Page 32 of The Coyote's Veterinarian Omega

But this didn’t feel like any tiredness I’d ever experienced before, and I was no stranger to pulling all-nighters.

I blinked, then took a deep breath and forced myself to straighten up slowly. I opened the closet door, grimaced at the selection of worn and threadbare towels, selected the least offensive, and headed to the small bathroom off the laundry room.

I leaned against the shower stall as the warm water flowed over me. I closed my eyes, willing the murky feeling to lift. Showers usually helped. That, and big pots of black coffee.

I scrubbed down as best I could—there wasn’t a scrub brush and I’d forgotten a cloth, and there wasn’t that much soap on hand. Still, it was probably better than being covered in cow shit.

I paused, realizing I didn’t have a change of clothes with me in here. I scowled. I probably had a spare set in the car, but …

A knock at the door almost made me jump out of my skin. The door handle turned, and I realized I’d forgotten to lock it.

“Uh,” I called out.

“Just me, sugar!” That was Caroline. “Cal said you didn’t bringany clothes with you, and Cam was ready to run five miles to wherever you’ve got your stuff stowed, but I convinced Connor to loan you something instead.”

“Er—thanks.”

She laughed. “I’ll leave it here on the counter for you. Nothing like a change of clothes to help you freshen up!”

With that, she stepped back out of the room, closing the door tightly. I waited a few seconds, then breathed a sigh of relief.

I cut the shower spray, then stepped out of the stall. I wrapped the towel around myself and dried off as quick as I could. The air was cool now, and I was going to start shivering. Then I’d never be able to get warm again—my body did a shit job at temperature regulation when I was tired.

I investigated the clothes Caroline had brought me—a pair of gray sweatpants and a worn tee with some kind of band logo on it, maybe? I didn’t recognize it.

Shrugging, I tugged the clothes on and tried not to think about how a high school senior’s clothes fit me. Cal was a beefcake, and Cam wasn’t that far behind him. I, on the other hand, was a stick person, so they were just trying to find something that might have a hope of fitting me.

I glanced in the mirror. Not that the clothes fit me all that well. The pants were threatening to slide off my hips. Thankfully, the tee was oversized and long, so it wasn’t an issue.

I dragged the towel through my hair a few times, then sighed and pitched it toward the washing machine as I exited the room.

The tiles were even colder on my bare feet as I made my way back to the kitchen. I blinked at the four adults at the table as I entered the room. Caroline and Karla were sitting at the table, Caroline primly, Karla grinning broadly. Cam had his back to me, arms crossed, and Cal was just pulling out a chair.

I blinked at them. “Uh.”

“Come have a seat,” Caroline invited, smiling. “You look wornout. Have you had supper?”

“Er.” I’d eaten something, though it hadn’t been much of a meal.

Caroline’s expression softened. “Long day, huh?”

“Yeah,” I replied, hesitantly making my way to the table. There were two open seats: one beside Cameron and the other between Karla and Cal.

I opted for the one beside Cam. After all, it was the thought of seeing him that had driven me over here in the first place.

Caroline and Karla shared a look.

“Now, sugar,” Caroline started.

“Let the man eat,” Cam huffed, glowering at his aunt. Cal shoved a plate my way.

“It’s not much,” the older Carlyle brother said apologetically.

“Thanks though,” I said, glancing down at what seemed to be reheats from their dinner—chicken and mashed potatoes, with some paltry boiled vegetables on the side.

Silence descended over the table, like they were all waiting for me to finish. I took maybe two bites before it became too much to bear. I choked down what I could, then glanced up to find three pairs of eyes fixed on me. Watching. Waiting.

“Uh,” I said.