DOCTOR GREY’S ARRIVAL

Arielle’s POV

I enjoyed the warmth as the sun streamed in through the car window. It was barely 10am, yet the sun was high up in the sky already. I loved it – this part of the country really suited me. I enjoyed the sun, and summer all year-round.

The driver made a turn onto a smaller road, and I could see the gate of the pack compound right in front of us. My lips turned up in a smile, despite my anxiety. This was a new place after all.

We passed through the gates after a few moments. One of the guards had asked for my name and I gave it, “Arielle Grey,” and only seconds passed before we were finally let through.

Another minute or so passed before the car stopped in front of a large house.

As I exited the car with my handbag in hand, I could feel my nose twitch erratically. The new variety of scents I was being introduced to was not unexpected; I would get used to it in time. Hopefully.

I looked around me as the driver removed my luggage from the car, seeing the large expanse of land, with houses on one side that I could also see a clear path to the forest surrounding the compound.

So, this is the Redding Pack.

It was even larger than I expected, and larger than I was used to; my previous pack only had a few houses apart from the main pack house; the forest was also not this large. Then again, the Redding Pack was one of the most notable packs in the country – of course, their pack compound would be as majestic.

My new home, I reminded myself, a wistful smile on my lips.

My attention was brought back to the present when I heard a throat clear around me. My heart leapt in my throat as I whipped my head to face the direction. My eyes met the man whose arrival I did not notice.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” the man chuckled, and brought out his hand for me to shake. “You must be Dr Grey.”

“I must be,” I took his hand, shaking it slowly before letting it go. “And no need to apologise. Really, I was just a bit distracted. Normal stuff for me.”

He nodded, giving me a grin, which I returned. “My name’s Darren Hendricks, the Beta of the Pack.”

“Pleased to meet you. You’re the welcoming party, I guess?”

“The one and only,” he nodded at the driver, who gave him a respectful neck bow before he got into the car and drove off. We watched the car disappear into the distance.

After that, Darren turned to me, “Shall I take you to your quarters, then, doctor?”

“Please, call me Arielle,” I replied. He picked up my two duffle bags as I rolled my large box behind me. We began to walk. “Doctor is too formal, I think. Besides, would you prefer I called you Beta all the time?”

He laughed at that, and I felt a warmth bloom in my chest. I was making a good impression, thank the goddess.

“I see the point, Arielle.” He turned briefly as someone called his name, and I could see him nod to someone at a distance. “Keep that up, and you’ll become the fan favourite. The last doctor we had was not too friendly with the pack members.”

“Doctor Charles? I heard he passed two weeks ago,” my brows furrowed as I tried to recall some detail. “I only met him once, when I was still in medical school. He was a guest speaker at a convention. One of the only werewolves there too. He was not too friendly then, either.” A smile slipped unbidden onto my lips as a memory came to mind. “He argued with several of his colleagues during the event. The organisers considered removing him from the hall because of that.”

Darren smirked at me, and we both burst out laughing. “That’s Charles for you. Very strict, and not a filter in his mouth.”

 We finally arrived at a house with double doors. Climbing up the straight to the front door, he opened it, and we went in.

“This is the clinic you’ll be in charge of. Your suite is up the stairs and to the back. Hold on,” he pulled out a key from his pocket, handing it to me. “These are your keys. I have a spare if you lose these ones, but try to make sure not to lose them.” I nodded, holding the key while he led me up the stairs, pointing out a few things in the lobby of the clinic as we climbed.

All too soon, we reached the doors of my room, and he dropped the duffle bags in front of them.

“Thanks for your help, Darren. I really appreciate it.” I told him.

“Don’t worry about it. Just get settled in,” He waved it off. “Oh, you’re invited to dinner, by the way, at my home. No better way to be welcomed into the pack than a dinner hosted by my mate and yours truly.” I nodded gratefully – I really needed to make friends – and he smiled in return.

He left after giving me the directions to his home. I hoped I would not get lost when I actually left though – I was just not good with directions sometimes.

Finally opening the door to my room, I entered it. A gasp left my lips as I saw how big it was. I was in a sort of study, and a smaller door to my left led to my bedroom. This was huge! My lips parted in wonder as I glanced around me.

No wonder Darren had called it a suite.