Chapter 20
DECLAN?
But that’s impossible.
I watch Dr. W organize her instruments on the examination table, her gloved hands moving with practiced precision.
Each vial is placed exactly where it needs to be, each tool arranged in perfect order.
There’s a confidence to her movements that speaks of years of experience, of mastery earned through countless cases.
Dr. W’s scent is completely different from Aria’s. And she’s so brilliant—commanding and composed in a way that makes it obvious why wolves travel across territories just to consult with her.
I don’t mean to put Aria down. I don’t. But when she was with me, she was utterly unremarkable. Just a simple, ordinary girl—so ordinary that I sometimes wonder what possessed me to become so obsessed with her in the first place.
What did I see in her?
The question sits uncomfortably in my chest, and I push it away.
Dr. W picks up a small glass bottle, holds it to the light, then sets it down with decisive finality. Her posture is straight, her presence filling the room despite the mask covering her face. She looks powerful. Remote. Like someone who answers to no one.
Nothing like the girl I remember.
“I need you both to leave,” Dr. W says without turning around. Her voice is clipped, professional. “Come back when I’m ready. I don’t want anyone interfering with my process.”
It’s not a request. It’s a command.
Celeste’s eyes widen slightly beside me, clearly not used to being dismissed so curtly. But I nod.
“Of course,” I say. “Take all the time you need.”
Dr. W doesn’t acknowledge the response. Just continues arranging her workspace like we’ve already left.
I place a hand on Celeste’s elbow and guide her toward the door. She goes reluctantly, glancing back over her shoulder as we step into the hallway.
The door closes behind us with a soft click.
Celeste turns to me immediately, her expression curious. “So? What do you think of her?”
I lean against the wall, keeping my tone calm and professional. “She’s exactly what the reports said. Skilled. Thorough. If anyone can help, it’s her.”
The Aria I remembered had been warm and gentle. Soft-spoken and hesitant, always deferring to others, always trying to make herself smaller. She used to smile at me like I hung the moon, her eyes bright and unguarded.
Dr. W is none of those things. So they couldn’t possibly be the same person.
“She’s very... assertive,” Celeste says carefully.
“That’s what we need.”
“I suppose.” Celeste pauses. “It’s just unusual, don’t you think? The mask, the secrecy, the way she dismissed us like we were—”
“Like we were interrupting her work,” I finish. “Which we were.”
“I didn’t say it was wrong. Just unusual.”
I don’t respond. There’s something in her tone I don’t like—a probing quality, like she’s testing the waters.
“I’ve heard about some of her cases,” I say, steering away from whatever direction she’s heading. “There was a Beta from the Northern Ridge Pack who’d been poisoned by wolfsbane—the healers there said he had maybe a week to live. Dr. W cured him in three days.”
Celeste’s eyes widen. “Three days?”
“Three days,” I confirm.
“That’s remarkable.” She tilts her head. “How did she do it?”
“Some kind of treatment the other healers hadn’t tried. I don’t know the details.”
“No one knows the details?” Celeste asks. “Not even the Beta she saved?”
“I assume he knows. Why does it matter?”
“It doesn’t.” She waves a hand. “I’m just curious how such an incredible cure works.”
I watch her carefully. “And there was a Luna who’d been cursed by a rogue witch. No one could figure out how to break it. Dr. W did it in one session.”
“One session,” Celeste repeats slowly. “That’s impressive.”
“It is.”
“If it’s true.”
The words hang in the air between us.
I straighten. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” Celeste’s expression shifts to something apologetic. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong.”
“It sounded like you were questioning her credentials.”
“I’m not.” She reaches for my arm. “I’m just nervous, Declan. Your parents are dying, and we’re putting all our faith in someone we know nothing about. Can you blame me for being cautious?”
I want to argue. Want to tell her she’s being paranoid. But there’s a kernel of truth in what she’s saying that I can’t quite dismiss.
“She’s the real deal, Celeste,” I say firmly. “Which is why you absolutely cannot provoke or antagonize her. Understood?”
Celeste blinks at the sharpness in my tone, then her expression shifts. She steps closer, her hand coming up to rest on my arm.
“I’m not trying to antagonize anyone,” she says, her voice turning soft and sweet. “I’m just... worried.”
“Worried about what?”
“Well...” She looks up at me through her lashes, hesitant. “What if she’s a fraud?”
I frown. “She’s not a fraud.”
“But how do we know?” Celeste’s fingers tighten on my arm. “Really know, I mean. Not just stories we’ve heard, but actual proof.”
“The cases are proof—”
“Are they?” she interrupts gently. “Or are they just stories that got repeated so many times e”Celeste—”
“Think about it,” she continues. “We have no way to verify her credentials further. No one’s ever seen her face. No one knows where she comes from. What if this is all just... an act? What if she’s an impostor?”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it?” Her voice drops. “If we let someone like that treat your parents, Declan, the consequences could be catastrophic.”
The words hit harder than I want to admit.
“That’s why I suggested having her treat me first. As a test run. Before we let her anywhere near your parents.”
I nod slowly, recalling that’s the only reason I agreed for her to be treated first.
Celeste’s expression softens with satisfaction. “Exactly. We have to make sure she’s the real deal.”
She leans into me, her voice dropping to something more pointed. “I heard your ex-girlfriend Aria was a healer too. What if... Dr. W is just her in disguise?”