Chapter 2 The Assignment

Tori

"Good morning, Tori. How was your evening?" I had just walked onto the unit and was heading for the nurse's station to put my bag down when I heard Tammy, a fellow newcomer nurse and my best friend, greet me.

"Morning, Tammy. It was good. I spent it with my father at the lake. How was yours?" She stood there grinning like an alley cat before throwing her left hand in my face. I grabbed it, thinking she would swat at me, when I saw a bright, glittery flash.

"Oh my God, he did it!" I looked at her left finger and saw the diamond reflecting the fluorescent lights. It was beautiful, a princess-cut stone surrounded by smaller green stones in a platinum setting. "Congratulations, it's beautiful!" She smiled brightly and giggled a bit before returning her hand to look at it herself.

"Thank you! He took me to our favorite little restaurant and then surprised me by taking me to the county fair. He knelt atop the Ferris wheel and popped the question under the full moon. Eric was so romantic!" She sighed as if remembering the moment, then looked at me with a questioning look. I sadly smiled in return and sat down at the desk. She gently pulled up a chair and sat next to me. Have you spoken to him lately? Gently rubbing my arm, her voice was soft and apologetic.

No, I called and left a message last week, but he hasn't returned it yet. Not even a text. I have no idea what happened. I guess it just wasn't meant to be." I smiled at her and began grabbing charts to review the notes from the last shift. Tammy sat there a moment longer, giving my arm a supportive squeeze, then started working on her charts. "Don't worry, he'll come around. Maybe he had an emergency.

Tammy and I were roommates in nursing school. It was a rocky start, but once we understood the little personality quirks, things improved. Five years later, we graduated at the top of our class, specializing in the burn unit. We both worked our asses off, helping, tutoring, and supporting each other so we could apply to Hidden Falls Medical Center. It was a top-ranked trauma center in the southern US-our dream job. Luckily, in our final year of school, an internship in the burn unit opened up, and with the help of a family friend, we both applied. Unable to choose, they created two internship positions. We were both ecstatic. We would be working together at the best hospital in the south.

Tammy was like a sister to me, and I was like a sister to her. She was there for me when my mother died of breast cancer in our second year of school. She was also my rock this past year, when the guy I was dating suddenly disappeared without a word. I thought we were doing well, getting closer, and progressing in our relationship, but apparently, I was wrong. She keeps telling me I am worth so much more and that he misses out on the best thing he'll ever get. Her encouragement made me smile and feel better, enough to get me through my day.

I spent the next hour walking through my patients' rooms, checking vitals, and adjusting their bedding. I had five burn patients under my care. I would measure their healing progress and change their bandages. After administering my patients' morning medications, I returned to my desk and prepared for an incoming transfer.

About an hour later, our new patient was settled into their room, and all the necessary IVs and medications were in place. With my checklist completed and satisfied, I quietly left the room, closing the door behind me.

Time passed quickly as the nurse tended to the patient's needs. Only immediate family could visit for an hour, wearing gowns, masks, and gloves. After explaining the reasoning, they obliged. Later, Dr. MacDonald visited and asked about the health of my father, who is still grieving the loss of my mother. We sat there briefly, discussing the internship and how Tammy and I were settling into the new ward. Once again, I thank him for the opportunity and assistance in securing this position. He replied that he was happy to help and glad that I was doing well in the new place. He starts to stand up, then hesitates and turns to me.

"Tori..." I turned to look at him, and his expression was apprehensive and questioning.

"Yes? Something wrong?" I asked, concerned.

"No, no. I am just wondering something." I looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to explain.

Something has come up, and I'd like to discuss it with you. Would you mind coming to my office after your shift today?"

"Of course, Dr. MacDonald. I should arrive around 3:30. He nods his head and stands.

"That will be fine, thank you." He smiled one more time, turned, and walked off. I watched him leave and wondered what that was about. Mrs. Nixon interrupted my thoughts by stepping behind the desk and dropping several charts before me.

"If you're done gossiping now, maybe you could update some of your charts, hmm?" She turned and walked away before I had a chance to reply. Shaking my head at the blatant rudeness of my charge nurse, I grabbed a chart and began reviewing the notes, jotting down my findings.

About an hour later, I finished my chart review and began my afternoon check on my patients. I was dispensing their medication and lunch as ordered by their physicians. I went in to check on our new patient and saw that he was still unconscious, but his vital signs were good. Slowly and carefully, I inspected his wounds and their healing progress and changed any soaked bandages. All in all, he was doing quite well.

I returned to the desk to complete my final notes and prepare my report for the next shift. I saw Tammy walk in and sit next to me. She had tears in her eyes and a frown.

"Tammy? What happened?" She turned to me slowly and took a deep breath.

