“Well…” I tugged the thread and grinned. “Seeing as how every time we play poker you wipe me out of all my cash, I don’t feel so bad about this.” I picked up the scissors and snipped the thread. “Maybe this will slow you down a little.”
I loved Tom. The man reminded me of my own father before he had passed away and I enjoyed his company. I finished bandaging up his wound. Finally, I tossed away my gloves, washed up again and picked up the little glass vial of medicine.
“Tetanus shot.” I filled a syringe with the liquid and pushed a bit out before I tapped it. “Let me see your arm.”
“I think you’re enjoying this way too much,” Tom grumbled.
Dom laughed. “I didn’t know you were such a whiner, Dad,” he teased.
I raised a brow. “Dad? I didn’t know you had another son, Tom.”
The man beamed proudly. “This is my son-in-law. He married Elias not long ago.” He clapped a hand on Dom’s shoulder. “He’s family.”
Dom smiled. “Awww, stop saying shit like that or I’m going to go fucking mushy and weird.” He grinned. “Besides, you gave me Elias. That means I should respect the hell out of you at all times.”
I glanced between the two of them. Why were they so cute? I never knew that Elias was gay, but it gave me hope. If one gay man could find his happy ending in a small town, maybe I could too.
“Alright, hold still.”
I pushed the needle into Tom's arm. He hissed, but pressed his lips together otherwise. When I was done I slapped a band-aid on it. The fact that it was a bright, pink Hello Kitty one was completely irrelevant.
“You think you’re hilarious,” Tom growled.
I beamed. “I really do. If I wasn’t a doctor, I definitely would have taken up comedy.” I clapped a hand on his back. “Now, I need you to go home and get a lot of rest. If you have any signs of infection, I want your ass right back here. If it’s bad I want you at the ER.” I smiled. “I’ll print out the papers that will help you be on the lookout for signs of infection.”
Tom slowly exhaled and relaxed. “Thank you. I’ll have one of the boys pay you on the way out.”
I waved a hand. “This one is on me. Don’t worry about it.” I patted his shoulder. “You’ve always looked out for me and made sure I had a good meal. I just want you to get better.”
“You’re a good man.” Tom smiled, and then grimaced. “This still hurts like a bitch.”
“Take ibuprofen for the pain. I don’t want to give you antibiotics just yet. Overuse is as bad as not using them. Just in case, I’ll write you a script for them and you can take them if you get sick. Nausea, fever, chills, that kinda thing.” I started scribbling in my pad before I pointed my pencil at him. “You are to go home, take your medication and rest. Let me say it again,” I glared at him. “Rest. Or I’ll tell your wife you’re not following instructions.”
Tom threw his head back and laughed. “You have to tell my wife? That’s rude.” He shuddered. “I think I’d better behave though. Just in case.”
“There we go.” I tore the sheet of paper from my pad and passed it to him. “Why don’t you get dressed?”
Tom did just that while I stepped out of the room. The guy that had sat there the whole time came out too. He fidgeted with his fingers. I stared at him before I flashed a smile.
“I’m Leo.” I shoved my hand out to him. “You?”
“Jacob.” He took my hand and electricity shot up my arm. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for him. We’ve already been stressed out, but you’ve made everything a lot better.” He toyed with his sleeves. “Even though I was the one that started all the chaos…”
How was it his fault? I continued to stare at Jacob. Why couldn’t I tear my eyes away from him? Everything from his soft skin, to his pink lips, to his blond hair was dazzling. My voice caught in my throat.
“I-It’s my job.” I shrugged. “That’s all. Just my job.” I smiled at him. “Are you okay? Do you need me to examine you too?”
Jacob’s cheeks pinked. “Oh, uh... I’m fine. Really.”
I realized how perverted that had sounded. Or was it perverted because I couldn’t stop staring at him and thinking about dragging him off to a private room somewhere? Okay, I needed to calm down. I sucked in a deep breath and let it out. When I glanced up, Jacob’s hazel eyes stared right back at me as if they could see into my soul.
