Page 76 of Healer's Call

I lift an eyebrow and cross my arms over my chest. “Is there a reason you’re back?”

“Oh yeah. I’m hiding.”

When she doesn’t elaborate, I prompt, “From who?”

“Oh, nobody, just...somebody.”

I stare at her. “Well that was clear as mud,” I mumble as I stalk over to the door. Her eyes widen when I get close, and I don’t miss the way her eyes drop to my chest for a moment. I can practically feel my wolf howling at the fact our mate is looking at us. I scowl and push him down. I yank open the door and walk past the wide-eyed healer and step out into the hall. I take a deep breath before turning back to her. My eyes narrow as I step back inside. “It smells like Jacob and Daniel out here.” I watch her carefully. “Have they been bothering you?”

She fidgets, a sure sign. “No, not at all.”

I stare down at her. “You just happened to hide in my room when they were walking past, even though your room is right next door.”

“No, well, yeah. I mean...”

I lose my patience. “Healer, you’re pushing me.” Those eyes snap to mine.Every. Single. Time.I fight my reaction to her.

“It’s fine. I’ll just go back to my room.”

I reach out and catch her arm before she leaves, dropping it almost immediately when I feel her soft skin. “Are they bothering you?” My voice comes out much gruffer than I intended.

She sighs. “No, not really.”

“Healer,” I ground out.

“I think Cade maybe put them up to it, or maybe somebody else. They just always seem to be...around, especially Jacob. But it’s really not that big a deal.”

My muscles tighten with each word she says. “I’ll deal with it. He won’t bother you again.” I take a step towards the door, intent on dealing with Jacob tonight. He won’t be able to walk for a few days when I’m done with him. She steps in front of me.

“What are you doing?” Her eyes are wide.

“I’m going to deal with him.”

“How?”

I stare down at her in confusion. “How what?”

“How are you going to deal with him? Because I don’t want you to hurt him.”

I growl low in my chest.Wrong thing to say, Healer.I step closer, searching her face. “Do you care for him?”

“What?”

I growl again. “Do you care for him?” I can’t bring myself to say the idiot’s name.

Her eyes widen to near epic proportions. “Jacob?” His name on her lips makes me all the more furious, and I fight to keep my wolf from making a sudden appearance. “No, of course not. That’s why I came in here. I was trying to avoid him.”

“Has he done anything to you?” I manage to get out.

“No! He’s never done anything inappropriate. He’s just always around. Wherever I am, he’s always there in my space. He always gets close to me, closer than I want him to be, and he’s always touching me. He—” She stops abruptly. I stalk past her.I’m going to find him and end him. “Wait,” she steps in front of me. Again.

“Move,” I growl.

“What are you going to do?”

“Kill him.” My wolf gives his agreement.

“Mav, no!”

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