Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever-Chapter 53 Zade Harrington

SOPHIA’S POV

I drove three hours to Millbrook Falls. There was a knot in my stomach that wouldn’t go away, no matter how much I tried. I was nervous.

The countryside was beautiful this time of year.

There were rolling hills on both sides of the highway. The trees had red and orange leaves. It was the kind of view that should have made me feel peaceful but I could barely appreciate it.

All I could think about was how far away I was from Ashley. Three hours. That was three hours between me and my daughter.

I thought about my family too. Now, I was three hours away from everyone who mattered.

Millbrook Falls was a small town, the kind of place where everyone knew everyone else’s business.

When I got to the hospital, I parked in the staff lot and sat in my car for a moment. My hands were still shaking from how nervous I was.

I could do this. I’d done harder things. I’d survived a marriage that nearly destroyed me. Working in a small town should be easy.

My wolf offered me comfort.

“We’re tougher than this.” she said “We’ve survived worse.”

She was right.

I got out of the car and walked toward the entrance. The receptionist at the front desk looked up and smiled.

"Dr. Sophia! We’ve been expecting you." She stood up. The name on her nameplate read "Janet." "Welcome to Millbrook Falls Community Hospital. Dr. Morrison is ready to meet with you. Let me just let him know you’re here."

She picked up the phone and spoke quietly.

A few patients sat in the waiting area, watching me with curious eyes.

New people were rare in towns like this. New doctors were even more rare. I could already feel the gossip starting. By tomorrow, everyone in town would know about me.

Dr. Morrison appeared from a hallway. He was an older man with gray hair.

“Hello doctor” I said.

"Dr. Sophia. Wonderful to finally meet you in person." He shook my hand "Welcome to our hospital. Let me show you around."

He led me through the facility, explaining procedures as we walked.

The emergency room was small. It had just four beds separated by curtains. The operating rooms were outdated compared to what I was used to, but they looked functional.

He introduced me to nurses and staff members.

Everyone seemed friendly enough.

The equipment was older than what I’d been working with. Some of it looked like it belonged in a museum but Dr. Morrison assured me it all worked fine.

"We make do with what we have," he said. "And we’re good at it."

Everything was smaller than the hospital I’d just left. Here, they had fewer resources.

"We’re glad to have someone with your experience here," Dr. Morrison said as we finished the tour. We stood outside what would be my office. It was just a small room with a desk and filing cabinets. "Most young doctors these days want the to work with city hospitals.”

"I’m happy to be here." The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but I forced a smile.

The door to the staff room opened and my heart stopped when I saw who walked in – Lance.

Lance walked in carrying a box.

He froze when he saw me. The box nearly slipped from his hands. For a moment neither of us spoke. We just stared at each other with surprise.

"Dr. Lance! Perfect timing." Dr. Morrison said. "This is Dr. Sophia. She’ll be working alongside you in surgery. We’re lucky to have two talented surgeons joining us at the same time."

Lance set the box down slowly on a nearby chair.

“Sophia?” he said in shock.

“Lance?” I breathed.

I could see the confusion in Dr. Morrison’s expression, but he didn’t push. Maybe he sensed this wasn’t the time.

"Well then" He looked between us. "Dr. Sophia, your office is down the hall. Dr. Lance, yours is right next to hers. Staff meeting is at four o’clock. Don’t be late."

He walked away. I stared at Lance, trying to process what was happening.

"What are you doing here?" I asked finally.

"Working, apparently." He smiled. "Got transferred last week. Didn’t realize you’d be here too."

I remembered the day he’d mentioned meeting with the hospital director. That was at the restaurant. I felt guilty that he was transferred to a small hospital like this.

I sighed "This is because of me, because of what happened with Damien."

"Don’t. It’s not your fault.”

“Lance-”

He checked his watch. “I’d love to stay and chat but I have an appointment now. Talk later?”

I swallowed hard. “Sure.”

He patted my shoulder then left. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

I was alone in the room. I thought about what to do. The guilt was eating me out alive. I needed to fix this. Lance didn’t deserve to have his career destroyed because of Damien. He was a good doctor.

I thought about who could help. My parents had no connections in the medical world. Marco was a lawyer. Patricia had offered, but what could she do?

I needed someone with real power.

And only one name came to mind. Zade Harrington.

Zade and Damien were rivals. They hated each other with passion.

They were both Alphas. Damien was powerful in his own pack, his own territory. But Zade was just as powerful in his. Maybe more so. And he’d love nothing more than to hurt Damien, even if it was just by helping someone Damien had tried to destroy.

It was risky. Zade wasn’t a good man. I knew that but he also had the kind of influence that could help Lance.

I pulled out my phone and called him. I always had his number. I never knew I’d use it one day.

"Zade Harrington’s office." Someone answered.

"This is Dr. Sophia." I said. "I need to speak with Mr. Harrington. It’s urgent."

"Please hold."

This was a bad idea but I didn’t know what else to do. Lance needed help and I was the reason he needed it.

"Sophia." Zade’s voice came on the line "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

I bit my lip, "I need your help."

"Straight to the point. I like that." He chuckled. "What kind of help?"

"It’s about-”

"You know what? Let’s meet to discuss the details.”

“But....I’m in Millbrook Falls right now”

“Great. I’m here too. We could meet for coffee afterward."

I was surprised "You’re here? In this town?"

"Small world, isn’t it?"

I wanted to refuse. Every instinct I had said this was a bad idea. My wolf was nervous inside me but I needed his help. Lance didn’t deserve to have his career destroyed because of me.

"Fine.” I muttered.

*

That evening, I went to the diner where Zade and I agreed to meet.

Right at 6pm, a black car pulled up outside. Zade stepped out in an expensive suit.

As I stood, Zade entered the diner and walked straight to my booth. Before I could shake his hand, he pulled me into a hug.

I was shocked. What the.....?

I pushed him away firmly. “Alpha. Harrington. Please. This is a professional meeting."

He released me but kept smiling. "Call me Zade. And forgive me.”

My wolf howled inside me. I wondered what I had really gotten myself into.