Ruby
Alex, the child of the alpha, and Luna of the Diamond Pack.
My mouth hung open as I blinked twice to make sure I wasn’t seeing double. My son’s name was clearly written on the front page of the file, along with the day I had given birth to him. An unexpected emotion surged within me as I opened the file carefully, only to find conflicting information.
Someone had altered the record, changing the status from alive to dead. The worst part was that the reason for his death wasn’t indicated, which I found highly suspicious. Frustration and confusion clouded my thoughts. Who would do such a thing, and why?
I had to find a way to talk to Dr. William again, as he was still my number one suspect in this case, and only he could answer my questions. I could remember vividly how he avoided my eyes when he told me the sad news about my son’s death.
Strangely, ever since I came back to the pack, I haven’t run into him like I was hoping to; it was like he had vanished into the air. But now, after seven years, the truth about my child’s fate hangs in the balance, hidden behind a veil of tampered records. Determination sparked within me as I hoped to finally resolve and uncover the secrets buried within these files.
I hurriedly decided to make a photocopy of the mysterious file, concealing the original in my bag and keeping it secret just in case, as it would help me find all the right answers to my questions. I also needed it to be proof that every strange thing that had happened to my son wasn’t just a dream. Who threw my baby into the bush? And worst of all, why was he declared dead? I desperately needed someone to answer my questions.
I glanced at Jane, who was busy writing on a piece of paper with great focus. Impatience welled up within me as I contemplated setting aside our differences and my ego aside just to ask her about the closed case. She might know something about my son’s situation; after all, she had worked here for more than ten years. How do I know? She brags about it, constantly reminding me that she is my senior and I should respect her.
I decided to approach Jane with curiosity burning in my eyes. Her gaze shifted from the paper to me, accompanied by a look of disgust, but I smiled back at her despite her rudeness.
“How can I assist you, Ruby?” She sighed, setting the pen down in frustration.
“What is this file about?” I inquired, and Jane’s face paled, a trace of fear flickering in her eyes. Did she know about the file and what happened to my son? Something was amiss, and I could sense it.
“It’s nothing,” she said, snatching the file from my hands with unexpected urgency. Before I could react, she tore the paper into pieces, scattering the evidence like leaves in the wind.
Damn.
“Jane, why did you do that?” I gasped in shock as I observed the torn piece of paper on the floor.
Although she didn’t know I had a copy, her unexpected reaction made my suspicion grow, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had stumbled upon something much larger than myself. The mystery surrounding my child’s file deepened, leaving me with more questions than answers. In summary, Jane was now on my list of suspects.
“Don’t meddle with things you don’t understand. Go attend to the elderly patients or do something else where your responsibilities lie.” She sneered, shooting me a stern look.
“What about the document you asked me to process?” I questioned her in amusement.
“I will do it myself. Now go and learn to mind your business if you cherish that pretty face of yours,” she said, ushering me away from the torn pieces of the file. Her warning echoed in my mind, leaving me torn between finding answers to the pressing questions about my child and fulfilling the duties assigned to me.
An unsettling suspicion lingered in my mind that she might have played a role in my baby being discarded like a rag doll in the bushes. Could she have done it herself, or was she instructed to dispose of the evidence and forgot to?
I stood there, trying to process it all, watching her storm towards my desk to reclaim the bulky documents she had given me earlier. With a heavy sigh, I decided to return to my own desk, as I was left with no work. I gazed at my laptop screen in annoyance, not knowing what to do, until my hands began typing “Doctor William” into the search bar unconsciously. Frustration gnawed at me as I hoped for a breadcrumb that would lead me closer to the truth.
There was no way I was going to mind my business when I hadn’t found answers to all my questions. It seemed like Jane couldn’t recognise me as the former Luna of the pack, and neither could anyone else, and I intended to use that to my advantage.
As I patiently waited for it to process, however, the cold reality stared back at me in stark black and white: “Results not found.” It was as if Dr. William had never worked here, and everything that might have connected him to my past was erased, much to my dismay.
The lack of information strengthened my determination to uncover the hidden layers of my history, urging me to explore different paths in my quest for the truth. Even if it meant taking the dirty route, I was growing weary of playing by the rules and being a good girl.
