His Plump Mate (by Buchanan) novel Chapter 25

**Rebel POV**

As Austin takes my hand, a mix of anxiety and uncertainty washes over me. The atmosphere feels thick with tension as he guides me out of his office. Roxie, my ever-vigilant wolf, is on edge alongside me. A flurry of worst-case scenarios races through my mind. What if there’s something fundamentally wrong with us? What if my mate decides he can’t bear the burden anymore? The very thought of him severing our bond sends chills down my spine. What if whatever is wrong with me is beyond fixing? My mind spins in a chaotic dance of worry as we make our way toward the pack hospital. Suddenly, Austin halts and turns to face me, his expression softening.

“Darling,” he begins, his voice a soothing balm against my frayed nerves. “I can hear your thoughts racing. Take a deep breath and calm yourself. First and foremost, you are mine—now and forever. I’m not going anywhere, and neither are you. My mark is on that beautiful neck of yours, and I would never dream of breaking our bond.” He pauses, his gaze piercing yet tender. “If there’s something wrong that can’t be treated, I will still stand by your side. You must understand just how deeply I love you, Rebel. It’s unconditional. I know our time together has been brief, but I am irrevocably yours. Please, stop fretting about what this might mean for us. I promise you, I’m here to stay.” With that, he envelops me in his arms, pulling me close for a passionate kiss. I can feel the warmth of his love flowing through our bond, soothing the storm within me. I lean into him, feeling the weight of my worries lift, if only for a moment.

After what feels like an eternity, he pulls back slightly, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. “Besides, my little mate, I’m quite eager for tonight and all the nights that follow.”

A laugh escapes my lips, and I can feel a blush creeping up my cheeks. “And you accuse me of using you for your body? The tables have turned, Alpha.”

“Oh, but it’s such a tempting body,” he growls softly, playfully swatting my rear. “Now, let’s get this appointment over with so we can grab some dinner before retreating to our room for… other activities.” He nips at my earlobe, sending delightful shivers coursing through me. Roxie, ever the enthusiastic spectator, is practically drooling.

*He’s so incredibly sexy, and he’s all ours, Rebs! He’s serious about not going anywhere, and I can feel it.* Roxie chimes in, her excitement palpable.

*I’m relieved, because I honestly don’t think I could bear to be without him now. I’ve fallen for him, and there’s no turning back.* I reply, my heart swelling with affection.

*Same here. Cronos and I are always yearning for our mates. I refuse to let them go.* She asserts firmly.

*It looks like we won’t have to worry about that after all.* I reassure her as we reach the pack hospital. Austin steps forward to inquire about Dr. Hadley.

When she appears, she embodies the quintessential doctor stereotype. She appears to be in her early forties, her dirty blonde hair neatly secured in a bun. Frameless glasses perch on her thin face, accentuating her kind blue eyes. She’s slightly shorter than I am, but that’s typical for most she-wolves.

“Alpha Austin! It’s wonderful to finally see our Luna in the pack hospital!” Dr. Hadley exclaims, her wide smile instantly putting me at ease. “Luna Rebel, what a pleasure it is to meet you! Were you here for a tour?”

Austin interjects, “A tour would be lovely, Dr. Hadley, but we need to discuss a private matter first.”

In an instant, Dr. Hadley’s demeanor shifts from warm and welcoming to professional and serious. “Of course. Alpha, Luna, please follow me.” She leads us into her office, which reflects her personality—sleek and professional yet inviting.

Once we’re seated, Dr. Hadley retrieves a notepad and pen, her full attention now on us. “So, what did you wish to discuss, Alpha Austin?” Her gaze shifts between us, waiting for him to speak.

“Dr. Hadley,” he begins, his tone serious. “Rebel is an exceptionally strong fighter, and her wolf is incredibly fast. Yet, I’ve noticed that whenever they exert themselves, they seem to deplete their energy at an alarming rate—much faster than normal wolves. She’s mentioned needing to eat to regain her strength after physical exertion. Normally, I wouldn’t think twice about it, but something feels off. I’ve witnessed Rebel in battle, and while she tires, her stamina is on par with our warriors. Yet, she’s hungrier than all of them afterward.”

