Page 39 of Knot the Stray

I lean closer to the film, studying the harsh white shape against the dark tissue.

"The angle looks tricky, but you possess the skill to handle the extraction." I tap the bottom edge of the stomach on the x-ray. "Make your incision right here. Avoid the main vascular lines. You go in smooth, grab the metal with the forceps, and stitch him up."

Chloe bites her bottom lip, her eyes darting between me and the film. "Mr. Henderson expects you to do the surgery. He trusts you."

"Mr. Henderson trusts this clinic." I turn my head, holding her gaze. "I hired you because you run a clean operating room and you care about the animals. You take the lead on this extraction. I plan to scrub in and stand right across the table from you. If you hit a snag, I step in. Otherwise, this is your surgery."

A spark of determination lights up Chloe's eyes. She drops her arms, nodding her head. "Okay. Let's get Buster prepped for the operating room."

"Marcus." I step out of the exam room, calling down the hallway. "Prep surgical suite one. We have a metal extraction on the board."

Marcus offers a thumbs-up from the recovery kennels, grabbing a sterile tray to start laying out the instruments.

I walk to the scrub sinks, turning the hot water on with my elbow. Lathering soap over my hands, I watch the suds wash down the metal drain. I run a thriving business, employ a dedicated team, and plant myself in this community. My transient life is dead and gone. I dry my hands on a sterile towel, toss the paper in the bin, and walk into the operating room to help my junior vet save a dog.

The drive through town offers a peaceful end to a chaotic day. I steer down Main Street, watching the neon signs flicker to life in the storefront windows. Locals wave from the sidewalks. I roll my window down a fraction, letting the crisp air flood the cab.

Fifteen minutes later, I turn onto the dirt driveway. The tires crunch over the gravel. The white farmhouse comes into view. Jake, Nolan, and Edward spent the past two years upgrading the property.

I park the van, kill the engine, and hop out. I climb the wooden steps and push the front door open.

Duke charges down the hallway before my boots even cross the threshold. The golden retriever skids to a halt, dropping a rubber toy tire on the rug. He barks once, his tail thumping a loud rhythm against the drywall.

"Hey, buddy." I crouch down, scratching the thick fur behind his ears. "You guard the house today?"

Duke whines, leaning his entire body weight against my knee.

A meow draws my attention upward. Winston looks down from his wall shelf. The tuxedo cat watches the dog with a slow, unfazed blink. We installed the high shelves a year ago to give Winston the high ground. He rules the house, dictating the rules to the retriever.

Winston stretches his front legs, hops down the staggered shelves, and lands on the back of the sofa. He waits for me to stand up and walk over. Reaching out, I rub my thumb along his jawline. A loud purr vibrates in his throat.

Leaving the animals to their routine, I walk down the hall and step into the kitchen.

The domestic peace settles over me. The pack scent of ripe fig anchors the room.

Jake stands at the granite counter. He unpins a silver Sheriff's badge from his tan uniform shirt, setting the metal star next to his keys. The county promoted him a year ago, handing him the top spot in the department. His broad shoulders fill out the uniform, and his sharp vetiver scent spikes in the warm air as he turns his head to spot me.

Edward stands in front of the stove, stirring a pot of chili with a wooden spoon. His new Fire Chief insignia rests on the entryway table. The promotion gave him control over the rural district. His clove scent mixes with the simmering chili.

Nolan sits on a stool at the kitchen island. He caps a red pen, closing a cardboard folder. A stack of graded science midterms rests next to his elbow. Despite the town's growth, Nolan refuses to leave his teaching position. He finds grounding in shaping the minds of the local kids. His black tea scent drifts across the room.

"The boss is home." Jake abandons his badge, crossing the kitchen in three long strides.

He wraps his strong arms around my waist, lifting me off the floor. I wrap my arms around his neck, crashing my mouth against his lips. We share a heated kiss. He sets my feet back on the floor, pressing his nose against my jaw to breathe in my scent.

Nolan pushes off his stool. He steps in, tilting my chin up with two fingers. He captures my lips next, swirling his tongue into my mouth in a demanding sweep. His thumb strokes my cheekbone. I break the kiss, resting my forehead against his chest for a quiet second.

Edward abandons the stove, wiping his large hands on a dish towel. He walks over, pulling me flush against his side. He presses a firm kiss to my temple.

"Dinner needs five more minutes." Edward keeps his arm wrapped tight around my waist. "How did the spark plug extraction go?"

"Chloe nailed it." I lean into his solid warmth. "Buster will make a full recovery. Mr. Henderson brought a basket of apples to the front desk as a thank you."

"The town adores you." Nolan slides a hand over my shoulder, rubbing the tense muscles. "You earned every bit of it."

I stand in the center of the kitchen, surrounded by my three bonded mates. The chaotic years of my youth fade into nothing. I belong to this pack, and this farmhouse is my true home.

The air bites at my skin as the sun sets.