“Why are you still sitting there? I asked you to go attend to the elderly or do something useful with your life.” Jane questioned me suspiciously, and I raised my hands, standing up from the chair.
“I’m going, boss,” I mock with a bow, setting aside the mysteries clouding my past and deciding to turn my attention to the elderly residents in need of care.
I entered the section of the building meant for the elderly, where a soft background noise enveloped the nursing home-a mix of hushed conversations, occasional wheelchair movement, and the soft steps of those wearing slippers filled my ears.
I went from room to room, providing comfort and companionship to the now-fragile wolves, who likely lived for more than centuries. Some of them had been abandoned by their children or parents to high-ranking wolf officers who had no time to take care of them, leading to their placement in this facility.
Yes, they were indirectly thrown away into this place and left to rot until the day they were called by the moon goddess. Sad, I know.
The werewolf academy wasn’t just a place where children learned; it served multiple purposes beyond education. It had different sessions that generated income, such as the sick bay occupied with children who had incurable diseases and the facility for the elderly.
As I took care of the elderly, which involved helping them change, eat, or read a story, I couldn’t shake the weight of the unanswered questions swirling in my mind. The fragments of my past were elusive, slipping through my fingers like grains of sand, and if I wasn’t careful or curious enough, I might never find answers. Yet, amid the uncertainty, my commitment to care for those around me remained unwavering.
I had only one more room to attend to, which happened to be my favorite. Lately, I found comfort in the welcoming smile of a sweet elderly woman named Mrs. Thompson. Her eyes held the wisdom of years gone by, and her warmth served as a soothing balm to my unsettled thoughts.
“Dear, you have the touch of an angel,” Mrs. Thompson remarked, her voice a soft melody as she observed me entering the room.
“It’s not just the physical care you provide but a genuine kindness that brightens our days.”
A smile naturally lit up my face at her words, and I felt a sense of gratitude for the connection forged in that moment.
“I’m happy you enjoy my company, Mrs. Thompson.” I grinned, feeling a sense of purpose, a reminder that amidst the enigma of my own past and how cruel life can be, the present held opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those around me.
“So, Mrs. Thompson, how long have you been here in the hospital?” I asked, taking a seat beside her, genuinely curious about her journey. The corners of her eyes crinkled with fond nostalgia.
“Fifteen years, my dear. It feels like a lifetime, but my fellow elderly here have become family.”
Fifteen years-a significant span. It means she was here and witnessed a lot of things throughout her stay here. A question lingered on the tip of my tongue, one that could potentially unravel the mysteries surrounding my own past. Summoning courage, I delicately posed the next question.
“Mrs. Thompson, have you ever come across a doctor named William during your time here?”
“William,” she muttered in a low voice with darkened eyes, and then slowly tears filled her eyes, which she quickly wiped off, thinking I wouldn’t notice. Her hands trembled slightly, revealing the deep emotions tied to that name.
She knew him?
“Yes, Dr. William, could you please tell me if you know him?” I asked with a sense of urgency, but before she could answer, a loud bang came from the door, and I looked up to see Madam Nelly’s walking in, shattering the opportunity.
“I have been looking everywhere for you. Anyway, take this to Alpha Liam’s office now!” Madam Nelly barked, throwing the document my way, and stood glaring at me like she owned the whole place.
The document fluttered to the ground, a physical representation of my thwarted curiosity. The timing couldn’t have been more frustrating.
Mrs. Thompson’s expression shifted from sorrow to concern, her eyes silently conveying an apology for the interruption.
“I am a little busy here,” I hissed with hesitation, hoping to glean more information from Mrs. Thompson.
“Do what is asked of you without questions,” she snapped, glaring at me murderously before walking out of the door.
Resigned, I bent down to retrieve the document, feeling the weight of unanswered questions lingering in the air.
“We will talk later; for now, rest,” I said to Mrs. Thompson, who nodded her head with a knowing smile, her eyes still holding a hint of the unsaid. With a nod and a forced smile, I acknowledged the interruption and headed towards Alpha Liam’s office, wondering why Mrs. Thompson reacted that way and became teary when I mentioned Dr. William.