Page 18 of Her Wolf's Demands

“Can I help you?” the receptionist asked, narrowing her perfectly made-up eyes on me.

Waving my hand, I pointed at the phone. “I’m talking to Dr Amel now. He just let me in.”

Blinking, she swallowed before her eyes flicked to the screen in front of her. Whatever she saw there must had confirmed my claim because she waved me on.

I thanked her with a tight smile and headed to the corridor on the left.

“I’ll see you in a moment,” the doctor said, hanging up.

Every time I came to the hospital, I grew nervous. There was no reason for it, considering it was where Drake had the best help. There was just something about having to visit him in a place that wasn’t home that made me sad.

Hopefully he would be happy to see me today. He had sounded better the last time I’d spoken to him, which meant he was on the way to being well again. I just had to hope that he didn’t detect the wolf inside me. I had no idea how to explain that the scratch had turned me into a hybrid-witch.

My hands shook as I reached the locked door and pressed the buzzer. It clicked open straight away, allowing me entrance. I suddenly felt like a vulnerable young girl, come to see her unwell brother for the first time.

I had been so young when our father had dragged Drake to see Dr Amel. I hadn’t known at the time that the doctor would be Drake’s saviour. In fact, I believed that he would hurt him, maybe even kill him. The imagination of a ten year old could spiral quickly, especially when she’d experienced trauma.

“Della!” The doctor’s cheery face appeared from his office on the right of the corridor.

A genuine glow of affection rolled from him as he embraced me, hugging me tight to his chest. His prickly beard tickled my cheek as he gave me a peck.

“It’s good to see you,” I said truthfully.

Releasing me, he beamed and ducked me under the chin, just like he had when he’d reassured me all those years ago. His tanned skin was still smooth over his face, despite his greying hair. He would live forever, and I would be glad of it.

“Your brother will be so pleased to see you.” Stretching his arm out, he indicated that I should go before him.

I walked down the corridor, checking the common room as we passed it. Nope, Drake wasn’t watching television or chatting to his friends.

“He’s been painting more than usual this time.” Dr Amel pointed towards the private rooms. “But it’s helping him to get better quicker.”

Nodding, I strode down the blue corridor until we reached Drake’s door. I was about to knock when I paused and looked at Dr Amel. “He’s okay, though, yes?”

The sweet doctor smiled and inclined his head. “You know we always take care of him. We know the exact dosage of medication and the right talking therapy to help him get balanced again. He’s getting faster and faster every time. It won’t be long until he can manage it at home altogether.”

“What?” I almost choked. “He won’t have to come in anymore?”

A part of me was sad that his journey with Dr Amel would come to an end, although, it was a completely selfish reason. The doctor had been our ally since the first time he’d seen Drake, always there for us, no matter what. I’d almost wished he’d adopted us when we were young.

“That’s right.” Squeezing my shoulder, he indicated the door, encouraging me to knock. “Don’t panic, I’ll always be here for you both.”

Resisting the urge to throw my arms around him in a hug, I smiled. He had been the kindest man I’d ever known, and although it had been a few years since we’d last seen him, I had expected him to be in our lives forever.

“Thank you,” I said. “That means a lot.”

Knocking on Drake’s door before my throat closed, I nodded when he patted me and turned away, whistling as he disappeared down the corridor.

“Who is it?” Drake called.

My heart thrummed loudly as I coughed, determined not to cry. “It’s Mushbrain Head Number Two.”

The door flew open and before I could draw a breath, I was entrapped in a bear hug, my head squashed against a solid shoulder.

Linking my arms around him, I squeezed back, inhaling CK One, his favourite aftershave. I had always teased him, daring him to wear heavier scents. I was pleased he had ignored me, especially now that my nose was a super-sonic smeller.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he said, holding me tight.

Tears slipped into my eyes, escaping from the corners as I shut them tightly. A sob wrenched my throat, even as I tried desperately to hold it in.