The Silver Dagger

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Friday, finally. Only one more week of school. She skirted around the large group in the rec room talking loudly about where they wanted to eat and headed outside to her ride.

"Hey, Aiyana, doing anything fun tonight?" one of the guys on her volleyball team called.

"Going to work."

"Girl, it's the last Friday before finals!"

"I'll party when they're done."

"But everyone will be gone then."

"Not everyone."

"I will be gone, that's the important thing."

She rolled her eyes. He was such as flirt. "I'll survive. See ya at the game tomorrow."

It was a beautiful evening and the perfect temperature. The only flaw was that she couldn't enjoy it on her bike. It had been three days but they still hadn't found the man who attacked her. Alpha Miguel had assigned several wolf students to guard her during the day and give her rides to work in the evening. For extra protection, she'd started carrying around the ancient silver letter opener her aunt had given her when she got her first letter in the mail. It looked like an ornate dagger complete with mysterious symbols down the blade and hilt. It was one of the only things she had from her father. As far as her aunt knew, every wolf on both sides of the family had been allergic to silver, so why her father had owned a silver letter opener was a mystery. If she actually managed to stab the wolf with it, it probably wouldn't kill him, but it would burn.

She thanked the Freshman who'd given her a ride, then hurried inside. The only people in the front room were one patient and the receptionist, but she could hear loud voices coming from the back where Nate still lay. One of them was Dr. Richardson. That couldn't be good. She pasted on a smile and opened the door. Dr. Richardson was again facing off with Dr. Patel, the were-gland expert Nate's parents had brought in. Luna Salma was frowning behind them.

"Dr. Richardson, I thought I heard you in here."

"Is something wrong, Aiyana?" Dr. Richardson asked without looking at her.

"No. There's a patient out there. I was surprised to hear you in here is all."

"Just making sure this patient is getting the best care possible."

"Shall I tell the receptionist it will be a few minutes then?" Aiyana asked, knowing how he hated to make patients wait very long.

"No. I'll see them now." He paused in front of Aiyana right before he stepped out of the room and glanced back at Dr. Patel. "Keep an eye on things."

She nodded. Dr. Richardson was a nice guy, but when it came to what he felt was his territory, he was worse than the most possessive wolves.  He was probably miffed that an expert had been called without his consultation.  She waited until he'd made it out to the reception area, then closed the door he'd left open, on purpose no doubt.