Page 10 of Destined Bear
My muscles tense at the implication that I haven’t done everything I can for my mother. “Of course I want her to get better. That’s exactly why I need to personally approve anyone who treats her. I’m getting my mother help, but on my terms.”
I turn my eyes to Millie as the healer leaves. “No more healers unless I approve them first. Is that clear?”
She nods, but I have no confidence in her ability to follow through.
“Miss Vivienne?” Millie’s voice is uncertain.
I whip my head around to look at her. “What?”
“What harm does it do to have the Alpha’s healers look at her? Miss Circe isn’t improving. Shouldn’t we be getting all the help we can?”
Her question puts me on edge. In theory, she’s right. We should be using every tool at our disposal to help my mom, but the truth is, I don’t trust Emeric anymore. Maybe once upon a time, I would have welcomed his help.
Now, I think of all the healers he’s sending in and out of my mother’s home as potential spies.
Are they looking at my mother, or are they looking at me? Maybe both. Although why he would need to spy on me, I don’t know. It’s not like I ever held some great rank in the pack, and my mother is already positioned to offer any wisdom she has.
However, I still don’t want Emeric making decisions about my mother’s care without consulting me.
“I want healers I can trust, Millie. I’ll find qualified ones myself, but no one treats my mother without my say-so. Am I totally clear?” I cast my gaze on her defiantly. “I don’t care what the Alpha has to say.”
She bobs her head again without speaking.
I pick up my bag and head out the door, but before I do, I stop at my mom’s room, checking in for changes on her vital signs.
My heart sinks as I take in her gaunt expression, her eyes still closed like they’ve been all day, her breathing shallow. This has been one of the worst days so far, and I understand why Millie is so concerned.
I need to find qualified healers immediately. But I refuse to let Emeric control this situation.
Smothering a sigh, I head out the door, and to my utter chagrin, I find Heath outside in a tinted SUV.
Oh, great. There are even more reminders of Emeric everywhere.
Furiously, I bang on the glass until he rolls down the window.
“What the hell is this now? Why are you parked outside my house?”
Sheepishly, he smiles at me. “Hey, Viv.”
“Don’t ‘hey Viv’ me. Are you watching my house?”
“Technically, it’s your mom’s house?—”
“Cut the shit, Heath. What are you doing here?”
He draws in a breath and lowers his eyes. “Emeric wants me to keep an eye on you guys.”
Dumbfounded, my jaw drops. He wants his Beta watching us now? First sending healers without asking, now this? Maybe I have the right to be suspicious about Emeric after all.
“What the hell for?” I demand.
“He’s worried about you.”
An unexpected warmth spreads through my chest, but I harden myself against it.
“He’s hoping for some news about your mom?—”
“I’m getting my mother qualified healers, but I’m choosing them myself.” I can’t keep the steel from my tone. “I didn’t ask for his help, and I don’t want strangers marching through our house without my approval.”
