SEAL Wolf In Too Deep(49)
So far, she seemed fine. He assumed she hadn’t seen it happen, or if she had, she didn’t believe her own eyes. After all, who in their right mind would believe it? And she’d been in really bad shape at the time.
He knew he had to tell her sooner than later, because the sun was nearly lighting the moon to the fullest extent, and she would most likely shift. That would be a terrifying experience, he imagined. Having been born a lupus garou, he’d never given it much thought. They were proud to be who they were.
Everyone was affected differently too. Some newly turned wolves were more accepting of the enhanced abilities they had. Others were not, particularly about the shifting when they didn’t have much control over it during the pull of the full moon. Or that they had to be watched at all times by other pack members. It could be frustrating if the man or woman was used to being alone or doing things their own way in their own good time and without being accompanied.
He talked to Dr. Christine Holt, wondering if Debbie was really well enough to go home with him.
“She’s healing just fine, Allan. You know how our faster healing abilities are. She’ll need to take it easy for another week or so, but after that, she’ll be able to do anything she wants to. As long as she’s being watched because of her wolf condition, she’ll be fine. Do you think you can handle it?”
He wanted to say it would be no problem, but what did he know? She was a wild card until he told her the truth and she shifted, and then how would she react? He had no idea.
“Paul said you wanted to do this alone if she was agreeable to stay with you,” Dr. Holt said. “But I still wonder if it wouldn’t be better if we had more pack members involved. Maybe some of the original members and someone on the medical staff in case she needs a sedative.”
Allan shook his head. “We’ll try my idea first. If it doesn’t work, we can have a wolf pack intervention.”
“All right. Paul was wondering if maybe one of the newer turned wolves of Hunter’s pack could come and talk with her. To share how he or she felt in the beginning. One of them might be able to show her that there’s life after being turned and that new wolves are perfectly comfortable in their new skins.”
“Maybe. If this doesn’t work out, we could call Hunter and see if his mate wants to talk with Debbie.” No way did Allan want a male wolf to speak with her. He could see one of them sympathizing with her, and the next thing he knew, she’d be angry with Allan and the rest of the wolves who were born that way and join Hunter’s pack.
That notion didn’t set well with Allan in the least.
“Are you really okay with taking care of her?” Christine asked. “It’s a big responsibility. I know you’re a highly trained SEAL and have dealt with all kinds of crises, but this is different. It doesn’t take guns and bullets or teeth. It takes a lot of patience, loving, caring, and understanding.”
“I understand. I can handle it.” But he wasn’t sure how it would all work out. How could anyone be? He had no idea how she’d react to what she was now. But he had every intention of giving it his best shot and hoping to alleviate her fears as soon as possible. She’d trusted him before this, cared for him, knew him the best, so he figured it was better if he worked with her than someone else. “When can she go home?”
“She needs to stay for three more days at the clinic. That will give you time to get your place ready for her to move in. Make sure that you can secure the house so that she can’t get out in case she tries to run. And don’t hesitate to call any of us if you need some help with this.”
“We’ll be fine.”
Afterward, Paul and Lori talked to him about what he needed to do, and even Hunter’s mate, Tessa, called to give her two cents.
The day Allan went to pick Debbie up, she was as cheerful as she always was when he visited her. Which meant? She couldn’t possibly know what had happened at the shoot-out. He thought she looked positively thrilled to see him because he was taking her home from the clinic. Only not to her home. He’d already talked to her about it, and she seemed eager to do it. But first, she wanted to go to her place to get some clothes for her stay at his cabin.
As he helped her into his hatchback, he thought she still looked pale and tired. He pulled a blanket and pillow out of the backseat, tucking the pillow behind her and wrapping the blanket around her.
“How do you feel?” Allan tried not to look as worried as he felt, but tonight the full moon would be out in all its glory and he had to tell her what to expect.
He pulled out of the parking lot and started driving toward Whitefish.
“So much better. I can’t believe I could have been so bad off and feel so great.”
The faster healing genetics. Allan would talk to her about those later too. He glanced over at her, but she appeared to be drifting off to sleep.
When they were nearly to her place, she yawned.
“Feel any better?”
“Some. Still feeling a bit wiped out. I guess that’s why I need to stay with someone for a while. I guess we’ll be missing the Penguin Plunge in Whitefish.”
“There will always be next year. And I’ll definitely take you to it.” He would take her to anything her heart desired, if she was still speaking to him by then. “Paul said you told him the man who shot you was so bundled up, you couldn’t tell what he looked like.”