Page 59 of Moonlighting with the Werewolf

Well, something besides wolf, considering.

I quickly typed out a message telling Conall good night and that I’d head to the compound after my last appointment at two so I could check on Elias. I hit send and climbed into bed with the lights blaring, assuring myself that my paranoia that someone—or something—was out there watching me was nothing more than a case of my imagination getting carried away with me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Sasquatch senta text informing me Kerrigan had arrived at the compound, and I practically skipped to the infirmary.

I peeked through the tiny rectangle window on the door, grinning at the sight of Elias sitting up on his own, talking animatedly as the sexy doctor checked his vitals. Gideon played sentinel, same way he’d done since his boyfriend’s arrival. While they had to be exhausted, the three of them were outputting the type of energy reserved for keggers.

“You waiting for an invitation?” Sasquatch teased, nudging me with a bony elbow.

I flipped him off and reached for the doorknob. His low laugh followed after me—pretty sure that was his version of calling me whipped, and I didn’t even care.

“...did not,” Elias said, a dry cough coming out along with the words. His pallor was still off, the clear tube fitted into his nose a reminder of the beating his lungs had taken.

“Did, too,” Gideon argued. “Even without a layer of skin, you’re fine as hell.”

Kerrigan laughed. “That’s how you know you’re a goner. Like when I saw Conall without eyebrows and was like ‘still hot.’”

I cleared my throat, and Kerrigan whipped toward me. Two spots of pink rose to her cheeks. “Pretend you didn’t hear that.”

“Not a chance, babe.” I wound an arm around her waist and gave her a hello kiss with extra tongue.

The two twenty-year-old werewolves beamed at us. So much for my badass rep. Not that anyone in this cramped room would judge.

“How’s the kid?” I asked, and Kerrigan turned in my embrace, one of her hands going to my forearm as she jerked her chin at the noisy monitor.

“His vitals are bouncing back, slowly but surely.” Kerrigan’s theory about the wolfsbane being laced in with the silver nitrate explained how Elias had sensed the trap last second. “If this were a full hospital, I’d request he stay, but in order to keep him as comfortable as possible, I’m going to send him home where he’ll have access to a bigger bed—the oxygen stays on, though. At all times except for a quick trip to the bathroom or short shower.”

“Thank God.” Gideon slung his arm around Elias’s shoulders. “I have no desire to sleep in that tiny chair one more night. Don’t get me wrong, I’d do it. But I’d prefer to sleep in my own bed. I wouldn’t mind company, either.” He waggled his eyebrows at Elias, and what do you know? The kid had a bashful side.

My heart swelled—after everything he’d been through, he’d found someone who saw and understood him.

Gideon’s brow furrowed as he glanced at Kerrigan. “Uh, do we need to wait to...? I wouldn’t want to hurt him.”

“Depends on how Elias feels,” Kerrigan said. “The portable oxygen machine will beep if his levels go down, and if that happens, all activities cease. But as long as you’re careful, you’re cleared to go about your daily tasks—make that human-level-type daily tasks. And absolutely no more witch traps, you hear me?”

Elias covered his cough with his hand. “Yes, ma’am.” With help from Gideon, he stood, and then he took one large step toward Kerrigan and wrapped her in a hug. “Thank you for saving me.”

Since I’d already shown my mushy side, I went ahead and stretched my arms to envelop Elias as well, creating a group hug situation.

The thick emotion in his voice had my throat tightening, too.

Gideon relayed his appreciation as he joined in, and I glanced toward the window— Sasquatch would never let me hear the end of it. But the hall was clear, and he would’ve informed me if anyone lingered near the door.

The two of them left, eager to escape the tiny room they’d been stuck in all week, and I lowered my forehead to Kerrigan’s and inhaled her addictive scent. “I’d like to add my gratitude to the mix. If you hadn’t returned to the compound to perform that extra procedure, who knows if...” I couldn’t finish.

“You’re not the only one who’d never forgive themselves if he didn’t make it,” she said, proving she also understood me in ways most people didn’t.

“How about me?” I slipped my hand in her back pocket and squeezed her ass. “Am I cleared to do all the things?”

Kerrigan looped her arms around my neck and grazed my jaw with her lips. “Depends on what’s on the agenda. I wasn’t sure if you’d be able to get away.”

Right. The agenda. If I relayed the schedule for this evening, it might kill the mood. “We have about an hour before...” I exhaled. “I need to tell you something. Do me a favor and focus on my good qualities while I do.”

She tensed, her arms automatically falling to her sides.

“Like that you yourself said that I’m hot with or without eyebrows?—”

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