Chapter 1

       Janet stood on the rooftop of her apartment building, staring at the city skyline in the distance. The cool breeze brushed against her face, carrying with it the scent of pine and damp earth. It was the end of summer, and the leaves were beginning to turn from green to golden yellow, signaling the arrival of fall. She had always loved this time of year—the crisp air, the colors, the sense of change. But this year was different. This year, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen, something big.She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, letting the wind ruffle her hair. When she opened them again, she saw a figure standing at the door that led to the stairs."Hey," Derek said, stepping onto the rooftop. "What are you doing up here?"Janet turned to face him and smiled. "Just thinking. You know me."Derek walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Yeah, I do. And I know you've been thinking a lot lately. Is everything okay?"Janet leaned into his embrace and sighed. "I don't know, Der. I just have this feeling that something's coming. Something that's going to change everything."Derek pulled away and looked at her with concern in his eyes. "What kind of change?""I don't know," Janet said, shaking her head. "It's just a feeling. Like something's brewing, you know?"Derek nodded, understanding. "Well, whatever it is, we'll face it together. You and me and the kids."Janet smiled, grateful for his words. "Yeah, you're right. We'll face it together."They stood there for a few moments, enjoying each other's company and the view. But Janet's thoughts kept drifting back to the past, to the pack she had left behind and the man who had broken her heart.Oliver.She hadn't seen or spoken to him in years, not since the night he had chosen Luna as his fated mate. The memory still stung, even after all this time. She had loved him for as long as she could remember, but he had never seen her as anything more than a friend. And then, that one night, they had given in to their desires, and she had thought that maybe, just maybe, he felt the same way. But it had been a mistake. A one-time thing. And then Luna had come along, and he had chosen her, leaving Janet with a broken heart and a shattered dream.But that was all in the past. Janet had moved on. She had her career, her children, and Derek. She was happy, content. She didn't need Oliver or the pack. They were just memories.Or so she thought.Oliver sat in his study, poring over the pack's finances. It was a tedious task, but someone had to do it, and as the Alpha, it fell to him. He had just finished going over the budget for the upcoming month when his cell phone rang. He didn't recognize the number, but he answered anyway."Hello?""Oliver?" a female voice said on the other end."Yes, who's this?""It's Janet."Oliver's heart skipped a beat at the sound of her voice. It had been years since he had heard it, but he would recognize it anywhere. "Janet? Is everything okay?""I'm not sure," Janet said, her voice trembling. "But I think you might need my help."Oliver frowned. "What do you mean?""It's a long story," Janet said, sighing. "Can we meet? In person?"Janet felt her heart race at the thought of seeing Oliver again after all these years. A part of her wanted to say reject, to see if there was still a chance for them, but the logical part of her brain reminded her of all the pain and heartache he had caused her in the past."I don't think that's a good idea, Oliver," Janet finally replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "We both have moved on with our lives, and I'm happy where I am.""I understand, but I need to speak with you about something important," Oliver persisted.Janet sighed, knowing that Oliver could be very persuasive when he wanted to be. "Okay, but not in the pack's territory. Let's meet at a neutral location."Oliver agreed, and they set a time and place to meet the following day. Janet spent the rest of the evening trying to prepare herself mentally for the meeting, wondering what it was that Oliver needed to tell her.The next day, Janet arrived at the café early and ordered a latte. She chose a table at the back of the café, where she could observe the entrance and exit. She had no idea what to expect, and the uncertainty made her anxious.As she sipped her coffee, she saw Oliver walk in. He looked as handsome as ever, with his tall frame, broad shoulders, and chiseled features. He scanned the room, and his eyes finally met hers. Janet couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia at the sight of him.Oliver walked over to her table and took a seat across from her. "Thank you for meeting me, Janet," he said.Janet nodded, feeling a knot form in her stomach. "What did you want to talk to me about, Oliver?" she asked.Oliver took a deep breath and looked at her intently. "It's about my father. He's very ill, and I need your help as a doctor."Janet felt her heart sink. She knew that Oliver's father was the Alpha of their pack and that he had always been kind to her. "What can I do to help?" she asked."I need you to come back to the pack and take care of him. He trusts you, and I trust you," Oliver said, his gaze never leaving hers.Janet shook her head. "I can't go back, Oliver. I left for a reason, and I'm happy where I am now."Oliver reached across the table and took her hand. Janet felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her at his touch. "Please, Janet. