Page 41

She frowns at me. “You cannot protect me. You’re…weak.” Her lips thin, and I grin at the fact that she feels guilty about saying it.

“Yeah, but I’ve got backup,” I say, tilting my head towards the tent entrance. She turns her eyes in that direction, perking up a bit when she sees Cole standing there – close, as he always seems to be, though his back is towards us.

“Yes,” she whispers, nodding. “An Alpha.” She sighs, contented and apparently assured.

And…well. A bit too admiring for my tastes.

“All right!” I say, doing my best to keep my voice light, though the words come out kind of snappy. “Eyes on me!”

Chapter 21 – All Night

Nadia

The young woman turns back to me. “Eyes on you?” she asks, tilting her head to the side. “Why?”

“Um!” I say, panicking a little. “Quick…visual exam!” My hand darts to the pocket of my scrubs and quickly pulls out a light pen, which I use to give the girl a lightning-fast eye exam that she certainly doesn’t need.

She still looks at me strangely for a moment as I confirm that her vision is just fine, but I stand straight, making eye contact with Jeanie, who’s set up a table at the front of the room. When I nod, she waves back and bends to speak with one of hercounselors, letting her know that this young lady is ready for her chat.

I give the young wolf a smile and confirm that her counselor will be there in a moment before heading for the nursing desk, ready for my next task.

Grace catches up with me as I walk, falling into step. “Crazy, isn’t it?” she whispers, looking around, worried.

“I know,” I say, wrapping my arms around myself – not cold, just…worried. So anxious for all of these people whose futures are a complete mystery.

“Did you notice?” Grace whispers.

I stop my steps, frowning at her, not liking her tone of voice. “Notice what?”

She sighs and then meets my gaze. “The demographics,” she says, lifting one shoulder in a shrug.

I frown at her, not getting it.

Grace steps closer, lowering her voice, looking around like she doesn’t want anyone else to hear. “The patients, Nadia? They’re…nearly all women.”

My mouth falls open as I look around and realize that Grace’s got a point there. There are some young men, mostly in pairs or groups of three – all frail, and quiet, and worried. And one or two old men.

“Where are all themen?” Grace whispers, worried. “And more importantly…Nadi, where are all thekids?”

I look back to her, shocked.

Because she’s right.

Dozens of people here, and we haven’t seen a child all night.

“What – what does thatmean?” I whisper, completely freaked out. Grace shifts so that she’s at my side now, both of us looking around at the nearly full tent.

“I don’t know what it means,” she says, shaking her head. “But…half of these women – more than that – are ofchildbearing age.Surelysome of them have kids – but none of them are even upset. If they wereseparatedfrom their children, they’d be crying…”

I nod, agreeing with her. Everyone looks worried and tired, but no one is frantic. I sigh, not getting it. “I’ll…talk to dad. See what he thinks.”

Grace nods. “But now we have work to do?”

“Yup.” I say, nodding too. “It’s not that I don’t want to get to the bottom of it, Gracie. Just right now? Our job is to take care ofthesepeople, not wonder where their families are.”

We both give each other a grim smile, continuing to the desk and collecting new assignments from Daniel. We each take an intake sheet and head to the next bunks, continuing to work.

The hours absolutely fly. The tent seems to empty at some points – people who are all patched up heading out, gathered by their counselors elsewhere, making space for more. But whenever it seems we get bunks free, more patients come in.