Mrs. Campbell has just passed away. Shaking her head, she let a tear fall, and a quiet sob left her.

"Oh Tammy, I'm so sorry. " I put a supporting hand on her shoulder and held her hand. It took her a moment to compose herself before she dried her tears. Half an hour later, Tammy finished her reports and returned them to the rack.

"Hey Tori, after a long emotional day, we need a night out. What ya think?" She had a slightly cheery and hopeful look on her face. I was tired and unsure I wanted to go out, but if it made her friend feel better, she was all in.

"Sure, that sounds great. You could even bring Eric as our bodyguard." Her face brightened at that.

"That sounds like a good idea. I'll give him a call and let him know."

"I'll catch up with you later. I have a meeting with Dr. MacDonald after the shift."

Okay, I'll call you later around 8.

"Sounds good, see you later!" Tammy walked off towards the locker rooms, and Tori grabbed her bag and headed to the elevator for the ride up to the executive offices' fifth floor. Once there, she stepped out and walked down the hallway toward her mentor's office. Just before arriving, she overheard a bizarre phone conversation he was having, and suddenly a knot formed in her gut.

"Yes, Alpha, I'll talk to her soon and share all the details. I believe her background will be invaluable." There was a brief pause as he responded to questions. "I'll call you tomorrow with an answer. I hope so... I'll do my best. Goodbye, Alpha." She heard the phone placed in the cradle and hesitated, wondering whether to enter. Alpha? Who was he speaking to? Her mind raced, questioning which Alpha it could be and if this meeting was related.

Realizing she had been standing there for too long, she raised her hand slowly, took a breath, and knocked on the door. There was a brief pause, and then he answered.

"Come in," he said lowly. Tori pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Hello, Doctor. You wanted to see me? He turned, flashed her a big smile, and walked towards her.

"Tori! Yes, yes, please come in. Have a seat. Can I get you anything? Tea, water, coffee?" He was a bit anxious but genuinely friendly.

"Water will be fine, thank you." She sat in front of his large wooden desk and placed her bag on the floor at her feet. A moment later, he appeared with a water bottle and handed it to her.

"Thank you." She accepted the bottle and opened the cap. She took a large gulp, trying to calm her nerves before speaking.

"How was your shift today?" he asked, sitting at his desk and clasping his hands together.

"It went very well. I'm grateful for the opportunity, thank you. He smiled at that and nodded his head.

"Wonderful! I'm glad to hear it", he responded almost absent-mindedly. Tori grew a little uncomfortable and shifted in her seat. He started fidgeting in his seat, grabbing papers and stacking them neatly on his desk.

"Tori...." He started after taking a deep breath.

"Doctor...Gregory...is there something wrong? Is that why you wanted to see me?" He shook his head and slowly looked up before hesitantly continuing.

"Tori....I asked you here to ask for your help." Pausing, he took a sip of his water and sighed. ".... a friend of mine is having trouble caring for his nephew. He was caught in a fire about a year ago and has been dealing with the aftermath since."

"Oh my, that's terrible," Tori responded, her heart breaking for the family. "Is he...."

"The victim is his 25-year-old nephew, son of his late brother, who died in the same fire."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Gregory. What can I do?" He smiled at her. She was such a sweet young lady, always there to help a friend in need. Putting everyone before herself, doing whatever she could. However, she may change her mind, or even regret what he asks of her. He knows Tori has a past similar to his friend's and that she has been trying to avoid being anywhere near that circle, but he can think of no other way to help in this situation. Hopefully, she will set that aside, draw on her nurturing nature, and allow it to be.

"My friend, Colton, has no idea how to help his nephew out of his depression. He's had several specialists come and sit with him, but he refuses to talk to anyone. He was in a coma for six months and another three months, learning to walk and talk again. Although he is still undergoing physical therapy, he has made significant strides in his physical recovery. It's more his mental capacity we're concerned about." Tori sat silent, waiting for him to continue, wondering how she could help. He said the nephew was doing well, regaining his physical strength, but his mental capacity needed help. This was not her expertise, but the next thing out of his mouth stunned her and explained why all in one breath.

Alpha Colton formally requests your assistance with his nephew, the soon-to-be Alpha Ronin of the Hidden Falls Pack.

Tori was frozen in her seat. She felt like the breath had been knocked out of her lungs. Alpha? Hidden Falls Pack? She thought she had left that world behind when her mother took her and ran from her biological father over 18 years ago! That world. The werewolf world. She'd never thought of looking for it, let alone walking back willingly into it, and yet, here she was, being asked by a close friend to go to the pack and help a wolf, an Alpha, return to his former self so that he could take back control of his birth pack. His rightful place since his father's passing. Her friend asked her to use her inner healing abilities to help his nephew.

