Free Don't Moose With Her (Bearbank Book 1) by Ariana McGregor Page B

examined,” Dana insisted. “You can always wait outside the door.”
    Ethan shook his head. “Or I can wait right here. Where I can see you and know that you’re safe.”
    “Your mate can stay,” the doctor said, smiling at them. “Hard to keep a male shifter away from his mate when she’s hurt. I’m used to it.”
    Dana opened her mouth to say that he wasn’t her mate but Ethan spoke first.
    “Thanks, doc. I appreciate it.”
    Dana glared at him but he just smiled back. What the heck was he playing at?
    The doctor asked her about her injuries and poked and prodded a little. Thankfully, she didn’t have to undress. She was wearing a skirt, making access to her leg easy.
    “Nothing is broken, just badly bruised,” the doctor confirmed. “Your head and neck should be fine soon. The leg might take a little longer. Try to keep your weight off it as much as possible. It should all heal by itself.”
    “What about other injuries?” Ethan asked, his eyes scanning her body.
    “I’m fine,” Dana hissed. “Just bruises.”
    Ethan opened his mouth again but the doctor patted his arm.
    “Now, now,” she said. “Your mate is fine. She knows what hurts and what doesn’t. I’m sure she’ll let us know if there’s a problem. In the meantime, Dana, why don’t you shift into your other form for a little while. That’ll speed up the healing. There’s a room here you can use. Take a few hours and then you can shift back and go home. After that, you’ll need to take it easy for a few days. By then, you should be back to normal.”
    “Okay,” Dana agreed. Trying to sit up made her dizzy, so Ethan gently pushed her back down and scooped her up. Since the room was still spinning, she decided to let him.
    “Okay, Muscles,” the doctor said, smiling. “Follow me.”
    The doctor led them to a room with a bed. Dana blushed as she caught sight of it and peeked up to see Ethan’s knowing grin. Why did he have to be so frickin' attractive?
    “I’m staying,” he said firmly, before she could even suggest he leave.
    “I’ll be around if you need anything,” the doctor said, smiling as she closed the door, leaving her alone with the big bad wolf. And a bed.
    Ethan laid her gently on the bed and stepped back. “Need some help getting undressed?”
    Yes! “No!” she squealed. “I’ll manage. Could you wait outside for a minute?” She was not performing a striptease for the man.
    “Hell no,” Ethan said pleasantly. “Consider me your new personal bodyguard. I go where you go.” Errr... what? He could not be serious.
    “I am not getting naked with you standing there, watching me!” she exclaimed. “At least turn around… not facing the mirror!” He snorted in amusement as she foiled his plan but he did turn around to face the door.
    She stripped as quickly as she could considering moving caused her pain and made her queasy. She wasn’t entirely sure she trusted him to remain facing away. Finally naked, she allowed the change to wash over her. She mooed softly to let Ethan know he could turn around.
    He turned and looked at her. “You’re beautiful,” he said softly. He walked over and sat on a chair beside the bed. His hand stretched out and stroked the fur down her back, making her shiver in delight. She peered up at him and he gently petted her nose. Her moose was in heaven.
    “Why don’t you get some sleep, sweetheart,” Ethan suggested, his voice soft. “I’ll be right here.”
    She mooed quietly at him and closed her eyes. Feeling secure for the moment, she let herself drift off.

Chapter 19
     
     
    Ethan watched his mate sleep. Yeah, so it was probably a little creepy but he had meant what he said. He fully intended to stick to her like glue until the Shifter Stalker had been caught. He had already been rethinking his position on mating since the first threat to Dana. It had aroused his protective instincts and sharpened his interest in her. Although, if he was being honest with himself