Page 18 of Wild Fated

I nodded, then started re-wrapping the bandage. "You're a tough one, aren't you?" I smiled as the boy nodded. "This looks like it's healing well. Keep it elevated and try to stay off it as much as possible for the next couple of days." I looked up at Ingrid. "If the swelling doesn't start to go down or if it gets red and hot to the touch, let me know."

She nodded, and I stood, patting the boy on the shoulder. "You're going to be just fine. Running again by next week." As I turned to leave, I caught Lana's eye. She'd been standing silently in the corner, watching the whole interaction.

"Thank you, Destin. Truly." Ingrid stepped forward and grasped my hand, and I gave it a squeeze.

"Of course. If you need anything else, let me know." With a final nod, I walked out the door and back onto the trail.

Lana followed, her expression more subdued than it had been before. "You do that often?"

"Do what?" I hadn’t done anything.

"Set bones. Treat patients." She glanced back at the cabin, then up at me.

"When I can."

She didn't respond, and we hiked again in silence until we reached the next cabin. I could tell immediately something was off. The air was thick with a scent I recognized all too well. My wolf stood at attention.Shit.I frowned and knocked on the door.

It creaked open, and a she-wolf with flushed cheeks and a sheen of sweat on her brow peered out. "Destin, thank you for coming." Her voice was strained, her breath coming in quick bursts. And then she turned and saw Lana. Immediately, her expression clouded over.

Annika was in heat. And she’d called for me.

I coughed. "What do you need help with, Annika?"

Annika stepped back, her eyes darting to Lana and then back to me. "The shutter on the back window broke, and I can't get it to stay up. I don't want to risk it falling in the middle of the night,” she snapped. At least she had a real complaint. Save us both the embarrassment.

I nodded, then motioned for her to lead the way. As we walked around the side of the cabin, I could feel Lana's gaze burning a hole in my back. I crouched next to the broken shutter. "This won't take long." I pulled out my multi-tool from my pack and set to work, ignoring the way Annika's scent was making my stomach flip. I didn’t want her. Not in the least. But that scent was meant to drive wolves wild. It was simple biology.

I worked quickly, securing the shutter and reinforcing the latch. "That should hold." I stood and brushed off my hands, then turned to Annika. Normally, I’d ask if there was anything else she needed, but by the way her lips flushed, I only took a step back.

Her eyes flicked to Lana, then to me again. "I’m making cottage pie this afternoon. If you have time to stop back." Her eyes bore into me.Alone.

I nodded, then started back toward the trail. Lana followed, her steps quick and purposeful. The silence felt thick. “Just say it.”

Lana snorted. “Do you dothatoften?”

I didn’t need to ask what she was referring to that time, and I didn’t need to answer. The truth was, I was a rogue living alone in the middle of the woods. If a lone she-wolf needed me for more than fixing her shutter, I was usually happy to provide assistance.

I stopped and turned. Lana almost ran into me, and I dropped my head to stare down at her. “Do you have a mate?” I already knew the answer by her scent. By the loneliness that clung to her.

She swallowed hard. “No.”

“Then how do you handle it?”

She opened her mouth, then snapped it closed. I turned and continued on through the forest. There. At least she knew I was more than open to a little stress relief if the mood hit her. My wolf was practically panting, and I walked faster. My breaths came in sharp, clipped puffs, and I flexed my fingers, the chill in the air doing little to soothe the heat simmering under my skin.

"Why do you do it?" Lana asked, and I almost laughed.

“Well, you see?—”

“Not that,” she growled. “Why do you help them? You don’t want to be a part of a pack, and yet you act like?—”

I whirled on her. “I’m not an alpha. I don’t require their allegiance or obedience.”

Lana’s eyes narrowed. “What about their love and respect?”

I blew out a breath. “You’ve seen I’m very respectable.”

She laughed as I turned and kept walking. “Ah. So that’s it, then. You’re paying penance for something.”

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