Chapter 6 A Hefty Commission

Sheila laughed. “What are you talking about, Lucian? Aria is just a simple housewife. She could never be compared to such a revered and wonderful Healer as Dr. A.” Lucian’s jaw clenched. I stood frozen, unsure how to react. That Lucian had even thought to connect Dr. A and Aria felt like a kind of compliment, that he could see parts of the housewife Aria inside of the famous Healer. Maybe he could see the real me. But then he shook his head a little, as if clearing it. “You’re right, Sheila. I was mistaken. My apologies, Dr. A.” My heart sank once more. When I had been his dutiful housewife, he never showed me such high respect like this, speaking so formally and even bowing slightly at the perceived misunderstanding. As if he had gravely insulted me by comparing me to his homemaker wife… I gently touched my mask, finding comfort in its presence. More than any other bit of my disguise, it protected my identity to anyone and everyone – except Cathy, who had known the secret from the start. No one else in the entire world knew that Aria the Luna housewife was actually Dr. A. “Just now, I heard you refuse Sheila’s case,” Lucian continued. He spoke with reverence but also sternly. He wasn’t the kind of man who was used to hearing ‘no.’ “May I ask why? If the monetary offer isn’t enough, I can give you more. Perhaps 300 million dollars would suffice?” That was a huge amount, so much more than any other commission on the list. Perhaps Lucian thought this heap of money was supposed to impress and entice Dr. A. Instead, it did the opposite. “It’s not a matter of price,” I said coldly. I had many reasons to turn down Sheila’s case, most of them personal. But there was a professional reason as well. “I haven’t studied infertility.” “Oh,” Sheila intervened, laughing slightly. “It’s okay. We believe in you, Dr. A. I know you can find a way, just like you did three years ago, when you developed that drug that could extend life. If you put your mind to this, I’m sure you can figure it out.” Rather than Sheila’s frivolous flattery, Lucian actually seemed to consider my words. He thought for a long moment before speaking. “I understand your concerns, but I hope you will allow me an attempt to assuage them. The medical information of the entire Nightfall pack will be open to you, to aid you in your research. In addition to this, I will increase the commission by five times. Would that suffice?” "‘50’ Queen’s Necklaces! " Cathy whispered in my ear in shock. Only through years of experience carefully schooling my face could I keep my shock from overtaking my features. Cathy was not as experienced. Her eyes were wide as saucers. As were those of the other Healers in the room. $500 million dollars. All for Sheila?! An older Healer stepped forward, joining the conversation. “Perhaps you would consider a Healer with more experience, Alpha King. Unlike this mysterious girl, I am a well-practiced healer with a sterling reputation.” The older Healer was carrying a vial of a medicine I recognized – one that was severely outdated. “I trust you are not attempting to treat fated mate sickness with this drug?” I asked. “I’m sure you read the medical papers released last year that determined through review and study that this drug only hides the symptoms for a time, but ultimately worsens the condition long-term?” The older Healer’s face paled slightly. “I don’t always have time to read the medical journals.” “Perhaps you should make the time,” I replied. “Come with me,” Cathy said to the older Healer. “I’ll show you where we keep information regarding the newer treatments.” The older Healer stammered somewhat, but because he was still a dutiful doctor, if perhaps not the best one, he went along with Cathy to discover the newer treatments. Lucian looked at me with even more respect. “Please, Dr. A. Consider our case again.” Was I really going to consider taking on this case? How could I possibly help the man I love cure the infertility of the woman he actually wanted to be with, just to watch them then have their own children together? “It’s too cruel,” Luna whispered. But I really needed the money, and this one case would set me and my child up for life. We wouldn’t have to worry about anything. I’d even have more than enough left over to give to charitable causes. I could help Cathy open her own practice. 500 million dollars was such a huge sum, and to be earned in only one case. The sooner I had enough money, the sooner I could leave this job and focus on my child and my new life without Lucian. With that much money, we could disappear. Lucian would never need to know that he had a child... After the divorce, we could both pretend like the marriage never happened. I would remember, of course, but I had been the only one in the marriage to be in love with my partner. Lucian had be courteous to me, but he never loved me, it seemed. He’d only ever been caught up on Sheila. Well, he could have the life he wanted now, just him and her and their potential future children. An office assistant stepped up to the door of the staff room, behind Lucian and Sheila. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but Dr. A, a queue has formed at reception of potential patients that have specifically requested you. They refuse to see anyone else.” She would only interrupt to tell me this if that line of likely noble werewolves was causing a disturbance for the rest of the hospital. I knew the system here well enough to be able to read between those lines. Looking around, I spotted a nearby nurse and waved her over. “If you could please show Alpha King Lucian and Sheila to one of the exam rooms.” “You’ll see us, then?” Lucian asked. I didn’t want to admit to it, even if I’d already made my decision. To be in this position, having to help my husband’s mistress be able to conceive a child with him… It was all terribly humiliating. Even with my identity concealed, I felt unnerved and deeply unhappy about it. Luna also grumbled her discontent, growling in my mind. “I have to make other preparations first,” I told Lucian. “Please follow the nurse and wait patiently.” *** Lucian’s POV I watched Dr. A walk away from them. She’d been cold to Sheila and me, but I couldn’t for the life of me understand why. “She’s a strange one,” Max said. “I like her though.” “She hates us,” I replied in my thoughts. Generally, as Alpha King, people went out of their way to be kind to me. They bent over backwards to make certain my every need was met. I always tried to be polite and curtesy to those that helped me, but oftentimes that wasn’t even needed for them to want to be nice to me. Yet this Dr. A treated me as if she already despised me. As this was our first meeting, we didn’t have any past history that would sway her opinion of me. At least, we shouldn’t. Both of us had reputations that preceded us, though I was ever-careful that my public persona was gentlemanly and well-regarded. Just like everyone praised me—I led the pack to become the strongest pack in the world, the "greatest Alpha King." ...So, why does Dr. A look like she hates me so much?