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important," he pleaded.Janet looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity in them. She knew that she couldn't ignore his request, especially if it meant helping someone in need. "Okay, I'll come back," she finally relented.Oliver's face lit up with relief, and he squeezed her hand. "Thank you, Janet. I knew I could count on you."Janet pulled her hand away, feeling the familiar ache in her heart. "I'll come back, but only to take care of your father. After that, I'm leaving again."Oliver nodded, his expression serious. "I understand. Thank you again, Janet." Seeing Oliver again had brought back memories and feelings that she thought she had buried long ago. She didn't know what the future held, but she knew that it was going to be complicated.Janet felt a pang of sympathy for Oliver at the news of his father's illness. Despite everything that had happened between them, she couldn't ignore his request for help."I'm sorry to hear that, Oliver," she said, reaching across the table to touch his hand. "Of course, I'll help in any way I can."Oliver nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Janet. You don't know how much this means to me."They sat in silence for a few moments, neither of them knowing what to say. The tension between them was palpable, and Janet wondered if it would ever go away."How have you been, Janet?" Oliver asked, breaking the silence.Janet took a sip of her coffee, trying to think of an answer. "I've been good, busy with work and the kids," she said finally. "What about you?""I've been busy with pack business," Oliver said, shrugging. "You know how it is."Janet nodded, not wanting to dwell on the past. "So, what's wrong with your father?"Oliver sighed. "He's been having these episodes, where he collapses and can't breathe. The doctors can't seem to figure out what's wrong with him. I thought maybe you could take a look at him and see if you can diagnose him."Janet nodded. "Of course. When would you like me to come?""How about tomorrow morning?" Oliver suggested.Janet checked her schedule on her phone. "I have a few patients in the morning, but I can come by around noon."Oliver nodded. "That works for me. I'll have someone pick you up and bring you to the pack house."Janet hesitated. "I don't know, Oliver. I don't think it's a good idea for me to be on pack territory.""I understand your concerns, but it's the only place where my father feels comfortable," Oliver said, pleading with her. "Please, Janet. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."Janet sighed, knowing that Oliver was right. She couldn't let her past with the pack get in the way of helping someone in need. "Okay, I'll do it."Oliver smiled, relieved. "Thank you, Janet. I really appreciate it."They finished their coffee, and Oliver walked Janet to her car. As they stood there, Janet felt a strange mix of emotions—nostalgia, anger, sadness. She didn't know what to make of it all."Take care, Janet," Oliver said, leaning in to give her a hug.Janet hugged him back, feeling a rush of emotions as she breathed in his scent. "You too, Oliver."They parted ways, and Janet got into her car, feeling conflicted. She had promised to help Oliver, but she wasn't sure if she was ready to face her past.The next day, Janet drove to the pack house, feeling nervous. She had never been back to the pack since she left, and the memories were still fresh in her mind. She wondered if anyone would remember her, if they would hold a grudge against her for leaving.As she pulled up to the gate, a man in a pack uniform approached her car. "Dr. Evans?"Janet nodded. "Yes, that's me."The man opened the gate and gestured for her to follow him. Janet drove through the winding roads of the pack's territory, feeling a sense of familiarity. It was strange how a place could hold so many memories, both good and bad.They arrived at the pack house, and Janet was surprised at how much it had changed. The last time she had been there, it was a rainy day and the streets were empty. She walked past the shuttered storefronts and closed cafes, feeling the weight of her sadness pressing down on her. As she turned a corner, she saw a familiar face in the distance. It was her old friend from college, whom she hadn't seen in years.She quickened her pace, hoping to catch up to him before he disappeared around another corner. When she finally reached him, she called out his name. He turned and looked at her quizzically, as if trying to place her."It's me, Rachel," she said, feeling a lump form in her throat. "We went to college together."Recognition dawned in his eyes, and he smiled. "Rachel, of course! It's been so long. How have you been?"They chatted for a while, catching up on old times and reminiscing about their college days. Rachel found herself laughing and smiling for the first time in weeks. It felt good to connect with someone who knew her before she had become so lost in her own thoughts and worries.As they parted ways, Rachel felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things were starting to look up for her. She resolved to try to stay connected with her old friend and to seek out other opportunities for connection and community in her life.