AUTHOR'S POV
Early morning, Scott drove Diana to the hospital. For a while before leaving, he made her try on different clothes that would hide her curves, and make her go unnoticed in a crowd. But it seems like, she stands out with anything she wears that he couldn't choose what best fits her that wouldn't make her highly noticeable. Losing her patience, Diana ended up wearing a black turtle neck long sleeves and a grey plaid sleek trousers that she randomly picked from the pile of clothes on the bed, for it seemed like nothing would ever suit Scott's liking despite he's the one who chose every single wardrobe in the closet. After almost an hour of bickering, they finally agreed on something.
In the speeding car, Scott held Diana's hand tightly as he shift gears. Apologetic in the way he reacted earlier at how Calvin attempted to bite Diana, Scott kept on her good graces with his acts of affection hoping that she would be relieved of him after seeing him in a state of fiery Alpha rage. Adding more fuel to his raging madness, his nightmare about his Luna being attacked made him more uptight and uneasy. He have never felt so afraid, that when it comes to Diana... it's almost like he's going to break so easily. He instantly regretted how he was unable to take hold of his anger. It ended up Diana seeing his fearful side, that made her back away from him with a jittery gaze. It was an unbearable sight that he would never want to see ever again.
Unlike wolves, vampires don't have self control. Once they firmly immerse their focus on the blood pumping in the veins of their victim, they become out of hand. The blood's bounding sound is the only thing that they can hear. There's this relentless determination to taste that blood. And as soon their lips are smeared by its sweetness, they get wild. They suck their veins dry, and leave their prey drained to death. With Diana's close deathly encounter with Calvin, she was close to being in that bloody position that Scott couldn't imagine.
As soon as they hit the hospital's driveway, all eyes shifted to the blue sports car with a dashing man coming out of it. Scott opened the car door for Diana, whom he eagerly held on the waist, and planted a quick kiss on her lips. "I'm sorry for the never-ending time", he whispered to her ears, making her blush. He waited for an answer, not letting her go. Completely ignoring the people around the hospital entrance. "I'm sorry..", he said again, letting out a soft sigh, beseeching for her forgiveness with his imploring eyes. For several times, Scott explained himself that such vampiric acts affect the fit of his rage. It's a trigger for wolves like him who are arch-rivals with vampires for centuries.
Diana let him off the hook with her usual gentle smile. Nevertheless, Scott remained bothered and on edge. "Okay, okay!", Diana was flustered with Scott's sudden physical romance, with an assurance that she'll be the topic of another gossip episode in the hospital. "It's okay..really", she gave out a soft chuckle, freeing herself from Scott's arms before he could think of much creative public display of affection.
Scott pressed another kiss on Diana's cheek, before deciding to let her go. Then, with his eyes ahead, he nodded at Cory, who's been waiting at the entrance of the hospital. He was ordered to stay undercover and look after Diana, until Scott tests his assumptions about his Alpha senses on his Luna. Also, it is for the best since there's a vampire lurking in the hospital. Before getting in the car, the protective Alpha glanced at David and Austin who were also guarding the hospital grounds. More wolves around Diana, the better.
Diana rushed inside the hospital, and went straight to her office at the 6th floor. She glanced at her mobile phone, and saw a couple of missed calls from Kate and her mother. As soon as she reached her office, she greeted Kate, who was busy preparing Diana's schedule for the day. Kate sprung up on her feet at the sight of Diana and gave her a nervous smile. Tongue-tied and glued on her spot, Kate trailed Diana with her eyes, crumpling the sides of a patient file in her hands. Going in her office, Diana opened the door, and found her mother to her surprise.
"You didn't sleep at home last night. I was worried", Alva, wearing a red suit standing upfront, greeted Diana, as she graze the edge of her daughter's glass table. "You didn't answer my calls too".
Diana went in and placed her purse on top of the wooden filing cabinet, and slid her phone in. "Sorry mother. I forgot to call", she replied.
"I heard you resigned as a board member, and got suspended because of a certain... doctor?" Alva squinted at Diana, as she turn the swivel chair, siting down.
"I did resign on my own, and got suspended at my fault", Diana remained standing with her hands in her pockets in the middle of her office. Her personal decisions of laying low in the hospital drove her mother all the way here, not just because she didn't went home, she figured.
"Calvin will take care of it, as how I would take care of you, I'm sure.", Alva crossed her legs, with her hands resting on the arm chair.
"Please stay out of it. It's my job, and my personal decision", Diana clearly said, making sure that her mother won't meddle with her resignation. She have thought about it several times, and stepping down from such great position would give her peace in the place of work that she truly love.
"But everything I do…is for you, Diana", Alva scorned at her daughter brazenly. "Don't be ridiculous", scoffing with a sarcastic sneer. Like most parents, Alva, despite prickly and dismissive, have always wanted to secure a promising tomorrow for her only daughter. In all possible ways to pave a way to her success, she wouldn't think twice to pull out the weeds or eliminate all her obstacles if needed.
