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I get the dog froood Her breaths are feathering and barely there and her eyes are only open a slit

When I get inside, Thea’s already there telling theht out and they instructon it

She’s wheeled away from us like we’re in a real hospital and I watch helplessly, wondering if this is the last ti to see her alive

I , but she’s an innocent creature that’s been hurt and I care about her I’ve always had a soft spot for anis

The receptionist asks us a list of questions, ones I can’t really answer since she was a stray

I catch the words, “—more than likely she’ll be euthanized—” and see red

“No,” I say over the wo the facts but I don’t want to hear them

“Excuse me?” She tilts her head up at me from where she sits at the desk

“I said, no”

“Sir” She gives me a sympathetic look “We’re a vet clinic, not a shelter We can’t afford the cost of perforery on strays—”

“I’ll pay it,” I say, sla my palms on the counter “Whatever it is, I’ll pay it”

She gives me a hesitant look “It could be several thousand dollars” Her cheeks flush, and I wonder why she’s blushing but then I realize I’m still shirtless

“Xander—” Thea touches my arm

“I don’t care I can pay it Do you need proof? Is that it?” I start pulling out my wallet

“If you’d like to pay for the procedure we need a five-hundred-dollar depos