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My wolf snorts, liking the humour from our fox mate, and Atticus snarls again. Bad move, Atty. My wolf is very unimpressed with our Alpha.
“He’s not exactly wrong,” Griffin adds.
“No, I’m not,” Voss says, moving closer to me. He sits on the coffee table when it’s clear Atticus and Orson aren’t going to move to let him get any closer, and he smiles, but it’s not a happy smile. “I’m officially pissed at you. We’re having our first spat as lovers.”
My wolf growls, and the fox’s eyes widen as a slow smirk appears on his face.
“You can’t be mad at her,” Orson snarls, immediately jumping to my defence before Devoss can make his remark.
“Everyone is allowed to react however they need to,” Griffin says, drawing the attention off of me and onto himself. He’s still sitting on the sofa opposite me, and since he’s taller than Devoss, I can clearly see his face over the head of my fox mate. “But our feelings are not Nora’s burden to bear. Not right now.”
It seems our conversation the other day about not being able to share how I feel without it becoming a thing has actually sunk in.
“No, you’re right,” Atticus says, and, in the blink of an eye, he’s gone from upset mate to Alpha. It’s a shocking difference in state, one both my wolf and I are struggling to comprehend. He rises to his feet, and does some sort of full body shake before nodding. “Okay, Nora, you’ve got an appointment with Dr Abbott in a few minutes. We’re doing a family dinner once you’re done.”
“I’m not—”
“Attendance is not optional,” he replies, glaring at Griffin, who tried to interrupt.
“Are we not going to talk about this?” Malachi asks, almost as if he’s scared the answer will be yes but equally afraid of the answer being no.
“Yes,” Atticus replies. “But Nora deserves the time to talk this out on her own with her therapist before we talk about it as a family.”
There’s some nods all around, and it’s clear that my Alpha has spoken, and I need to obey.
My wolf is pissed at that, not liking the way she wasn’t consulted.
And I sort of get that. Nobody asked me how I feel about a family meeting. But if they did, I’d have told them I’m not going, that I can’t go.
I tried to kill myself today.
And I really regret that it didn’t work.
NORA’S WOLF
My human is broken.
Her mind has shattered.
I don’t understand it. But I will protect her.
Even from herself.
2
ATTICUS
There’s a knock on my office door, and my gaze snaps up as George Abbott, Nora’s psychiatrist and Griffin’s father, walks into the room. He’s wearing one of those hideous sweater vests, this one in a very unflattering maroon colour, that he’s donned since the day I met him, and is carrying a tattered briefcase.
A sharp contrast to the very expensive shoes on his feet. The fine leather costing an arm and a leg, and it’s clear that shoes are his vice. Interesting. You know, in case Nora wants to buy him a Christmas present or some shit.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, glancing at the clock to confirm he’s only been with her for about fifteen minutes. Every other time they’ve had a session, they’ve always ran over. It’s got both my lion and I on edge knowing that today is different. “Surely you’re not done just yet.”
“Therapy isn’t going to work right now,” George says, shaking his head softly when I go to argue. He comes further into the room and takes a seat opposite me at the desk without prompting. He places his briefcase between his legs and sits back comfortably. I’m sure it’s some kind of therapy trick to put me at ease, but fuck does it work. My lion relaxes, sensing no immediate threat.
Fool.
“Atticus, she’s in a state of shock.” And now the panic is back. “Nora seems to have completely disassociated herself from reality, and I can’t determine how much of what is happening she’s aware of. She’s hiding behind her wolf, and their connection is now very, very strong.”
