A Wild Flower Among Wolves

Damn. Raining again? Nothing about today seemed to be going in my direction. It all started when I forgot to set my alarm which left me no time to shower before I had to rush off to work. All I could manage to do was to brush some dry shampoo through my unwashed hair and whip it into a high messy bun. My sandy blonde locks had definitely seen better days and better styles but, I’m just a vet tech.. who’s gonna judge me? The poodles? Doubt it. While I was pretty sure the animals would forgive me for my hasty appearance, I knew our peppy passive aggressive receptionist Madison, would not. Being fresh out of high school made her a little too optimistic for my taste and her snarky little comments made my blood boil. Madison found it very hard to hide her true feelings, especially from her face. Little miss perky was all smiles until I walked through the door. I watched her habitually twirl a piece of her bleach blonde hair as she approached me. I could see her brown eyes roll over me head to toe the closer she got. “Clo Clo, are you feeling ok? You look a little run down.” She flipped her perfect extensions from one shoulder to the other. My name is Clover, she knows this but insists on calling me little pet names like were besties.. we are in fact not besties. If we were actually friends she would know how much I despise cutesy versions of my name, it was already cutesy enough. Bless my hippy mothers heart she just couldn’t help but give me and my sisters the frilliest free-spirit names she could muster. “I’m fine Madison, I just didn’t have time to get ready this morning.” Madison pursed her lips while scrunching her nose at my response before heading off behind her desk where I watched her mindlessly rearrange her desktop logos waiting for our first appointment to come in. Thankfully my boss, Dr. Marino, ushered me into her office before I could roll my eyes further into the back of my head. “Why do we have to keep her doc?” “C’mon Clover, give her a break she’s just.. she’s.. different than you that’s all. She cares, she just shows it in a weird way.” I couldn’t help but audibly scoff which made Dr. Marino chuckle. “Go get changed and get ready to work today. New client is in first thing!” She winked and ushered me towards the door. As I dug through my locker I managed to find an old mascara and a black butterfly claw clip. I yanked out my messy bun, shook my head upside down and ran my fingers from root to end. Thankfully the dry shampoo was working some magic and I was able to center part my hair and twist it into the clip, leaving a few pieces of hair to frame my face. To my surprise the mascara hadn’t expired and I was able to help my blue eyes actually look open. Madison gave me a little thumbs up and a fake smile as I went to grab a face mask to greet my first patient. After Covid, the staff decided to wear masks during contact with all patients and owners at all times. I put it on and pinched the bridge of my nose secure. I grabbed the clip board out of my cubby and looked through the new patient paperwork. ‘Bull Mastiff.. two years old.. no medical concerns.. dogs name is Kane.. owners name is Kieran’ Okay, here we go. I stepped through the intake door and called for Kane before fully looking up from my clipboard. When I did, my jaw actually dropped a little. Saying this guy was attractive did him an injustice. Definitely over 6ft tall, perfect olive skin highlighting his defined muscles. His dark hair was just a little shaggy on top but closely cropped around his neck. And those eyes.. oh those amazing hazel green eyes.. I honestly got lost for a moment. As he came closer our size difference became very apparent. I’m only 5’2” and I’m pretty sure he had to be at least 6’4” because my eyes met directly with his stomach. I craned my neck back to make eye contact with him again as I clutched my clipboard to my chest.His eyes seemed to have been patiently waiting for mine. I made an attempt to clear my throat which had become increasingly dry but to no avail. I managed to croak out, “Kieran and Kane?” before trying again to swallow my non existent spit. “That’s us, ma’am” His voice was deep and clear. The intensity of it honestly made me a little hot and bothered. I quickly turned on my toes to escort them to the nearest exam room. I could feel him trailing inches behind me. Thank any and all the gods I fixed myself up, I guess Madison’s subtle bullying helped me out today.