[EARLIER that same day--before Ash and Cindy's argument] [Slate] It’s been a long week. I am trying to pay attention to what Ash is saying, but my mind keeps wandering back to the Doctor. She is an enigma, a mystery that intrigues me and makes me want to learn everything about her. Despite being so strong and brave she also seems to be vulnerable sometimes. “You know what, Slate,” Ash huffs as she picks up the pack finances and puts them into her little pink purse. “I think lunch is over. You don’t seem to have your heart into it.” I can tell that she is irritated with me for not giving her the attention she needs and deserves. She’s right. We’ve been at the packhouse for the last 45 minutes and while she went over finances, I didn’t hear a single word she was saying. I sat there, watching the leaves blowing on the autumn breeze, thinking about a certain doctor whose eyes flashed a bright green, like the color of grass. I was also thinking of the strange changes I’ve been seeing

[Hyacinth] The card is hand drawn in crayon with a drawing of a wolf next to a child on the front that looks a bit more like a dog than a canine. Inside it reads "From your secret admire-were" signed in a childish hand "You know who." Bash and Drew must have stopped by to cheer me up. Smiling, I set the flowers towards the front of the desk and open up my top desk drawer pulling out the two files I had placed there earlier today. The one on top is my file, the other one is my mother’s. Both are considerably thick, which feels strange to me because I do not remember visiting the doctor often enough to warrant that many visits. Which one do I open? My mother’s or my own? I decide to learn more about my mother first. I know so little about her. Opening the file the first thing I notice is a smiling color photo of her, clipped to the inner flap of the folder. It is a portrait, most likely from her days working in the clinic, as she is wearing a lab coat with a stethoscope around h

[Hyacinth] “I was really surprised when Drew told me you were coming over,” I yawn, “I wasn’t expecting you to come to my house to take care of me. Of all people, I should be telling you to rest.” “Nonsense,” Blake fusses over me like a mother hen watching over her baby chicks. “Once I called and learned you collapsed at work yesterday, I knew I needed to come and check on you. You are, after all, my favorite doctor.” “I’m your only doctor,” I chuckle. Blake walked the three blocks to my house with a crockpot full of chicken noodle soup. As her physician, I am still a little upset at her for taking that risk with her health. Crock pots can be heavy, especially when full of soup. I told her to never take that risk again, and she rolled her eyes at me telling me that friends do things like that for one another. Friends. She sees me as a friend. I told her I was not sick, just very exhausted, so exhausted that my body decided it needed to take a rest at just the worst moment. It

[Hyacinth] “Do you think that is a good idea?” I do not take the invitation from his outstretched hand. “Wouldn’t that cause problems for you and your fiance?” “Not particularly,” he shrugs. “Especially since she will be there too.” “Is this some kind of trick?” I feel myself bristle. I suddenly feel very vulnerable. If I say no, it could affect my standing here in the pack. But if I say yes, it could affect my heart and spirit. Ashlynd’s coldness towards me has made me feel so unsure of where I stand. I never thought that a reunion with her would feel so awkward and painful. “Do you think it is wise to bring both of us? Together?” “Well it wouldn’t just be the three of us,” he explains. “My Beta, Delta, Gamma, and Epsilon would also attend in addition to my Luna. It is a gathering of pack elders three weeks from now and I thought, as pack doctor, you should also be there. You are also the daughter of a Beta and my Delta and it is time, past time, you had your chance at pack leader

[Hyacinth] All the blood drained from my father’s face. “What did you just say?” “Eclipse. Is it a type of wolf? I found something in Mother’s records and I…" He rushes up to me and places a hand over my mouth. Looking around anxiously he whispers in my ear. “Never say those words out loud, Cindy. It is never safe for you. Even knowing about it can put you and your son in danger. I’ll tell you what you need to know, but you need to wait for me to come talk to you." He pulls away from me looking at me intently, checking to see if I understand the seriousness or the situation. "Please don’t look into this yourself, Cindy. It isn’t safe," he looks terrified, his whole body shaking as he begs, "Just trust me.” That was two weeks ago. I am usually a patient person, but everything about this sets me on edge. What isn’t my father telling me? When I said “eclipse” his eyes grew wide with shock, his face went red, and his body started shaking. What made him so afraid? I haven’t heard