Savage Awakening (Alpha Pack #2)(6)

"Excuse me?"

She waved a hand at the woman's attire. "Which are you, my nurse or my psychiatrist? Because I'm pretty sure I've suffered a break from reality and you're my keeper."

The brunette laughed good-naturedly, and pushed a lock of long, curly hair from her face, tucking it behind one ear. "I'm Dr. Mackenzie Grant, but no, I'm not your doctor, warden, or anything else. I'm just here to make sure you're all right. You took a nasty bump to your head when you passed out."

"Right. When I checked out because I saw... or thought I saw..." Frowning, she trailed off.

The doctor cleared her throat. "Yes, well. Nick will want to talk with you about that, I'm sure."

"Nick Westfall," she recalled. "Your commander."

"Not my commander, exactly, but yes. He's the head honcho around here. He leads the Alpha Pack team."

"Who are wolves and cats in disguise."

The other woman's gaze was sympathetic. "I'm sorry, I really can't talk about-"

Rowan gave a laugh that was half-hysterical, dripping with sarcasm. "Of course not."

"Nick will tell you everything he feels you need to know, but after that we can talk all you want."

The doc was loyal, at least. She could respect that. "When does he want to see me?"

"As soon as you're feeling up to it. I can take you to his office now if you'd like, Miss Chase."

"Call me Rowan. Wait, how did you know my name?" She cast a suspicious look at her purse. Had these people gone through her things?

"Nick told us."

That's right-Westfall had called her by name the moment they met. "And how did he know? Did someone alert him that I was on my way?" Rowan frowned. Dean wouldn't have betrayed her, she was certain. "Never mind. I'm sure that's another one of those things he'll have to tell me. And believe me, Dr. Grant, he'd better."

"Mackenzie or Mac is fine," the woman said amiably, ignoring Rowan's last remark. "Are you ready?"

"Sure, lead the way."

Glancing at her purse and bag again, she opted to leave them behind. She wasn't carrying much cash, and only a couple of credit cards. No, if these people had planned to keep her stuff they would've taken the rest along with her gun. She followed the doctor from the bedroom, through a furnished living room, to the door, and out into a carpeted hallway lined with more doors, all numbered. Quickening her pace, she fell into step beside the other woman.

"So, this area is what? Like a dorm?" she guessed.

Mackenzie nodded. "Yes, but unlike dorms, the residence wings are fully equipped apartments, and we aren't required to share quarters. Privacy is a highly valued commodity in a busy place where so many of us live and work, and it's usually in short supply."

"It's nicer than I expected," Rowan admitted, admiring the dark green carpet and cream-colored walls adorned with sconces that reminded her of the inside of a nice hotel. "On the drive here, I envisioned something much more stark and unfriendly. You know, what with it being a top secret compound and all that."

"Which begs the question of how you found out about us." The doc cut her a curious stare.

Rowan smirked. "I guess that's something your illustrious leader can tell you if he wants-after he and I have a little chat."

"Touche," Mackenzie said with a laugh.

As they walked, a glint of silver at the vee of the other woman's blouse caught Rowan's eye. A round disk about the size of a silver dollar hung there, suspended on a sturdy chain. It struck her as being a bit heavy, like a piece of jewelry more suited to a man. But what did she know? She was a cop, not a fashion critic.

"That's a gorgeous pendant," she said, waving a hand at the doc's chest.

Mackenzie started and glanced down at the item as though she'd forgotten it was there. "Thanks."

She peered closer. "Is that a... pentagram?"

"Yes, it is." But the doc didn't offer anything further.

Tough. Cops liked answers. "Cool. Are you Wiccan?"

"No." A hint of annoyance crept into the doc's tone, and her words became clipped as she tucked the disk under her blouse again. "The necklace was a gift."

Subject closed, at least for now. But Rowan sensed a story there and sooner or later she'd ferret out the mystery. Investigating, prying answers from people who didn't want to give them, was in her blood. For the time being, she let it go.

She had bigger fish to fry.

Mackenzie led her through a maze of corridors, and Rowan made sure to catalog every turn in her brain. The information would come in handy whether she stayed or had to get the f**k out of here fast.

Finally the doc halted in front of a closed door and nodded. "This is Nick's office. Don't be intimidated-he's not as mean as he looks."

"That's okay, because I'm meaner than I look." She wasn't kidding, but Mackenzie smiled anyway, giving Rowan's arm a squeeze.

"I'll check on you later."

"Thanks." Rowan watched the woman start back the way they'd come, then turned her attention to the door. Heaving a fortifying breath, she gave three sharp raps and waited until she heard the man's deep voice call out for her to come in before turning the knob and stepping inside.