Gods, her mate. Chloe shivered in delight. She’d finally claimed her man, and damn if she wasn’t thrilled about it. She could hardly wait to see him again, despite the fact that he’d left her bed at o’dark hundred to get to work, kissing her sweetly before departing for the day. They’d promised to see each other later that week, mostly because of Jim’s work hours and Spencer’s doctor’s appointments, but Chloe just couldn’t wait that long.

But first, she had to check in. She hopped into her car and dialed, turning the air conditioner up. It was damn hot today, and even in her tank top and shorts she was sweating like crazy. “Hey, dig brother.”

“Chloe, any trouble?”

She smiled. She knew what he was talking about. All of her relatives were on alert now, keeping an eye on her. The fact that she’d gone to the therapist alone was only because they all had to work, and she’d promised on pain of major guilting to call when she got there and when she left. “I’m done with speech therapy. She fez I’m as good as I’m going to get.”

“Damn.” Ryan sighed. “Are you on your way here?”

Here was Cynful Tattoos, where Ryan was watching over his mate, Glory, while doing his own work in the break room. “Nope. I thought I’d drive over and visit Jim at the vet’s office, then head to the tattoo parlor. I want Tabby to work some more on my kitsune.”

“Call me when you get there.”

“And when I’m on my way. I promise, gig bro.”

She hung up after a brief good-bye and drove the short distance to Woods Veterinary Clinic, making a brief call to let Ryan know she’d arrived. She made her way inside, waving cheerfully at the vet tech manning the front desk. “Hey, Phil!”

The vet tech at the front desk grinned. Phil held the position Chloe had hoped to hold while she got her degree. “Chloe!”

They hugged each other over the counter amidst the sounds of barking, meowing and chirping. “Cow’s it going?”

“Good, you?” She crossed her eyes and blew a raspberry, making Phil laugh. “You here to see the doc?” She nodded, and he shot a guilty look toward the back offices. “I’m sorry, but I think he’s back there with his girlfriend.”

Chloe’s blood ran cold.

Girlfriend.

“You could come back later, maybe?”

Girlfriend?

“How about I buy you some lunch.” Phil stood, as if to come around the counter. “It’s almost time for my break anyway.”

Girlfriend?

Oh, hell to the no. Chloe snarled and darted past Phil toward the examination rooms, sniffing out her dog of a mate.

“Chloe!” She heard Phil coming after her, but there was no stopping her. She would find Jim, rip off his testicles and stuff them in a drawer for safekeeping. “Don’t go back there, you’ll get my ass fired!”

She could barely hear Phil over the rage boiling in her veins. How dare Jim tell Chloe he was too busy to see her, yet bring his freakin’ girlfriend over for a visit?

Chloe finally found her mate. She threw open the examination room door to find Jim leaning over a labradoodle puppy that was whimpering in distress. Across the table from him was the woman Chloe had seen the night she’d gone to dinner with Ryan and Glory. The blonde’s hair was pulled back in a no-nonsense ponytail, her startled gaze a brilliant blue. Her tight jeans and low-cut tank top displayed her ample assets.

The blonde scowled. “Who are you?”

Chloe was so pissed she could barely speak.

“That’s my fiancée, Irene. You’ll be seeing a lot of her.” Jim grinned at Chloe as if nothing was wrong. “Chloe Williams, meet Dr. Irene Boone.”

“Oh.” The scowl immediately left Irene’s face to be replaced with a friendly smile. “Hello, Chloe. It’s nice to meet you.” She held out her hand.

Chloe stared at it for a moment before taking it. While she still wanted to take a chunk out of the blonde, Jim introducing Chloe as his fiancée had gone a long way to soothing her Fox’s possessive streak. “Nice to beat you too.”

Behind her, poor Phil choked on a laugh. “Need anything, Doc?”

“Who’s manning the front desk?” Jim tilted his head, looking confused.

“Oh crap.” Phil took off, leaving Chloe alone with Dr. Irene Boone and Jim.

“This is the lady who’s taking over for my retired partner.” Jim smiled at Irene, and once more Chloe wanted to bite someone. She was still deciding which one of them when Jim continued. “What do you think of having her and her girlfriend over for dinner?”

Chloe blinked.

Girlfriend?

She opened her mouth, aware her face was once more turning beet red. “M’kay.”

Jim was obviously trying not to laugh. He must have known what was going through her head, because he winked at her. “Good. I think you and Valerie would get along like a house on fire.”

“My girl has a thing for redheads. She has a huge crush on Dr. Who’s Karen Gillan.” Irene laughed. “I swear, if I have to sit through that dinosaurs on a spaceship episode one more time…” She shook her head. “Anyway, we were thinking maybe this weekend we could all get together.”

Chloe nodded, embarrassed beyond belief. At least Jim didn’t seem upset by her behavior, busting in on them like a jealous idiot. “Sounds good.”

“Chloe? Could you come here for a moment?” Jim lifted one hand from the wiggly puppy and gestured toward Chloe. “Tell me what you feel.”

He took her hand and pressed her fingers gently on the puppy’s abdomen. The puppy reacted, trying to move away from the press of her hand.

Chloe frowned, concentrating as she palpated the puppy’s tummy. “Shh, it’s okay.” She pushed again, feeling along the pup’s stomach. “Too hold for roundworm. Diarrhea or vomiting?”

“Vomiting.”

“X-rays?”

“Haven’t done any yet. You’re thinking he swallowed something.”

Chloe nodded, ignoring the way Irene watched her work. “I can feel something.”

Jim nodded. “And this is why I still want you working here.” He glanced at Irene. “Let’s get this pup in for some pictures, hmm?”

Chloe took her hand away from the puppy, but didn’t let go of Jim just yet. “Rescue pup?”