The sun was beginning to rise and sneak out from behind the curtains, infuriating Dr. Mac'tire even more than the constant alarm blaring for the past five minutes. He threw his alarm clock against the wall with a snarl. He hated mornings more than being stuck on clinical rotation, but now both were happening simultaneously. He sat up on the edge of the bed and ran his fingers through his thick black and gray hair. He was employed with the prestigious research academy for the supernaturally gifted. It was a sprawling campus with educational and professional services. He worked in the hospital, and all the doctors had to volunteer 120 hours yearly at the educational clinic, where students received care throughout the year. He let out another irritated huff before pushing off the bed to prepare for the day. He preferred the night shift and worked them at the hospital. Other doctors preferred the day, which usually worked well for him. He looked in the mirror and straightened the knot of his thin red tie that stuck out against his black shirt.
I only need to get through the day.
He looked over his scruffy face and hair that gave way to his restless night. He sighed as he grabbed his white coat and walked out the door.
He quickly made the walk across campus on the brisk fall morning.
They knew not to schedule me for the morning shifts
; his thoughts distracted him from the cold. Dr. Mac'tire was known as the faculty's black sheep and knew with almost absolute certainty that this was an intentional error. The walk to the clinic was forty-five minutes; he chose to live further into the woods than the other staff. He enjoyed his privacy, especially now that it was the start of the new school year. All new students in the incoming class were required to complete a full physical exam. Many diverse supernatural creatures and species worked and went to school here. That meant the campus hosted many rituals and ceremonies, but students couldn't participate until they received a clean health bill. He eventually reached the clinic and entered through the back staff entrance. He swiftly turned the corner towards the small office for the on-call doctor, but before he could get in and close the door, Edna, a 400ish-year-old healing witch, stopped him in his path.
"I'm so sorry about the scheduling mix-up, Dr. Mac'tire," she cooed. There weren't many people here he liked, but Edna was one of them.
"Yes, a terrible mix-up, I'm sure," he said sarcastically. Edna silently nodded in agreement at what he was implying.
"Don't worry, doctor, I made sure to reschedule the more complex patients on their shifts," she said with a wink as she handed him the charts on all his patients for the day. Before he could say thank you, she closed the door behind her and entered an occupied exam room. He turned around, snuck into the office, and closed the door. He placed the charts on the desk and looked at the large windows. The blinds and curtains were closed; he would need to thank Edna later. He began to review his patients for the day, and they were all standard exams with no complications or histories.
Perfect
, he thought as he looked at the clock. His first appointment was in thirty minutes.
The first patient was a 19-year-old man participating in a fasting votive dedicated to their deity. Dr. Mac'tire provided a general physical exam and a standard psych evaluation. The second patient, a young woman who would be participating in a blood ritual, needed to have several blood tests completed. The list continued on and on until he finally came to his last patient for the day. A young woman who would be participating in the mating ritual between the witches and werewolves was already waiting for him in the exam room. She was part of the graduate program. Oddly, she was scheduled for exams intended for the new class. He would need to conduct a pelvic and psych exam, o
ne more appointment; then I can leave,
he thought as he knocked and waited for permission to enter the room. He closed the door behind him as he pulled up a chair next to the exam table she was sitting on. He had done this so many times before that physical movements were all routine. After some general questions about her history and personal information, he began the psych exam.
"Tell me about the ceremony you'll be participating in," he asked, ensuring she understood the ritual.
"It's a ridiculous mating ceremony where a bunch of wannabe alpha males pick their girlfriends and fuck them," she said in a very logical and calm tone. Her response drew his attention. It was the first time he looked into her eyes since the appointment started. He had been on autopilot, but now she had commanded his full attention.
"If you feel that way, why are you here to get cleared to participate?" he asked curiously. It's a family tradition. It's how my mom met my dad, and it's been that way for generations before." This time, her tone mocked the ceremony.
"Do you want to find a mate?" he asked, unsure why she was even here.
"My friend said she'd tell my parents if I didn't do it with her," she said, rolling her icy blue eyes up to contrast with her dark lashes. While he stared at her in confusion and disbelief, he made the point of taking her in. She had black curly hair, and pale skin, and wore exclusively black. At least, that's what he could assume from the folded clothing on the chair. He looked back at her, and she was staring into his eyes this time. She sat herself up on her elbows and squinted her eyes at him, and that's when he felt the first pang of the connection. He instinctively reached for his chest as it tightened in response to this feeling.
No. This feeling can't be right.
He knew what this was; he had been waiting all 45 years of his life for this. He had assumed he was one of the few who would never find their mate.
"Are you OK?" she asked, staring holes through him.
"Have you had any unusual feelings or sensations?" he asked as he composed himself.
There was no way this woman could be my mate. She wasn't reacting to the connection at all.
"Yeah, actually, ever since you've come into this room, things have turned weird," she said so directly that it caught him off guard. He stared back at her momentarily and let the corner of his lip turn up.
How interesting; I wonder how long I would have to punish her before she apologized for that attitude.
He immediately pulled himself from those thoughts, barely letting the heat of desire flush his cheeks. He knew the feeling of the bond would become more intense the longer they pushed off consummating it. He let the rest of his smile spread across his face at the thought of his cock claiming every inch inside of her. He exhaled forcefully and leaned in closer before he spoke again.
"Am I making you feel unwell? Ms. Florence--" but before he could finish, she interrupted him.