"I mean it, mother. I want to be respected as a doctor here, based on my qualities. Not because of your money", Diana openly challenged her completely dispassionate mother who's now giving her a vacant stare. Alva tilted her head in chagrin, with her one hand turning to a hard ball. "Also, I'm moving out mother. I've seen a place for myself.", Diana gazed at her mother's eyes who seemed very distant. She even wondered if were they really like this each time they talk.
"Darling, you can never change the fate of a Woodsworth. With or without money, the name that you carry is enough to take you right where you deserve to be. As your mother, I am just making sure that you climb all the way to the top seamlessly", Alva frowned at her daughter with much displeasure as Diana defy her with shameless boldness the first time ever. "And moving out? Are you even asking? Is this the third or the fourth time?", Alva lifted her brows at her daughter.
"This is the last time..", Diana replied lowly, trying to build her strength in front of her intimidating mother. Leaving their home has been a long time coming anyway, she thought being at her age. "As a Woodsworth, I am just doing how I want my fate to be. Your part as a mother is what I'll always be thankful for. I know I cannot repay that kind of love that you give me. But please, I am sure that I want to do this", she convinced her firmly. Diana studied the glint in her mother's eyes. It's more disturbingly relaxed. Almost approving, despite that smug in the corner of her lips. As if she's making her feel that she could run now, and her mother would take a seat in the front row to watch her stumble.
Alva let out a mirthless laugh. Diana's stern voice with her eyes almost about to bawl out was fascinating for her to watch. This has been the third time that Diana asked permission to move out. None of those did Alva actually agreed to. But when Diana left once, she came running back home into her mother's lap, crying over spilt milk. "I'll have Hendrick prepare your things then. Calvin will be glad to lend a hand too.", Alva offered surprisingly, agreeing with her daughter for once without extending a more vain argument.
Calvin again, she thought. Somehow, Diana wondered if Calvin and her mother are in this together. Are they both vampires? Or is Calvin threatening her mother like how he threatens her... Thus, Diana couldn't believe her ears. If her mother isn't here, she wouldn't believe a thing she just said. "Th-Thanks mother, you are most kind. As always. Though, I don't want to disturb Calvin, he has more important things to do on his own", Diana refused respectfully.
"Fine, looks like you have sharp claws now, Dee", Alva surrendered with a sigh, as she stand up. "Just remember, don't go crying back at my doorstep when all these fail. I'm leaving now", she walked towards Diana and paused by her daughter's side. "Don't look back.", Alva whispered on her ear, as she led herself out. Diana was left baffled and disturbed with the victory that she got after their hostile exchange. Despite her mother being surprisingly and easily in approval of her leaving home, she can't help but wonder if this is all true. It can't be that uncomplicated, she believed. Yet, deep in her heart, a vague feeling of sorrow disturbed every beat of it. It could be her growing fear towards their home, which somewhat turned to a strange abode. Or, Diana making a daunting move to leave her mother, who has always been there for her. Too many what ifs pounded her head, with a hope that no single regret would come after them. It would have been better if Alva left her at least a parting hug to make her swallow that lump in her throat smoothly.
At least, that's one problem Diana was able to solve.
Diana and Kate shared a little moment in her office over a cup of tea before anything else. Kate was overly stupefied seeing Alva so early in the office. Without an idea that Diana didn't went home last night, Kate was troubled with so many disturbing thoughts after the incident with Calvin. She tried to contact Diana, but none of her messages returned. After learning of where Diana stayed over the night, Kate is more than relieved now... considering that Diana will be leaving the Woodsworths home for good.
Diana started her patient rounds and, checked on Dr. Murphy as first on her long list. He was complaining about the awful hospital food served to him and how boring it is to just answer crossword puzzles all the time. He seems recovering well she thought, as she check him for vampire marks as told by Scott. Luckily, she found none. She advised Dr. Murphy to contact her immediately just in case things get south. He surely obliged. More importantly, Calvin hasn't seen him yet, which gave Diana quite a relief.
After a few more patients, Diana headed to the stock room to check for some medical supplies for her residents' surgeries this afternoon. The stock room has seven organized metal shelves filled with packs, tubings, gauze, pads and all other medical consumables. The door banged behind her as she turn on the lights. She groaned at the flickering recessed light fixtures that eventually refused to light up. Sighing at the dim storage room, Diana used her phone to light her way instead, fulfilling her purpose heading to the mid-section of the room.
Squinting her eyes on the small blue labels and searching for the particular supplies that she needed in between tall metal shelves, Diana suddenly felt a cold presence lurking in the darker part of the room. She bravely directed the light and saw no one. Diana continued looking, and when she found them she heard a soft creak.
"Hello?", she voiced out, straightening up, raising her phone. Still, there's no one. Diana closely listened to the unsetting silence unwrapping in the fairly odd room. Backing away with the ray of her phone light headed towards into nothingness, a large hand promptly appeared covering her mouth conceling her scream. Diana dropped her phone, and was slowly pulled away.
