Chapter 14
Devon
Alex sat on the stool in front of me, rubbing the back of his neck while I checked the bandage on his arm.
The skin was healing nicely, but he still winced when I pressed too close to the bruise.
“You’re lucky this wasn’t worse,” I said, tightening the wrap just enough to hold. “Try not to lift anything heavy for the next few days, got it?”
Alex grinned, sheepish. “Can’t make any promises. We’ve still got a lot to clear before you go.”
The words landed harder than they should have. I forced a smile, keeping my tone light. “All the more reason to be careful, then. I don’t want to leave you half-mangled when I’m gone.”
He chuckled, rubbing his arm. “Guess that means I’ll actually have to listen this time.”
“Guess so.” I reached for the Tupperware on the table and offered it to him. “Cookie?”
He peeked inside. “Oatmeal raisin?”
“Best kind. Made by my mom, so you can’t even pretend to refuse.”
Alex laughed and took one. “Thanks. If it’s from your mom, I’m not saying no.”
“Smart man.” I clapped him on the shoulder as he stood. “Send in the next person, will you?”
The next patient was Mrs. Green, an older woman who’d been visiting me every other day since I’d set up the temporary clinic.
Her wrist had been sprained weeks ago, but I suspected she liked the company more than the check-ups.
“It’s still a little stiff, dear,” she said as she sat, rolling her wrist in demonstration. “Just thought I’d make sure it’s healing right.”
I smiled, taking her hand gently. “Let’s see.”
Her wrist moved smoothly beneath my fingers, no swelling, no pain when I twisted lightly.
“It’s fully healed. You’re doing great. Have you been keeping up with those stretches I showed you?”
She frowned, unconvinced. “You’re sure? It doesn’t feel quite right sometimes.”
I exhaled softly, amused. “Just to be safe, I’ll do a little more.”
I let my energy flow through my palm, a faint static brushing along my skin as it met hers. The tension from her shoulders eased almost immediately.
When I finished, I reached for one of the small jars I kept in my kit and pressed it into her hands.
“Use this at night if it aches,” I said.
“Bless you, dear. You’re too kind.”
“Don’t tell anyone,” I said, grinning. “I have a reputation to maintain.”
She laughed as she left, and I took a quick look outside the tent. The line was longer than usual.
Some familiar faces, but plenty I didn’t recognize. Too many for a slow morning.
Word must’ve gotten around that I was leaving soon.
I rubbed my fingers together, feeling that dull, staticky buzz again. A telltale sign I was running low on energy.
Not drained yet, but close. I eyed the Tupperware of cookies and sighed.
What I wouldn’t give for one of Dane’s brownies right now.
Instead, I dug into my jacket pocket and pulled out one of my emergency candy bars, tearing it open with my teeth and finishing it in two quick bites.
“Devon!”
I turned at the sound of Rose’s voice. She stood near the edge of the tent, cheeks flushed from the sun.
“Hey,” I said. “You need something?”
“I was going to ask for your help with the garden, but…” Her eyes darted toward the crowd “Looks like you’re swamped.”
I smiled, catching the small hesitation in her stance. There was a time she would’ve just walked away, too shy to interrupt. Seeing her even ask felt like progress.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, keeping my tone light.
“I think some of the seedlings aren’t taking,” she admitted. “I tried replanting, but I wasn’t sure if I should add more compost or leave them be.”
“Good question.” I smiled, genuinely pleased she’d asked. “Tell you what, I’ll help in a bit. But could you give me a hand first?”
“Sure!” Her eyes brightened immediately.
“Help me sort out the line. Send anyone who looks like they’re bleeding or limping to me first. If it’s just a bruise or strain, give them some ointment or tell them to come back later this evening.”
“Got it.”
“Thanks, Rose. You’re getting good at this.”
She grinned, clearly pleased.
Before she could head out, I grabbed the Tupperware and held it toward her. “Cookie?”
