The Bear's Forbidden Wolf: A Hot Paranormal Fantasy Saga with Witches, Werewolves and Werebears (Weres and Witches of Silver Lake Book 4) by Vella Day

up any longer.
    She glanced at the clock mounted on the brick wall. It was just after twelve noon, and she should head back to work, but she feared she might become distracted when working on a patient. On the other hand, maintaining a normal routine would be the only way to convince any Changeling that she believed in their cause. Changelings didn’t grieve.
    However, running into Blair would renew her pain. Hopefully, Kalan had called her already. Even though Blair barely knew Shamus, she would still be distraught.
    Other than self-pity, Ainsley couldn’t think of any reason to stay home. Sucking in all of her objections to crawl into bed and cry, Ainsley grabbed her purse and headed back to work.
    Though she believed she’d be able to stay calm while being among those who were healing, it wasn’t to be. The moment she spotted Blair’s red eyes, Ainsley nearly lost it.
    Her friend was talking with Eve at the front desk. While Ainsley didn’t detect any Changelings in the building, word might leak if Ainsley broke down in front of everyone, but she couldn’t walk on by without saying something. Ainsley wrapped an arm around her friend’s shoulder. “I’m guessing Kalan told you?”
    Blair spun around and hugged her. “Yes.”
    Not wanting to discuss the details in the open, she led Blair back to her room. Ainsley didn’t have a client for another hour, so she could have some undisturbed time with her friend.
    Three rust-colored padded chairs sat along one wall across from the table where she treated her patients. Ainsley guided Blair to those seats now. The only time more than one chair was used at the same time, was if Ainsley needed to discuss her procedure or nutrition plan with the family.
    “You saw him?” Blair asked.
    “Yes.” Giving only the minimum detail, Ainsley described what she was doing on the road. “I freaked out when I saw him.”
    “Why didn’t you call me?”
    “I wanted to, but I figured you might be treating a patient, and I don’t think I could have kept it together long enough if I had to speak with Eve first. I couldn’t call the police, so I asked Elana to contact Kalan for me.”
    Blair nodded. “That was smart. Kalan said that Jackson came to the crime scene. How did that go?”
    Blair seemed to have accepted the whole concept that she and Jackson were mates. “He was surprisingly nice.”
    Her brows rose. “I wonder what made him soften. I’m surprised he didn’t accuse you of harming Shamus.” Her lips curled in disgust.
    “I thought he might too, but I had no blood on me, and the marks indicated many animals were involved.”
    “Given you don’t know any other Changelings, he probably figured you were innocent,” Blair said.
    “That, and I had no reason to harm him. As far as not knowing any Changelings, I have met one. He came to the clinic yesterday.” She explained how she was on her way to treat his father in the hills when she’d spotted the body. As her mind shot to the image of the foot sticking out from the leaves, all of a sudden, a powerful blast of lust descended upon her. Ainsley gripped the chair, forcing herself to push back her desire. “Jackson’s here.”
    As if Blair had been lost in thought for a moment, she jumped up. “I wonder what he wants. Come with me.”
    “Why?” Blair must not understand how hard it was for Ainsley to be around Jackson. Her inner wolf wanted him, but she did not. He was judgmental, and while he was rough and tumble sexy, he wasn’t always nice. Right now, she needed nice, which was why she was talking to his sister and not him.
    “I bet he’s here to ask you some more questions.”
    “I just left him.”
    A knock sounded on the door. Damn. Eve poked her head in. “I thought you might be in here, Blair. Your brother wants to see how you’re holding up.” She looked over at Ainsley. “He asked to speak with you too.”
    Her brain froze, as did her mouth. There had to be something she could use as an excuse