"Shhh", a man hushed Diana, asking her to keep quiet.
Startled, Diana gasped as held on to the man's hand covering her mouth. When she turned her head, she was relieved lowering her shoulders, "Dr. Blackwell, what's going on?".
Dr. Blackwell removed his hand slowly, pulling Diana away. "We have to get out of here". His hands were shaking, as he take loud rapid breaths. "Now, doctor", pulling her to the door.
Diana couldn't understand what's happening. However, even without seeing Dr. Blackwell's face clearly, the fear in his voice is loud and clear. As she remember her phone that she left behind, Diana freed herself from the nervous mentor and said, "For a while, Doctor Blackwell. She rushed back to the aisle where she found her phone which light feature is still turned on. Swiftly, she swiped her phone and went back to Dr. Blackwell waiting just a few steps from her. It was then that each of the lights in the room finally switched on. Slowly blinking her eyes at the sudden brightness in the room, Diana saw Dr. Blackwell's stares widen as if he saw a ghost.
Diana felt some presence behind her that froze her right where she's standing. "Don't look back, Diana", she heard a low raspy voice close by. As she turn moving her eyes up, Diana saw Dr. Miller looking unruly crouching above the metal shelf with his bloodshot eyes giving her an unnervingly intense gaze, snarling with his lip curled backward showing his sharp fangs.
Horrified, Diana staggered in shock, letting out a loud scream in horror. It was a moment where her pulse peaked roaring in her ears. Cold sweats broke out from her neck, with her mind stalling in a petrified daze. Terror gripped her eyes on the vampire who's ready to spring for a bite. "Get down!", Dr. Blackwell growled. Hearing those words, Diana caved in to her knees that have turned jelly as she drop on her back, shutting her eyes closed. The vampire viciously snarled, going for his easy prey when suddenly, Dr. Blackwell leaped over Diana shape shifting into a brown wolf catching Dr. Miller's arm with his chops aggressively.
Diana slowly opened her eyes and was distraught at the intense fight between the might of a wolf and the savagery of a vampire unraveling before her. The stillness of the stockroom was replaced with loud clanging of metals and deep roars. The messy brawl wreck havoc the well-ordered space into a disaster with the medical supplies now in complete disarray. The wolf darted back, with its raised hackles and its ears pressed forward, baring its sharp teeth against its undead enemy. Backing away, the wounded vampire clutched on his arm, as he narrowed his eyes about to face the wolf's ferocity. The wolf then attacked the vampire once again, aiming for its neck. In a swift swing of his leg, the vampire kicked the wolf as it trashed its large body against the shelves, falling down like a domino.
Acting on a whim, Diana lifted herself up and ran to the door. Panic took over as she violently turn the knob. However the doors would not open no matter how hard she tried. "Help!", she yelled, yet no one answered. Looking back, she saw how the vampire took the upper hand by tearing Dr. Blackwell's chest using its sharp fingers. Dr. Blackwell winced in pain, whining as his blood splatter on the floor.
The vampire's eyes then shifted to Diana. Despite injured, his thirst for Diana's blood prevailed over the pain of his wound. Beside oneself, Diana could feel her heart hammering against her ribs as she shakily take in her shallow breaths. She traced the wall away from the vampire, who's closing in on her. Almost at the window with an attempt to jump off from there, falling for her death than to be sucked dry by a vampire would be best, Diana dare say. Unexpectedly, a strong force bursted the doors open that struck Dr. Miller. Cory, and Austin rushed in Diana's rescue, while David remained at the door, keeping things private in the stockroom.
Without delay, Cory shape shifted to his wolf form and urgently pounced on the newborn vampire. In awe, Diana watched Cory's quick and clever motions, perfectly landing every bite on Dr. Miller's limb one after the other. In swift back and forth movements, he snapped on the vampire's head biting it off so easily as he turn into ashes. Meanwhile, Austin dashed towards Diana, who told him to help Dr. Blackwell instead. Austin found the old man bathing in his own pool blood, as he hurriedly pressed on his open wound on his chest. "Hang in there, boss", he told Dr. Blackwell.
Impulsively, Diana searched the mountain of medical clutter for some wound packs. While digging in, she found some blankets and gowns in perfect timing as Cory and Dr. Blackwell shape shifted back to their human forms.
Keeping her calm in the midst of a bloody chaos, Diana reached for Dr. Blackwell as she crouch on the bloodied floor. Blanched from losing so much blood from his chest wound, Dr. Blackwell smiled at Diana, catching his breath . "I've never had a fight with vampires for years, getting rusty now I think.", he laughed, as he panted.
"Thanks Dr. Blackwell. I didn't know you were wolf", she smiled, as she control the bleeding on his chest. "I got this, we need to get him to the OR", she told Austin, taking away his bloody hands, about to carry Dr. Blackwell in his arms.
"Glad you're safe", Dr. Blackwell patted on Diana's head, looking terribly worried with those swelling eyes. "And to you boys, thanks..", he uttered at Cory, who's putting on a patient's gown, before flaking out.