Page 56 of Healer's Call

“That would be really bad. Do you know why?”

“Uh because everybody would know you’re a wolf?” I ask.

His eyes meet mine, and I see his eyes are glowing. I catch my breath at the obvious presence of his wolf. His voice is deeper when he responds. “Because my wolf would have killed anyone standing between him and his mate. And then he would have killed everybody else there just because they were in the same vicinity as you.”

“Mav,” I shake my head. “You wouldn’t have—”

“He would have, Healer.” I stare at him. “What you did tonight was stupid and reckless.” His words wipe any tenderness away, and I jerk back.

“I wasn’t being stupid and reckless.” I shake my head, reaching out for the door handle.

“You sure about that because that’s what it looks like from where I’m sitting. You have to stop doing things like this.”

And just like that, I’ve had enough. “You know what? I’ve had enough of this from you. You call me reckless and stupid. Yet, who was the one fighting in a fight club tonight? Who is the one that disappears almost every night to go fight in some stupid fight club where you could get killed and nobody would even know? Does Cade even know you do this? Does he?” I push when he doesn’t answer. I pull on the handle and open the door. “Now, I’m going to take my stupid, reckless self up to bed because instead of sleeping tonight, I had to drive halfway across town to check on you because I thought you were with another woman!”I climb out and slam the door behind me. I take two steps, and Mav is in front of me.Stupid shifter abilities.

Chapter 27

Maverick

I stare down at the healer and take note of the stiffness of her body. I know she’s angry with me, but I couldn’t care less. I scan her body, checking for any sort of injuries from tonight. My blood is still boiling from finding her at the fight club. I take a breath and put that thought from my mind, or I’m liable to shift and tear into something. I focus on the problem at hand. “You thought I was with another woman?” I can barely say the words; they leave an awful taste in my mouth.

She stares up at me with those wide eyes. “Yes.” There is no hesitation in her voice. The fact that she even thought that kills me.

“Why?” I ask. It’s the only thing I'm capable of saying right now.

“You leave almost every night around ten and don’t return until nearly three in the morning. And you’re always carrying a bag. What was I supposed to think?” she asks, crossing her arms.

I stare down at her as a million thoughts fire through my head. “You were jealous?” That’s the only thing I can come up with.

She sucks in a sharp breath. “No.”

It’s a lie; I can tell. I bite back a smile. I think she can tell because her scowl deepens. But it’s hardly in her nature to be angry or mean. She can’t even scowl decently at me. I step close and reach out a moment before I catch myself. My hand drops. “I would never be with another female.” I stop short of saying anything more.

She gives me an indignant look. “Well, how was I supposed to know?”

I stare down at her. I already know I’m going to need a long run in wolf form after all this. I’m too keyed up, and those two fights barely took the edge off. “Come on. I’ll walk you inside; it’s late.” I watch as the fight drains out of her. She starts toward the entrance, and I fall into step next to her. I slow my stride so she can walk beside me without having to jog to keep up.

We’re almost to the front door when she asks quietly, “Why do you do it?”

I don’t answer right away. I open the door for her and follow her inside. It’s silent as we walk up the stairs to the hallway where her apartment is. I had planned on moving back to this wing after I healed but haven’t gotten around to it yet. When we stop in front of her door, she looks up at me with those big chocolate, brown eyes. I tighten my fists, so I don’t do something stupid like touch her. She looks lost tonight, and I find myself hating that I put that look there. I decide to answer her question honestly. “For the release.” I know she doesn’t understand, and while I can’t tell her all of it, I can tell her some of it. “My wolf is very difficult to control, and fighting helps keep him...and me in control, somewhat.”

“That actually makes sense. The Northwoods Pack actually has a fight night I think for the same thing.”

I nod because I’ve attended a few of those before. She stares up at me. “What?” I finally ask.

“It’s just...you’re talking to me. We’re having like our second normal conversation.”

I scowl at her. “Goodnight, Healer.”

Her laugh follows behind me as I walk down the hallway. That laugh—it does something to me, something I don’t know how to explain. I listen for the sound of her door closing and locking before I jog down the stairs. It’s time for me to have atalk with Cade. I glance at my watch. Because my fights got cut short, I made it back earlier than normal. It's just a little after midnight now. Knowing what I do about Cade, he’ll still be up. Instead of knocking on the door and waking Amber and Paige, I reach out through our pack link.Are you up?

Yes.

Do you have a few minutes? We need to talk.

I’ll be there in a minute.

I lean against the wall and wait for him to come out. He opens his door a moment later and nods his head toward the meeting room. He walks right over to the coffee station. “Want a coffee?”

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