Page 77 of Drive me Wild (South Island Shifters)

He nods. “Yes, I think that would be wise. So when?”

“How about after we’ve been living together a while?” I suggest.

He looks around. “I don’t know about you, but it kinda feels like you’ve moved in already. Most of your clothes are in my closet, your stuff is in the bathroom, some of your favourite foods are in the pantry, and you’ve been staying here every night.”

I frown. “No, I meant when I move all my stuff from my house into here.”

“I love that.”

I take a sip of my drink. This man has repaired my heart. I never dreamed anyone could.

He smiles at me. “So, what did you think of my mum?”

“She’s lovely. Ravin looks a lot like her.”

He nods. “Ravin looks like her, but she has Dad’s eyes. I look like Dad, but with Mum’s eyes, and Zane is a smattering of them both. Thank you for coming today and supporting me.”

“I wouldn’t have dreamed of being anywhere else. But so we’re clear, I don’t like that nurse.” He chuckles. I don’t know if he will take me seriously or not. She used to be very friendly towards me, but since she found out Declan and I are a couple, I swear her eyes spit nails at me whenever we’re in her presence. Now that I know she’s Declan’s mother’s nurse, I’ll be making sure the next time I see her at the café that she knows Declan is my man, mating mark or not.

* * *

DECLAN

I’ve visited my mother every chance I’ve gotten over the last week, and I know Winter hasn’t been pleased about me visiting Mum without her. Winter is jealous of the nurse, and she hasn’t tried to hide it from me. I think it’s sexy as fuck. My woman is defiant in her belief that Scarlett wants me. I’m sure it’s a harmless crush, one I plan to put to rest when I next see Scarlett.

I’m finally going to meet Winter’s sister Autumn tomorrow. We are going to the winery restaurant for dinner and a few drinks. Winter is meeting us there as she is working tomorrow. They are having girls night tonight while I’m meeting Zane for drinks at my place after I see our mum. He won’t be coming tonight as he’s working until 7 pm.

I park outside the reception desk of the facility. Making my way inside, I pay this month’s bill for my mother’s care and then make my way with a spring in my step towards my mother’s room. I’ve got her favourite flowers today. It was just a happy coincidence when I discovered that they were Winter’s too.

Entering the space, I’m caught off guard as I see Scarlett sitting there talking to my mother. My mum seems to be in some sort of daze and not how she has been all week.

Scarlett turns towards me. “Declan, I was about to call and tell you perhaps not to visit tonight. I’ve just started my shift, but Laura hasn’t been the way she has over the last week. I don’t know what’s happened.”

“Declan, she’s poisoning me,” my mother hollers from her bed.

Watching my mum leap from the mattress and grab her pillow as a makeshift shield is funny. But something isn’t right here. I grip my mother by the shoulders and spin her around, pulling her against me. I glance up at Scarlett.

“Can you get me a coffee, please?” I ask. I need to get my mother alone to see what’s going on.

She bats her lashes. “Of course. Anything for you.”

She exits the room, and I steer my mother back to her bed. “Mum, tell me what happened.”

Mum lifts her hands to my face. “Declan, you look so much like your dad. I miss him so much. When can I go be with him? It’s all I want.”

She’s not herself at all. My heart starts pounding hard within my chest. She searches my face before smiling. “Where is Winter? Why isn’t she here?”

Winter? She remembers Winter? That’s a good thing, isn’t it? “Winter had to work, Mum, but she’ll come tomorrow.”

Scarlett enters the room at that moment, bringing a cup of coffee over. I look at her. “Thank you.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” she asks.

My mum starts slapping Scarlett. “Get away, poisoner! Get away!”

“No, I think I have this under control,” I lie. I don’t, because there is definitely something wrong. It’s as if my mum’s Luna powers are on alert. Scarlett nods, leaving the room and us alone. The instant she’s gone, my mother calms down, just like she had moments before when Scarlett had first left the room. This isn’t how she has been for the last week.

“Declan, she’s trying to poison me,” she repeats.

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