“Nice, back to deflecting with aggression again are we. I can heal that up for you,” she offered.
“Nope, no you’re not. You’ve spent the night help saving Chris’ life. You are not pushing yourself even more for a bump on the head,” she argued and Qin Xuan huffed.
“You know she’s right. You need rest, Ms. Stewart,” someone said and Lily glanced over behind Qin Xuan to see a man walk out of a room. He was tall, built, looked Native American, and by the scrubs she assumed he was the doctor. He smiled when he saw Lily, making her suddenly suspicious, and stuck out his hand. “You must be Lily, I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said and she eyed his hand for a moment before taking it.
“I’m sure it isn’t flattering and frankly I have no idea who you are,” she replied as they shook hands, but he didn’t seem phased at all by her comment.
“I’m not high on the pack hierarchy enough I suppose. I’m Doctor Malcolm Litefoot,” he told her. “And it all depends on who you talk to. Your family say nothing but good things and others… well not so much,” he added with a laugh and it was now that Ginger chose to show up, with a few bruises and a sling. While Lily knew, she was the cause of the bruises she was sure that the sling was for pure show. She openly glared at Lily but completely changed when she saw James.
She whimpered and rushed over to him. “James you’re back! Look, look what she did to me,” she whined to him in a pout then glared at Lily.
“Keep looking at me and I’m going to go get my filleting knives out,” Lily threatened at her and Ginger gawked and huffed, tugging on James’ arm.
“Did you hear her?” She told him and James sighed, trying to free himself. “She openly threatened me! You all heard it,” she said, looking directly at Tony.
“Speaking of others,” Lily muttered, deciding to tune out the woman and the doctor grinned, leaning over to whisper.
“She is a handful. She has no medical reason for that sling I just gave it to shut her up,” he whispered and Lily couldn’t help herself. She burst out laughing, ignoring the look Ginger was giving her now. “How’s your head? It looks a lot better than before. I have to say it’s amazing not only that you recovered from that but the speed of the recovery,” he told her, sounding impressed.
Lily started to reply when James walked up to her, putting his arm around her and setting his hand on her hip. It was clearly a possessive gesture but since she wasn’t sure if it was for the doctor or Ginger’s benefit, she let him get away with it. Especially since she gave into her childish side and enjoyed Ginger’s anger and jealousy.
“James! What are you doing? Did you not just listen to me? She attacked me for no reason! How can you just let her get away with it? How can all of you let her get away with it,” she nearly yelled at them.
“Tell me one thing Ginger,” James said coldly, “Did you not insult Lily first? Call her a monster?” Ginger seemed taken aback, at first, then huffed, putting her hands on her hips.
“Everyone calls her that,” Ginger told him. “James she-” she started, but he cut her off.
“Where I can hear them they won’t and did you not tell her to stay away from me and claim me as your own? Which by all our laws is an open challenge,” he demanded and her brow furrowed.
“It’s only a challenge if she was your mate James and why would you ever do that again after what she did the last time silly,” she told him with a shake of her head and a little grin. Despite her attempts to stop him, James pulled Lily to face Ginger and pulled down the shoulder of her shirt to expose the mark on her shoulder. Ginger paled, sitting down in one of the chairs and didn’t say another word.
“Are you done?” Lily snapped pulling up her shirt.
“Well he certainly made his point,” Doctor Litefoot said with a chuckle and Lily sighed with exasperation and shook her head. “I know this may not be the most opportune time, but I was wondering if you would be willing to talk about Thompson and his research.” Lily eyed him cautiously and she felt James arm that was still around her waist stiffen.
“Why do you want to talk about that,” She asked him and pushed James arm off if her.
“I know how it sounds Lily, but I have the best intentions. I’m asking because I’d like to look at what he’s done and reverse it. I know the Aequivalere are supposedly looking into it but what can an extra pair of eyes hurt,” he said with a small grin. “You don’t have to decide anything right now. I know now there is a lot more to worry about but maybe, after all, this we can meet for lunch,” he added.
“I’ll think about it doctor and when this is all over and I’m still alive I’ll let you know what I decide,” she told him and he seemed appeased with that.
“You sure that’s a good idea Lily,” James asked quietly when the doctor left. He clearly didn’t think so by the tone of his voice. If she didn’t know better, she’d almost think he was jealous of the doctor. It seemed the mark was really starting to mess with their heads. It wasn’t a happy thought. They didn’t need distractions right now.
“I guess we’ll see.” She finished with a small shrug and added, “Either way we got bigger fish to fry James.”
“What she said,” Tony jumped in. “I’m calling a meeting to address the vampire threat. It’ll be in the pack meeting hall in one hour. I want to see both of you there… Lily,” he said making a point to stare her down.
“What?” She demanded and Tony just smiled.