Read Figure of Speech (Halle Shifters) for Free Online Page B

“He retired six months ago. I just managed to replace him.” It was one of the many reasons he’d been so swamped. He’d had to take on not only his own patients, but Doc Klein’s as well. “He had that massive heart attack and was forced to take early retirement.”
    From the expression on their faces they hadn’t known that little tidbit. Neither of them owned pets, and they’d been busy with their own personal issues. “No wonder you’ve been unavailable,” Alex muttered.
    “And I wasn’t able to talk to anyone about any of this, not even Emma. Between my parents, Spencer’s illness, and Doc Klein? I was fucking swamped. Then I get the whole fur-faced thing plopped on top of that, and we’re lucky I’m not in a hug-me jacket humming ‘Psycho Chicken’.”
    “You still need to…psycho what?” Ryan tilted his head. “There’s a song called ‘Psycho Chicken’?” He turned to Alex. “Why haven’t I heard of this?”
    Alex grunted, ignoring his insane cousin. “You still need to make time for Chloe.”
    Ryan was glaring again, but there was a little more sympathy in his gaze too.
    “I plan on it.”
    “Good.” Ryan held out his hand. “Make sure you talk to Julian before you confront Chloe about the bond they have. He’ll be able to explain it better than we can.”
    “And ask Cyn how she feels about it.” Alex took his hand next. “She’s in the same position you are, so she’ll be able to give you a little more insight on how your Wolf will react when the two of them connect.”
    The more Jim heard about this the less he liked it. He was definitely going to have to speak to Julian and Cyn, preferably before he spoke to Chloe. “I’ll talk to him.”
    “Good.” Ryan looked relieved, but Alex still looked a bit worried. “Chloe won’t admit it but I know she’s concerned about how you’ll react to her bond along with everything else that’s wrong with her.”
    “I didn’t leave her alone because she has trouble talking. I was taking care of a terminally ill brother.” Jim wanted that clear right from the start. “Besides, I knew nothing about shifters and mates. If I had, things might have been different.” If Chloe had been up front with him, he would have…
    Hell, he would have freaked the fuck out, but he wasn’t completely unreasonable. Once he’d seen her shift he would have believed her. The undeniable draw toward her would have been explained. The need to simply breathe the same air as her would have made perfect sense.
    “Would they?” Alex was watching him, his expression skeptical. “I’ve seen what happens when humans find out about us. Some of them accept it just fine, but most run as far and as fast as they can.”
    “Not from Chloe, I wouldn’t have.” Not ever.
    “You already did.” Ryan patted him on the shoulder. “But at least you’re not running anymore, right?”
    “Right.” Jim rubbed his shoulder once Ryan lifted his gigantic, fifty-pound paw off of it. What the fuck did the Bunsun-Williamses feed their kids? Stainless steel Wheaties?
    “By the way, does the Curana know now what was going on?” Alex glanced at his watch, frowning when he saw the time.
    “I introduced Spence to Chloe and Emma at the same time. We stopped by Wallflowers and they bonded over tea and my assholeness.”
    Alex chuckled. “Good. I need to go. Tabby’s expecting me. She’s got a doctor’s appointment.” Alex shook Jim’s hand again. “We’re watching you.”
    Aw, that hit him right in the feels.
    “Ditto.” Ryan shook hands too. “I need to call Glory and let her know we’re on our way back.” Already he’d pulled his cell phone from his pocket, a worried expression on his face.
    “How are the panic attacks?” Glory had relapsed after being shot, the panic attacks that she’d suffered through in her late teens returning with a vengeance. Chloe told him she was doing better, but he wanted to hear it from Ryan as well.
    “She’s doing better,