Chapter 43

Hannah’s POV

I kept the pamphlet in the drawer of my desk at the palace; I hadn’t brought it up to Sebastian yet because I feared what he would say. Nora was upset with me for lying to him, but I didn’t think of it as lying. I just hadn’t told him about it. Yet.

I was planning to at some point. When the timing is right. I still had time before enrollment, so I didn’t need to decide right now anyway. So, for right now, the pamphlet will remain in the drawer of my desk until I had the nerve to talk to Sebastian.

I stared at myself in the mirror, satisfied with the maroon dress I was wearing. It was a simple, business casual dress, that I got from the boutique that Sebastian had bought. I had my hair tied in a low ponytail and curled into ringlets down my back.

Sebastian walked into the room, he was wearing one of his dark suits and had his hair combed out of his face. Of course, he was wearing his mask, which still bothered me, but I made it a point to not say anything about it.

He didn’t even have to try to look good; he could be wearing a trash bag and he still look handsome as ever. It wasn’t fair that he kept his good looks hidden behind his mask. I wanted to reach out and grab it off his face, but I knew better than to anger him. Especially before the medical banquet, we were about to attend.

This was my first medical banquet and some of the top doctors, besides Dr. Davis, were going to be there. I had to make sure my first impression was a good one and that meant attending it with a very calm wolf king.

“Are you ready?” He asked, staring at me.

I nodded and took in a deep breath to try to calm my nerves.

“A little nervous,” I admitted.

“Why?” He asked, raising his eyebrows.

It occurred to me that he probably doesn’t get nervous easily, being the king and all. He’s used to everyone else being nervous around him though.

“I just want to make a good impression,” I told him.

“You’re the luna queen. They should be worried about making a good impression with you,” he told me, offering his arm.

I smiled, though I knew it wasn’t going to reach my eyes. If anything, his words made me more nervous. I didn’t want everyone to be nervous around me; I didn’t want them to see me as the wolf king’s luna, or the luna queen. I wanted them to see me as a good doctor and a healer.

He softened his gaze and pulled me along with him out of the room.

“You’re going to be fine,” he assured me.

I nodded and allowed him to take me down the stairs and towards the front door of the palace. The butler was already opening the door for us and bowing as we made our way past. Lewis was already standing by the car out front with the doors open, gesturing us to enter.

…

The banquet was held in a large dining hall in king’s city where the most important events are held. Upon entering, we were greeted with bows and curtsies right away. I smiled nervously as I made eye contact with some of the top doctors that I recognized from books and magazines. I couldn’t believe I was in the presence of them. I grew up reading and researching everything about them, and never have dreamt of actually being able to meet them.

They were my idols.

“Relax,” Sebastian muttered from beside me, sensing my tension.

I tried to relax my body but as soon as I did, I began trembling uncontrollably. What was wrong with me?

“Hannah! You made it,” Dr. Davis said strolling toward me.

He stopped suddenly as soon as he saw Sebastian; his eyes widened, and he cleared his throat.

“I’m glad you are both here,” he said, keeping his tone professional.

Sebastian said nothing, he just tightened his hold around my arm, and I felt my face reddening. I wasn’t sure why Sebastian was still so hostile towards Dr. Davis. He knew that Dr. Davis was just helping me research wolf madness and that there was nothing more going on between us.

“There are some people I wanted to introduce you to,” Dr. Davis said, motioning for us to follow him.

As we made our way through the crowded dining hall, I could already smell the fresh foods being prepared and ready to serve. My stomach growled as I realized I hadn’t eaten all day and I was beginning to become ravenous.

Dr. Davis stopped in front of a small group of people. Two men and a woman who looked relatively middle-aged.

“Hannah, this is Dr. Edison, Dr. Lynol, and Dr. Montgomery,” Dr. Davis introduced.

My eyes widened as I stared at the woman that I have read so much about.

Dr. Rachel Montgomery. My number one idol and the dean of the Bluemoon medical academy. Not to mention the luna of the Bluemoon Pack’s alpha, George Montgomery.

“Dr. Montgomery,” I said as I shook her hand. “I’m a huge fan of yours.”

She gave me a pleasant smile and bowed her head.

“Not as big a fan as I am of yours, your majesty,” she said to me in return.

I felt my face reddening; this was my worry. That they would only see me as the luna queen and not as a fellow doctor in training.

She turned to Sebastian and bowed her head again.

“It’s an honor to have you both at our medical banquet,” she said, keeping her tone proper.

“Hannah is who I was telling you about earlier. I recommended her a few days ago to your program,” Dr. Davis said.

I felt the color draining from my features at his mention of the program; it felt like there wasn’t enough air in the room to breathe. I knew Sebastian was staring at me questionably, but I refused to confirm that by looking up at him.

Dr. Montgomery lifted her gaze to meet mine, narrowing her eyes as she assessed my face.

“It would be such an honor if you could attend the Bluemoon Medical Academy, your majesty. We’ve heard such great things about your work. You can learn a lot from us, just as we can learn a lot from you as well,” she said.

I had no words to say; my voice would come out weak if I tried to speak at that moment.

Dr. Davis’s face fell slightly as he assessed my frozen features and his eyes shifted over to Sebastian.

“I’m assuming you haven’t made a decision yet?” He asked, turning his attention back to me.

“I…” I tried to say, but my words came out as a squeak. “I have not…”

“Enrollment is in a couple of weeks,” Dr. Montgomery said. “You have plenty of time to decide on what you want to do. But we would love to have you.”

“Thank you, mam,” I said to her; I was glad that my voice appeared much stronger than it had a moment ago.

I could feel Sebastian tensing from beside me, clutching my arm tightly to a point where I thought I was going to lose circulation. I tried not to look uncomfortable in front of these doctors though.

“If you’ll excuse us,” I said to them, trying to keep my tone even. “I think I smell food being brought out and I’m very hungry.”

They all chuckled and nodded.

“Of course,” Dr. Davis said; he was still eyeing me carefully, but he said nothing more as Sebastian pulled me from the group and in the direction of the tables.

We walked quietly; I smiled as people bowed to us. I tried not to look too awkward or act like my arm was losing all feeling.

“You’re hurting me…” I whispered, trying to get him to ease some of the tension.

“You didn’t tell me about the program…” he said through gritted teeth; I knew he was trying to keep himself from losing control.

“Can we discuss it later?” I asked him.

After another squeeze of my arm, he finally released me.

He said nothing more to me the rest of the night.