"I'm afraid I don't understand," Dr. Stevenson said. "Your wife was in a fire."
"Was she making drugs?"
"Mr. Reed." A hard edge came into the doctor's voice. "The fire started in the apartment next to your wife's. Their whole building went up in flames. Your wife passed out from the fumes and hit her head on the kitchen counter trying to get out of the apartment. She barely made it out alive." A moment of silence stretched between the two men. "You know what, I think maybe calling you was a mistake. I'll talk to Mrs. Reed and see if there's someone else that I can contact.”
"No, wait. I apologize. I jumped to conclusions. I shouldn't have spoken like that."
"Well. I'm not the one you need to apologize to."
The curtain pulled aside and Griffin looked over. His expression turned to shame mixed with shock as he gave her a tight smile and nodded.
Her wolf leaped at the sight of him.
Down girl, this isn't a happy reunion. Griffin could have reached out any time in the last twelve months. Instead, he'd stayed silent until called by an emergency room.
He looked amazing as always with his wavy dark hair cut short on the sides and longer on the top. Deep tanned skin, not just from his Native American heritage, but also from years overseas, and swimming in the lake. Piercing mahogany eyes that sparkled even brighter when he was in wolf form stared right through her.
Griffin ran his fingers through his hair. "Hey." He moved to the side of her bed and looked her over. "I'm sorry about that. What I said–"
Part of her wanted to yell at him; another part wanted to say something snarky. But her head hurt so badly she couldn't afford to choose either.
Dakota took off the oxygen mask and waved him off. "Don't worry about it." Her voice came out gravelly and raw.
"Mrs. Reed. Is there someone else you'd like me to call to come get you?" asked the doctor.
"It's okay," Griffin said softly. "I'll give her a lift home."
Interesting. The look on Griffin's face told her he was anything but happy to be there. So why did he insist on helping?
"I don't know how much of the building is left, but they won't let her back in tonight for sure." The doctor looked between them. "Due to her concussion, she needs someone to watch her for the night. I am assuming you two are–"
"Separated," Griffin replied.
"I see." Dr. Stevenson pushed his glasses up his bulbous nose. "Well, I can try to pull some strings and see if we can get her a room here."
"That won't be necessary. She can stay with me," came a low voice from behind the doctor.
They turned as a tall redheaded man with a scruffy beard entered and strode to the doctor. "Hey, Brad."
"Scott. I didn't know you knew Mrs. Reed."
The two men shook hands and then Scott walked to her bed and kissed her on the forehead making a lightning bolt shoot through her forehead from the pressure. "Are you all right?"
"How did you find me?" she croaked.
"Saw the fire on the news and called you but didn't get an answer. So I hustled down and the firemen said you'd been brought here."
It warmed her to know that Scott was looking out for her. "Bowgie," she said. "Can you find Bowgie?"
Scott squeezed her hand. "Don't worry, he's outside. Apparently, he followed the ambulance the whole way here and is sitting in the emergency bay."
Relief washed through her. Her dog was the only thing she cared about in her apartment.
"I'm sorry, and you are?" Griffin asked.
"Scott." He shook hands with Griffin. "Nice to meet you."
Griffin's expression darkened and Dakota put the mask on, to cover the smile that threatened to leak out. She knew that face. She'd seen it every time she'd been hit on while they were out and about. It was Griffin's protective mate face. Maybe he did still care... Or maybe he just didn't like the thought that someone else might care about her.
"Okay. So who is she going home with?" asked Dr. Stevenson. "She needs to be monitored and kept hydrated. If she has any vomiting, increased pain, confusion, or dizziness she needs to come back in."
"Yes, I know," Griffin said. "I'm a paramedic and first-year medical student."
"So, she'll go home with you then?" The doctor's left eyebrow arched.
Griffin looked from Scott to her, then back to the doctor. Dakota's eyes blurred from the pain boring into her skull. Honestly, she didn't care who she went home with. All she wanted was a real bed and to get some sleep before her skull cleaved in two.
