Amari didn't want to think of what kept her scrubs clinging to her skin. Luckily the bus only had half its capacity and half only had bumps, bruises, and minor cuts from siding off their seats at impact. Hundreds of stitches later, she was grateful she didn't have to chart after the nonstop pace of the shift.

  She basketball shot the crumpled mass of dark blue into the hamper. A quick scrub, she towelled her bob of messy waves. A long soak waited for her when she returned home. Badge tucked into her bag, she slung it over her shoulder as she exited the locker room.

  The promise hung in her mind. During a lull a few hours ago, the girl had been in surgery for a persistent bleed.

  “Ma’am?”

  Amari turned on her heels. Sheepishly, Amy jogged up the hall.

  “I wanted to say I am sorry again.” Amy sported her college’s initials across her chest.

  They attended rival colleges. The urge to tease the young woman a little more bubbled close to the surface. Regret in the younger girl’s eyes pulled the mentor to the front.

  “Amy, it is fine. I don’t actually believe that you caused anything by saying the ‘q’ word. Just a silly human way of thinking we have control over things we never did. But…” Amari poked her shoulder. “There are some people that do believe it. Not saying you need to change what you say. Just recognize that your words and behaviors have consequences. In this case, some people may not want to do you favors on shift, if you frequently use the ‘q’ word.”

  Amy’s shoulders left her ears. “I am glad you aren’t mad at me. I’ll be more careful. Mind if I walk out with you?”

  “I am actually headed to the fourth floor. That first girl my brother brought in?” Amari paused, before continuing when Amy nodded. “She’s the only one out of surgery and in recovery. Thought I would go check on her before heading home.”

  “Your brother? Handsome mountain. Did I hear him call you Chilly?”

  “Yeah. On all counts.” Everyone had that reaction to Orion. She let the wall support her hip. “My initials are AC and when we first met I wasn't the easiest to love.”

  “Met? You said he's your brother.”

  “Adoptive brother. I was a surly teenager when we met and I joined his family.”

  “You lucked out.”

  “It changed my life.” Amari lowered her voice. “Like it will change hers.”

  ***

  A few questions at the right nurses station, Amari had a room number for down the hall past the elevator bay. Code blue alarms rang out, she caught herself as the sounds triggered an automatic response. She remained out of the way as staff flooded down the other hall. Chuckling to herself, she read each numbered plaque outside doors.

  There was that smell again, not hampered by the rain and oh so familiar. Amari turned the corner to bump into Benjamin Morningstar. He was taller than she remembered. Not surprisingly nearly a decade had passed since they last laid eyes on each other. Messily styled hair added to that boyish charm, but the dark shadow along his jaw added a roguishness. Still handsome with that glint of mischief in his eyes that cautioned her.

  Did he still resent her choice?

  “Mari, what are you doing here? Last I heard you were studying up north.” Arms crossed over his chest. He took a step back, a smile playing at his lips. He looked down at her as he leaned against the wall.

  Her ears perked up as his tone shifted on ‘north.’ It was a common enough euphemism for the Fae realm in this area. She shook her head, she must be tired. “Just moved back.”

  “Polaris called?”

  “Don't start.”

  Benjamin held up his hands.

  “What're you doing here?”

  Benjamin straightened. “Probably the same reason you aren't heading home.”

  “What do you have to do with her?” Amari’s eyes narrowed. Benjamin's gaze dropped to his shiny brogues. In the silence, she really looked at him. The man barely resembled the skater punk she knew in school. The fitted vest over a button down was a far cry from the loose hoodie he had always worn.

  “I may have accidentally scratched her when I extricated her.” Benjamin looked through his fallen hair.

  “You? You stepped into an emergent situation and risked your fancy suits?” She tugged at his lapels.

  Benjamin adjusted his already straight tie. “Don't sound so shocked. So, I like looking pulled together now. That certainly doesn't mean I can't roll up my sleeves and help. They needed it. They were overwhelmed.”

  “I am sure they were. We certainly were.”

  “You don't show it.”

  “Stop with the flattery.” Amari sighed and waved her hand. “Come on, I'll show you the room. We can talk to her together.”

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  ***

  Amari knocked softly. The door swung open to a double room. Thankfully only occupied by the girl and a steadily beeping machine. Quietly, she moved to the end of the bed, lifting the chart from the footboard. Papers flapped as Amari reviewed the notes. “She hasn't been conscious at all throughout the ordeal. They don't know anything about her.”

  “Did my claws go deep enough?”

  “If these notes are accurate…” Amari placed a hand on his arm. “Don't worry. She may be too young. If not, being part of this world, despite the drawbacks, is completely worth it.”

  “You've changed your tune.” Surprise evident in his tone.

  “What's going on?” A groggy, rough whisper broke into their conversation.

  “You are okay. You are at St. Joseph’s. You were in an accident but with a little surgery and a bit of rest you will be right as rain.” Amari stepped to her side.

  “Are you my doctors?” Sluggish eyes wobbled between them.

  “I am nurse Amari, I helped get you stabilized. Benjamin here,” Amari jerked a thumb at him, “was at the accident and wanted to check in on you.”

  “Thank you.” Her eyes blinked rapidly trying to focus. Fingers gripped the wool blanket and clutched to her chest. “Where is my bag?”