“You don’t have to keep carrying me.” Tom squirmed in Dom’s arms when they stepped out of the examination room.
“Yeah, and hear Elias curse me out for not helping?” Dom snorted. “I’m carrying you until we get back home and I can lay you in bed. And then you’re Elenore’s problem.”
Tom rolled his eyes. “See what I have to put up with?” he asked me and barked out a laugh. “Why don’t you come out to the house and get some dinner tonight, Leo? It’s the least I can do.”
I tilted my head. “I don’t know…” I trailed off. “I have a lot of work around here and,” I glanced at Jacob. “It kinda seems like you guys have a full house.”
“Not full enough,” Dom cut in. “Come and grab a bite to eat.”
Tom nodded eagerly. “You know Elenore is making dinner tonight, right? And Elias is helping.” He grinned before he looked between me and Jacob. “And Jacob, you’ll be there too right? We usually always eat together.”
“Do you?” I glanced at Jacob. “Well, I wouldn’t want your wife’s cooking to go to waste.”
Tom beamed. “We’ll see you at our place at eight.” He nodded toward Jacob. “Since Dom is carrying me, can you give him the info?”
Jacob stared between us before he nodded. “Do you have… uh, some paper or something?”
I grinned. “Yeah, follow me.”
I led Jacob to my office and pulled out a notebook. He scribbled his name, number and address down and slid it across to me. I laid a hand on the paper. I couldn’t wipe the huge smile from my face.
“I guess I’ll see you tonight, then.”
Jacob tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. “I’ll see you tonight.”
I let all of them out of the clinic and watched them pile into the car. Tom waved to me. I chuckled and waved back before they pulled away. I couldn’t get Jacob out of my mind.
Who was he? Where had he come from? I knew everything about the people in my town, but he was new if he’d never stepped foot inside of my clinic. My stomach knotted. I shoved a hand against it and tried to calm down.
I needed to know more about that mesmerizing man.
3
Jacob
I would have turned and looked back at the doctor as we drove away if I could. My wolf certainly wanted to, but the man had gone back in immediately. I checked using the mirror since I was riding shotgun and Tom was sitting across in the back.
My wolf wanted to get a better smell of him, but in that place with all the antiseptic smells it was hard, all I knew was I was drawn to him. And now he was showing up for dinner at the house.
"Jacob, what did you think of Dr. Leo," Tom asked from the back seat.
I could hear the smile in his voice.
"He did a good job on your leg," I said, ignoring the actual question he was asking.
"I don't think that was what he asked." Dom's voice was teasing, and when I looked his way out the corner of my eyes, his lips twitched.
"I don't know what you mean," I insisted.
"Well if I'm not mistaken Dr. Leo was checking you out," Dom said. "I was worried he would stitch his finger the number of times he looked your way while putting in Dad's stitches."
I couldn't help smiling when I heard Dominik call Tom “Dad”. It was cute, and my pulse picked up hearing that the hot doctor had been checking me out.
He was tall, almost as tall as Dom, but without his bulk, although I couldn't tell with his white coat on. I loved the gray hair that was shot through his dark locks, but even with that, I knew he couldn't be older than forty, if he was even that old. And he had
intelligent kind eyes.
Allister's eyes always looked cold or angry. There was never any kindness there.
We finally pulled up to the house and Soren and Graysen must have been waiting on us because they hurried down. Elenore and Elias came out too and I could see the worry written all over their faces. Sometimes I forgot how fragile humans were, especially since in our old pack we rarely spent time amongst them.
Some people even believed that they were less than, but I had never agreed with them.
Dr. Leo was human. The thought floated through my mind and it made me smile. I didn't care if he was human. I wanted to know more about him.
I was suddenly very much looking forward to dinner.
I joined Elenore and Elias in the kitchen to help with the cooking. Since I’d moved in with the guys, I had made a conscious effort not to become the person stuck with all the cooking for the house, mostly because it had been shoved on all omegas in my old pack whether you liked it or not.