"She's coming with me," said Griffin with finality. "I just need to talk to someone real quick." He strode out of the room and down the hall.
If Griffin thought she was going to let him treat her like a rebellious teenager he had another thing coming. Dakota found herself listening to his footsteps as they died away. Her wolf whimpered at the loss.
It'd been a year since Griffin had shut her out. Literally. She remembered the sound of the front door opening as she waited on their bed for him. The sound of his booted footsteps as they clomped down the hallway toward the bedroom. The sight of his green bag slung over his shoulder and fatigues as he stepped into the doorway and stared at her.
On previous furloughs, she hadn’t even let him get through the door before she'd begun to rip the clothes from his body. They used to make love on the floor, the couch, the bed, and in the shower, all within the first two hours of his arrival. But not this last time.
"Why are you still here?" Had been his first and last words to her that day.
"Are you sure you want to go with him?" Scott pulled her from her memories. "I have room."
She removed the oxygen mask again. "It's fine. Besides, if my apartment really is destroyed, any possessions I might still have will be at his house."
Scott nodded and squeezed her hand. "I'm glad you're okay."
She tried to give him a reassuring smile. "Can you call John and let him know I won't be in tomorrow but I'll come in on Wednesday?"
"Of course."
She looked up into Scott's moss colored eyes. "Thanks, Scott. You're a great friend."
He winked at her, crinkling the corners of his eyes and making his freckles scrunch together.
"I'll go get your discharge papers ready." Dr. Stevenson left just as Griffin returned. He sat in the chair across from the bed and bent forward, looking at the floor.
"You can go," she said to Scott.
His gaze slid to Griffin and he sniffed the air. "Are you sure?"
She nodded. "Thank you for coming. I'll find a phone and call you tomorrow."
"If you need anything I'm here. Shopping, apartment hunting, insurance papers, you name it."
He kissed her on the forehead again and walked to where Griffin sat. Griffin lifted his head.
"You better be nice to her, or you'll answer to me."
Griffin scoffed. "Sorry, but that threat doesn't scare me."
"It should. This isn't Wolf River and I don't answer to you or your father.” Scott's eyes flashed golden and Griffin's gaze narrowed. The heady scent of male testosterone filled the room.
"Call me." Scott strode from the room and turned right.
Griffin watched Scott. When his gaze turned back to her, his eyes were hard as diamonds.
"So that's your new boyfriend?" He shook his head. "Figures. You always did like Alphas."
"Oh, did Jeremiah make you Alpha-in-waiting instead of Logan? I hadn’t heard that.”
"No, why? You gonna try for him next?" He worked his jaw and looked at the floor again. Anger and frustration rolled off him in waves.
That was it. She may be injured and she may have screwed up her life but she'd be damned if she was going to take his crap on the night she'd almost kicked the bucket.
Dakota ripped the oxygen mask from her face and hopped from the bed, making her head spin. She felt like someone was beating on her like an anvil.
"You know what, Griff? Screw you." She pulled the chest monitor off and the machine flatlined. She
stormed past him and out toward the nurses’ station.
"Dakota, wait."
She located the exit sign.
Griffin and a nurse called to her but she kept walking. Her feet slapped on the cold, sad, turquoise flecked linoleum. Her cami top and pajama bottoms barely kept out the chill of the air conditioner but she didn't give a damn. Asking if she was interested in his oldest brother Logan was a low blow. She'd beaten herself up enough about what had happened, she didn't need Griffin's crap too. Not now that she was in a good place. Now that she'd begun to finally move past it. She wondered if Scott would still be in the parking lot. She’d rather sleep on the floor of his garage than spend another moment under Griffin’s judgmental gaze.
"Dakota!"
She turned the corner, keeping her tears at bay. She refused to let him see her cry. He didn't deserve to know how he still affected her. She hadn't expected to see Griffin this way, and she sure hadn't expected it to go like this. She'd known when she saw him again he'd be distant. Mad even, but not mean. Mean wasn't like Griffin.
Dakota stepped out into the warm August evening. Bowgie jumped to his feet and rushed to her side. His large Akita head rubbed against her hand. She reached down and hugged him tight.
