Page 16 of The Enforcers: NOAH

“So, I guess we’re doing it now then.”

Creston didn’t answer, just sat down in a leather chair and gestured for Noah to take the couch. The study looked like it was straight out of a movie set—deep leather couches, dim lighting, and dark bookshelves full of important-looking books no one ever read.

“Did you harm yourself?” Creston asked. “I noticed you limping. Would you like me to check it?”

No, I don’t want you seeing my leg almost got cut off and had expert surgery from someone who’s not a shifter.Hell, he didn’t even want this dude touching his skin. Creston gave him the creeps.

“It’s nothing, just a cut,” Noah said. “It’ll heal.”

Creston nodded, not taking his eyes from Noah’s. It almost reminded him of Mina’s little boy, except Brock’s gaze was comforting and this was…not.

“I’m concerned about your missed appointment.”

“You don’t care,” Noah heard himself saying. “You hate keeping tabs on me as much as I hate having you do it.”

Whoa. Where did that come from? He’d been a good little wolf up until now, pretending to respect the system. Now, suddenly, he didn’t give a shit.

Creston’s eyebrows went up slightly in surprise. “That’s more candid than usual, Mr. Reilly.”

Noah shrugged. “Yeah, well, I wasn’t fooling anyone by being a good boy, was I?”

Creston didn’t answer that. “Were you in wolf form from the time you abandoned your car last night?”

Whoa, this dude really was keeping tabs on him.

“No,” Noah said, knowing he was being deliberately uncooperative.

“How long were you a wolf?” Creston’s voice had that “I’m at the edge of my patience” tone. Huh. Less than five minutes. That might be a record.

Noah gazed at him, wondering how far he could push it. “Long enough to eat the piggies,” he said. Creston just stared him down, so he gave up. “About sixteen hours,” he said, counting in his head. “But I was asleep for most of it.”

Under anesthesia, but no one had to know that.

“In other words, you’re missing time.”

“No, I was asleep,” Noah repeated.

Creston raised his eyebrows. “So, you didn’t go from one place to another without remembering how you got there? You fell asleep and woke up in the same place.”

Noah leaned back on the couch. He knew exactly how he’d gotten from the woods to the clinic. He’d fallen asleep in Mina’s care, and woken the same way. “Yep,” he said.

He didn’t know whether the shrink believed him or not, and he didn’t really care. He wanted to go take a shower, and then figure out a way to help Mina. “Can I go now?”

Creston was gazing at him contemplatively. “You seem much more relaxed than I’ve observed previously, Mr. Reilly. May I ask what’s changed?”

I met a human and fell in love with her. And her son. I’m sure I’ll get over it soon, though. I always do.

“I found a hobby,” he said. “You know, those adult coloring books? I got one with cute woodland animals in it. I color them all purple. Very relaxing.”

Creston gave his head a slight shake. “Make sure you keep your next appointment, or I’ll be forced to notify the Council.”

Goody for you.“Yeppers,” Noah said, getting to his feet. “Have a nice night. Try to get laid—it’ll do you good.”

He sauntered out, trying hard not to limp.

He didn’t have a hobby, but he did have somebody to do something for. He’d gone into the military at eighteen, and then straight into the Enforcers. He was used to serving—to having a purpose.

He liked feeling that again. For the first time in a long time, it made him feel like a man.