With the guys when it was just us, we always took turns or ordered in. Now Elenore or Tom either brought food home from the diner for dinner, or one of us went in to pick food up when it was open for lunch.
"What can I help with?" I asked.
Elenore smiled at me and nodded towards Elias. "Why don't you help Elias with the potatoes?"
I nodded and walked over and took a seat at the table, Elenore came over and handed me a peeler and I smiled in thanks.
"We are going to mash some, and roast some, so we need quite a lot done," she said, before going back to the stove.
I reached in the bowl of potatoes and took one out and started peeling, letting the repetitive motion soothe me, while I let my mind wonder.
It was quiet in the kitchen. Not an awkward silence though, more comforting and peaceful. The entire time, I kept thinking about Leo. Was Dominik right? Had the doctor been looking my way?
"So," Elias' voice made me look up, "Dom tells me that we have a guest coming tonight, Dr. Leo.” He smiled. “He thinks the doc might be interested in you."
I felt my cheeks heat at his words, and I shook my head. "I didn't invite him. That was Dominik and your dad."
"Mmm," Elias' eyes danced, "…but I hear he only said yes after finding out you would be here."
"I didn't notice," I muttered under my breath, but of course Elias and Elenore heard me and laughed.
I went back to peeling, giving it more attention than it frankly needed.
"Is it because he's human?" Elias' question had my head snapping up.
"No. No, I don't care about that." I made sure to hold Elias' eyes so he knew I meant it. His father was human, and his parents were in a mixed mating, I never wanted him to feel like I had a problem with that.
"So, what is it?" Elias asked.
Elias and I weren't exactly friends, not yet, but I wanted to be, so I decided to tell him the truth.
"He's very handsome," I admitted.
"Yes, he is," both Elias and Elenore said in unison, and then burst out laughing.
I couldn't help chuckling. "I wonder what your mates would say if they heard you," I teased.
"That we are not dead," Elenore quipped.
"So, what's the problem?" Elias asked, even as his lips twitched.
I sighed, "I don't know. I guess my life is too complicated. Besides, he technically didn't ask me out."
"Unlike Dominik, not every guy asks you out the first time they meet you. I bet you he finds a way to do it before he leaves," Elias said.
"You think so?" Even I heard the hope in my voice.
"I would so bet on it." Elias waggled his brow. "Does that mean if he does you'll say yes?"
I bit my lip, even as I shrugged, "Maybe, I don't know, I just worry about what will happen if Allister shows up."
"Dom won't let anything happen to you," Elias patted my hand on the table, "He's good like that."
I could hear how much Elias loved his mate, he smiled just saying the alpha’s name. It had me thinking back to my hand in Dr. Leo's, that feeling... could he be the person that made me smile just at the mention of his name?
We finished the peeling and cut some potatoes in quarters so they could be roasted. While Elias took the bowl to the sink to wash the potatoes, I got the brush and dustpan and dragged the bin with me so I could tidy up.
The sound of Elias yelling had me flinching and damn near knocking the bin over.
"He's here. He's back." Elias pointed out the window above the sink.
Dominik must have heard his mate's voice because he was in the kitchen the next second, Elias wrapped in his arms.
When I looked where Elias pointed, there he was. Allister. I would recognize that gray wolf anywhere.
I hurried to the back door, but before I could open it strong arms wrapped around me lifting me off the ground.
"Hey," I yelped, as I was put back on the ground away from the door.
"Stay here, you and Elias. Do not come out," Dominik's voice was stern and he gave me a look that said he wasn't messing around.
When I nodded, Dominik ran out followed closely by Graysen and Soren. I hurried over to the window so I could watch what was happening.
When I looked out the window I couldn’t see Allister, but I knew he was there. The alpha liked to fight dirty and I wished I was there to tell Dom and the guys to keep their guard up.
I was proven right when Allister came up from the west trying to catch the guys from behind. I ran out of the house but stopped when Dom turned in Allister’s direction. Dom must have expected it because he threw himself into a shift as he turned.
