“I growled at Maddox and Grey?”
“You were out of it when it happened, from what I understand. Which means the bond is deep.”
“Wait,” Cade frowned, running a hand through his hair. “What bond? I just fucking met her.” Though he definitely liked the idea of having her in his life on the regular. “And you guys already had a briefing? Why wasn’t I in on that?”
As the second Gamma, he was in on all the debriefs. Usually.
“Like I said, you were out of it.”
“I’ve been awake all fucking night.”
“We didn’t meet officially. Madd—”
“Hello?” someone called from down the hall. “Doctor Truett?”
That voice.
Without thinking, Cade took off toward that gorgeous voice.
Lucy.
His Lucy was here.
No, she wasn’t his, he reminded himself as he shambled down the hall, not officially. Not yet. They’d only just met after all, and she’d thought he was a dog. Tane was talking to him, but Cade wasn’t listening.
Fuck protocol. He had to see her.
Chapter Seven
Despite Tane’s yammering and the pain in his hip and leg, Cade kept on toward the front of the clinic, following that beautiful voice.
Lucy was an absolute vision, with her dark hair in a thick, shiny braid hanging over the front of one of her golden shoulders.
“What are you doing here?” The words came out even though he’d just thought them and he bit back a curse. She had no idea who he was.
She stepped back on an inhale, her lips forming a little o. That combined with the surprise in those caramel-brown eyes did something to him and Cade took a deep breath himself, trying to cool the heat that had suddenly suffused his veins. God, she looked edible in her green shorts and floral tank top. The low hiking shoes matched her shorts, but Cade wondered what she’d look like in heels.
Probably fucking fantastic.
And what the fuck was wrong with him?
Here she was in the flesh and instead of talking to her like a decent person, he was ogling her like some—
“Um,” Lucy shook her head on another inhale. “Hi.” She smiled shyly. “Is Doctor Truett in?”
“He’s out for the morning.” Tane said before Cade could speak. “Can we help you?”
Cade disliked the way Lucy sized up his boss, taking in Tane’s powerful body with those gorgeous eyes of hers. He flexed his fingers, fighting the urge to fist them as she gazed up into Tane’s face with wonder. Cade cleared his throat, taking a step forward, trying to get her to break the eye contact with Tane and look at him instead.
She lowered her gaze, but it took a moment before she focused on him. The smile she gave him took his breath away.
Simple, pure. Lovely.
“I have a few things to drop off for the clinic.” She glanced at Tane, then back to him. “I wasn’t sure where to put them. Maybe I should have called ahead.”
“No, it’s fine.” Cade smiled brightly, taking another step closer. “We’re happy to help you.” He glanced around the room. “Where are the items?”
“In my car.”