Her expression turned wary. “Are those raisins?”
“Oatmeal, with a little bit of raisin, yeah,” I said, biting back a laugh.
She squinted at me. “Who made them?”
“My mom.”
Rose’s mouth twitched. “They look… healthy.”
I noticed her carefully scanning the cookies, probably looking for one with the fewest raisins.
“Don’t sound so disappointed,” I said, laughing as she continued to hover over the container.
When she still didn’t pick one, I took pity and handed her a candy bar. “Here. This one’s raisin-free.”
Her face lit up. “You’re the best.”
“I know.”
She laughed and ran off toward the line, already calling out to the next person.
We made quick work of the rest of the patients. The rhythm between us was easy now, almost seamless.
Rose handled the talking; I handled the healing. And somewhere between the laughter and the thank-yous, I caught myself thinking how much I’d miss this when I’d finally have to leave.
Once the last patient left, I wiped down the station and packed away the supplies. We grabbed some sandwiches from the cooler for a quick lunch and headed back to the garden.
“Pinch the tips,” I told her, turning her hands so she could see how to nip the very end of a stem. “It helps the plant push energy into more branches. When you pinch, do it just above a pair of leaves. Not too low, or you stunt the shoot.”
She watched my hands and mimicked the motion, slow and exact.
I showed her how to tell when leaves were ready to be plucked for drying. “If the leaf feels papery when you rub it between your thumb and finger, it’s ready. If it still springs back, leave it another day.”
A shadow fell across my right shoulder. I did not need to turn to know I was being watched.
I straightened and faced him. He looked vaguely familiar, though I couldn’t place him immediately.
I looked down. He was too close to the plants, standing in the herb patch instead of on the path. That set me on edge.
“Can I help you?” I asked, keeping my voice level.
“Eli,” he said. He did not elaborate. He lifted his chin toward the gate and made a quick, lazy gesture.
Another shifter came through the gate.
Memory snapped into place. They were two of the first wolves to bare their claws when Cooper and our pack’s enforcers showed up.
I had seen them talking with Carter sometimes. Carter always came away with a tight mouth and a hard look when he was done.
Eli and Jeremy.
Rose slid back, pressing against my side. Her fingers found the seam of my shirt and tugged hard enough for me to feel it. I did not like the way she looked then.
I stood and took a slow step forward. “Can I help you?” I repeated.
Jeremy smiled, walking the garden’s edges. “Looks like construction’s coming along. Still a lot left to do.”
“We want to help,” Eli added, his voice slick.
Rose made a small sound and tried to melt behind me. My wolf bristled instantly.
I pressed my hands into my pockets to stop myself from reaching for the nearest shovel.
“There’s a sign-up sheet at the entrance,” I said.
Eli scuffed a heel in the dirt and laughed. “Sign-ups? Seems easier to just help. Looks like you need it,” he said, walking toward the shed. He rapped his knuckles on the warped wood. A hollow thunk echoed. “Look at this. It’s practically falling apart.”
I planted my feet, ready to shift if needed. “Only authorized personnel are allowed in the garden,” I said, firmer this time. “There are hands needed at the clinic. I can show you where to sign up.”
Jeremy jabbed a finger at Rose. “How come she gets to work here?”
Rose yelped and shrank back against me. Heat crawled up my neck.
The urge to grab them both by the collars and throw them through the gate flickered hot and ugly in my chest. I pictured the consequences and pushed it away. I could not stand the look in Rose’s eyes.
I pulled her closer, planting myself so she was hidden behind me. “Back off,” I said, my voice low.
Before either of them could reply, a deeper voice came from the path. “What is going on here?”
Eli and Jeremy straightened almost instantly.
Jeremy cleared his throat first. “We’re just here to help out,” he said, trying to sound casual, but it came out too quick, too practiced.
I glanced at Carter. I knew that look. Calm, but tight. He was holding something back, barely. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d already overheard what happened before stepping in.