  “Ummm.” Amari stood quickly, moving to the laminate sidetable. The creak of doors and the gentle thud, Amari looked at Benjamin’s shrug by the wardrobe. “I will ask the nurses, I can probably help you find that. In the meantime, can you tell me your name and how old you are?”

  “Nova Rao. I'm sixteen.”

  “Okay.” Amari chewed her lip. She clicked a pen, jotting down and initialing the information. “I added those to your chart. Do you have any allergies, medical history, anything that we need to note?”

  Nova shook her head. Her eyes narrowed and she shifted up the bed. “There's something else.”

  Amari looked to Benjamin.

  “Just tell me.” Frustration cleared the remainder of the fog.

  “We have something we need to talk to you about, you're going to have to keep an open mind.” Benjamin shot straight.

  “You just told me I would be fine.”

  “You will.” Amari rushed to confirm palms forward. “Something else happened last night. Normally we would have more time but we are pressed against a deadline. So we are here to try to help you with the choice you now have.”

  “Okay. What kind of choice?” Calculating brown eyes pierced the older pair.

  “One that will change your life, like it did ours.” Amari sat against the edge of the other bed.

  “Enough beating around the bush. Just say what you need to say.”

  “Okay. Rip off the bandaid. The supernatural world is real and you were scratched deeply by a werewolf and now you have a choice on how you want to handle becoming a werewolf.”

  Nova laughed, pointing at Amari as her gaze swung to Benjamin. Awkwardly her laughter died. “You’re joking. You don’t actually expect me to believe that werewolves and minotaurs and phoenixes exist.”

  Amari tucked her head back. Disbelief swung her face towards Benjamin. “Have you ever had anyone ask about such rare creatures?”

  “No. Normally it's us and two of the other bigger groups. The ones that weren't so careful over the years.”

  “Haha. You both have this act down.” Nova sarcastically clapped. “What is this an insurance scam or a way to get me locked up in a padded room? Jump on the unsuspecting teen and scare her, hope that her parents will pay to keep her out of the looney bin? Jokes on you, I've got no family.”

  Rich deep laughter rumbled out of Benjamin's chest. “I like her, she can join the Morningstar Pack.”

  Amari backhanded Benjamin without a glance, which he quickly side stepped. “Benjamin is getting ahead of himself. If you want a family, there are plenty of packs in the area that would welcome you. Or we could reach out to other regions through the Alpha King. By the look of your face you still don't believe us.”

  Benjamin nodded. An over-the-top bow, he swung his arm. “After you.”

  “I am going to step over here. You don't have to be afraid, sometimes it's just easier with a bit of a buffer.” Amari moved to the other side of the second bed. “It was for me.”

  Toe to heel, she kicked off her shoes. Socks quickly stuffed in the tops, Amari rippled her toes against the ground. An itch waved under her skin. Reddish-brown fur started at her feet and a moment later cascaded down her arms to poke out of her cuffs. Golden eyes glowed. Ears stretched to a point, heightening the sounds of the increased beeping. Partially transformed, Amari retained much of her human appearance, more like she spent too much on a halloween costume or was an extra on a movie set.

  “It is still me. Fully in control just with a layer of armor on that protects me from other things.” Amari composedly held up clawed hands.

  Knees pulled to her chest, Nova's mouth hung open. “Other things?”

  “The minotaurs, vampires, ghosts, ghouls.” Benjamin ticked them off on his hand.

  “Benjamin!” Amari harshly barked.

  “Hmmm. Oh sorry.” Benjamin followed Amari’s pointed look.

  “It is not as bad as you are imagining.” Amari spoke as gently as her changed voice allowed.

  “Okay, say I believe you and I am not hallucinating.” Nova swallowed hard. “You mentioned a deadline. A deadline for what?”

  “Lack of a better term. Transformation.” Benjamin gestures to Amari’s changed frame before them.

  “Into a werewolf?”

  “By the next full moon. In seven days.” Benjamin scratched his stubble.

  “But you have options.” Amari’s voice came out with a bit of a growl.

  The latch of the door clicked. Amari shrank back against the wall, her wolfish features quickly receding. A distracted nurse came in holding blankets. She settled back on her heels when she saw Benjamin. “Are you family?”

  “No, ma'am.”

  “Then I'm going to need you to leave.”

  Benjamin slid his card onto the table. “Call me. The Morningstars' are always looking for new talent.”

  Amari slipped on her shoes, her socks in her pocket. “This is Nova Rao. I annotated her name in the notes. Call me if anything happens?”

  The nurse looked over at Nova. A small confirming nod dipped her chin, the nurse looked back at Amari’s outheld badge. “I will add you to her emergency contacts.”

  “Thanks. Nova, no pressure. I am here once you are ready to talk. Any time. I am off for the next three days. I can get you a room once they release you. You will be okay, I’ll make sure of it. No strings.” Amari doubted her words meant anything to Nova.

  “You said you would ask around about my bag. Could you find it?” Surprise shone on her face and like an after thought she added, “please.”

  Amari turned back to the young girl and saw the buried desperation. “I've got connections. I'll find your bag.”

  “It’s canvas with a bunch of patches. Packed pretty full.”

  “I’ll find it.” Gaining and keeping Nova’s trust had to begin somewhere. Showing up with a fulfilled promise was a start.

  “Thanks.” A hesitant quiet word.

  Amari nodded. Her gaze shifted to the nurse. “I’ll leave you to it then.”