AllFreeNovel
Share Us
There was a crowd surrounding the dog, who was shaking on the ground, the convulsions violent. As I crouched down, I could tell instantly it wasn’t just a typical epileptic seizure. “Is the veterinary facility open, as in fully stocked?” Sam and another dog were clamoring around, trying to provide assistance.
A woman stepped forward, kneeling next to me. “Yes, the clinic is completely ready. Can you do something? Sophie. Come here, baby.” The other dog responded, immediately moving toward her.
“Is there a veterinarian at the party?” I was nervous about intervening, but without attention, the dog didn’t have long to live.
When a man flew down in front of me, immediately reaching for the pup, I pressed my hand against his arm. “Snake, listen to me. Just be gentle with him. Let him know you’re here.”
I was surprised when he didn’t argue with me, but his eyes reflected absolute terror.
“No,” the woman continued. “Neither vet we hired was able to make the party. Can you do something?”
As Maverick squeezed my shoulder, I gritted my teeth. “I’m not licensed, but I was only a couple months away from graduation. I can help him, but I need to get him to the clinic.”
The woman glanced at Phoenix then up at Maverick for reassurance. “Come on. Boys. Get the pup. Be careful with him. Follow me. It’s better if we drive.” The woman wasted no time, heading toward a truck parked close by, jumping into the driver’s seat. When I reached the other door, I looked back, watching as Snake eased Apollo onto the truck bed, Maverick and a few of the other guys jumping in afterwards. Seconds later, Sam crowded the space, nuzzling right up to Apollo, Sophie only seconds later. This was bad. Very bad.
I climbed into the passenger seat, my heart racing. It had been long enough I was terrified I’d fuck it up, but I had no other choice.
“I’m Wren Wentworth. Phoenix belongs to me.” She threw me a look, a cautionary grin on her face.
“I don’t know if I can or should claim Maverick, but I’m Lily Sanborn, a new arrival in town.”
“I’m so glad someone finally managed to calm him down.” She threw the gear into drive, glancing in the rearview mirror then stepping on the accelerator.
“Hmmm… It sounds like you have stories I need to hear.”
“That requires wine. Lots of wine.”
“I’ll take you up on it.” As she headed down another gravel road, I could sense panic. “I love the sanctuary.”
“I do too. It’s a work in progress, but I’m so happy with it. As long as I can get a few additional good people on board. There are so many animals in need of help. It’s crazy.” She was breathless, twisting her mouth.
“I know what you mean.”
“What do you think is wrong with Apollo? That dog needs to be okay. It would kill Snake.”
“I think he’s been poisoned.” While I hated issuing the statement, it’s what I felt in my gut.
“What?” Hissing, she threw a look into the rearview mirror, suddenly nervous.
“I didn’t mean it that way. It could be fertilizer. It could be insect repellent. You have a ranch. I’m certain you use chemicals.”
“They’re kept locked away for that reason,” Wren retorted, her breathing rapid. “I’m sorry. We’ve had some threats. People don’t necessary like that hundreds of animals are going to be living close to them.”
“That’s crazy.”
“You don’t know this town. There are some good people, but as with any city, there are some real assholes.”
She pulled to a stop, barely throwing the gear into park and cutting the engine before jumping out.
I did the same, Wren already calling that she’d unlock the doors. Snake held him close and when I noticed Apollo was barely twitching, the poison working quickly, I knew there was little time before he succumbed to a coma that he might not come out of. “Come on. Get him inside. Hurry.”
Snake refused to let anyone help him, but I could tell the man was close to a panic attack. Suddenly, another vehicle roared into the parking area, another girl jumping out. She was close to being hysterical.
“Apollo!”
“It’s okay, Chasity,” Houston told her but there was no consoling her.
“Get him inside,” I encouraged, racing ahead and into the facility. The place was a dream for any veterinarian, but I couldn’t take the time to enjoy the view.