“I see,” Dr. Hadley replies, turning her attention to me. “Have you ever discussed this with the pack doctors from your previous pack, Luna?”

I glance down, a sigh escaping my lips. I know I’ll have to recount my life at Ironclaw yet again. “This is my first time seeing a pack doctor,” I admit quietly.

Her eyes widen, and shock colors her features. “This is your first time ever seeing a doctor, Luna?” I nod, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me.

“What did your family do when you required medical attention?” she probes gently.

“Um, I had to heal myself, Doctor,” I say, my voice trembling as tears threaten to spill from my eyes. “I didn’t exactly grow up in a loving home.”

“I understand,” she replies, her gaze softening with compassion. “Luna, I’ll always be available if you need medical attention in the future. Please don’t hesitate to come to me if you’re ever injured or unwell. I promise you’ll receive the best care—not just because you’re the Luna.” She smiles warmly, and I feel a flicker of hope.

“Now, let’s begin with a thorough examination. I’ll need to take some blood samples and conduct X-rays. Since this is your first visit, I’m starting from scratch. I’ll be asking you quite a few questions. Are you aware of your family’s medical history?” she inquires, her tone shifting back to professional.

“Yes, there’s more to discuss. I wanted to address the primary reason for your visit first. I recommend adjusting your diet slightly more than the warriors to expedite your recovery. I’ll advise the omegas to prepare meals higher in protein and complex carbohydrates, like rice and potatoes. This should help restore your vitamin and mineral levels. Now, regarding your X-rays…” She continues, shifting the topic, “They reveal that you have old broken bones, some of which didn’t heal properly. Do you experience any pain from these old injuries?”

She follows up with another question, “If so, do you recall how you sustained those injuries?”

I look down, knowing precisely which injuries she’s referring to. I haven’t thought about them in years, and the pain has faded into a distant memory. “Yes. They’re old injuries, Doctor,” I begin. “I didn’t realize they hadn’t set correctly. It was likely when I was learning to set my own bones.”

Austin’s growl resonates with barely contained fury. His anger is palpable, and I can feel it radiating off him. I reach out, wanting to comfort him, but instead, he lifts me effortlessly and sits me on his lap, burying his nose in my neck and inhaling deeply. I know he’s trying to calm himself, but I need to finish explaining to Dr. Hadley about my injuries. If there’s a way to rectify them, I’m willing to do whatever it takes.

“The first injury was to my right leg when I was about thirteen. My father began training me after I got Roxie. She’s an amazing wolf. Anyway, during one of our training sessions, he kicked my leg, and I distinctly felt it break. He ordered me to get back up and keep going because, in a real battle, no one would stop for a broken bone; they’d go for the kill. So, I got back up and fought until it was time to clean up and start my chores at home.”

By evening, the pain had become unbearable. Climbing the ladder to the attic was a struggle. Once there, Roxie and I attempted to set it ourselves. We did our best, but it was painful. “Later, I stumbled upon a medical book in my father’s office when he wasn’t around. It contained information on emergency procedures, including how to set bones. It took a few tries to get it right, but after that, Roxie and I learned how to properly set bones whenever something broke.”

When I look up, I see both Dr. Hadley and Austin seething with rage. Austin’s arms tremble with barely contained fury. “You mean your father deliberately broke your bones as part of your training?” he whispers, his voice thick with anger. I can see Cronos echoing his fury in Austin’s eyes.

“How many times did he break your bones, Luna?” Dr. Hadley asks, her voice strained as she tries to rein in her emotions.

I lower my gaze, shame flooding through me. How pathetic must I seem to them? “I lost count after the third time,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. Their anger only intensifies, and I instinctively shrink inward, as I always did when faced with fury directed at me back home.

“I’m sorry, Alpha, Luna. I need to step out for a moment,” Dr. Hadley says, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She exits the room, leaving Austin and me alone.

Austin is still trembling with rage. I feel a pang of guilt. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, my voice quivering. “I didn’t mean to upset you.” My eyes well up with tears, the weight of my past pressing heavily on my heart.