I heard a car coming up the driveway, but I couldn’t take my eyes off what was happening right in front of me. Soren and Graysen moved so they blocked Dom from view, but my pack alpha didn’t drop his defensive stance.
Allister backed away, but not before he stopped and shot a look in my direction where I stood on the porch. In human or wolf form those eyes had me backing away.
I could read the look in his eyes and goose pimples appeared on my skin. He ran off, but I was still floored. I wrapped my arms around my middle. When Allister was pissed, someone always suffered.
A small voice whispered, “Run!” But I didn’t want to. The alpha had already taken one home from me. I wouldn’t let him take another.
“Come on,” Graysen’s voice pulled me out of my statue imitation. But it was Dom that managed to get me moving. “Dr. Leo is here, Jacob, and Allister is gone. I promise you are safe.”
“Thank the goddess for wolf hearing or our guest would have driven up to wolves fighting.”
That made me try to focus, and when I did it was to find Dom half dressed. He turned me around and led me toward the back door to Elias, who had a concerned look on his face.
“Jacob, come on, help me with the table.” Elias put his hand out, but I just stared at it.
“Get him some water, I think he’s in shock.” It felt like I was watching everything that was happening from outside my body. Was that what shock was?
4
Leo
Why the hell was I so nervous? Every time I thought about Jacob, that dirty-blond hair that touched his shoulders and the sweet smile on his lips, my heart sped up. I had no idea why the guy got to me like that, but the thought of seeing him again made me feel giddy.
I vowed to never tell anyone how long it took me to get ready. Should I wear a button up or a t-shirt? Was I being too formal? Was I being too informal? Was my hair better gelled and neat, or a bit wild?
“Okay, Leo, you’re being ridiculous. Come on.” I stole one last glance at myself, nodded, and then forced myself away from the mirror. I checked the time on my phone. “Shit. I’m gonna be late.”
I snatched up my keys and wallet and jogged out of the door. The address I’d been given was a little bit away from my part of town. I hadn’t even been out there, but it wasn’t surprising. New houses were cropping up all the time and there was plenty of land to build on. I wondered
what they were all doing living up there. How was Jacob related to them?
By the time I arrived, I had so many questions. Maybe I could speak to Tom about it later. My stomach growled as if to remind me that my only meal for the day had been a bagel first thing that morning. I was starved.
I glanced around the property. It was quite large. The house itself was two stories and brick. Around the house there was land and a lot of it. The place could easily be used to hold several houses and a farm from the looks of it. I’d always wanted to acquire some land and a proper house, but why would I when I was still on my own? I couldn’t see myself owning a huge home just to sit in it by myself.
“You’re finally here,” Dom smiled in the doorway and I shook myself out of my daydreams. “Come on in. Dinner should be ready any minute.”
Jacob waved from behind him. It was so brief, but I couldn’t stop staring at that soft smile on his lips. I quickly followed them both inside.
“Thanks for inviting me. Can’t remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal.”
“Lucky for you El’s mother has been working her ass off to make a perfect meal. Roast, potatoes, veggies and there’s apple pie and ice cream for dessert,” Dom said, as he led me into the dining room.
“That sounds amazing.” I smiled at everyone and waved. “Hey!”
They all greeted me back and I settled in at the table. To my surprise Jacob sat beside me. I was glad he was so close, but something felt... off. His shoulders were up to his ears, his eyes glued to the table. I wanted to ask him if he was okay, but we barely knew each other. It felt like an invasion of his privacy. I planned to change that, but for now I chose to keep my lips sealed.
Tom came into the room and smiled at me. His familiar face was a welcome sight.
“How’s that leg doing?” I asked as he settled in. “Not giving you too much trouble I hope.”
He shook his head. “No, no, I feel as good as can be expected.” His wife came over and they kissed briefly. “Let’s dig in. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m pretty hungry.”
Hunted: An MM Shifter Romance (The Lost Wolves Book 2) Page 2