The Pack's Doctor by Cooper

Chapter 195

Yorick

‘Smell anything, Thad?‘ I ask my wolf. I’m still in bed on this, my eighteenth birthday. I didn’t expect that my mate would be here, there’s nothing for me here in this pack, but I figured I’d better make sure.

‘I would have smelled her last night if she was here,’ he says.

That’s true. I guess she could be in Kennedy’s pack, but somehow, I doubt it. I’ve known for a while that my place wasn’t in either of my older siblings‘ packs. I’m an Alpha wolf with an older brother who has taken over our pack. My father’s Beta and his mate have a son who has already taken over as my brother’s Beta and the same is true for our Gamma. There’s no place, no position for me in Connor’s pack.

I could probably petition Quirin for is Gamma position. He’s been talking about needing to fill it and now that his life is full of pups, he needs the help, but it’s not what I want.

‘We’ve made our decision,’ Thad says.

We have, we just haven’t told anyone yet. I’m not sure how they will react and I’m not sure what it will mean for me in the future, but I know Dad and Connor will be surprised.

Part of me wishes that I had my sister’s penchant for medicine. Then, at least, I’d have a place here. I could work to take over my mother’s position as Lead Doctor at our pack hospital, but I’m a fighter. I much prefer being in hand–to–hand combat than sitting and reading a book. Honestly, if it weren’t for Kennedy, I probably wouldn’t have passed half of my classes. It’s not that I’m stupid, it’s that I have zero attention span when I’m uninterested in something and things like algebra, chemistry, and physics hold absolutely no interest for me at all.

“You’re an excellent fighter, Yorick. You know there will always be a place for you in this pack. I could use someone like you to train our warriors,” Connor said and has said to me several times over the last year. I know he wants me to stay, wants me to feel like I fit in, but I don’t. Not here. Not in HIS pack. And I know I never will. I’ll always be the younger brother that Connor is finding a position for in his pack. But I want to find my own place, my own way in the world.

I sigh and roll out of bed, quickly getting dressed before going out to warrior training. This and the afternoon training are my favorite parts of the day. There won’t be any afternoon training since we’re celebrating my birthday, so I don’t want to miss this morning.

My mother and father returned to the pack last night and when I walk downstairs, my father greets me.

“Ready for me to finally let loose now that you’re an adult?” he asks, giving him a grin that is nearly identical to mine. Connor and I both look very much like our father.

“Because you’ve been holding back?” I ask him.

He shrugs. “Maybe I’ll wait one more day. It IS your birthday, after all.”

“The best present you could give me is a challenge, Dad,” I say as we walk outside.

Are you saying I don’t challenge you on

even if lately he’s been fighting with glitter, clips, and ribbons in his hair. My nieces love to decorate Raif and he’s very patient with them.

in Quirin’s pack, I’ve been training with him

we walk out, the pack members all wish me happy birthday. Connor is at the front of the warriors and when he sees me, he slaps his hands together and rubs them, watching me with a glint in his eyes like he’s

shot at the birthday boy?” he

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Chapter 195

she’s riled up, she starts making mistakes. I also think

family arrive throughout the day, and early in the afternoon I make my escape to my room so I can get ready for the party tonight. I walk to my dresser and pull out

have been accepted at this year’s Warrior Academy. Congratulations! You are among the elite who have been chosen.”

is the announcement that I will be making tonight, the one my brother and father will be shocked to hear.

her. I’ve noticed

blushing and struggling

the hint of applied blush on her cheeks and the swipes of

she growls.

didn’t say a word,” I say, grinning even

loud, but I know what you were thinking in that pea–sized brain of yours.”

pea–sized brain thinking, exactly?” I ask taunting her. She

chin. “It’s your birthday. I’m

her. The applied blush is no match for

tease her, I offer her my arm.

arm and as we begin to make our way down the hall, she

I know you want it to be him, but you have to prepare

around this year to look after her. Connor is busy with his pack, mate, and increasing number of pups. Mom and Dad go back and forth between packs and seem to have more and more grandpups every day to keep them occupied, not to mention Yana and the

you know?” she asks, looking up at

is paying attention knows, Wendy. You’re not

mate before a turn eighteen?” she