Page 53 of A Wolf's Heart

Weylin and Rainor jumped up from the couch at the same time; Weylin came to me while Rainor stood between me and this hussy. It was when Kage reached out and touched her that my canine teeth and claws extended faster than they ever had before.

The woman pulled away from Kage. “I ask that you refrain from touching me or getting close to me in any manner.”

Kage yanked his hand away as if she had stung him, rightfully so.

Weylin appeared unsure at first, but the moment his hand touched the skin of my arm, some tension left me. The heat emanating from him was welcome. When I leaned into him, he wrapped both arms around me and pulled me into his chest, his scent mixing with Kage’s on my skin and bringing pure happiness to my wolf.

“Lila, my name is Dr. Thatcher. I have no interest in your mates. I have a mate of my own.” She spoke soothingly to me.

Oh. Oh! “Is that…why I…” I pulled my canines back in, since they were making it difficult to talk. The more I leaned into Weylin and relaxed, the easier it was to recall my claws. “I’m so sorry. I don’t normally care about these guys.”

“Umm, ouch.” Weylin chuckled behind me. “Tell me how you really feel.”

“This is more confusing than I’d ever care to admit.”

“I’m sure it is,” Dr. Thatcher said, her voice warm. “Alpha Cridhe was just telling me this is your first heat, and you’ve never had anyone explain it to you?”

“No, well, Emma was going to give me a book, but we left before she could do that, and then it happened so quickly.” Glancing up at Kage, I could feel my cheeks burn, but I refused to be embarrassed about what had happened. I knew he’d enjoyed himself just as much as I had. “Was that what it was, then? The heat has officially started?” I looked back to the doctor. “To be honest, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”

She gave me a sad look. “Would you like to talk in private? Or would you like your mates to remain in the room?”

Weylin was holding me up at this point, though I knew he didn’t mind, because behind my head, I could feel his chest vibrating in contentment. Still… “I would prefer if they left. I’m not normally the jealous type, but…”

Kage crossed his arms over his chest and gave me a look, as if to say I was being ridiculous, Rainor raised an eyebrow, and Weylin bent down, pressing a kiss to my neck. I could feel the smile on his lips.

“That’s quite understandable and very normal. I do carry a taser with me. After feeling what you felt, I doubt you’d be surprised to hear I have been attacked on more than one occasion. It does help when the males keep their distance from me.” She turned to Kage. “If you three would leave…” Her voice left no room for argument, and I instantly liked her.

Kage still attempted to open his mouth and give his two cents, however Rainor shook his head at him and pointed to the back door. Weylin pressed another kiss to my neck, and though I wanted to draw a line and stop him, it felt nice.

“Would you like me to make you a coffee before I leave?” he asked.

“I can make it myself,” I said, stepping out from his arms.

“No coffee,” Kage grumbled as Rainor ushered him out of the house.

Weylin said nothing as he got to work making me a cup of coffee and placing it in my hands before following the other two. Before the door closed behind him, he called for Max to get the ball.

Dr. Thatcher smiled at me and waved to the couch. “Would you like to have a seat?”

“No,” I gasped, staring at the couch. Oh, dear lord. “How about the kitchenette?” I tried to make my voice sound even and normal, but the high-pitch tone didn’t seem right.

I pulled a chair out from the kitchenette table—there were only two chairs—and sat down. Dr. Thatcher did the same, then placed her briefcase on the table. She pulled out a small tablet with a keyboard and began typing and tapping at the screen.

“Okay, Lila. First of all, I want to start off by saying that, although I am employed by Kage Cridhe and I’m a pack member, all information you give me is completely confidential. Even if you say something that may not align with pack views, I am bound by a higher moral power to keep that information between you and me. The only time that would be broken is if I believe you are at risk to hurt others or yourself, is that understood?”

It sounded like a confidentiality agreement signed at any doctor’s or therapist’s office. “Yes, that’s fine.”

“This is your first cycle?”

“Yes.”

She began typing on the keyboard. “What is your age?”

“Thirty-one.”

She frowned but still typed away. “All three are your fated mates?”

“I guess?” I explained to her what I felt the first time I had touched each of the others and then what I was told we were.

---