Page 40 of Shattered

She shook her head. “You just happened to catch us as Emmeline was released from Jasmine’s care.”

“So, this is going home day?” He glanced at Hayden and Nico. The pride he saw on his niece’s face along with her mate’s warmed his soul. After everything they’d been through, they deserved their happiness, too.

“Yes,” Nico answered. “Asher is with Penny Ann while we finish up here. When we are done here, we’re going to join everyone at the cafe in town, if you’d like to join us.”

“I think I’ll pass,” Mackenzie said. “Danielle needed my help here; plus, I have to get Abby at three.”

“Dinner then,” Hayden said. “We’ll see you tonight?”

Mackenzie nodded. “I will be there.”

“Great, we’ll see you then.” Hayden picked up Emmeline who promptly put her head on Hayden’s shoulder as they walked out.

“She is a good nut,” Danielle murmured as the door closed behind his niece and Nico.

“She’s always been a good one,” he agreed. “Even after all the bullshit.”

“Come on, we should talk.” Danielle escorted Mackenzie into her office.

“What do you want to talk about?” He sat in the chair opposite her.

“I’m going to ask some invasive questions. I want you to be honest with me, and then I am going to tell you what I think is going on with you. Okay?” She grabbed her tablet off of the side table and opened it.

“Sure, but we both know what’s wrong with me,” he said. “The writing’s on the wall, Dani.”

“We’ll see,” she said. “First question; when was the last time you had sex?”

Mackenzie jerked. “Excuse me?”

“Sex, Mac. When was the last time you had sex?” Danielle was all business. Her features were neutral while she waited for him to answer.

“I haven’t,” he said.

She wrote down his answer. “At all? Since when?”

“A long time,” he said. “Longer than I want to think about.”

“Did this start before or after you were shot?” She glanced up at him.

“After,” he said. “I thought... I thought it was due to the damage done from the bullet. I haven’t...” He cleared his throat. “I couldn’t get it up.”

“Hmm...” She frowned. “Now?”

“Danielle...” he sighed. “I don’t feel comfortable talking about this.”

“Because I’m family or because I’m a woman?” She quirked a brow.

“Neither. It’s... I can’t explain it properly.”

“Okay, let’s try this. Tell me about your wolf,” she said. “Since I showed you the clothes, how is it going?”

He frowned. “I’ve resigned myself to the fact I’m feral.”

She sighed. “You’re not feral. I’d know, and I’d tell you.”

“I’m still losing time, Danielle,” he growled.

“Yeah, let’s talk about that a little,” she said. “What happens right before you lose time?”

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