The Veterinarian and the Werewolf

Chapter 18

A/N hello it's been a long exhausting first week back working after the lockdown ended but I still managed to get one chapter done. thanks as always for the edit and a special mention to my American husband who decided to help with the American English .... Pick up instead of a ute, bathrobe instead of dressing gown and no mushrooms with breakfast lol

Chapter 18 – Henry

The four faces looking back at him held compassion, the boys held an extra sense of awkward silence. But once he looked at her, he knew, he had known from the moment Jessie refused to say something when he first woke up. But this, the unshed tears, confirmed it, his family must be dead, that's why his head had been silent except for the snapping of his wolf. Everything stilled for a moment, then....... nothing could have prepared him for the volcano of grief that erupted.

Henry couldn't breathe, he needed air, he needed for someone to get rid of whatever was binding his chest up. At that moment he shifted, running for the back door, slamming into the solid wood frame. Howling, he went to take another run as a body collided with his own. Who, who would be stupid enough to attack a grief-stricken werewolf? He struggled but a tingle of calm flooded his body, and he knew, the only person to give that sense was his mate, his true love. Her arms were wrapped tightly around him as he continued to howl. She didn't try and stop his cry's, instead, she just held him, stroking his shoulders and back.

He was alone, no that was not true he had Jessie and Tom and Joe and Dillon, but he was the only werewolf. The more he thought about it the more he trembled and howled out his pain. Unsure how she was so strong, his fight left him, growing weak, tired and then the pain from his shoulder began to throb. Her sweet voice cut through the air as she whispered, "My love, shhhh, just rest, we will take you to see them tomorrow, when it's light. Right now you need to calm and when we get you to bed, you need to shift. Your howls would have alerted the sheriff's men." His laboured panting was his only response as she lifted his limp body. His head rolled towards her chest resting his ear near her heart, he breathed in time with her beat as she carried him the flight of stairs to their room. She laid him down in the bed as a knocking sounded at the front door, she eyed him her eyebrow raised in silent demand. This time he shifted because he wanted, no needed to please her.

Chaos erupted downstairs causing Jessie to leave him, Henry laid in the bed, the empty room threatening to swallow him up, he was fighting the need to disappear again to let his wolf have control. But he knew Jessie needed him, knew she needed him to stay human. Voices rang out interrupting his grief, the distinct voice of Tom shouting, "Just leave DAD, there is no reason for you to be here." An older voice full of bitterness spat back, "Don't call me Dad you brat, no blood relative of mine would ever be a wolf lover. This just confirms what I have always suspected you're not mine you never have been" the next sound tore through henrys grief and ignited his rage. Pushing through the pain he sat up and grabbed the closest bathrobe, he covered and stormed out into the brightness. His heavy footfalls causing silence as he made the bottom of the steps. Within moments he was at Toms side pulling him into his arms.

The sobs continued as he tucked Tom's head into his neck, once he could sense he was safe, he turned his angry eyes on the stunned older man in front of him. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut short as Jessie stepped forward, "You, you wicked man, you step into my home, attack my guest, disturb my sick mate from his bed, and then harm your only son. You will leave this house, and next time you need a vet you can call the city. I choose not to work for any homestead that has not taken up 'The defenders' offer to help with strategies to work alongside the wolves. You can go elsewhere" The old rancher stood mouth agape sputtering, finally, he spat, "you have no choice little lady, the town hired you and the town can fire you. So, you will come when you're called." A deep voice cleared his throat as the sheriff stepped forward, "actually Bob, she is within her rights to refuse to help you, she has found strategies and bought people in who are authorities on working with the wildlife instead of working against them. Now you will leave this premises otherwise I will step in on Tom's behalf and charge you with physical assault."