Page 7 of Shifter Marked and Claimed

“Excuse me, I think I’m lost. Can you help?”

“Oh dear, where are you headed?” the short plump one asked.

“I’m looking for the clinic.”

She eyed me suspiciously. No doubt she knew I wasn’t from around here.

“I’m Lucy and this is my daughter, Vada. We’re new to the area.” I explained to hopefully ward off their suspicions.

“Vada? This is little Vada, the namesake of our Vada?” the woman asked.

“Um, yes?”

It was a safe bet, I mean how many Vadas could there possibly be in San Marco?

I cringed thinking of how I hadn’t even reached out and told Vada we were moving here. I suddenly felt horrible for that. She had done so much for the both of us while in captivity.

“I’m Tarron’s Nonna. He works with Silas, Vada’s mate,” she informed me.

I gave her a confused look. I had met Vada’s mate and his team during the big rescue. I vaguely remembered Tarron but could have sworn he was the fox shifter. One sniff told me this woman was a wolf. I knew I must have him confused with someone else, but I forced a smile and nodded.

“Yes, of course. It’s so nice to meet you.”

The old lady beamed. “You and your daughter will have to come to dinner sometime soon.”

“That would be great,” I managed to say just trying to placate the woman. I needed directions, not dinner. “But can you help me with the clinic?”

“Oh yes, of course, dear. Just make a right here and go down a little ways. It’s just down about a mile on the left.”

“Right then on the left,” I repeated.

“You’ve got it. Good luck.”

Before she could say any more, I gave her a thanks, rolled up the window and drove off. I had been so close it was downright embarrassing.

I was irritated with myself as much as the situation as I unstrapped Vada from the car and set her down. I was halfway to the door when I remembered the paperwork.

“Argh!”

I ran back to retrieve them while Vada stood watching me by the door.

I was back in a flash, feeling even more off kilter than I had before.

My wolf was restless. We’d been in the territory for several days now, and I thought it was improving, then yesterday afternoon a wolf came near the house Kyle had offered us to stay in and ever since my wolf had been downright aggressive. The weird thing was that we were around wolves in the area all the time, but this one she clearly had issues with. I had been anxious and jittery ever since.

As we walked into the clinic, my wolf tried to surge in much the same as she had done with the wolf. I was not happy about it.

There was no one working the front desk and no one in the waiting room.

I banged on the little bell.

“Just a minute,” a deep, very male, voice yelled from the back somewhere.

Something slammed into me at the sound, and I felt embarrassingly and uncomfortably wet.

What the hell was happening to me?

“Sorry about that. I’ve been a little distracted today. What can I do for…” he paused and stared at me with wide eyes as shocked as I felt. “You,” he whispered almost reverently.

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