Anira

I wake up feeling all my muscles relaxed. The large bed initially startled me—it could fit about ten people—but then I just hugged the pillows and fell asleep.

I check the time and see it’s six in the morning. I need to get to the clinic by eight, and I’ve heard that Arow will pick me up so we can go together.

I jump out of bed and head straight to the bathroom, shocked by what I see. My hair is almost in its natural state. I go to my bag and grab the hair dye I brought, thinking I wouldn’t need it so soon. I apply the product to my long hair, which needs a trim since it’s past my waist. Once I finish, I decide to have breakfast so the product can process for the recommended time before I take a shower.

I prepare a hearty breakfast for Arow as well—nothing better than being welcomed with food. If he’s anything like Jacob, he’ll eat for two or three. I smile at my exaggeration and, when everything is ready, I turn on the coffee machine and head to the shower.

After drying my hair, now a comfortable shade of blonde, I hear the doorbell ring. I check the time and see it’s fifteen minutes to eight.

I go downstairs to open the door, and when I see him, I freeze. Arow is tall, with dark skin, but it’s his nearly silver eyes that stop me in my tracks.

"Good morning, you must be Dr. Anira," he says. His sideways smile would be sexy if it weren’t for the fact that he’s perfectly gorgeous and paralyzing.

"Uh, yes, good morning. I am, but you can call me Ann," I say, trying to compose myself.

"Thank you, Ann. Shall we go?"

"Actually, I made coffee. Would you like some?" His curious look and the way he sniffs the air are amusing.

"So that pleasant smell comes from here?"

"I believe so," I reply awkwardly.

"Of course I’ll have some!" His smile widens, and I let him in.

I close the door behind us and lead Arow to the kitchen. He sits at the table where I indicate, and I bring the coffee to the table, taking a seat myself.

“I need to find out what they put in the water in this town. You’re the second man I’ve seen who’s almost, what, two meters tall?” His laughter is deep.

“I’m 1.98 meters.”

“Does everyone here look like this?”

“Almost,” he winks at me.

“Let’s eat. I think we’ll be late for my first day,” I say, starting to serve myself after he does.

“Don’t worry, Doctor. Your first appointment is at ten. I never refuse food; the truth is, turning down an invitation to eat is almost a crime here in Forty Mile.”

“Good to know. Is there anything else I should be aware of?”

“About?”

“About anything.”

“Never go to the house on the hill, under any circumstances, ever.”

“Interesting. When you said ‘house on the hill,’ it sounded like a horror movie,” I smile at him.

“It’s not, but Auror Vont’in lives there. He’s a reclusive man and doesn’t like visitors.”

“A grump?” Arow’s expression makes me smile. “Don’t worry, I won’t go. First, because I’ve been warned, and second, because I don’t want to meet him.” I wink at him. “What else?”

“We’ll be going to the Moriah farm, and they’re not too fond of outsiders.” His words make me worried.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be with me, Doctor. I can protect you.”

“Good to know I need security here,” I smile.

As expected, Arow eats for almost three people, but it’s satisfying to see him enjoy the meal. My mother used to say that our guests needed to feel at home, in our home.

“Did something happen?” His voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

“No, why?”

“You suddenly went quiet and had a distant look.”

“I was just remembering my mother.”

“I imagine it’s not easy being away from your family, but you can always call when you feel homesick.”

“I only have Emmy, my best friend. My mother passed away a few years ago.”

“I’m sorry.” I smile because I still don’t know how to handle her early death, especially on my eighteenth birthday.

“Well, it’s in the past,” I try to change the mood.

Arow smiles and gets up from the table, helping me clear the mess and load the dishes into the dishwasher.

“I think we’re done. How about we head out?” I say, grabbing my bag.

We step outside, and I see a large burgundy truck, exactly like Jacob’s, but in a different color.

“Do you know how to drive, Ann?” His question makes me smile.

“Yes.”

“Take it; it’s yours.” He throws the keys to me, which I almost drop in surprise.

“Mine?”

“Yes, it’s in the contract. Actually, it belongs to the clinic, but you can use it for whatever you need.”

I open the door and get inside. The truck even has a lower step, as if adapted for shorter people. I sit in the driver’s seat and admire the dashboard; the truck is fully equipped and automatic, which makes my life much easier.

“Show me the way to the clinic,” I ask once Arow is seated.

We drive there; it’s not far from my house, just four blocks. Along the way, I seem to be a novelty, as everyone looks at me with curiosity while greeting my assistant.

Parking in front of the clinic in the spot reserved for me, I receive a set of keys that, according to Arow, has a duplicate. We enter, and I’m greeted by the two staff members working here.

“Doctor Anira, these are Alenna and Michelly, the receptionists and assistants.” Both are perfectly lovely, and Alenna’s gaze toward Arow does not go unnoticed.

“Welcome, Doctor,” they both greet me.

“Thank you! But please, call me Ann.”

“Yes.”

I’m shown around the clinic, and I’m impressed by the surgery room—it’s fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Knowing this makes me happy; I’ll have all the resources needed to care for any animal that comes in needing help.