Unmated

**BLANCA**
Max stands so swiftly, I can do little more than gasp. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him that I plan to encourage the rumors about Jared and me, but something tells me saying so would be a mistake.
That very same something *also* tells me that Max is acting like a jealous fool.
*But why? I mean - what's the point?*
Why be jealous over something, you *yourself* choose *not* to have?
*Moon Goddess, one day you shall have to show this grand map of destiny so that I might better understand your choices in mates.*
Max is fairly seething with anger when he opens the door and Jared steps inside, but an elderly woman follows behind him and that quickly he schools his features. I recognize her as the pack doctor, but I've never actually met her. As far as I'm aware, she doesn't treat Shiftless.
Holding my breath, I prepare for fresh rejection, but to my surprise all she gives me is a concerned smile. "Hello Miss Blanca," she says softly, stepping in front of the testosterone in the room as if they aren't engaged in a mildly disturbing staring contest. "My name is Doc Maize and I was there the day you were born."
My curiosity piques and I allow myself a small smile. "Oh? Really? I was never told that."
She grins. "I still have the picture of you that I took. You were in your sister's arms. I can show you sometime, if you like."
My heart swells at just the mention of Reanna. "Oh yes! I would love that!" The excitement of the prospect alone has my blood rushing and that quickly a wave of dizziness washes over me. "Oh my," I hiss, my eyes falling shut as I drop back against the cushions.
Doc Maize tuts, springing into action and positioning my body so that my feet are up and my head is turned to the side. Her hands are warm and gentle, her touch so soothing that I soon find myself smiling again.
"You'll need stitches," she says. "You're Shiftless *and* unmated so your healing will be slow."
*Unmated. Thanks for the reminder, Doc.*
"What does being mated have to do with it?" Max asks, and I can practically feel the heat of his eyes as he watches me.
"Maxwell," Doc Maize hisses, her tone amused. "Sometimes I wonder if you attended your classes at all."
I snort before I can stop myself, giggling helplessly as the doc warns me to hold still.
"Spending time with one's mate - whether having been claimed or not - has been known to speed up the healing process. Depending on the strength of the bond, the connection itself can work wonders on the body," Doc Maize chides him, pressing a cold rag drenched in antiseptic to my head.
I bite my lip, thinking of the bruises I received during my very public stoning and how they were healed the next morning after the night I spent with Max.
*So that's why I healed so swiftly. It was Max.*
"How did you let this happen to her," I hear Max hiss behind clenched teeth. "I left her in *your* care."
"My care?" Jared snipes. "Are you *serious*? You asked me to escort her to the kitchens. To *work.* To *slave.* Are you like - *actually* - nuts, or are you just showing off for Doc Maize?"
"Boys!" Doc Maize snaps, taking a stethoscope from her bag and fixing the two of them with a leveling glare. "Measure your dicks in another room please. I was called here to tend Blanca's injuries, not your egos."
"How long until she can resume her duties?" Max asks coldly and despite myself, my heart clenches.
*Of course. He would ask that.*
"Well," Doc Maize says as she begins threading a very sharp, very threatening looking needle. "Judging by the looks I was given just for *coming* her to tend her, I'd say, let her rest for at least the week."
"The *entire* week?" Max asks incredulously and his tone makes me want to slap him.
"Yes," Doc snaps. "The *entire* week. But hey, ya know, you're the Alpha. Not me. You decide. Do you want a dead slave or a live one?"
"A live one," Max grits out, meeting my eyes for the briefest moment. To my surprise, he doesn't appear nearly as put out about my inability to work as he sounds to be. In fact, the only thing I can see in his gaze is something akin to anguish. The gold of his irises swirls with emotion when he notices me looking and the set of his lips turns toward a frown.
"Well then give her the week," Doc orders. "And she needs to be somewhere comfortable. Somewhere she can rest. She has her own room in the packhouse, I presume."
"She does," Max confirms, gravely.
"Will she be safe in it?" Doc Maize asks and my chest thumps with the very real fear that I won't be.
"Safe?" Max repeats, tearing his eyes from mine to stare at Doc Maize as if he didn't really hear her at all.
*Is he really so dense?*
"Yes, Alpha. Safe. From the omegas I heard gossiping downstairs," Doc Maize points out. "Because if she's not going to be, she can stay at the Pack Hospital. Where she can be cared for twenty-four hours a day."
"The pack hospital is two miles away," Max says coolly.
"Exactly," Doc Maize replies, as if that alone should convince him.
"But there are omegas that *work* there too," Max clips out. "I don't think-"
"She can stay with me," Jared interrupts, and my heart swells with gratitude. "That way I can look out for her. No one would dare come for her there."
"No," Max snaps. "Absolutely not."
"And *why* not, Max?" Jared challenges. "What is it? Is she *only* allowed to stay with you?"
"Oh my Goddess," Doc Maize hisses irritably, throwing me a half smile then rolling her eyes as the pair of males behind the couch continue to bicker. "Your pretty face might start a war, darling." She winks and I attempt a smile.
My eyes grow hazy and I yawn. "Why am I... so sleepy?"
The doc grins. "Well because, precious. When I cleaned your wound, I doused the rag in a little something to put you to sleep. I don't want you to *feel* the needle when I start stitching you up."
"How kind of you," I say lazily. "You're not at all what I expected. Max is though... But so handsome, isn’t he? But he’s also a jerk. Totally *expected* that part though... He is a mean, mean m-ma... my ma-"
"Alpha," Max supplies quickly.
The doc and Jared both laugh. "It also loosens the lips a bit," she admits. "Go on, Blanca, relax. When you wake up, you'll be all patched up and settled in for the night."
"I'll be back in a few minutes," I hear Jared say as I flounder somewhere between consciousness and rest. "I'll have her things moved to my suite."
"You *will* not," Max growls.
"Oh no? And why not, Max? Have you forgotten your fiance is here?"
"She's not my fiance *yet*!"
"But she *is* going to be. She is your chosen mate," Jared counters.
And it is that sad, sorry, truth that chases me into the dark.