"I'm so glad you're okay, boy." The knot in her chest loosened but her anger didn't. She had to get out of there. "Bowgie, heel."
Her apartment building, or what was left of it lay south, down Broadway, near Boise State University. She took off in that direction.
A warm hand grabbed her arm and spun her around. "Dakota."
She shoved Griffin’s chest. The effort made her head spin. "Don't touch me."
Bowgie snarled and barked several times, stepping in front of Dakota.
"Easy," said Griffin.
Dakota whistled and took off again.
"Look, I'm sorry. Okay? Just stop."
She stomped down the cement walkway toward the steps. Her head thumped with each pounding step she took.
"Please!"
She blinked several times, trying to clear the spots from her vision.
"Where are you going to go?" he called.
"Why should you care now? You didn't care when you threw me out." She continued walking.
He ran past and jumped the stairs, landing in front of her.
"You have to stop. I know your head is killing you. Just staying on your feet is probably taking every ounce of energy you have. If it wasn't for your wolf healing you'd be flat on your back."
She pushed past him.
"Will you stop?" he shouted. He grabbed her arm again and spun her toward him.
Panic swept over her and her training kicked in. She pulled her arm up toward her and slammed her other hand down on his forearm breaking his hold. His eyes widened in surprise. This time Bowgie didn't wait for instruction; he lunged at Griffin, barking and growling. She hadn't realized she'd assumed a defensive stance until he threw his hands in the air and backed up.
"Okay." His eyes stayed on Bowgie. "Dakota. It's okay."
She scanned the area, wishing more than anything she could sit down. She grabbed Bowgie by the collar and told him to sit. She rubbed his ear and concentrated.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to be a dick." He reached for her but swallowed hard and shoved his hands into his pockets instead.
"Mrs. Reed!"
Her gaze swept toward the emergency room door. Dr. Stevenson and a nurse came rushing out of the hospital and down the steps. "Mrs. Reed. You have to sign the paperwork and get your discharge papers."
Dakota relaxed her stance and wrapped her arms around herself. "I'd really like to just go. Can't I sign them tomorrow?"
"No. I'm sorry, but you can't. I need you to–"
"I'll do it." A pretty, redheaded woman in a butter-colored, floral dress joined the group.
"Dr. Thomas, I thought you went home," said Dr. Stevenson.
The woman smiled. "I did, but I'm here now so, why don't you let Griffin get Dakota home and I'll take care of the paperwork."
How did the doctor know who she was? Dakota didn't remember seeing her in the ER.
"That's not how it works," said the nurse.
"I know," said Dr. Thomas. "But don't you think Mrs. Reed has been through enough for one day?"
Dr. Stevenson opened his mouth and then closed it again. "I suppose it would be best for her to get off her feet."
Sit down. Lie down. Conk out. Dakota wasn't picky.
"Thank you." Dr. Thomas squeezed Dr. Stevenson's arm.
Dr. Stevenson handed Dakota two small slips of paper. "These are prescriptions in case you need them."
"I won't," she said.
"Take them anyway. You never know."
Dakota's hand shook as she crumpled the prescriptions in her palm. There was no way she was going to chance it. She'd take the pain instead.
The nurse handed a set of papers to Griffin. "These are her discharge papers. We'll be inside with the paperwork," she said to Dr. Thomas.
"Thank you." Dr. Thomas waved. "I'll be right in." She turned to Dakota. "Hi. I'm Cassie."
Dakota gave her a tight smile. "Thank you for your help."
Cassie nodded and then looked to Griffin, who stepped forward and kissed her on the cheek as she handed him a set of keys.
Dakota's stomach plummeted. Ah… Dakota's wolf growled and sniffed the air. A human? She was pretty but not beautiful. Maybe five years older than Griff? Slender, with kind eyes. He could have done worse she supposed.
Bowgie pressed against her leg and Dakota dug her fingers into his gray fur, trying to keep her composure.
"Thanks. I owe you one," Griffin said.
"Seeing you try to eat that salad tonight was payment enough."
