Page 6 of Ethan
Wasn’t he the head healer? My irritation bubbled hotter as I tried not to think about why he’d been acting like this recently.
“Ethan?” Cathy’s uncertain voice broke through my thoughts.
I exhaled, pulling my mind back to the moment. “Micah, you all right, kid?” I crouched slightly to meet his eye level, my voice softer.
Micah nodded quickly, his small face tight with determination.
“Good.” I nodded back. “Stay here with Devon for a bit, okay?”
Micah hesitated, his eyes flicking to his mom for approval, but I was already ushering him toward Devon’s desk.
“Here, sit beside him,” I instructed, ignoring Devon’s mildly surprised blink as he scooted over to make room.
“You can help him with this,” I added, gesturing to the newspaper. “See this? Right here,” I said, pointing to the spot where Devon’s pen hovered, circling the difference between a missing tree branch on one picture and an intact one on the other.
Devon scowled. “That was the last one!”
I patted Micah on the shoulder. “Keep him on his toes, kid,” I said lightly before turning back to Cathy, motioning for her to lead the way.
As we stepped out of the clinic, I threw one last glance over my shoulder at Devon.
He was half-slouched over the paper again, muttering under his breath as Micah pointed at the page.
The reluctant set of his mouth almost made me grin. The scene was oddly satisfying, but I shoved the thought away as Cathy guided me toward the pack house.
“So what exactly did happen?” I asked Cathy as we hurried toward the main building.
“I’m not entirely sure. Cooper was meeting with some wolves from Thornebane, and then—” She shook her head. “One of them just… started fighting with Griffin. It all happened so fast.”
My jaw tightened. Thornebane wolves with Cooper?
That alone sent a spike of unease down my spine. Their pack’s reputation preceded them, a volatile mix of chaos, aggression, and self-serving politics.
Sure, there were exceptions. Wolves like Remy, who’d built a decent life here in Pecan Pines.
I’d even heard a couple of good things about their new alpha. But as a pack? Thornebane brought trouble wherever they went.
My mind flicked to the disaster at the regional pack summit months ago. The memory was enough to make my hands curl into fists as I walked.
What the hell is Cooper thinking, bringing them here?
We turned the corner, and the aftermath of the fight stopped me in my tracks. The corridor leading to Cooper’s office looked like it had been hit by a hurricane.
Picture frames lay shattered on the floor, their jagged glass glinting in the light.
A table lay splintered against the far wall, and the wood-paneled walls bore deep gouges, some with fist-sized holes that looked like someone had tried to punch straight through them.
Griffin was leaning against the wall near the carnage, one hand pressed against his ribs. My chest tightened.
“Griff, are you all right?” I asked, rushing to his side.
He gave me a half-smile. “I’ve had worse,” he muttered, his voice tight with pain. “Though I’d be better if people stopped using me as a damn punching bag.”
I snorted despite myself. “Hold still. Let me take a look.”
Before I could start, Cooper’s voice cut through the tension. “Ethan.”
Cooper nodded toward the opposite wall, where another shifter was leaning heavily, his arms crossed over his chest. It was one of the Thornebane wolves.
