by
When werewolf Yves Diamond happens on a multi-vehicle crash on a Manitoba highway, he ignores the danger and rescues Will Mandel from a burning car. The moment he sets eyes and hands on Will, Yves knows the man belongs in his life. If Will survives his injuries.
Waking days later in a hospital, Will is confused by the presence of a man the nurses believe is his relative. But something in him recognizes that Yves is meant to be in his life. As Will’s recovery continues and Yves visits him frequently, the connection between the two grows into something neither can ignore–and neither dares to admit.
Werewolf law prohibits telling humans that werewolves exist–and once Yves’s Alpha learns about the visits with Will, he forbids Yves any further contact with the human. Having Will has changed Yves’s life for the better, but their bond might be severed before it can fully form.
This story includes description of a vehicle accident scene; fears of losing mobility that border on ableism; and references to PTSD. The story is set in the Real Werewolves Don't Eat Meat universe but is not part of that series.
Cover Artists:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 1
Romantic Content: 4
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 36-45
Protagonist 2 Age: 26-35
Word Count: 19000
Setting: Manitoba, Canada
Languages Available: English
Yves had promised to see me every day, and he kept that promise even though the second day after I asked him to continue visiting, he mentioned the two-hour drive.
“Four hours?” My voice was still hoarse. I’d learned the hard way that clearing my throat didn’t do a damn thing to change that, but it made the pain worse. “Four hours to see me?”
“You’re worth it.” He quirked his lips. “I’ve driven farther for less of a good reason. Didn’t mean to bring it up, though, so can we forget it?”
I couldn’t, but I nodded. I was worth it to him. That sent warmth through me, and without thinking, I held out my hand. He took it and gave it a light squeeze.
“How’s the pain today?” He touched his throat. “Can you talk?”
“Just did,” I pointed out.
“Fair enough.” He chuckled. “I mean without too much pain. I’d like to know more about you, and you don’t have the computer to fill me in.”
READ MOREI grinned, but then I realized what he was asking. He wanted to know more about me. I didn’t have anything to hide…except the feelings I was beginning to develop for him. Every time he looked at me, under my anger, under the pain, something stirred. Maybe it was just because he’d literally saved my life, but something told me this guy belonged with me. Forever, maybe.
Sappy bullshit, but I couldn’t shake it when he was there. Or when he wasn’t but my mind conjured images of his smile, his kind brown eyes, his voice with its accent that grew thicker sometimes depending on his mood. He and I belonged together. The way he looked at me, I was pretty sure he thought so too, but I wasn’t sure enough to completely believe it.
“I was going to be a doctor.” That wasn’t what I’d planned to say, but the words came out before I stopped to think. “I am a doctor. I have the degree. I was on my way to an interview for an internship when the accident…” My voice choked, and it had nothing to do with pain.
“I’m sorry.” He squeezed my hand again. “Maybe they’ll let you reschedule?”
Shaking my head, I gestured at my pelvis. “No point. Not now, anyway. Need to get better first.”
“That’s true. You are the most important thing here.” He gave me a gentle smile. “I am sorry, Will. I can’t imagine what it’s like for you right now, and I don’t want to pretend I know. Or give you cliches and platitudes about how everything is for the best, because it certainly isn’t. Becoming a doctor takes time.”
“A long time.” Nine years of my life so far, because I’d had to slow down my studies when my mind threatened to give out on me. Burnout was an all too real thing in med school, and I’d hit it during my second year. I’d taken time off to rest and recover, and then I’d gone back and finished.
Time to rest and recover. Like I had no choice but to take now.
“You’re strong,” Yves said. “When I found you, do you remember what you were yelling? You weren’t asking for help for yourself.”
“The kids.” I shuddered as my mind provided a too-clear image of those little ones in the back seat of the burning car. I’d seen their father get out to survey the damage and then run when he saw the smoke. Why he hadn’t spared a thought for his kids, I couldn’t comprehend. So I’d yelled, praying that someone would hear.
Someone had. And the kids were all right, from what I’d been told when I demanded to know. I wasn’t all right yet, but at least I was alive. Sometimes I wasn’t sure that was a good thing, but with Yves beside me, I believed it was.
COLLAPSE
