Page 42 of A Luna's Revenge

"Luna, I didn't know where it would lead. At first, I thought maybe I was wrong or he had made a mistake. So, I just stitched you up and treated the symptoms." She sighs. "Then you continued to experience sporadic symptoms after he returned. There are rumors...so I increased your dosage. I am a professional, Luna, but Alpha can take this all away from me. I am under his control—we all are." She wipes the moisture from her cheeks. "If he would do this to you, what protection from him do I have? Besides, I didn't want to hurt you, Charlie. You don't deserve this."

“So, I’ve not experienced further symptoms because you have been treating me for Cheating Mate Syndrome for at least three months.”

“Basically—two and half months.”

"If what you say is true, and what I believe is fact, Tracy Vincent is Jenson's mistress. Therefore, we know what they are playing at."

Dr. Bridgit nods at my statement.

“Thanks for protecting me and helping me. Honestly, I feel a little hurt that you didn’t talk to me about it, but I understand. Now, this is all strictly confidential and between us only. Mention nothing to Jenson because things are about to change here, and I don't think it will be for the better."

"Changes have already begun, Luna." Dr. Bridgit rolls her eyes. "I can already feel the goddess' displeasure. Illness andpopulation decline is up in the pack; in the last three months alone, we have had six females miscarry. The rumors and what the pack sees have already affected pack morale and standards; I am currently treating ten mated females and three mated males for CMS."

I gasp. "Why wasn't I aware of this?"

"CMS carries a stigma of shame to those who are affected. They feel it’s their fault. They keep it secret until it gets out of hand."

"But it's not the victim's fault, Bridgit!" I rant. "It's the slimeball cheaters who are at fault!"

"I know. Dr. Skye and Dr. Amaris lead the fight to bring understanding and change in the capital but without much success."

"Dr. Amaris is the alchemist that developed Amra, right?" At least, that is what I remember from the pamphlet. I will need to see her.

"Yes." Dr. Bridgit replies. "And, unless or until you no longer have a mate bond with Alpha, you must continue taking Amra to protect your health."

"Can you give me a 90-day supply to tide me over?"

"Sure." She leaves the room briefly and returns with a small bag in her hand. "Here you go. It’s totally safe, so if you see an increase in symptoms, just up the dose by 5 mg daily until you get relief."

"Thanks. And, Bridgit, where can I get a refill if I am not here?"

"Any clinic should have access to them by now. There is a big push for awareness. And, Luna," Dr. Bridgit stops me from leaving the exam room. "I know I am breaking all kinds of protocol here, but in a prior meeting, Jenson claimed that Tracy Vincent drugged him and sexually assaulted him at the Alphaconference three months ago. He also had a tea that she had given him to ‘help with infertility.’"

Oh, goddess! They had discussed infertility, and he probably blamed it on me.

"I’ve analyzed it, and it’s not a fertility supplement," Dr. Bridgit sneers. "It contains wolfsbane and a black magic spell cast on it. The only thing Wolfsbane will do is injure or subdue his wolf. I'm not sure what the black magic does."

“During the meeting earlier, Asher mind linked Lana and me. He said that Jenson was drugging him to subdue him when he is unfaithful.”

“Interesting,” Dr. Bridgit ponders.

"Do you believe his claims about the SA?"

"Maybe if you hadn't exhibited CMS symptoms, and then the rumors."

"These rumors you keep mentioning, what are they?"

"Just rumors about Alpha's infidelities."

"Elaborate, please." I grit out. "I've already heard about some."

"He picks up females at local bars and meets others at the motel in town. Some are shifters from here, and some are humans. Then of course, his actions at the Alpha's conference."

"So, there are females within the pack?"

"I'm sorry, Luna, but yes."

"No wonder morale is down. Does everyone know?"

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