Page 74 of Bad Medicine

Evan, her new assistant,hurried into my room with a tray as I was running my bathwater. “You didn’thave to do that,” I told him. “I could have gotten my own meal after my bath.”

“Nell says jump,” he saidcrisply, placing the tray on a small table, “I ask how high.” Then he foldedhis hands and sighed mournfully. “It’s an honor to work in the alpha’s home.”

I laughed. “You sound like it’smore of a prison sentence.”

He widened his eyes and put hisfingers to his mouth. “Don’t even joke!”

Evan was a bit melodramatic.

I ended up eating my meal as mybathtub filled, though I’d planned to clean up first. My wolf was hungry, whichmade me quite happy, and I wasn’t about to deny that hunger. Not even for anice, hot soak.

I glanced around the room as Iate, basking in Jared’s scent, recalling specific things that had happened inthat room—him shoving me against the wall the first time we’d finally had sex,pulling me against his chest and wrapping me up in his arms in his huge bed,taking care of me, showing me, in more ways than one, that I was the woman forhim.

And abruptly I missed him sobadly that I lost my breath. And though I knew he was busy and likely in themiddle of a meeting with Stone Moon wolves, I sent him a text.

I’m in your bedroom waitingfor you. Missing you. Be safe, Alpha.

I hesitated, unsure, but beforeI could change my mind, I sent it. “It’s okay, Kait,” I murmured, “to let himknow how you feel.”

Eventually, I’d get used tothat lovey-dovey soft emotional stuff.

I took my bath and thensnuggled into his bed, pulling his pillow into my arms and falling asleep withhis scent sending me into my dreams.

What seemed like five secondslater, Nell was shaking me awake. “There’s a man downstairs, Kait. He insistedI wake you. Apparently,” she hissed, as though the man could hear her, “he’sfromthe council. He says he’s your driver, and the council wants to seeyou.”

I was tempted to ignore the summonsand heap a few choice swear words upon Aaron’s head, but I sat up and shoved myhair out of my face. “Thanks, Nell. Can you let him know I’m getting dressed?”

“Of course,” she said, but shefrowned. “I understand the council operates mainly at night, but they need tolet you get your sleep.”

“I completely agree,” I said,somewhat grumpily, then climbed from the bed to hastily braid my wild hair andgear up. Saul texted me as I was putting on my boots.

On your way to see them?

Getting ready to leave. I’drather be sleeping.

Since when?

Since now. WTF do they want?

To give you a very importantgift. I’ve just finished it.

What are you, Saul? Theirsorcerer?

He ignored my question.Shocker.Keep the item safe, and keep it to yourself. The shapeshifter canget into anyone’s head. The elder will tell you more.

So it was the item they’dpromised would help me capture Sam.Awesome. I’d still rather be sleeping.

Do not allow yourself to getsoft, Kaitlyn.

My yawn nearly cracked my jaws.I slid the phone into my pocket and strode from the room without replying.

Aaron was waiting at the car, alarge travel mug of coffee in his hand. “Good evening.”

I took the coffee. “The councilcan be a pain in the ass, Aaron.”

He opened the back door for me.“I’m sure they say the same about you, Ms. Silver.”

That surprised a laugh from me.Considerably cheered, and much more awake, I drank the coffee and read myemails as he drove me to see the council to get an item that would help mecatch a nearly uncatchable killer.