Page 89 of Healer's Call

“Calm yourself, Mav,” Cade says with authority as he strides into the room. “Eli’s not the one at fault.’’

“I’m sorry that I’m a little worked up that my mate was almost murdered tonight,” I say in a cold tone.

Cade’s eyebrows lift slightly. “Oh good. You’re finally claiming her. That’s an improvement.”

A low growl builds in my chest. “I’m not claiming her,” I say through grit teeth. My wolf rages against me, and I use every ounce of my strength to keep him under control.

“Well, then you’re an idiot,” Cade says.

I don’t respond. I’m not sure I'm capable without ripping into him. And the last thing I need right now is to challenge my alpha, even though my wolf is jonesing for a fight. I am too. I crack my neck. “Tell me what you know.”

“Eli already told you. We know nothing.” Cade’s words are clipped, and I feel his anger through the pack link. “We have an active threat against our pack. Somebody’s messing with our water, and we can’t figure out who. And now, one of my shifters attacks our healer. And now he’s dead! And we’ve got nothing!” His voice raises with each word, and I’m worried he’s going to wake up Rose.

“Did Jacob act like he had a problem with Rose?” Cade asks.

I give him a look. “No. Just the opposite.”

Cade squeezes his eyebrows together. “That’s what I observed too. I just don’t get it.” He rubs a hand over his forehead. If I were a nice guy, I would feel bad that he looks so exhausted. But I’m not a nice guy. Never have been. All that matters right now is protecting Rose. “It doesn’t make any sense,” Cade mutters.

The door to the room suddenly flings open, and Daniel enters the room. “Is it true?” I don’t feel an ounce of remorse as I stare at Jacob’s best friend.

“I killed him.” At my admission, Daniel turns to me with a look of horror. If I had any feelings, I would feel bad about it. I step over to him. “He tried to murder my mate. In her bed.”

I watch Daniel’s face pale as he looks to Cade for confirmation. Cade gives a short nod, and I watch the fire go out of him. He sinks to the floor and puts his head down. “I don’t understand,” he says quietly. “Why?”

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Cade says. I squat down on my haunches next to him. “Mav,” Cades says in a warning voice, but I ignore him. I notice Eli step closer to me, but I ignore him as well.

“Do you know of any reason why Jacob would be in my mate’s room during the middle of the night with his hands wrapped around her neck?” I know he doesn’t miss the deadly intent in my voice.

He meets my gaze head-on. “No.” His voice shakes just the slightest bit. “He liked her.” A growl surges from my chest, and he quickly drops his head. “I’m just saying that there’s no reason why when he liked her. Why would he want to kill her?” His voice is merely a whisper.

“That’s the question of the hour,” Cade says, sounding as frustrated as I feel.

“I want to know everything about Jacob,” I say as I drop down onto the floor next to him.

“Like what?” Daniel asks warily.

“Everything.”

Daniel slowly begins to tell us everything he knew about his friend. I’m not sure how long I’ve been sitting on the floor when a whirlwind comes through the door. “Where is she?” I lift my head and meet the wide-eyed gaze of the blonde healer.

“She’s sleeping,” I tell her with absolutely no emotion in my voice. She whirls around like she’s about to leave the room, and I’m on my feet instantly. I step in front of her. “Where are you going?”

She lifts her stubborn face. “To check on my friend, you know that one that you almost let get murdered last night?”

I refuse to react to her words, even as anger burns in my chest. “Not sure if you missed it, Blondie. But she’s sleeping, and she’s going to stay that way.”

Her eyebrows raise. “Oh, and I suppose you’re going to stop me.”

I cross my arms. “You supposed right.”

She narrows her furious eyes at me. “Get out of my way, Maverick.”

“No. I realize my mate may bow and cater to your every whim, but I refuse to.”

She practically bursts into flames at my words. “You are the most despicable...conceited...awful...”

“Tell me something I don’t know, Sweetheart.”

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