Page 55 of Bad Medicine

“Roomful of savages,” my mothermurmured, coming to stand beside me. She was smiling, though she seemed a little…hesitant,somehow.

I didn’t bring up her attemptedattack on Adam. “Are you okay?” I asked her.

She looked up at me, her gazesearching. “Of course, honey. How are you feeling after…everything?”

I watched Jared as he sat atthe head of one of the tables, talking with his people, eating, relaxed. He’djust taken on a lot more responsibility, and he’d had his hands full as it was.Still, he was satisfied—he’d gained new wolves, and his pack would be thestronger for it.

“I’m good,” I told her.“Surprisingly good. And hungry.”

“Well you go sit down and eat,Kaity. All healed?”

“Yes. Completely.” I rememberedAdam’s claws in my flesh, his teeth tearing at me, and I shuddered, but only alittle. “Come sit with me, Mom.”

Her face lit up, and thoughsome shadows remained, she seemed nearly back to normal. “I would, but I’mhelping Nigel and some others in the kitchen. These wolves eat faster than wecan prepare it, or very nearly.” She turned away, then hesitated and faced meonce again. “Kaity, I love you more than anything else in this world. You knowthat.”

I frowned. “Of course I knowthat. Mom…you’re not sick, are you?” Wolves didn’t often get sick, not untilthey were extremely old and weak, and even then, it was uncommon. Still,something was bothering her.

“No.” She smiled and patted myarm. “I’m just being silly. Go sit down with that sexy man of yours and eatbefore it’s all gone. He’s keeping a chair for you, I see. Uh oh, look at that.That naughty Rita is trying to take your place. Did you see the way she justlooked at him?”

I laughed. “I’m going, Mother.Where’re Lucy and Ash? Kitchen?”

“Of course. Lucy is baking andhappier than I’ve seen her for a while, and Ash is on a dog bed being fedtreats by his adoring fans.”

I headed to the table where Jaredsat, and my mother hadn’t been making things up. Rita was indeed perched uponmy chair, smiling up at my alpha, shoving away my empty plate as she made roomfor her elbows.

She laughed at something hesaid, then reached out to touch his big bicep. “It will be an adjustment,” shewas saying, “but those poor wolves. They’ve never had an alpha like you. Don’tworry, we’ll make them welcome. I’ll personally see to it.”

“I appreciate that, Rita,” hesaid, his eyes twinkling. He looked up at me as I reached the table. “Kait.Ready to eat?”

Rita stiffened but didn’t jumpup and scurry away. She didn’t greet me, either. But her annoyance wasunderstandable. An outsider, I’d swooped in and taken the alpha out of thegame, and that was going to cause some resentment. But if it hadn’t been me, itwould likely have been Jeanette Lister, the tentatively approved match forJared likely made before they’d been old enough to care.

“I’m starving,” I told him.“And everything smells amazing.” I smiled at Rita, then looked around for anempty chair. “I’ll go find a place to sit.”

But before I could walk away,he reached out and snared my hand, then pushed his chair back and pulled meonto his lap. “I have a place for you to sit,” he murmured, his voice husky. Hetightened his arms around me and nuzzled my neck, and I completely forgot aboutRita and the roomful of watching wolves.

But then she laughed, somewhatruefully, and stood. “I’m sorry,” she told me, “for taking your seat. ThoughI’m sure the alpha’s lap is much nicer and softer than this hard chair, so youmight owe me a thanks.”

I grinned and wrapped my armsaround Jared’s neck. “You’re right. Much nicer here.” Then I whispered into hisear, “Though I’m pretty sure your lap is currently much harder than the chair.”

All amusement fled from hisface, leaving only fierceness. “Hurry and eat, woman,” he growled, “before Itake you to bed hungry.”

I looked up at Rita’s loud sighof regret, and we exchanged smiles. “You can’t blame me for trying,” she said.

I laughed. “Not even a littlebit.”

She wandered away and I wiggledon Jared’s lap—just to hear him groan, really—before leaving him to sit on thevacated chair. I needed to eat, but later…later, there would be only the alpha.

I could hardly wait.

My plate filled in seconds, Idug in, then looked up to find Jared’s stare on me, the rest of his fooduntouched. “Aren’t you going to eat?” I asked, my fork halfway to my mouth.

He shook his head. “I’mfinished. I’m going to watch you eat.”

“Oh yeah? Then I’ll try to makesure you’re not bored while I’m filling my belly.” I slowly parted my lips andslid the fork into my mouth, then closed my eyes and moaned.

“Damn you,” he said, movinguncomfortably in his chair as I laughed at him.

I was happy. I began eatingonce again and was halfway through my food when Jared’s beta strode into theroom.