The Alpha's Silent Bride: Seventh Time's The Charm

Chapter 86: 086: Strange Chemical

~ ROSELLE ~

I freeze the moment my eyes land on the woman seated across from Dr. Elias. She has the same deep crimson hair as mine, the exact shade that has always made me stand out in a crowd. Her jawline is sharp and elegant, mirroring my own in a way that feels almost uncanny. It’s like staring at an older reflection of myself. Never in my entire life did I think I would meet someone who carried the same rare hair color as me.

"Good morning, Luna," she greets warmly, her light blue eyes meeting mine as her lips curl into a gentle, genuine smile.

"G-Good morning... I’m Roselle," I reply, my voice coming out in a small stutter. My heart is beating faster than it should.

There’s a strange, inexplicable connection I feel with her, like I’ve known her all my life even though she’s supposed to be a complete stranger. It’s warm and familiar in a way I can’t explain.

"Irina," she says with a bright smile, rising gracefully to her feet. She crosses the room and extends her hand toward me. "It’s an honor to finally meet you."

I slip my hand into hers, startled by how warm her touch feels, almost electric.

"Did you see that, Elias?" She glances over her shoulder at the doctor before looking back at me, excitement dancing in her eyes. "You didn’t tell me she has hair just like mine!"

She reaches up, lightly brushing a strand of her own crimson hair over her shoulder with a soft laugh.

"I always thought this shade was a rare find. And trust me..." She rolls her eyes dramatically. "I got bullied so much because of it when I was younger. ’Hey, red girl!’ ’Hey, weirdo!’ Honestly, I lost count of all the names people called me. Kids can be cruel."

A small chuckle escapes me before I can stop it. The sound feels light in the room.

She laughs with me, the sound light and infectious, and somehow the awkwardness I had felt moments ago begins to melt away. I can already tell she’s a talker, friendly, warm, and the kind of person who could strike up a conversation with absolutely anyone. Maybe that’s why I feel so strangely connected to her. She has a gentle, welcoming aura that makes it almost impossible to keep my guard up.

She leans forward excitedly, her eyes sparkling with genuine curiosity.

"So tell me, Roselle, where did you get this beautiful hair gene from? Your parents? I got mine from my grandparents. It skipped my mother’s generation completely, and I was lucky enough to inherit it. My mother used to joke that the red hair was just waiting for the right child to claim it."

I smile softly, tucking a strand of my own hair behind my ear. "I was told I got it from my mother. She had the same color."

Irina’s hands pause for just a fraction of a second.

Her smile stays in place, but something flickers in her light blue eyes before she quickly recovers.

Before I can think too much about it, the door to the medical wing opens.

Ronan walks in.

I drink him in, my entire body relaxing. He strides straight over to me, his presence filling the room like it always does. Without hesitation, he cups my face and presses a firm kiss to my forehead, then another, slower, to my lips. The warmth of his mouth against mine makes my cheeks flush all over again.

"I’m back," he murmurs against my lips before pulling away just enough to look at me. His grey eyes scan my face, checking for any sign of discomfort. "How are you feeling?"

"I’m okay," I whisper, my voice soft. "Better now that you’re here."

He gives me one more quick kiss before turning to Irina and Elias with a respectful nod. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."

Irina smiles politely. "It’s my pleasure, Alpha. Shall we begin the examination?"

Ronan stays close to me the entire time, his hand resting protectively on my lower back as Irina works. She conducts a full examination, blood tests, scent analysis, and several other procedures I don’t fully understand. She moves quite precisely, her expression focused and professional.

When she finally receives the blood sample results, she spends a long time studying the data on her tablet. Her brows furrow deeper with each passing minute. She runs the test again. Then a third time. Each time, she hesitates longer than before.

Finally, she looks up. Her face is pale, her light blue eyes wide with something close to disbelief.

"I... I cannot identify this compound," she says slowly, her voice careful. "In thirty years of study, I’ve never encountered anything like it. It’s not in any database I have access to. The molecular structure is... foreign. Almost as if it was designed specifically for her."

The room falls into heavy silence.

Ronan’s hand tightens on my back. "What does that mean exactly?"

Irina shakes her head, clearly frustrated but professional. "It means this chemical is unlike anything we’ve seen before. It’s not a standard suppressant used in our world. Whatever was used on Roselle was created, specifically targeted to suppress her wolf and only her wolf. That level of specificity is extremely rare and highly dangerous."

She pauses, glancing between Ronan and me before continuing.

"Alpha, with your permission, I would like to return home briefly to gather my full research materials and equipment. This could take weeks, possibly months of dedicated study. But understanding this chemical could change everything we know about suppressants. Once I have everything prepared, I can return and work closely with Elias here in the pack."

Ronan doesn’t hesitate.

"Approved," he says immediately, his voice firm. "Take whatever time you need to prepare. Whatever resources you require when you return, you’ll have them."

Irina’s face lights up with relief and excitement. "Thank you, Alpha. I promise I will do everything in my power to find answers."

Ronan turns to me and gently brushes a strand of hair from my face. His eyes soften as he looks at me.

"We’ll figure this out together," he says quietly, just for me. "You’re not alone in this."

I nod, leaning into his touch. The warmth of his hand against my cheek grounds me, even as my mind spins with questions about Irina, the chemical, and the strange connection I feel with her.