Page 22 of Assisting the Alpha
Doc P’s waiting room is so full of people that when a young wolf rushes in, I barely look up.
“Who the hell called you?” The snooty voice of one of Ayo’s former co-workers pierces the quiet murmur of conversation.
After Raj interviewed the group Ayo and the big guy, Irving, were on a night out with, the task force arrived and did the same, at which point the group of six all came here and have been waiting for news ever since. I’m not sure how much truth they told us, but Skye eavesdropped on the statements they gave the task force, so he can work with Raj later to fill in any gaps.
“Does it matter?” the wolf growls, his worried scent taking on a tinge of irritation.
The coven member opens her mouth to reply but closes it again when Nyoka sweeps into the room.
“Any news?” he demands.
The coven members shake their heads.
He purses his lips and turns to take in the rest of us, his eyes narrowing as soon as he spots Raj and me. He stormsover immediately. “My cousin and his friend will require days to recover. There is little point in you sniffing around, hoping for statements. Someone will be in touch when they are ready to talk to you.”
I stand slowly, unable to stop the low growl in my throat. Nyoka folds his arms across his chest and glares up at me. He’s slightly taller than his cousin, but not by much.
“We’re here because we look after our own.” I still don’t know whether Ayo is spying on us for his cousin, but even if he is, that doesn’t change my need to be here when he wakes up, to make sure he’s healing and safe. Spy or not, no one deserves to be attacked like they were tonight.
Nyoka startles a little at that. “Our… Why would he be… You. You’re his new employer.”
Nyoka smells genuinely surprised, which I wasn’t expecting. I try to keep any smugness out of my expression. Now isn’t the time.
“I am. I’m astonished you didn’t know. Didn’t you boast you always know everything happening in your coven?”
Nyoka’s jaw tenses and the room falls completely silent.
Which is the exact moment Doc P and the coven healer who showed up an hour ago leave the examination room.
Too many people crowd around, asking for news. I hang back with Raj, not needing proximity to hear what’s being said, even if my wolf does want to push past all of them and wait by Ayo’s side.
The coven healer holds up his hands for quiet. “Both will make a full recovery.”
There’s a collective sigh of relief.
“Both sustained head injuries, so they will remain here for at least another twenty-four hours,” Doc P adds. “I suggest you all go home and get some rest.”
“But they’ll be okay?” the young wolf asks.
Doc P nods. “Completely.”
People start to depart as Nyoka ignores Doc P completely and speaks to the coven healer. The young wolf stays, as do an older couple who I suspect are Irving’s parents.
I turn to Raj and lower my voice. “I’m going to stay, but go get a few hours of sleep. I’m putting everyone on this, at least for the weekend, and I need you fresh.”
“You sure? I don’t mind staying if you want to get some sleep.”
“Come on, you know me better than that.” I won’t leave an injured team member. Wolves never do.
Raj sighs, then nods. “Yeah, I wasn’t sure if Ayo… I’ll check in with the others this afternoon.”
Shit, it’s morning already? My phone says five-something, so yes. I ignore Raj’s comment about not being sure if Ayo counted as one of the team. He might be new, but the way he’s carried out his job this week, combined with Nyoka’s response just now, has eased my suspicions a lot.
Nyoka leaves with the coven healer, leaving just the older couple, the young wolf, and me.
Doc P takes us in with a sigh. “Let me put them in separate rooms, then you can sit with them.”
“You want some help, doc?” I offer.
