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“That would be Nicole Wells’ doing. Nicole is the mate to Asher Wells of the Wolf Run pack.”
“There’s another dire wolf pack so close?”
“No, Alaskan Timber wolves, but she is an exceptional event planner and I wanted this done right for you and Mischa.”
“That’s very kind of you. What can I do to help?”
Sensing the offer was genuine and not just pro forma, Valentin began to explain to her what they had in mind and asking for her input. As they discussed the event, Valentin tried to probe for information not only about the lack of her ability to shift, but to see how she might fare as mate to his alpha.
When she finally left towards the end of the day, he was impressed, but still concerned. He liked her but there was something definitely off about her. He thought it might be her scent, but he couldn’t be sure. Mischa seemed disinclined to worry about it, which meant it fell to Val.
She had been pleasant, funny, and had asked excellent questions, making astute suggestions and usually not in a way that made things grander, but would make it easier for others. She’d been disappointed that he had yet to find her a ceremony dress, but seemed to understand that Alaska didn’t offer much in off-the-rack dresses, especially for those who weren’t a sample size. Little-by-little he’d felt them both lowering their guard around each other, and he wondered if he might have an ally in ensuring the security of Mischa and the pack’s future.
CHAPTER9
MISCHA
Mischa left her to go find Valentin and help him with the bonding ceremony. He knew his beta was still skeptical. How young she was didn’t bother Mischa, but the whole not being able to shift was worrisome. He wondered if there was some kind of genetic abnormality and whether she might possibly pass it along to their children. If so, what then?
He headed into his office and closed the door. This was not a phone call anyone needed to hear him make.
The call was picked up on the other end. “Doc Hadley. This had better be good. I’m fishing.”
“Doc, it’s Mikhail Palmer. I think it’s important, but it can wait a couple of days.”
“Mischa? If you’re calling me direct, it’s important to you and you don’t want my office, or probably anyone else, knowing you’re calling me. Is someone hurt?”
“No. I am getting bonded next week…”
“I hadn’t heard. There’ll be an awful lot of she-wolves disappointed to hear that.”
“I wanted a mate who was a dire wolf and had a solid pedigree…”
“This is your mate you’re talking about, not a breeding prospect. So, what’s the problem? The girl not enamored of your overly romantic overtures? I won’t be involved in anything illegal, Mischa.”
“Simone, that’s my mate, is here with me in Otter Cove. Last night she shared with me that she has never been able to shift.”
“How old is she?” Doc’s tone indicated that not only was he interested, but he was also concerned. “I’m assuming she’s of legal age.”
“She is twenty-three.”
“That is odd. Even those we call late bloomers begin shifting as they hit puberty. I’ll need to see her and take a look at her medical records. I’m assuming you want this done on the QT? I’ll need to run some tests, but I can have you come into the office when there’s nobody else around.”
“I would be grateful for any and all assistance you might be able to give us.”
“Have you thought about what it will mean if there’s a problem?”
“We’ll have it fixed.”
“And if there is no fix?” asked Doc Hadley. “Modern medicine is a marvel, but it’s not a miracle.”
“I know. I will deal with that question when I have the answers I need.” Mischa glanced at his watch. “Would tomorrow work for you?”
“Actually, that would work well. Betty will be on vacation, so I’ll be manning the office alone. You’ll be coming by boat, so just come up to the dock, and I’ll leave the back door open.”
Mischa worked for the rest of the afternoon. After his phone call with Doc Hadley, he unlocked and opened the door to his office and talked with pack members as they came in with their various issues. As he was wrapping up for the day, he could feel Simone approaching the house. He used the intercom to call back to the kitchen and asked that they send Simone his way.
A few minutes later she entered his office and took a seat opposite him.
