members of the pack. I trust them.”

I took in the group: a petite woman with white-blonde hair, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a shaved head, and a young man with tawny skin and a lean, muscular build.

“So, you’re saying you want to set up a workout regimen for me?” I asked, raising an eyebrow in exaggerated offense.

Alexander chuckled. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. But don’t worry—I’ve never asked you to do something I wouldn’t do myself. I’ll join you for the first few workouts to help you get into it.”

Heat rose to my cheeks. The thought of working out with Alexander made me both nervous and excited, and the teasing glint in his eye didn’t help.

Not wanting to let him see how flustered I felt, I smirked back. “We’ll see if you can keep up with me,” I challenged.