She recalled fragments of her life with the wolves. Her father, Merrick, was the Alpha, and her mother, mated to him, became the Luna. They had a whirlwind romance that led to Tori's birth. However, her mother struggled with the restrictions imposed on her and Merrick's infidelity. One night, after finding Merrick in his office with another woman, she decided to leave. She packed a bag, dressed Tori warmly, and fled during one of Merrick's drunken episodes.

Since then, Tori and her mother have moved around until they found a place where she feels comfortable and safe. That's when they met Gregory. Her mother had applied for a nursing job at a small medical clinic in a tiny town, where Gregory was the department head, hours away from where they had fled. He took an immediate liking to her and hired her on the spot. Their friendship grew over the years, and he introduced her to a friend who would become her now-stepfather; they clicked right away. They married a couple of years later and have been happy ever since. He accepted her like his own daughter. Her stepfather, Chase, and her mother, Sara, were unable to have children, so Chase spoiled Tori. Ensured she was loved and cared for, provided with everything she could want or need. He was her support system while she was in college and after her mother passed two years ago.

But here she was, being asked to return to that world willingly to help an Alpha return to his former glory. Could she? Did she want to? Can she hold back her prejudices to help a person in need? She would need some time to think about it.

"Can you tell me about him?" She asked quietly.

"He only woke up three months ago. Physical therapy sessions are held four times a week, and they have tried to get him to speak with a therapist, but he hasn't been cooperative. That's where you come in. You have experience with burn victims and their emotional states. He refuses to discuss what happened, and they want to ensure he is stable enough to lead the pack. He hasn't properly mourned the loss of his father, and his mother is lost in her own grief, so she is of no help either."

Tori sat there, contemplating the situation and wondering if it was a good idea to accept the task. Furthermore, her unique ability to heal would be incredibly beneficial. She closed her eyes and shook her head slightly.

"I assume I would be staying at the house with him. What about my job here at the hospital? I worked hard to earn that position, and I don't want to give it up. How long will I be there?" Gregory rose from his desk and moved to sit in the chair beside Tori. He smiled softly at her and sighed.

"Yes, you will stay in the packhouse on the same floor as him and continue working here at the hospital. There's no need to worry about that." He took her hands in his and gently patted them. "I know this is a lot to ask, considering your past. But..." He looked down, taking a deep breath before continuing, "...I wouldn't ask if I didn't think you were the best person for the job. You have such a gentle and caring nature, as well as the patience of a saint! I truly believe you will achieve incredible things and help him overcome his depression, bringing him back to lead his pack." Tori looked down, worried, before she responded. "He only woke up three months ago. Physical therapy sessions are held four times a week, and they have tried to get him to speak with a therapist, but he hasn't been cooperative. That's where you come in. You have experience with burn victims and their emotional states. He refuses to discuss what happened, and they want to ensure he is stable enough to lead the pack. He hasn't properly mourned the loss of his father, and his mother is lost in her own grief, so she is of no help either."

Tori sat there, contemplating the situation and wondering if it was a good idea to accept the task. Furthermore, her unique ability to heal would be incredibly beneficial. She closed her eyes and shook her head slightly.

"I assume I would be staying at the house with him. What about my job here at the hospital? I worked hard to earn that position, and I don't want to give it up. How long will I be there?" Gregory rose from his desk and moved to sit in the chair beside Tori. He smiled softly at her and sighed.

"Yes, you will stay in the packhouse on the same floor as him and continue working here at the hospital. There's no need to worry about that." He took her hands in his and gently patted them. "I know this is a lot to ask, considering your past. But..." He looked down, taking a deep breath before continuing, "...I wouldn't ask if I didn't think you were the best person for the job. You have such a gentle and caring nature, as well as the patience of a saint! I truly believe you will achieve incredible things and help him overcome his depression, bringing him back to lead his pack." Tori looked down, worried, before she responded.

"Can I sleep on it? Can I give you an answer tomorrow?" Slowly raised her head to look at him. He gave her a big smile and nodded.

"Of course! Take some time and sleep on it. Give me a call tomorrow. If you have any questions beforehand, let me know."

"Thank you, Gregory. I will give you my answer tomorrow, then." They both stood and shook hands. He walked her to the door and opened it for her. Before stepping out, he stopped her.

"Tori. Please give it some real thought. Alpha Colton wouldn't have called to ask if he had other options. I know this is not an ideal situation for you, returning to the wolf world, but I genuinely believe you are what they need to help the young Alpha get back on the right track to healing his mind and soul. She couldn't help but think that statement had a hidden meaning, but she held her tongue and smiled at him.

"Thank you, Gregory. I'll let you know." With that, she walked out of the office, headed down to the parking garage, and drove home.