He smiled and a pain shot through Dakota so swift she had to look away. She missed that smile.
"What time is your shift tomorrow?"
"I'm on call tonight but I start at eight."
"Well, maybe I'll see you the day after then."
"I'll stop by before my shift and we can grab some coffee."
Cassie gave Dakota a genuinely kind smile, which hit Dakota in the chest. "It was nice to meet you."
Dang, could she be any sweeter? It pained Dakota, knowing she used to be like that. Kind. Loving. Looking at Griffin with moon eyes.
She waved and nodded but her tongue clung to the roof of her mouth, rendering her unable to reply.
Cassie walked up the steps toward the hospital entrance and Griffin turned back to Dakota.
Silence stretched between them and then he turned and headed for the Jeep.
"Bowgie heel." She wrapped her arms around herself and followed. "So, that's your girlfriend?"
"So that's your dog?" He glanced over at her. "Don't judge."
She shrugged. "I'm not. I'm just surprised."
"About as surprised as I am that you have a dog." His gaze narrowed. "Why? Because she's pretty and smart?"
"No." She threw open the car door. "Because she's human."
Chapter Three
Griffin kept his hands on the wheel and his eyes trained on Capitol Blvd., but every particle of him itched to look at Dakota. His wolf grumbled and paced inside, wanting the chance to sniff her, touch her, hold her.
The last time he'd seen her he'd barely recognized her. Fifty to sixty pounds heavier, hair messy and cropped short to her head, eyes sunken in from being strung out. Face blotchy, skin dull and lifeless, like her eyes. On top of everything that she'd put him through, it'd been a shock to his system; one he hadn’t been able to handle.
But now dark waves cascaded just below her shoulders and she'd shed the majority of the extra weight. She looked fit and stronger than ever. Her eyes had regained their sparkle and even without makeup and having just survived a house fire, she was as beautiful as ever.
It would have been easier to keep the feelings and emotions bubbling inside him at bay if she didn't look like the Dakota he'd fallen in love with.
He pul
led around the capital building toward the north end of Boise. Dakota stared out the window in silence, her hand on her dog's head, which lay on the armrest between the seats. His desire to reach out to her morphed into memories of betrayal and pain. Three months before coming home he'd gotten the email— she was pregnant. And then, the following month, the email telling him that she'd miscarried. From there it had been nothing but his anger and her silence until he'd returned home to find her sitting there, waiting for him, like nothing had ever happened.
As he swung the car into the driveway of the old, ranch style, three-bedroom home, his knuckles whitened with anger. Feelings he'd fought to move past resurfaced and mixed in his gut like bile.
He turned off the engine and they sat for a minute, staring at the house.
"I like the new plants," she said. "You always did hate my rose bushes."
Really? Was this what they'd come to? Talking about the shrubbery?
"I don't have time to deal with roses." His words came out harsher than he'd meant. His wolf growled and the need to shift rippled through him. No. He would not think with his wolf, he needed to think with his head. Despite the fact that their wolves were still mated, the human bond between them had been shattered.
He opened his door. "Come on. Let's get you inside to rest."
"I'm sorry I ruined your date. I didn't realize you were listed as my next of kin. If I had been conscious when they brought me in I never would have let them bother you. I'll be sure to have you taken off."
"And put who on there instead? Scott?" Again jealousy oozed out of him. Damn. Why should he care who she dated? He'd moved on. His wolf chuckled, liar.
Dakota stared at him, sadness etched all over her face. Her deep, oak colored eyes searched his face, wide and round as a doe's. For a moment, everything bad between them drifted away and she was sixteen again— the new girl at school.
No. He wouldn't be sucked back in. "Come on."
Damn her and her soulful eyes, her soft, supple lips, and the new, slightly curvier outline of her hips. His mind swirled with desire, anger and pain. Why, after everything she'd done, after all this time, did her having a boyfriend bug him so bad? He'd known she would move on. He'd as much as told her to when he'd kicked her out.
Reclaimed From The Moon (Wolf River, ID. Book 3) Page 2
