Page 15 of Alpha Bond
“Fine.” I feign disinterest even as my mind swirls with unanswered questions. “I’ll just have to figure it all out on my own.”
“Good luck with that.” Jagger’s tone is laced with a hint of amusement and challenge.
God, he’s a dick!
Before we can continue, a woman steps into the room and I breathe a sigh of relief. For the first time since I got here, I’m not in the presence of a dominant wolf.
“Sierra?” Warm brown eyes run over me from beneath a mop of graying brown hair. “I’m Beatrice Skye. They call me Doctor Bea.” Her smile is sincere, and I find myself responding to it.
“Hi,” I manage to say, wondering how she knew my name. Although it seems to me that these wolves are comfortable with human technology. Mr. Titer probably called ahead. “Thanks for taking the time to see me, ma’am.” She seems kind, and I work to suppress the defensive instincts that have been overwhelming me.
“Of course, honey. Greyson told me about your…ordeal. You were captured by rogues but escaped?” Doctor Bea’s gentle voice soothes me more than I care to admit. I respond with a silent nod. She gestures at an examination table, and I hesitantly sit on it. “Let’s have a look at you,” she says. She starts by taking blood samples and then begins a physical exam. As her hands probe around my arms, legs, and torso, I tense, waiting for her to reach the sensitive area near my neck. The place where that damned implant had been.
“Your body is fighting something,” Doctor Bea observes, concern etching her kind face. “Fever, perspiration, glazed eyes. I’ll bet your blood tests indicate white blood cell activity. Aside from malnutrition and dehydration, there’s an infection in your system that shouldn’t be possible for one of us.”
My heart races as I try to keep my expression neutral. If she finds out about the implant, she’ll know I’m vulnerable and that someone has gone to great lengths to keep tabs on me. Who knows what they’ll do with that information. I still have no way of knowing if these people share a connection with Rack. He wouldn’t be above paying for my return. And from our humble surroundings, I’m guessing these people would welcome the money.
“I’d like to keep you under observation and do a more thorough examination,” she continues, fingertips coming up to probe along my jawline. With a burst of defiance, I push her hands away.
“Enough,” I snap, glaring at Jagger when he takes a step toward us. “I don’t need to be fussed over. Just give me something to fight the infection, and let me rest.”
“Sierra—” Doctor Bea starts to protest, but I cut her off.
“Please.” I soften my tone. “I’m tired, but I’ll be fine. I just need to heal on my own terms.”
She hesitates for a moment, then nods. “Very well. I’ll get you some antibiotics. Plus, electrolytes for dehydration. But I want you back here if there’s no improvement. In fact, I want you back here in a day or two, regardless. Whatever is in your system is not normal. I need to be sure the treatment is taking effect.”
“Deal,” I agree, knowing that even if there’s no improvement, I’ll have no intention of letting her examine my neck. It might compromise me to keep fighting this thing alone, but it’s a risk I’ll have to take. All I need is enough strength to get myself back home.
Home… Oh God, let it still be there.
Reluctantly, she nods, scrutinizing me for a moment, then turns away. She bustles around a small cabinet nearby, extracts several bottles from inside, and approaches Jagger.
“Be sure she takes these.” She looks at him and then back at me. “Instructions are on the labels. Take care to follow them.”
“I’m not a child.” I scowl, realizing I probably sound like one. “I’m perfectly capable of administering my own damned medication.” Jagger doesn’t look thrilled with this new responsibility either.
“You won’t let me take a good look at you, honey.” Doctor Bea gives a wry smile. “I have to assume the worst. You might be hallucinating before the day is out.”
“Unlikely,” I grumble, sliding off the uncomfortable table. I wish I didn’t seem so ungrateful, but nothing in my world has felt like it’s been in my control since that horrible day they took me. Jagger eyes me silently, and I find myself drawn toward him. So far, he’s been the one constantly stable person in this whole damn mess. He glances into the bag.
“Looks like a lot.” He looks over at Doctor Bea, who gives another shrug.
“Like I said, she won’t let me examine her properly. I have to hit her with everything in my arsenal to try to cover everything.”
“Goddamn woman.” The words are muttered under his breath, but I doubt he’s trying to hide them from me. I move to his side, then hurry after him as he raises a hand at the healer and strides out the door.
After leaving the medic bay, Jagger leads me in a direction that I assume will take us to his quarters. Again, I’m scampering behind him through a maze of corridors and hallways. I hardly get a moment to take it all in, aside from being aware of the countless curious eyes that follow our movements.
“Here we are,” Jagger announces, stopping in front of a plain door that’s just one of many along the bare hallway. It’s modest, but I can sense the safety it provides.
“This is your place?” I ask nervously, unsure of what to expect from this man who has made it clear he wants nothing to do with me.
“Yes.” Pushing the door open, he steps inside, and I follow. The room is small, cramped even, and sparsely furnished – there’s barely a hint of personality in it. Minimalistic furnishings, no personal belongings. A narrow bed takes up most of the space, with a small table and chair shoved into one corner.
“I’d give you the grand tour, but this is it,” Jagger says gruffly, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “You can rest here until you’re better.”
“Thanks,” I reply awkwardly, not quite sure how else to respond. Even if this place isn’t exactly inviting, it’s still shelter from the unknown dangers that lurk beyond these walls. And for now, that will have to be enough.