Page 25 of Destined Bear
But before she can leave, I call out to her again. “Would Vivienne and Circe consider coming here?”
She eyes me quizzically. “Circe is not in any position to travel. I thought you had been to see her recently.”
My lips part to better explain myself, but I don’t. This is a conversation I need to have with Vivienne, not her best friend. I’m glad my question was intentionally vague. The last thing I needed was for Alessa to run back and tell Vivienne what I had in mind.
“You’re dismissed.”
Alone in my office, I drop my head back and look up at the ceiling. If I can convince Vivienne to bring her mother here to live, at least until she recovers, she would be rid of the Millie problem.
Either the live-in nurse would follow where the enforcers and pack could keep a very good eye on her, or Millie would take off. In either case, Vivienne’s mind would be much more at ease.
But convincing Vivienne will be a Herculean task. I’m going to have to show her some results before I even broach the conversation.
I spend the next hour scouring online for any information I can find about the Stonecrest healer, Seline. When I finally come across a photo of her face, my heart stops for half a second.
I know why her name was so familiar to me now. She had treated my predecessor, my father, on his deathbed. And there had been blatant speculation about her being at least partially responsible for the quickness of his demise.
Why would Millie have recommended this healer of all the hundreds to choose from in Texas? Alarm makes the hairs on my arm prickle, and I sink back in my chair, shaking my head.
I need to talk to her now. But as soon as I stand, I sink back down, thinking of Vivienne. Would she approve? Should I get her insight?
Five years ago, I would have never asked these questions, but now I need her opinion before I make another rash decision.
Reaching for the phone, I call her.
“Emeric?” A smile touches my lips that she has my number programmed in her phone. I’m glad she can’t see my expression.
“I think you and I need to convene with a small group and make a game plan. Why don’t you come to the ranch tomorrow?”
“I don’t want to keep leaving Mom alone with Millie.”
“I’ll make sure Heath stays with her, too.”
A small gasp of surprise fills my ear. “You can’t leave the Beta with my mom. He has more important things to do.”
“I can do whatever I want. Can you be here at nine?”
A small silence follows my question. “Yes.”
The answer floods me with far more pleasure than a single word should.
“Good. I’ll see you then.”
I hang up and stare at the white-robed healer on the screen, my grin fading away as reality sets back in.
What the hell are you up to, Seline? And who are you working with?
CHAPTER 7
VIVIENNE
Every time I see Emeric, the attraction between us grows more intense. I do everything I can to fight it.
I keep telling myself that the feelings I’m having are just nostalgia.
The mate I deserve should respect me, value my opinions, listen when I speak, and not dismiss my advice even when it’s as good as his own.
But my rational mind and my traitorous heart are locked in constant battle.
