Page 3 of Wolf's Providence

Studying him, I took in his calm and steady presence. He was in his late thirties, and I appreciated the no-nonsense look in his eyes when he spoke. The fact that he was part shifter, who only had some of the benefits, must suck for him. Not human. Not a shifter. I wondered if he was a hybrid? Would that be a thing? Was it rude to ask? He had some speeded-up healing, slower to show signs of his age, but not like shifters who were his age but looked ten to fifteen years younger, but otherwise, he was pretty much like me.

Human.

“How are you going to transfer me to another hospital?” I asked him seriously. “She’ll never understand if I stay here.”

Doc was studying my wounds, only half listening. I kept my head averted. The first time I looked, I almost threw up, so I learned to stare at the window, which was too high for me to see much, and hope that the examination was quick.

“How are you feeling?”

“It hurts.”

“Still?” His look was assessing.

“Yes, still,” I snapped at him. “I had four claws sticking into me like I was meat on a kebab.” Scratching my arm, I avoided looking at him. “And this itchy skin is making me insane! Are you sure I can’t get an antihistamine or something?”

Doc was frowning at me as he watched me scratch. “I need to talk to Cannon.” He didn’t blink as he spoke. “I also need for Lily to leave this mountain. Suggestions?”

“Youjustsaid I was lucky to have her here.”

“You are.” His smile was tight. “But now I need her to leave.”

Narrowing my eyes, I watched him suspiciously. “Why?”

“I need to speak to my alpha.” Doc stepped back. I hadn’t noticed him re-covering my wounds. “Try to rest, I won’t be long. Oh, and think of a reason for her to leave, yeah?”

I had a very good reason for Lily to leave. It was one word, which started withshiftand ended wither. But I couldn’t tell her.Theydefinitely weren’t going to tell her, so instead, I had to lie.

And I was a shit liar.

Doc changing his mind about Lily being here was odd. He’d been pleased she was here, and now he sounded as if he wanted her off Blackridge Peak as soon as possible. I was more amazed she’d stayed in the bunker. Lily was adventurous and bold. It was so out of character for her to remain in the place where she was told.

Or maybe…she was faking it as much as I was? Maybe she knew there was somethingmorehere and was staying close because I was someone she trusted. I mean, the whole bunker hospital was insane. If that was the case, then getting Lily to go home may be easier than they thought.

While I loved that she was here when I woke up, the fact that she washerewas also terrifying. My absence had been too long for Lily’s liking, especially not hearing from me, so in true Nancy Drew style, she’d decided to track me down.

There was no cell service on Shadowridge Peak, but there was on Blackridge Peak, and when I’d been taken here, they’d taken my backpack. My cell was on, and that meant I was traceable.

Cannon had switched it off as soon as they found out a woman and a ranger were heading up their mountain.

Thankfully, I was still out cold when that encounter took place. I didn’t think Doc was popular with his alpha for bringing that kind of attention to them. But, as Doc said, it was either that or I died.

I was hopeful that Cannon was team “keep Willow alive.”

Weariness settled on me like a blanket. I might’ve been sleeping less, but I was still exhausted. I was just drifting off to sleep when the door creaked open.

Opening my eyes, I saw Cannon and Doc come in. Cannon’s face was unreadable as always. Doc’s smile was weaker.

Oh boy, here we go.

“Hi.” Cannon was really nice, but he was so intimidating sometimes that it made me wish for Caleb. Because while Caleb was a contrary son-of-a-swear word, he was stillCaleb. I could read him, Iknewhim. Cannon was just…big. And intimidating.

Doc exchanged a glance with Cannon before they both focused on me. The look on their faces didn’t change, and I just knew I was going to hate whatever they said next.

“How are you feeling?” Cannon asked, lifting the seat Lily used, turning it, and sitting on it back to front. His huge forearms rested on the back of the seat as he watched me.

“Sore,” I answered him quickly. “Which I know is to be expected. My head hurts,” I added, seeing Doc note it down. “I’m tired, but I know my body is trying to heal.”

“Doc says you’re itchy.”

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