Page 134 of Marked

“For fuck’s sake, Nate, you aren’t feral.”

“Not yet,” I said.

One day, it would happen. If I never joined a pack, I’d end up going mad just like Lenny Nash had. I’d come to terms with that. The only reason I hadanycontact with packs was to make money and keep myself from becoming feral. Being around shifters would hold it at bay, but without the acceptance and support of a real pack, I’d snap. I’d become some slavering psycho like Lenny Nash. The thought of that happening was always at the back of my mind.

A knock interrupted us before the conversation could go much further. Cameron’s mom, Sophia, peeked around the door.

“Oh, hello,” she said hesitantly.

“Come in, Ms. Torres,” Ollie said, shifting his tone away from the chiding friend to the businesslike policeman.

“I wanted to thank you both for helping my daughter,” she told us.

“Not a problem, ma’am,” Ollie said.

“Yeah,” I added. “It was nothing.”

“That’s not true,” she said, but she was smiling. Her eyes darted around the room, and I thought I could see some wheels turning in her head. Sophia was a nurse, and she certainly wasn’t dumb. This secret clinic had to be sending alarm bells off in her head. Honestly, I’d been shocked when JC told me to contact her and get her here.

“What is this place?” she finally asked, removing all doubt from my assessment.

Ollie and I shared a look, and without missing a beat, Ollie said, “It’s a special police triage unit. Mostly used for worse injuries than this. It was the closest place we had to care for Cameron.”

Sophia nodded, but from the look in her eyes, I knew she saw through the bullshit. Thankfully, for now, she left the subject alone.

“I should be thanking Cameron, actually,” Ollie said, trying to steer the conversation in a less dangerous direction. “She’s the one who called for help.”

“She’s a good girl,” Sophia said softly. “You two should come over for dinner sometime. I can make you boys a big dinner to thank you.”

At the mention of food, saliva filled my mouth, and my stomach cramped with hunger. When was the last time I’d eaten? Dinner the night before? The only thing I’d put in my stomach all day was a shot of whiskey and a beer. That was alongtime for a shifter to go without food.

“We wouldn’t want to impose,” I said.

“Right,” Ollie said. “You guys have been through enough without the two of us taking up your time.”

“No,” Sophia said in a stern, motherly tone. “It’s the least I can do. I told JC you three deserve a lifetime supply ofarepas. One meal won’t hurt anything. Please?”

Ollie and I shared a look, then shrugged.

“Sure, why not?” Ollie said.

I smiled and nodded, but stayed silent.

“Nate, would you like to see Cameron? She’s awake,” Sophia said.

I was on my feet in a flash. “She is?”

Sophia nodded. “JC is speaking to her, but I think he’s about done. I’m sure she’d like to see you.”

“I wanted to check on her,” I said.

Happiness and excitement burst through me. Cameron was awake, which meant she was probably okay. As quick as that happiness had appeared, it vanished, and trepidation took its place. Our reunion at the campground had been joyous but brief. She’d passed out within minutes of me arriving. We’d have to sort out the feelings our fight—warwas a more apt description—had stirred up. But at least she was safe and sound here.

“Well, come on, then,” Sophia said, waving me on.

Standing, I glanced back at Ollie. “You good?”

He shrugged and smiled bitterly. “I guess so. They say they might release me today. Looks like I’m not even gonna get a sponge bath from a hot nurse. This is the most disappointing hospital stayever.”

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