Surrogate for My Brother-in-law - Chapter 56: Chapter 56

The drive to Ethan's hospital was long and quiet. I was relieved that Ethan had come for me, but I had no idea what to say to him.
“I know you're not working with the Rogues,” Ethan said as we pulled into the hospital.
“You don't believe it?” I asked. Eva had convinced everyone else. She'd convinced Leo so easily.
“I don't,” Ethan said. “I know you'd never do that.”
My eyes felt hot and my breath came in shallow hiccups. He believed me? Over Leo, his best friend? I wiped at my face and hoped he didn't see the tears.
“I don't know what happened, but I want you to know you're safe with me,” Ethan promised.
“I can't,” I whispered. “I can't talk about it.”
“I understand,” Ethan said. “Okay. You don't have to say anything. I do want you to let Dr. Lee look at you. Can you do that for me?”
I shuddered. I didn't want anyone to poke and prod at me. I just wanted to forget.
“I'll heal. I have healed, my wolf healed me when I shifted.”
Ethan tilted his head. “Your wolf heals you?”
“I'm a healer,” I reminded him. “The power comes from the wolf.”
“I knew that,” he said, “but I've never met a healer who could heal their own injuries that way. And during your first ever shift, too. That's impressive.”
“It is?” I was startled. Nothing about me had ever been described as 'impressive' before.
“Very. If you think I'm flattering you, ask Dr. Lee.”
“I guess I will,” I said. “Not that I don't believe you, but her brother is a healer. She knows more.”
“I'm glad you have someone to talk to about this,” Ethan said. “I imagine it's lonely, being the only healer in your pack.”
My whole life was lonely. Being a healer was new. But I wasn't sure how to explain any of that to Ethan so I just nodded.
“I'd still be happier if Dr. Lee looked you over,” Ethan said. “I promise you, she'll never, ever tell anyone else anything she finds. It goes against her oath.”
I nodded slowly. “I'll talk to her, at least. If she thinks I need an exam, I'll let her. But just her.”
“Just her,” Ethan promised.
Ethan insisted on helping me out of the car. He was still being so gentle and careful with me, even though I wasn't in a “delicate state” anymore. We hadn't talked about the pup.
He probably thought I'd lost it, like Eva claimed. I couldn't tell him the truth. I couldn't risk it. And would anyone, even Ethan, believe me?
I'd lost my pup. That was it. That was the truth. It was just that the pup was stolen, not stillborn.
Dr. Lee nodded respectfully to Ethan and then took me into her office.
“You didn't want a medical examination?” she asked.
I shook my head.
“It's routine, you know, after your first shift.”
I nodded. “I'm all right, though.”
“Tessa, sweetie,” Dr. Lee put both of her hands over mine. “You may be physically healthy, but you're not all right.”
She was right. I didn't want to admit it. Because if I did, I'd start crying and never stop.
“Let me look you over, please?” Dr. Lee asked. “For my peace of mind, if nothing else.”
I didn't want to worry my only friend. Dr. Lee had always been so nice to me. She wouldn't hurt me. And maybe she and Ethan were right. So I nodded.
The examination was quick and gentle. Dr. Lee was visibly shaking with fury by the end. She asked for permission to take a blood sample. I knew what she'd find, but I let her take it.
“Who did this to you?” she demanded when she returned from the hospital lab.
I was so tired of lying and pretending and hiding. I wanted someone, anyone, to know what had happened to me.
“You have to promise,” I whispered. “Not to tell. Not even Ethan.”
Dr. Lee nodded soberly. She held my hand again. I squeezed her hand in mine and took a deep breath.
“It was Eva,” I said.
“Your Luna?” Dr. Lee gasped.
“Yes,” I said. “She... she's not pregnant. Never was. It was always me. She wanted the baby. Got impatient. So she took it.”
“What?” Dr. Lee yelped. “She took your baby?”
I nodded and told her about the room, and the injection. I told her how my wolf helped me, and how Eva just left me until the baby arrived. I told her how I had to shift, to get out of the cuff on my ankle. I was crying by the end.
Lee held me close, and let me cry into her shoulder until my tears faded into occasional hiccups. She patted my back and whispered gentle nonsense into my ear.
“My examination proves you gave birth,” she said gently, “but it can't prove the baby was alive. I'm sorry. If I could examine her, I could show that she was never pregnant.”
I shook my head. “No. You can't. She'll never submit to an examination. And if one of Ethan's wolves accuses Eva, Leo will be furious.”
“I don't particularly care how Alpha Leo feels right now,” Lee informed me.
“It's not that,” I said. “It's Ethan. Ethan and Leo are friends, and the packs are close allies.”
“Yes, so?”
“So if they start fighting, over me, over the pup, it could start a conflict between the packs. And right now, we can't afford that. Not with the Rogues attacking and building up their numbers. We need to be united.”
“Tessa, sweetie,” Lee said. “What happened to you, what Luna Eva did, it has to be reported to the alphas. She could have killed you.”
“I know, but she didn't,” I said. “And I can't be selfish. I have to think of the packs.” I met Lee's eyes. “I've been healing the wolves the Rogues attack. I know what they'll do if they defeat Leo and Ethan. I can't let that happen.”
“Tessa,” Lee said, “It's not selfish to want justice.”
“I've never had justice,” I said, with a shrug. “I'm used to it.” I took a deep breath. “I don't want to start a war. I just want to put that life behind me. Ethan said he'd help me. I can work here, be Dr. Angel all the time. I can heal and I can start a new life. Without Eva or my... my old pack.”
I'd almost mentioned my father. That was too dangerous. No one, not Ethan, not Lee, could know that I was an alpha's bastard.
“Okay,” Lee whispered. “Okay. I hate this. I want you to know how much I hate this. But I'll respect your wishes.”
“Thank you,” I said. “And thank you. For believing me. No one's ever just listened before. Never taken my side. Except my mother, and she couldn't ever do anything, not really.”
“Oh, Tessa,” Lee said. She hugged me again.
“So, um,” I hesitated. “There is one thing I need,” I said.
“Name it,” Lee said.
“I need a job. I was banished. I don't have a pack anymore,” I admitted.
“You have a job, Dr. Angel. As long as you want it,” Lee promised. She paused. “Wait, you've been working for this hospital for a while. Has Ethan not been paying you?”