The last thing I wanted was for this to turn into another scene. The garden had been going so well, and Rose didn’t deserve to see wolves from the same pack turn on each other.
Carter already had enough on his plate without cleaning up after two arrogant idiots. I straightened my shoulders and let my expression take on a calm, friendly look.
“They wanted to help,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual. My gaze flicked briefly to Carter. “But they couldn’t seem to find the sign-up sheet.”
I kept a hand on Rose’s shoulder, making sure she stayed safely behind me.
Carter’s eyes followed mine, flicking between Rose and the two men.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, and I could tell he understood immediately. He let out a low, teasing laugh.
“The sign-up sheet?” he repeated, mock surprise in his tone. “You mean the one right in front of the clinic? How could guys miss that?”
Eli opened his mouth to reply, but Carter held up a hand. “There’s a big sign. Literally says ‘Sign Up Here.’ What, you two can’t read?”
Rose snorted beside me. I felt a small rush of relief at the sound, and she relaxed a little against me.
“Of course we’ve seen it,” Eli said, defensively. “We’re just saying, this place needs a lot of work. Why bother with all the paperwork when we could just get started?”
Carter’s smile vanished. “Because last time someone ‘just got started,’ the place was vandalized.” He stepped closer, resting his hands firmly on their shoulders. Both men flinched. “This clinic is important to the pack. I’m not risking another incident. Do you understand?”
He herded them out of the garden, leaving the air suddenly still. Rose let out a long, shaky breath.
I turned to her. “You okay?”
She nodded, still pale.
“Take a break,” I said gently. “Grab some water. I’ll handle the rest here.”
She gave me a grateful smile before slipping away down the path.
When I looked up again, Carter was walking back toward me, his expression finally softening. “Sorry about that,” he said quietly.
I shook my head. “Maybe we should get a better lock for that garden gate. Apparently, ‘No Entry’ signs aren’t clear enough.”
Carter huffed a small laugh, then nodded. “I’ll make sure it’s handled.” His gaze lingered on me a little longer than necessary. “Are you all right?”
I nodded. “I’ve handled stubborn wolves before, back when Ryder was running things in Pecan Pines.” I paused, half smiling. “Didn’t end well for them either.”
Carter chuckled at that.
Instead of leaving, he walked over to the small table where I’d left my things and sat on the bench beside it, eyeing the open Tupperware of cookies.
“I think I should stay here a bit,” he said, settling in as if he owned the place. “Keep an eye on things. Protect you.”
I arched a brow. “Protect me, huh?”
He leaned back, crossing one leg over the other, looking entirely too comfortable. “Can’t be too careful. You attract trouble.”
I rolled my eyes, but the corner of my mouth twitched. I watched as he plucked one of the cookies and bit into it.
“These are good,” he said around a mouthful. “Where are they from?”
“My mom made them,” I said. “I stopped by my parents’ place this morning.”
His expression softened. “How are they?”
“The same,” I said. “Dad’s still stubborn.”
I left it at that. I didn’t add how he’d gone quiet when I told him I’d be heading back to Pecan Pines soon.
Silence settled between us. Carter leaned back on the bench, gaze distant, shoulders finally loose.
For a second, I let myself watch him. The easy line of his jaw, the way light caught the edges of his hair.
My wolf stirred at the sight, a low, restless thrum under my skin. Something in me ached. It would be easier if I could just stop wanting what I couldn’t have.
I pushed the thought down and nodded toward the cookies. “Don’t eat all of them. They’re for the volunteers.”
Carter’s mouth curved as he reached for another one anyway.
I rolled my eyes, though the edge of a smile slipped through. He stayed a while longer as I continued to work. It was like neither of us wanted to be the first to let the moment go.
When he finally stood to leave, the sun had dipped low, gold spilling through the garden. He brushed the crumbs from his hands and looked back at me.
“See you later, Devon.”