The next day, I spent a lot of time alone in my suite, which I didn't mind. It gave me time to think about the future and the present, and what I wanted.That afternoon, there was a knock on my door. When I opened it, what looked to be a team of people was standing there, armed to the teeth with blow dryers and small duffle bags."Hello," a woman said, tilting her head to the side. Even though she was young, she had white hair artfully done into a twist and a figure to die for. "You must be Kalyssa." She started to barge in, but I held up my hand, stopping her."And who are you?" Until I got to know everyone in the pack, I wasn't taking any chances. Not after what we had just gone through at the castle.She smirked. "I'm Daphne, your designer and clothing coordinator, and this is Raphael on hair, Cassy on nails, and Symphony on feet," she said as if she were announcing the Spring Training Lineup at Cardinal Stadium. Then she held her arms out and smiled. "We're your Glam Squad Dream Te

"I want to go home," I said again, smiling sweetly at Xander. He let out a deep breath, laying his napkin beside his plate. "I'm sorry, but that's not possible. But when you're ready, we'd like for you to join us in our shared bedroom.""I can't believe you just said that." I let out a deep breath, shaking my head. "If you'll excuse me," I said, rising from my seat.Both Elias and Xander stood."I'm sorry you're unhappy." Elias took my hand and looked into my eyes. "We will take you home when this is over if you so choose. But not before."I headed across the stage and down the stairs when Cruz took my hand to help me down. Then he and another man followed me. Bodyguards, I'm sure."Kalyssa," he said once we were in the hallway, but I just kept walking. "Just calm down."I stopped, nearly causing both Cruz and the other guard to run into me. "Calm down? You want me to calm down? I'm being held here against my will and you want me to calm down?""Ssshhh...." Cruz let out a deep breath,

When we were spent, I lay in Xander's arms, thinking about choices. "Where is Elias, by the way?""He had to go to the hospital." His eyes were closed as he leaned over and kissed the top of my head. "There was an emergency with one of his patients."I nodded. "I wish there were something I could do, work-wise. I've been working practically since I could remember."He raised up on the bed and opened his eyes. "Even in college?"I nodded. "I worked my way through college." I settled back against his arm. "So the thought of not working at all kind of terrifies me."Xander turned me over and looked into my eyes. "Then why don't you take over the clinic?""Seriously?" I asked, sitting up. "But I'm not a doctor."He shrugged. "You're a veterinarian."I laughed, plopping back down onto the pillow. "Xander, there's a big difference between being a veterinarian and a doctor."He shrugged, tracing his fingers lazily over my skin. "If you have any questions, you can always ask Elias. Either that

KalyssaUnable to wait, I woke early the following day, eager to explore my new sanctuary. I quickly showered and dressed and then headed down to the clinic, eager to organize everything and get ready, just in case.I took the elevator, and the doors opened on the bottom floor a moment later. Although I knew veterinary work inside and out, working on humans was quite another matter. But Xander was right. If I got stumped, I could always ask Elias, and eventually, I could go to Medical school. Working with shifters, it would help to know both physiologies.I had been opposed to going back to college at first, but the more I thought about it, the better it sounded. Maybe when things settled down, I could go back to medical school. Maybe.A thrill ran through my chest as I opened the frosted doors of the clinic and looked around. It was clear that no one had worked here regularly for a while. It was obvious that the clinic had been used for emergencies only. But once I started working on

"So, a man came into the clinic today," I said, matter of fact. "Maybe you know him.""Oh really? Who?" Adriana asked, clearly excited at the prospect of getting another juicy tidbit."His name was Deven Craig. Do you know him?" I asked, finishing off the rest of my hamburger.They all looked at each other, creases between their eyes, and then back at me. "Never heard of him.""That's strange," I replied. "He said that he broke his arm during practice today." According to doctor-patient confidentiality, I wasn't supposed to divulge any information about my patients. But in this case, I made an exception. Adriana's head snapped up toward Shannon. "Did you hear anything?"Shannon shook her head. "No, not at all." Then she shrugged. "But there's a lot that Ryan doesn't tell me." A broad smile spread across her face. "Ryan is my boyfriend, and we just got engaged! See?" Before I could answer, she held up her hand, brandishing an enormous, sparkly bauble. A diamond so big I was surprised