Page 73 of Fated to the Feral Wolf

Brielle’s phone buzzed in her purse, which she’d dumped next to me on the cot when we’d walked in.

I ignored it, but the sound came again a moment later. The third time annoyed me enough that I spoke up.

“Bri, you want me to check that?”

“Sure,” she called over her shoulder, not tearing her eyes away from whatever the two of them were studying.

“Oh, I see. But what about the moon? I mean, human medicine has a longer history of study, but we’re not really a one-to-one?—”

I tuned them back out as I pulled out her phone. It was easy to spot in its bright teal case,Smart Bitchwritten on the back and studded with black rhinestones. Leigh’s gift to her for Christmas last year. To match the one she’d made me, in purple, withFierce Bitch, and her ownAlpha Bitchin hot pink.

Leigh was special. Even if she did have an abnormally large collection of clothes to sweat in.

Bri had a text, so I swiped in her unlock pattern and checked, expecting something—hopefully not too raunchy—from Kane, but finding instead a message from Aunt Kari.

Aunt Kari:I’ll be in town tomorrow.

Aunt Kari:Are you still with the Johnson City pack?

Aunt Kari:I’m glad you reached out. I’ve missed you.

“Bri? It’s from your aunt.”

“What?” She straightened, and I watched as it clicked. “Oh. Olivia, can you excuse us for a moment? I was waiting to hear from her. Family matter.”

“Of course. I’ll keep reading.” Olivia smiled, not a hint of malice detectable on her by look or scent. The time spent watching the two of them geek out over their shared love of medicine had only underscored my impression of her as a sweet, nervous wolf. But I now had to add to that list that she idolized Brielle.

If I wasn’t mistaken, she had a total girl-crush thing going on.

“What did she say?” Brielle whispered.

I held up the phone, which she took and then quickly tapped out a response.

“Thanks,” she murmured, handing it back. She left it open so I could see the exchange.

Brielle:Yes, we are. I’ve missed you too.

Aunt Kari:Three p.m. tomorrow. My place on the lake?

Brielle:Sounds perfect.

I didn’t know where her aunt’s place was, but nervous anticipation already filled my belly at the thought. Would she know more about the curse, or were we about to run full speed into a dead end?

Despite her own future being up in the air, Brielle was already smiling when she crossed the small clinic back to Olivia, where they immediately jumped back into their discussion.

A familiar warm, tantalizing scent of cedar and bergamot filled the room, and I was on my feet, spinning toward the door before I consciously realized what I was doing. He was my magnet, always drawing me in, pulling me closer without meaning to do it.

Dirge grinned, wide and predatory, as I closed the distance between us.

“Everything okay?” I murmured, not wanting to disturb Bri and Olivia.

“Everything is fine, but I was wondering if I could steal you for bit? I’m itching for a run, and I’d much rather do it with you.”

I cast a regretful look over my shoulder, but Brielle had turned to face me with a stern look, hands on her hips.

“Go.”

“But—” I protested, even as excitement thrummed in myveins. A run with my mate soundedgloriousafter days of packing and waiting. My wolf was itchy too. Loyalty, though, demanded I stay with Bri.

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