“Have you seen or talked to Dr.Matthias in the past few days?”
I suck in a breath.“No…” I don’t have to explain why, do I?No one but Daisy and Missy know about our fake wedding.And no one else needs to know.“I haven’t seen him.”
“Oh, I thought…someone said they saw you on the Ferris wheel together.They thought you were a couple.Silly small town gossip.”She waves it away, and I swallow, trying not to let tears prick my eyes.“It’s just that he hasn’t shown up to the clinic.He’s not answering our calls.Nancy asked a few townspeople, but I don’t think anyone’s seen him since he got back…”
My skin prickles with warning.That isn’t like Matthias.He’s rock solid.Dependable as a clock.He never lets anyone down.That’s why he was the guy who took the sole responsibility of caring for his mom.
So if he hasn’t shown up to work…something’s wrong.
I hate the pink princess heart inside me that wants to believe it’s because of me.That he cares.That he’s as hurt as I am over our ending.
I try to keep my expression neutral.“Have you tried his family?His brothers?Or his mom?”
“No.He didn’t have anyone listed for his emergency contact.Nancy had the number for one of his brothers…the one who keeps a garage.Ansel?”
“Axel.”
“She called him, and he told her ‘Matthias needs to pull his head out of his…rear’.”She winces, and I bite back a little smile.Axel doesn’t filter for anyone.“That he’s unwell, and he’d be ‘useless to both man and bear.Whatever that means.”
He’s unwell.
My worry for Matthias ratchets higher.Something’s definitely wrong.
I reach into my pocket and finger my wedding ring.I kept it, even though I gave the diamond necklace back.
If Matthias is in trouble, would he want to see me?
“I…I’ll make some calls,” I tell her.
But that doesn’t feel right.
“No, I’ll go by his place.”
“Thank you.Nancy’s working doubles, and I’m calling in every favor to get some part time help, but we really need him.”
I’ve never been to Matthias’ cabin.Before our date, before Vegas, we barely interacted.Still, something gives the authority to feel I have the right to go to his place uninvited.
More than the fact that I’m his legal wife.It’s that I suspect–no, I’m certain–that Matthias’ absence is about me.He’s unwell because of me.I try to remember what he explained when he was giving me his doctorly summary on the mating of his species.
If a male shifter finds his mate but doesn’t claim her, he can go moon mad.
Is Matthias going moon mad without me?But no, he has his Moon Cure.Except…he told me he wouldn’t take it if it bothered me.
Oh God.
He said when a shifter went feral, they’d have to be put down.
Put down.
My fear spikes higher.
Matthias is the sort of man who is ethical to a fault.If he’s honoring my wishes and not taking Moon Cure and also not making contact with me, then I need to be the one to go to him.
Because Matthias belongs to me.
That thought startles me, but it feels true.Maybe he’s right, maybe this thing between us is just biology, but to me, it feels like love.Like he’s the most important person in the world to me, and if he’s hurt, I’m hurt.That it’s my responsibility, right, and privilege to go and check on him and make sure he’s okay.
I slip the wedding ring back on my finger and take off my smock.
