The Silver Dagger

Nate

If she hadn't been at the clinic where humans could walk in on them, she would have phased into a wolf too just to make it easier to sleep on the floor. At least it was warm - really warm with the large wolf snuggled up against her. She'd never had another werewolf or anyone, actually, act so possessive. No, that wasn't quite it. Needy? Trusting? Some combination of the three? It did seem like the wolf saw her as his mother, but why would he? Had his brain been damaged more than they realized or were there pre-existing issues?

"Still alive?" Matthew asked from the doorway.

Aiyana pushed a large paw away from her neck. "Yes."

Matthew walked a little closer to loom over them. "He looks almost like a man the way he's cuddled up next to you."

"Tell me about it. It's like sleeping next to a furnace."

The furnace behind her nuzzled her ear and licked her cheek. She shot up into a sitting position and glared behind her as she scrubbed the slobber from her cheek. "Would you stop that! When was the last time you brushed your teeth?"

The wolf gave a little whimper as Matthew snorted. "Pretty sure that's a never."

Aiyana immediately felt guilty. The poor guy couldn't brush his teeth even if he wanted to. It was probably impossible to hold a toothbrush in wolf form. She'd have to try it. She ran her hand down his front leg. "I'm sorry. That wasn't a fair question."

The wolf yipped his forgiveness. He was so sweet.

"My shift is just about over," Matthew said, one eyebrow rising toward his hairline. "Do you want me to help you put him back in his cage?"

Was she being too obvious? Humans who doctored animals tended to treat the animals more like sentient beings than other humans, but there were limits. She and Doc had to be careful when there were werewolf patients around - luckily it didn't happen often. Most werewolf patients weren't injured as gravely as this one and could be taken directly to the infirmary at the pack house. "Who's coming in next?"

"Leah."

Leah wouldn't hesitate to tranq a large animal and she'd use the maximum dose she could. The wolf didn't need that. He'd only just come out of his coma.

"Is Doc scheduled to come in today?" Aiyana asked.

"No, but he probably will."

The front door chime sounded.

"That's probably him now. I don't think Leah has a key," Matthew commented.

Before she could even think about unwrapping herself from the comforter she'd brought or re-braiding her hair, five werewolves strolled into the back room, four men and one woman. Aiyana didn't need an introduction to know she was in the presence of two alphas. Reflexively, she bowed her head, then quickly looked back up, hoping Matthew hadn't noticed.