Desired by Wolves [Call of the Wolf 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Diane Leyne Page B

also helped him when people saw that Lena’s best friend was happy to see him back.
    What the hell had he been thinking staying away for so long?
     
    * * * *
     
    Joe looked at Alex and then over to Will and back to Alex. He hadn’t seen his big brother look like this since he’d been home. He’d sat home in the dark staring at the television, often in wolf-dog form. Sometimes he’d disappear for a few hours but would never tell them where he went.
    When he’d come to the club night before last, Joe had seen a glimpse of the old Alex, but once they’d realized that Lena was there, he saw Alex’s courage fail him, and big brother had metaphorically turned tail and run. But now he was sitting out on a patio in the center of town and making small talk with a regular trickle of people who wanted to stop and say hello.
    He was eating, too. Penelope had taken away one plate, but when she’d delivered three Big Breakfasts, Alex had tucked into his with a gusto Joe hadn’t seen since he got home. Whatever he’d been up to this morning had put him in a really good mood. Joe thought about how to word his question.
    “So, where the hell did you go so early this morning?” asked Will. Joe laughed. His twin had no worries about tactful phrasing.
    “I met Lena down at her clinic. She took some X-rays of my leg in human and shifted form. She knows a doctor who treats shifters, an orthopaedic specialist. No guarantees, but she thinks he may be able to help me.”
    Joe had just taken a sip of coffee and now found himself choking on it. Will not so helpfully pounded on his back while Alex smirked at him. The bastard had known the impact his words would have.
    “Seriously?” Will’s tone was incredulous, reflecting Joe’s own emotions.
    “Bro, we’ve been trying to get you to see someone since you got home. What changed your mind? Not that I’m complaining, but what happened?”
    “Lena.”
    “You know, Alex, Lena’s a vet, not a people doctor.”
    “Yes, Will, I know what kind of medico Lena is. But I’m not always people. Besides, she didn’t give me a choice. She said that if I didn’t show up this morning, she was coming by with a leash and dragging me down to her clinic.”
    “She’d have done it, too.” Will laughed. “And I’d have paid good money to see that. I was disappointed that I missed the spectacle of Samantha walking Gabe, but seeing Lena walk you on a leash would have totally made up for it.”
    “Sorry to have to disappoint you, baby brother. Another time, perhaps.”
    “Yeah, well, if it ever does happen, I’d better get to see it. The big bad Alpha on a leash. I’ll get a photo, and it’ll be my Christmas card.”
    “Shut up, Will." Joe's tone was annoyed. "Alex, seriously, how did you end up at Lena’s clinic? You didn’t even want to face her last week.”
    “Long story. Short story is that she’s sent off my X-rays and now we play the waiting game.” He put down his fork. “Now that hit the spot. I think I’m going to head over to McAllisters and see if Gabe’s around. See you later, boys. Maybe I’ll drop into Lupo’s tonight. I can help behind the bar if you like.”
    Without waiting for a reply, Alex levered himself out of his seat and picked up the cane.
    “Where did you get that? We tried to get you to use one…” Joe’s voice trailed off. “Lena.”
    Alex grinned. “Yeah, she can be kind of bossy sometimes.”
    Will and Joe looked at each other and then at Alex’s departing back. He was limping and a bit awkward with the cane, but he was moving well.
    “Well, that was interesting,” offered Will.
    “Yeah, I wonder if that’s really Alex or another shifter borrowing Alex’s face. Big brother has not been that upbeat since he’s been back. We should have forced him to see Lena when he arrived.”
    “I wonder how this is going to impact us?” wondered Will.
    “It isn’t all about us, you know.”
    “I know, and I’m happy that Lena and Alex seem to