Page 10 of Fool Moon First Aid

“Well, Ava, looks like you’re about to witness my brother making a grand entrance through a window,” Tyler comments. His green eyes sparkle through the crack, full of life and warmth. He tries to squeeze through, but his broad, muscular frame is clearly not made for such narrow spaces.

“Never had a man climb through a window for me,” I choke out, the effort causing Bean to tighten her grip.

Tyler’s ensuing laughter is a comforting balm, warming me against the chill seeping up from the cold floor.

I attempt a smile, but my facial muscles protest painfully. “I’m sorry I’m such a klutz.”

“Don’t be sorry, Ava. Accidents happen,” Tyler reassures me in his gentle, melodious voice. “We’re here to help you. Let’s get you out of there, shall we?”

I nod slightly, mindful of Bean’s constricting embrace.

Suddenly, a loud crash and a string of curses signal Ethan’s not so graceful entry through the window. The cacophony of his grunts and the sound of him wrangling his way in fill the room. I find myself hoping that insurance covers this kind of unusual break-in.

“How the hell did you manage to get a whole shelf to fall on you?” Ethan’s voice carries a mix of concern and exasperation, though I can’t see him.

“Well, when I woke up this morning, my first thought was, ‘How can I possibly ruin the day?’ and guess what idea popped into my head?”

“A bookshelf on your chest?” he questions, leaning over me now. His chocolate brown eyes, full of intensity, meet mine from above. His dark hair is tousled and unruly, falling slightly over his forehead and adding to his rugged, imposing presence. “Well, lady, you certainly went out of your way, didn’t you?” he remarks with a hint of amusement.

“Ethan, was it?” I retort, striving for sweetness, despite the storm of vinegar brewing inside me. Mama always said honey catches more flies than vinegar, but right now, it’s a struggle to keep the acidity at bay. “Maybe you should focus on doing your job, eh?”

Scoffing at my predicament, Ethan effortlessly steps over me with the grace of a seasoned athlete. He grips the door firmly, the muscles in his forearms rippling under his taut skin, and then reveals an amused Tyler on the other side. Ethan’s movements are fluid, like a predator confidently navigating its territory. His muscular arms flex as he yanks the door off its hinges with a decisive jerk.

Tyler stands there, his eyebrows raised in surprise, as he lets out a low whistle of admiration. He’s built much like Ethan, and these two could pass for brothers, if it weren’t for Ethan’s brooding darkness contrasting Tyler’s lighter, more approachable demeanor. I barely have time to register their striking differences before Ethan turns back, his focus now on the bookshelf pinning me down.

“Should we, I don’t know, wait for a different ambulance?” Tyler muses, scratching his head. His blond hair catches the light, giving him an almost halo-like appearance. “She smells mostly human.”

Ethan takes a deep, controlled breath before muttering a string of expletives, his voice a low rumble of frustration. “Why would dispatch send us to a human?”

“The human is right here,” I cry out, feeling the oppressive weight of the shelf growing heavier by the moment. What in the world did I load onto this thing? My mind flickers to the countless books and trinkets I’ve collected over the years.

“All they had,” Tyler responds with a shrug. “Ava, is it okay with you that you have a wolf squad instead of a human one?”

At this point, I couldn’t care less. “I don’t care if you are purple and scaly, just get this thing off me,” I exclaim with both pain and desperation. I close my eyes tightly, stars dancing behind my eyelids from the intense pressure.

“Protocol is the same,” Ethan argues, his voice firm yet laced with a hint of concern. “We get the bookshelf off her, assess the damages, and get her to the hospital.”

“Perfect. Sounds great. I approve. I will not sue,” I rush out, an adrenaline surge giving me the fleeting illusion of strength.

“One, two,” Ethan counts down, his voice steady and authoritative. “Three.”

Suddenly, the oppressive weight lifts off my chest, and I hungrily gulp in air. Pain flares in my side as I breathe, stealing my breath away. I’ve watched enough medical dramas to know better than to move in an emergency, so I remain as still as possible.

“Stay still,” Tyler says, his voice calm and reassuring as the sound of my belongings clattering to the floor fills the room. “You should have anchored the bookshelf to the wall,” he mutters.

I let his comment slide, knowing he’s right. He doesn’t need to be an ass about it.

“All right, Ava, keep talking to me. Where do you feel pain?” Ethan’s voice hovers over me, full of professional concern. He leans in, and I can almost feel him sniffing the air, perhaps trying to scent the extent of my injuries.

“Broken ribs…right side,” I gasp out, dreading the prolonged ache that’s sure to follow. “Ankle, left.”

“Seems like all doctors are the same, aren’t you?” Ethan’s voice is monotonous, giving nothing away about his thoughts or feelings.

“No,” I protest, but then Tyler prods my ankle, eliciting a sharp scream from me.

“All right, Ava, it looks like you’re getting a ride in the expensive taxi, and I get to strap you down to a gurney,” Tyler says, standing over me. His eyes, a vibrant shade of green, meet mine, ensuring I see the concern in his gaze.

“Not the kind of straps I was hoping for on a Friday night,” I blurt out, my words tinged with shock induced boldness.

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