Page 63 of Moonlighting with the Werewolf

Panic beat at my senses, my face heating as I awaited my introduction to an audience who didn’t particularly want to hear from me, didn’t trust me, and obviously didn’t think I was worthy of someone like Conall.

Grams, I could really use some of that extra bravery and boldness you conjured up so easily.

Gold sparked in Conall’s eyes, and the intensity within them resonated in his voice. “While she speaks, you will sit, and you will listen. You will give her the respect she deserves, or as I mentioned early, you’ll have me to contend with. Everyone, I’d like you to meet my mate. Dr. Kerrigan Ryan.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

I extended a hand,helped Kerrigan to her feet, and gestured for her to take the floor. While I wanted to stand at her side and glower, I also knew it was important for her to stand on her own. It’d been a while since I’d been nervous. I practically forgot how it felt for every cell in my body to revolt at once. I forced my knees to buckle and my ass to hit the seat of my chair. The crossed arms couldn’t be helped.

Kerrigan reached up to twist her hair around her finger and then slowly dropped her arm by her side. “Here’s the thing: I can’t make any of you trust me. But if you end up with poison coursing through your veins, I’m the one with the power to save you. So maybe think about that. Not just for yourself, but for your parents, your siblings, your children, your best friend.”

Well, shit. If she was gonna continue on like that, I might as well call it a day and go crack open a beer.

She took a few minutes to explain the treatments, peppering her words with various medical terms. Confidence infused her voice as she spoke of her surgical skills and how far they surpassed most veterinarians who’d been in the field for decades.

“Along with the odd tinge of Justin’s skin, he had a secondary infection that’d gone unnoticed. Another hour, and it would’ve been too late.” Kerrigan let that hang in the air for several seconds. “His sister loves him, no doubt about it, just like you all care for your family, your friends, and fellow pack members. But love isn’t what’s going to keep you alive if you get hit with silver or wolfsbane.I am.”

I pressed my lips together to suppress the goofy-ass grin on my face. Damn, I loved her. I hadn’t wanted to say it in front of everyone.Matewas strong enough for them. It’d burst out of me earlier, the unexpected declaration kicking me in the gut. I wasn’t sure when the tables had turned, but I’d tear the world apart for Kerrigan Ryan.

My mate.

My beloved.

“Which leads me to what I need to keep everybody breathing and shifting.” She asked for blood donations and then pivoted in my direction, the slight raise of her eyebrow asking if that was enough. At my slight nod, she straightened and leveled her gaze at the audience. “Yeah, that’s all I have to say. For now.”

I gripped the arms of my chair, about to stand, but Nissa was faster. My anxieties from earlier, when I’d given Kerrigan the floor returned, stronger and more destructive.

If Nissa mentions going to the council, and the pack members see that she and I don’t agree, all Kerrigan just managed to accomplish will come undone.

If I had to, I’d pull rank again, no matter how much it’d hurt us both. But if the council got involved... How was I going to fight them, the witches, and my own people at once?

“When I was a young girl, a group of doctors and scientists turned me into their own special guinea pig,” Nissa said, and a hollow pit formed in my stomach. “You’ve all seen the scars, the patches where hair doesn’t grow on my coat when I transform.Of everyone in this room, I have more reasons than anyone to distrust Dr. Ryan...”

I held my breath, afraid of what would come next. I could hardly tackle her on the spot after what she’d said, though.

“But I’m bringing a baby into this world,” Nissa continued, “and if any of you die because you were too stubborn and bigoted to listen to Dr. Ryan, my little guy will be less safe. Many of us have come from other communities where we’ve been picked off or virtually exterminated. How many of you sat in meetings exactly like this one, where they decided to refuse help from outsiders?”

The room fell silent, the downturned gazes, along with every slight shift and fidget portraying the answer loud and clear.

My beta looked at me and gave me a nod.Take it home, it said. There might be a pinch ofyou owe mein there as well.

I pushed to my feet, standing straight and tall. “Like Nissa, I don’t want to later regret this moment. Neither do any of you when—as Kerrigan pointed out—it’s your wife, husband, or child who’s on the operating table. We all want our loved ones in the best hands, and without a doubt, that’s Dr. Ryan. We’re not only lucky to have her, weneedher in order to win this battle.”

One by one, people popped to their feet, but to voice their support of Kerrigan this time. We didn’t get them all, but we got the majority, and victory sang through my veins as I adjourned the meeting.

Once everyone except those who remained on the podium with me had filtered out of the room, I pulled Nissa into a side hug. “Thank you,” I said, my throat and lungs too tight. I hadn’t realized how much I’d needed her support.

Then I turned toward Kerrigan, who’d hesitantly pushed to her feet, and planted a kiss on her luscious lips. “You did it, sweetheart. Just like I knew you could.”

“Thank you, but that definitely wasn’t all me.” Kerrigan peered around me and gave Nissa a cautious but grateful smile. “Thank you. I know it wasn’t easy for you to speak up for me like that.”

“Admittedly, it wasn’t my plan at the beginning of this meeting.” Nissa snagged Tyrese’s hand and pulled him into the conversation as well, assumedly because she could use extra support. Neither of us were very good at apologizing nor admitting we might’ve been wrong. “My husband did his best to calm my fears and reassure me Conall’s a good judge of character, but I was sure he was making the wrong move and hellbent on standing my ground.

“Seeing how much you care about the lug”—Nissa socked my shoulder with her free hand—“and hearing you speak so intelligently and passionately about your career and skills, well, you won me over.” She scuffed her foot against the wooden floor. “It’s been rough, having things so off between Conall and me. I’ve always considered him and Diego my annoying big brothers.”

“Did somebody say my name?” Diego crashed his way into the center of the conversation, and happiness swelled within me. I’d missed them. Missed this.

“Don’t make this about you, dude. I’m still mad at you for eating the last ofmypotato chips.” After shooting him a deadly look, Nissa returned her gaze to Kerrigan and spoke quickly enough her words came out in a rushed blur. “I’m sorry that I judged you so harshly.”

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