Chapter 13 Tears streamed down her face. "You saved my life. My brother's life. My dreams. My future. Everything I am, everything I'll ever be - it's because of you." I felt my own eyes burning. Kate threw her arms around me, clinging like I was her lifeline. "I can't do this without you, Sable. You're like… you're like the big sister I never had. The mentor I dreamed of. My hero." "Hey now." I stroked her hair gently. "You know what they say about heroes, right? They're just people who stick around long enough to see if their terrible decisions work out." Kate let out a watery laugh despite her tears. "That's not funny." "It's a little funny. Besides, you don't need me anymore. You've got this, Kate. You're going to be an incredible doctor." "But what if I mess up? What if I can't remember everything you taught me?" "Then you'll figure it out, just like I did. And if you really get stuck…" I pulled back to look at her tear-stained face. "You know what the difference is between a doctor and God?" Kate sniffled. "What?" 'God doesn't think he's a doctor." This time her laugh was genuine. "You and your terrible medical jokes." "They're not terrible, they're professionally calibrated to distract patients from their imminent doom." 'See? This is what I'm going to miss." Kate hugged me tighter. "Your awful sense of humor. Your patience. The way you explain things without making me feel stupid. 'You're never stupid, Kate. You're one of the smartest people I know." 'Promise me something," she whispered against my shoulder. "What?" "When I finish my residency, I'm coming to find you. Wherever you are. I'm going to follow you around like a lost puppy until you agree to let me work with you again." I smiled through my own tears. "That sounds like stalking." I prefer 'persistent professional development." "You're going to be someone's little shadow, aren't you?" "Your shadow," Kate said fiercely. 'Forever. You're stuck with me, Sable Crawford. I'm going to be your annoying little tail for the rest of our careers." 'I'd like that more than you know." We held each other for a long moment, both crying now. When Kate finally pulled back, her eyes were red but determined. "I love you, Sable. Not just as a mentor or a friend. As family." "I love you too, Kate. Take care of yourself, okay? And call me if you need anything. Anything at all. 1/3 Chapter 13 'I will. And Sable?" "Yeah?" - "Wherever you're going, whatever you're running toward or away from I hope it makes you happy. You deserve all the happiness in the world." I picked up my box with shaking hands. "See you around, Dr. Johnson." 'See you soon, Dr. Crawford." The automatic doors slid open, and I stepped into the cool night air. That's when I saw him. Darrell's POV I'd been sitting in my car outside Moonridge General for forty minutes, rehearsing what I'd say to Sable. Mom's text from this afternoon had been clear: "That girl bought an expensive watch trying to win you back. Break up with her immediately before she causes more trouble." But I wasn't planning to break up with Sable. The watch thing actually made perfect sense. She'd been hurt by the scene at the jewelry store, embarrassed by my reaction to her expensive ring. Now she was trying to prove she could be generous too, that she understood how relationships worked. I'd always found Sable's eagerness to please both touching and useful. She never held grudges, never played games. When I fucked up, a few flowers and a sincere apology would set everything right. - That was one of the things I'd grown to appreciate about her she was uncomplicated. Camila could be brilliant and passionate, but she also held grudges and demanded grand gestures. Sable just wanted to be loved. So much simpler. The plan was straightforward. Accept her gift graciously. Apologize for being harsh at the jewelry store. Maybe take her to bed and remind her how good we were together physically. She'd forgive me. She always did. Then I could figure out how to balance both relationships without losing either woman entirely. At dinner with Camila, I'd barely touched my food. My mind kept drifting to Sable, wondering what kind of watch she'd chosen, how much she'd spent, whether she was nervous about giving it to me. "Who texted you?" Camila had asked, noticing my phone buzz. 'No one," I'd replied, flipping the phone face-down. "You're smiling. Must have been good news." 'Just pack business." But Camila's eyes had narrowed slightly. She'd always been perceptive, able to read people's emotional states. After dropping her off at her hotel, I'd tried mind-linking Sable. No response. Her phone went straight to voicemail. She must be working overtime at the hospital. 212 So here I was. Sable's POV Darrell leaned against his black BMW, arms crossed over his chest. The parking lot's fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across his face, making his gray eyes look darker than usual. He'd been waiting. God knows how long. 'Sable. His voice carried that low, dangerous edge I'd learned to fear. I didn't slow my pace toward my own car. "Darrell." 'We need to talk. He pushed off from the BMW and fell into step beside me. His long legs easily matched my hurried stride. "There's nothing to discuss." "There is. About what happened at the jewelry store today." His hand shot out, fingers wrapping around my wrist like a steel cuff. "Get in the car." I yanked my arm back, but his grip tightened. "Let go of me. I'm tired and I want to go home." "Now, Sable." Alpha authority rolled off him in waves, pressing against my consciousness like a physical weight. My wolf Esme whimpered and submitted before I could stop her. My body moved without my permission, feet carrying me to his passenger door. He held it open with false courtesy, then walked around to slide behind the wheel. The locks clicked with ominous finality. "You can't force me to- "We're mates. He turned to face me, gray eyes gleaming with expectation. "I have every right to talk to my girlfriend."