Read Online Chasing Seth by J.R. Loveless - Free Book Online

the mess Bullet had left, and went to take a shower.

    Several cars were in the lot when he arrived. Wincing, he rushed into the clinic, immediately apologizing to the clients waiting in the reception area. Chessie handed him the first file, and after a quick perusal, he entered the examining room.

    The next three hours flew by nonstop, and exhaustion had set in by the time he had some downtime. He sank into the chair in his office and leaned his head back, heaving a sigh. His leg had healed, but the deep ache inside would take a few days to disappear.

    The phone on his desk buzzed. “Yes, Chessie,” he answered tiredly.

    “The sheriff is here to see you,” she said quietly, “and it looks serious.”

    Seth froze. His heart leapt into his throat, and it took several swallows before he could answer. “Tell him I’m not available,” he choked and hung up the phone.

    Seth heard Chessie call out to try and stop Kasey, but his door flew open roughly.

    Kasey stood there, eyes blazing. “Go back to your desk, Chessie,” he snarled at the still-yelling petite female behind him.

    Seth saw her glance at him, and he nodded reluctantly. “It’s fine, Chessie. Go on.” When the door closed behind the sheriff, the room immediately shrank in size. Seth’s chest ached, and he pinched the bridge of his nose.

    “We need to talk,” Kasey snapped.

    “I think we’ve said enough, Sheriff,” Seth replied in a low voice.

    Kasey prowled the room restlessly in front of him. Seth couldn’t quite read the Cheyenne’s face, but it appeared tight with some emotion he didn’t want to identify, and he shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “We haven’t finished yet, Doc. We need to talk about the fact that we’re mates.”

    “I am not your mate,” Seth ground out. He glared at the tall, virile man pacing his small office. “And you don’t want me to be, either. You made it blatantly obvious earlier this morning.”

    The man stopped, shoving a hand through his hair in frustration. “Yeah, and maybe I was wrong.”

    Seth’s mouth fell open in shock. “Excuse me?”

    Kasey pinned him in place with a sharp look. “You heard me. Maybe I was wrong.”

    Seth could clearly see the man wasn’t used to apologizing to anyone, and the stiff set of Kasey’s shoulders brought a cynical smile to his face. “I think you reacted correctly, Sheriff. But even if you are willing to ‘accept’ me as your mate, I’m not willing to accept you. Not only do you believe I am a liar, but you also can’t stand me because I’m white.”

    Kasey scowled at his refusal to even listen. “That was before I knew what you are.”

    “Doesn’t change the fact of what I am,” Seth pointed out in a strained voice.

    Before Seth could blink, Kasey stood next to his chair, towering over him. Unable to help himself, Seth flinched. The man gave him a harsh look. “I would never hurt you.”

    “You mean like this morning?” Seth challenged, watching in satisfaction when the older male paled beneath his tan.

    “I let my anger get the better of me,” Kasey bit out. “I never should have touched you in anger.” His eyes took on a strange gleam as he dropped into a crouch next to Seth’s chair, surprising the vet. “I’m sorry,” he murmured.

    The soft words left Seth speechless, not knowing what to say, but his mind whispered to him of his past and caused him to withdraw inside himself again. “Either way, it doesn’t matter, Sheriff,” he said in a voice devoid of emotion. “Now please leave me alone.”

    “I can’t do that,” Kasey said hoarsely. “My father would like to meet you. As another wolf in the pack’s territory, if you aren’t part of it, they will attempt to force you to leave if they know you’re here.”

    Seth wanted to cry. He’d been so sure this place would be perfect for him, a place to live without fear and pain plaguing his every step, but apparently he’d been wrong. “Fine. Give me a few weeks