Tangled

84 Ava: Doctor’s Care

Dr. Ellison never appears before me again. @

My new doctor is an older woman who smells like a mix of raw meat and chocolate chip cookies. Like a bunny–slaughtering, chubby grandma. It’s an odd mix that makes my nose wrinkle a little.

“Good morning, Miss Grey,” she greets me, her voice gentle and sweet, belying her stocky frame. It only adds to the Disney grandma effect, still with a side of vicious killer. “I’m Dr. Annise Beaumont, and I’ll be taking over your care from now on.”

She moves closer, and I flinch without thinking, tensing at her approach.

The rational part of my mind knows she’s here to help,

but after the disastrous encounter with Dr. Ellison, I

can’t shake the sense of unease that settles in the pit of my stomach. I don’t want to be touched by people

who hate me.

Dr. Beaumont seems to notice my apprehension, knitting her brows together as she watches me. “I’ve heard of your issues with Dr. Ellison. He’s well known

C 84 Ava: Doctor’s Care

to be a bit of a problem child. Too big for his britches after heading

ng off to university. No need to worry, dear. I don’t care what pack you’re from. I’m just going to check your vitals and take a look at those wounds, make sure everything is healing properly.”

Of course. All important things a normal doctor would

1. do.

to relax a little

grandma scent, her fingers surprisingly deft as they press against my wrist to

gentle, almost maternal touch

is a little elevated,” she murmurs, -more to herself than to me. “But that’s to be expected, given the

blood pressure. “That should go up with some medication changes,” she says, before launching into a casual story about how her

ill from some sort

13

217

Ava: Doctor’s

bug, horrifying all the shifter parents at daycare. Turns out, she’d eaten something she shouldn’t, and there was

her soothing cadence, the tension slowly ebbing from my body as she works, carefully checking every wound on my face and neck

my breath catching in my throat. Vivid memories of the fight with Todd flash through my mind, and I have to squeeze my eyes shut to block out the images.

pulling me back

eyes open, fixing my gaze on her face as she carefully peels back

betraying none of the revulsion

Doctor’s Care

well. We’ll need to keep them clean and change the dressings regularly,

works in silence for a few

wounds. When she’s finished, she steps back, giving me an appraising look that makes me feel like

quite an ordeal, haven’t you, dear?” she says at last, her voice laced with sympathy. “But you’re a fighter, I can see that. And with the right help, you’ll come

my mouth to respond, but she holds

We’ll have plenty of time to talk later. I’m going to reduce the frequency of your pain medication, and now that you’re awake I’ll have you swallow them as

Doctor’s Care

through the

as though she’s

labs morning and evening, just to make sure everything’s going well. Our healer, Vanessa, seems quite taken with you, so she’ll be checking on you daily. Most of our healers are on par with doctors, but without the required licensing of the government. I’m not sure how it was in your old pack, but here,

her no–nonsense

you need anything, your

takes

bed, picking it up from behind it

“Here. Nurses

I or my colleagues. can come chat with you, okay?” Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and