Page 62 of Moonlighting with the Werewolf

He’d lived in this brutal werewolf world his entire life. After losing his first pack, along with his entire family, I understood why he would do whatever it took to prevent it from happening again.

Conall reached over the arm of my chair and folded my hand in his. Regardless of the bumps along the way, the lack of acceptance from his pack members, and my looming concerns over an impending battle, I wouldn’t take back any of our time together; I wouldn’t trade it for another, less cruel world; and I absolutely wouldn’t abandon him.

I was ready to do anything to save him and his pack from the same fate his last one suffered. Even if the other shifters always despised me, and not only because I’d sworn an oath to promote animal health and welfare and relieve their suffering.

Maybe let’s not start our spiel with that in case some of them aren’t flattered by the comparison.

More than that, I’d do it just to save Conall from experiencing any more pain and agony. I squeezed his hand, peered into his warm brown eyes, and said, “I realize this isn’t the right time, but I love you, and I just wanted you to know that.”

A slow, awestruck smile spread across his face. “That means a lot to me. Thank you.” Okay, so he didn’t say it back.

Everyone began whispering, and I heard snippets about myself and my confession. “Shit,” I said, recognizing far too late that the supernatural crowd could hear me. The rest of the werewolves up front shifted nervously in their seats as a steady stream of negative attention got aimed my way.

The man at my side remained calm and collected, his smile morphing into the same cocky smirk he’d given me the night we’d met. “Don’t worry. I was about to introduce you as my mate, anyway.”

A uniform gasp reverberated through our audience.

Conall kissed my cheek before pushing to his feet, and a hush fell over the room. “If any of you are wondering if you heard that right, you did. I’d like to introduce everyone to Dr. Kerrigan Ryan. She’s to be treated with the utmost respect. While she details what she’s done and what she needs as she continues to help us, everyone will be dead fucking silent and listen to every word. Or they’ll have to deal with me.”

My stomach soared up, bypassing my rib cage and lodging in my throat. Was this seriously happening?

“Our pack is under attack. Most of you know a coven of witches exterminated all but one of my former pack members, and only because he and I fled. Leaving my family behind instead of fighting to my dying breath, regardless of how young and inexperienced I was at the time, still haunts me to this day.”

Conall and Diego shared a glance, the sorrow within them so strong it echoed inside of me.

“I consider myself responsible for every single loss the Bridgewater Pack suffers,” Conall continued, “which is why I’m unwilling to shrug off the loss of a single soul. We’ll protect our territory and our people at all costs. But with the witchesattacking our healing abilities, we won’t be able to do it without Dr. Ryan’s help.”

Murmurs slithered around the audience, a snake that grew stronger and louder as it recruited members to its cause.

Sabine popped to her feet and bowed her head. “Sir, may I please speak?”

He nodded, and considering her eyes wouldn’t go near me, I steeled myself for what would follow.

“While I appreciate everything Dr. Ryan has done here at the compound, I’ve worked by her side and can use her methods to combat the poisoned arrows and any exposure to wolfsbane or silver. I can take care of everyone, same as I always have.”

It stung more than expected, the slice of pain lodging deep.

Another person stood, an older man with a stubbled white beard who looked like he wrestled grizzly bears for fun.

“I recognize our elder pack member would like the floor,” Conall said, gesturing for him to speak.

“You said yourself that your pack was exterminated, and it was undoubtedly outsiders who provided the information that enabled the coven to find you. It’s too risky to invite a stranger into the compound right now. Humans will only muddle things and cause a bigger mess with a larger fallout. We must only invite in people we can trust.”

At that, more of the pack members stood, popping to their feet in their best impression of popcorn kernels in hot oil. Conall let out a growl, and everyone froze, all conversation dying in an instant.

The respect he generated from his members was truly impressive, and I hoped he wasn’t about to lose any of it over me.

“Sabine, your statement omitted much of the truth. For instance, whether or not your brother would be alive if it wasn’t for Dr. Ryan.”

“She’s definitely faster with the scalpel and neater with her stitches, but mine would’ve held. It also took her some time to get him to shift back, using an experimental, untested treatment.”

“Yeah, and I couldn’t get him to shift back, either, so careful what you go accusing her of.” The sharp bite in Conall’s words caused the entire audience to sit straighter in their seats.

“You’re still avoiding the main question. Would Justin be here today, able to shift and heal, if it weren’t for Dr. Ryan?”

Sabine’s mouth opened and closed, and then Justin stood, his gaze swinging to me as he did so. “No. The answer is no.” His gratitude helped soothe my hurt feelings and remind me why I’d vowed to help, no matter what. “I was on the verge of death, and she brought me back from the brink. I’d like to voice my support in bringing her into our pack.”

Conall nodded at Justin, and he took his seat. More people stood, and Conall pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaled, and then raised his voice. “I do my best to invite input, listen, and weigh our choices fairly. But the majority of you haven’t even met or heard Dr. Ryan speak yet, and in spite of that, you’re jumping to unfounded conclusions.”

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