Page 24 of Fool Moon First Aid

“Don’t choke,” Dr. Dreamy, also known as Brody, says as he steps up next to Ethan. Now, with a bit of food in me, I can fully appreciate the absurdity of the situation. They are here, in this nondescript parking lot, like some bizarre welcoming committee. “I’d hate to have to do the Heimlich maneuver.”

What does it say about me that their appearance pleases me? I’ll never tell them that though.

“What’s this about?” I ask, gesturing with my spring roll as if it’s a magic wand that could conjure up some sense.

“Well,” Brody begins, his cheeks flushing a shade of pink that clashes with his professional demeanor, “since you snuck out of the hospital” —he throws a glance at Eloise, who’s now the picture of impatience, not looking at all guilty, tapping her foot— “I’m not convinced you’re capable of making rational decisions.”

I almost choke on the spring roll. “Excuse me?” I take another bite, savoring the crunch as I process his bold words. I was starving.

“You see,” Brody continues, seemingly unaware of how his words are dangling over my head like a guillotine, “doctors’ orders were a week of bed rest before you put weight on that leg. You might have set yourself back even further.”

His words hit me like a two-by-four. My vet clinic is my world, so walking away isn’t an option. Sure, dragging myself out here might not have been my brightest idea, but Eloise needed me…kind of, and I’ll stand by that decision until my last breath.

Hoes before bros.

From the corner of my eye, I catch a scene straight out of a drama flick. The third musketeer of their brooding trio pulls Eloise aside, away from the others. Despite the looming presence of two hunky wolves, it’s Eloise who steals my attention. What the hell are they saying to her? She’s a whirlwind of emotions, her face transforming from shock to unbridled amusement. She gasps dramatically, then lets out a laugh so robust, she doubles over, slapping her thighs as if she’s at the world’s funniest comedy show.

“Oh, that is rich,” she wheezes out, struggling to catch her breath.

“What’s the joke over there?” I inquire, snagging a fried noodle and tossing it into my mouth with an air of nonchalance. My eyes dart between Eloise’s animated display and the men. “Why’s she laughing like she’s lost it?”

“Just Ty giving her the lowdown,” Brody answers, smoothing his hair back in a move that appears more like a nervous gesture. “Now, about you being a so-called danger to yourself?—”

“I’m totally fine,” I cut in, my stomach fluttering with nervous butterflies. He can’t seriously think he has any say over me, can he? “See?” I say, trying to look stable on my good foot, but I probably resemble a flamingo on a tightrope.

Brody looks at me with an expression that screams he isn’t buying it. “The moment you decided to go AWOL from the hospital, you triggered a special clause.”

“That’s the biggest load of bull,” I retort, my skepticism cranked to the max.

Ethan grunts, remaining as stoic as a statue, but I swear there’s a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

I have this gnawing feeling that I’m unwittingly the star of their private comedy, which I probably am, considering pack dynamics allow these three to communicate telepathically.

Or so I’ve been told. The jury is still out.

“Oh, but it’s a thing,” Brody says with a smugness that makes me want to wipe that grin off his face.

“I’ll call my friend Mia. She is a social worker, and she will come down and have you all arrested,” I threaten, even though it only serves to widen their grins. Eloise smirks in amusement, but it’s hard to read what she is amused about.

“Do it.” Ethan finally speaks up, his voice a deep rumble that surprisingly does more than just intimidate.

“You can’t just keep a patient against their will. That’s not how the world works,” I argue, my voice hitting a pitch I didn’t know I could reach.

“No?” Brody glances over at the smirking officer, who’s been soaking up our exchange like he’s at a tennis match. “Who’s world, Ava? Spiritkin or human?”

“Yeah, if you leave the hospital against medical advice, you’re labeled a danger to yourself and others,” the officer pipes up, his casual tone adding insult to injury.

“Bullshit!” I blurt out, my frustration boiling over.

“Oh, Ava,” Eloise says, her laughter subsiding as she nudges her way to the front. “Think about it. Wouldn’t it be kind of nice to be pampered by three handsome guys for a couple of weeks? I’ll cover for you at work, and I bet Mr. Rugged and Handsome here will fix that window he broke. Right, big guy?”

Ethan just grunts again, his intense gaze fixed on me like I’m a puzzle he’s trying to solve.

“Yes!” I exclaim, because of course it sounds amazing, attempting to turn around to face her, but as I do, my balance betrays me. I put weight on my injured leg and let out a yelp that’s embarrassingly loud. Suddenly, I’m falling, my precious food flying through the air like culinary confetti.

I was really looking forward to the rest of my spring rolls.

Strong arms envelop me, breaking my fall. Ethan has me in a secure hold, cradling me as if I’m precious, which is both disorienting and strangely comforting. He smells like the wild outdoors and something soothingly familiar.

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