Chapter 14

We arrived at Malcolm's clinic right on time. It was small, but well taken care of; the glass doors with no smudges, the potted plants out front trimmed in an orderly fashion. The front lobby was neat and organized with chairs along the calm, beige colored walls. The receptionist was nice as she signed us in, telling us that the doctor will see us shortly.   

If it weren't for Naja, I would've been scared out of my mind between the nerves and the new environment I was suddenly thrust into. The city was very, very different from the Red Brook pack with tall buildings instead of trees, sidewalks instead of beat-up paths, constant bustle from cars and people instead of the quietness that came with the forest. Still, the change was a bit welcome as I learned I didn't completely hate my new home.

"Augustus?" a woman's voice called, stepping out from a door near the back. She smiled as we stood up. "I'll be assisting Malcolm today," she said cheerily as she led us through the door and into a hallway studded with doors. Private rooms, I assumed.  

"It's good to see you again, Ophelia," Naja said once the door to our private room was closed. "It's been too long."

"It really has!" Ophelia responded, fluttering about the room. "Oh, and August, dear, you can go ahead and sit right there." She nodded to a waist-high examination table, the paper covering crinkling as I hopped up. 

I zoned out as Naja and Ophelia engaged in pleasant conversation and studied my surroundings. Pristine white walls, which held an abstract painting smeared with blues and greens. The tiled floors were a light cream color, and the air was cool and smelled slightly of chemicals. 

We waited a few minutes before Malcolm walked in. He looked professional in his long white lab coat, shiny black shoes and his hair styled away from his forehead. He nodded to me and Naja, clicking the pen in his hands as he began talking. If it weren't for the door closing I never would've notice Ophelia slipping from the room. She shot me a smile, whispering something about preparing the room.  

Echo smirked, stretching in a play bow. She looped lazy circles in my mind, her gait smooth.

I pushed her distracting actions to the side, ignoring her as best I could as Malcolm asked me simple questions. His gray-green eyes didn't waver during this, his gaze directed at me the whole time until he finished. I let an inaudible sigh escape me as he turned away, adjusting his glasses. 

"Everything looks good. We'll be doing the blood draw now, if that is alright." Malcolm shot a quick look at me, and I nodded. I wasn't the biggest fan of needles; I always hated getting shots as a pup. But, I decided to suck it up and focus on the real problem.

We found Ophelia in a different room. My heart dropped to my stomach as I took note of the chair, which sat back at a slight angle with the armrests in a position that would be easy to draw blood. Naja squeezed my shoulder gently.

"It will be over before you know it," she said, remaining by my side as I sat in the chair. 

I avoided looking at Ophelia and Malcolm as they prepared, Ophelia disinfecting the inside of my lower arm and tying a tight strap just above my elbow. She patted my cheek and stepped aside, giving Malcolm clear access to my arm. I reached for Naja's hand unconsciously, a reflex to be comforted by my Alpha, a parental figure. She didn't pull away, which I took as a good sign.

I averted my eyes as Malcolm prepared to pierce my skin with god knows what, but I could have sworn I saw him give me a small smile of reassurance, and I'll admit-- that smile did calm my palpitating heart just enough for me to ignore the pinch of pain that indicated the start of the blood draw.

Naja was right; it only felt like a few moments had passed before Malcolm murmured words of praise, waving a hand to indicate the process was done. 

Echo snorted, sounding amused. 

If wolves could look smug, Echo would be wearing the most annoying expression right now; a look that would fall somewhere between knowing, sly, and pompous. That damn she-wolf will be the death of me one day.

"Augustus!" Naja's voice called, bringing me down to earth.

"Yeah?"

The Alpha snorted. "Daydreaming already, are we? Malcolm has some stuff to tell us."

"Ah, sorry, I was. . ." I tried to explain, but my words dropped off when I couldn't find the right words.

Malcolm gave me a smile-- that damn smile-- and spoke. "The results will come in about a week, as the lab needs time to process and study the blood."

"And then we'll know if. . .?" I let my words hang in the air, my question unspoken. But by the look in Malcolm's eyes, I knew he understood.

"Yes. We will test for any abnormalities, including traces of drugs and other problems that may arise," he explained, putting it in simple wording. "If we find anything, I will notify you immediately and will begin working on a medication, if needed."  

I nodded. "Thank you for everything," I said. "Truly."

"Not a problem, Augustus. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask." He stood up, gesturing me to do the same. 

His voice saying my name sent my skin prickling in a strange, pleasant way. I suddenly felt too shy to meet his eyes, and simply nodded again, following Naja out of the clinic, barely paying any attention when we boarded the bus, and tripping on the curb as we made our way back home.

Echo said slyly.

I snapped.

  she sang, trotting about in my mind.

I shoved Echo back again, and she complied without struggle, going down with her nose pointed up in the air confidently and her tail upright. I rolled my eyes, but couldn't stop the faint bloom of heat rushing to my face.

It wouldn't be too bad to see him again, I suppose.