Colton leaned back in his chair and threaded his fingers behind his head. "Radek is still with Vanguard huh? That sneaky bastard, he owes me five bucks."
Everyone turned to face him. Rheia knew that his offhanded comment made it seem like the missing five dollars was Colton's only concern, but she saw it for what it was, comic relief. Sure enough, when she looked around everyone was smiling.
"I can call him for you. I'm sure he'd be very interested to hear you're my mate." Rheia teased.
Colton's chair landed on all fours and he looked at her not blinking. "Fuck! I've mated Radek Carson's little sister."
"Actually, he calls me his baby sister. That probably doesn't make a difference though." Rheia laughed at Colton's morose expression, it tickled her.
"You talk about him like you know him," Beth said.
The men all nodded.
"He's good enough to be in Alpha, he could have had my position if he had wanted it. But the idea of leaving Lycaonia was too tempting," Colton explained.
"We need an accurate count of all Vanguard warriors and their locations. Then we need to be able to get in contact with them and mobilize them if need be. Then we have to make sure that they are either up to speed on current human technology or get a sixth man out to them to run their command centers." Meryn began listing everything that needed to be done.
Beth stood. "First things first, your wellness checkup. I'm sure that Rheia would love to see our recently renovated clinic."
Meryn stood, her eyes and nose red. "Okay." All the spunk seemed to have been drained from her during her outburst.
"I'm sorry, baby, if I had remembered I would have told you sooner." Aiden nuzzled her cheek gently.
Meryn sighed. "It's just that Beth and I worry about you guys all the time. You're always outnumbered, the ferals seem to be breeding like rabbits," she turned to Beth, "no offense." Beth rolled her eyes. Meryn continued. "We've been doing everything we can think of to help you. If even half the Vanguard returned, we could easily triple our numbers. We never know which routine patrol will be the one where one of you doesn't return and it eats us up inside."
The men fell silent.
Rheia stood and stretched. "Nothing in life is guaranteed, not even tomorrow. I learned that early in life. You have to do what you can, when you can, like wellness appointments or Disney World." She smiled at Colton. "What you can't do, is live in fear. It will leech every moment of joy out of the time that you do have, and that's no life at all." She turned to Penny. "What do we do when we're afraid of something?" she asked the little girl.
Penny stuck her tongue out and blew a loud raspberry. Rheia nodded. "That's right, baby girl. You give it the ole two finger salute and you keep moving forward, because backward isn't an option."
Gavriel shook his head ruefully. "Human's lives are so short, but the wisdom you acquire stuns me at times."
Rheia looked at him. "It's because our lives are so short that we have to learn quickly." She turned to Beth. "Ready when you are, only, who'll watch Penny?"
Colton spoke up quickly. "We can watch her," he said, pointing to the men.
Rheia looked around, the men wore varying expressions, ranging from neutral to anxious. "Are you sure?"
Colton nodded. "Absolutely! We got this."
Beth and Meryn walked around the table heading towards the doorway, Ryuu following behind them.
Rheia kissed Penny on the forehead. "Same rules with Papa as when Uncle Radek and your other uncles watch you, okay?"
Penny nodded and reached into her small backpack to pull out a cell phone.
Rheia smiled. "Good girl."
"Wait, what rules?" Colton asked as she walked out of the room.
"Never mind. Have fun." She waved goodbye.
In the foyer, Beth eyed her scrubs. "Are you sure you don't want to change?"
Rheia looked Beth up and down taking in her outfit. "You're a clothes person, aren't you?"
Meryn chuckled. "You have no idea."
Rheia pointed to her scrubs and shook her head. "No thanks, I like my scrubs."
Beth shuddered.
"Ladies, your coats." Ryuu held three coats over one arm, he handed them out, one by one.
Meryn arranged her scarf and Rheia could have sworn it moved on its own. Blinking she looked again and it was still.
"Okay, let's blow this popsicle stand," Meryn said heading out the door.
Rheia followed eager to see somewhere familiar.
I can't wait to get to the clinic and normalcy.
CHAPTER FOUR
Colton bundled up Penny before they took her outside. The construction crew building the trainee's new barracks had moved the dumpsters yesterday, giving them back the grassy area they used for drills. Penny stood calmly at his side holding his hand.
"Are you sure this is a good idea? Having her outside during training?" Colton asked Aiden. The men were all staring at the little girl as if they had never seen a child before.
His friend turned to him. "Why not? She can't be inside all by herself, she could trip and fall or choke or drown in a bathtub. You heard your mate; she knows how to cut pieces off without killing us. Do you really want to risk something happening to our little angel here?"
Colton's brows furrowed. "Why would she be in the bathtub?"
Aiden rub his hands over his face. "I don't know, but I remember doing a lot of stuff when we were cubs that didn't make sense."
"Good point." Colton looked down at Penny. "No bathtubs, okay?" Penny nodded and gave a thumbs up, her tiny hand encased in a mitten. Colton's heart was a melted pile of goo in his chest. He scooped her up and kissed her cheek. "You're so damn cute!"
"Ahh, sir? What's with the kid?" Graham, the Delta Unit leader asked.
Aiden thought about it for a second then smiled. "So glad you asked." He walked over to Colton and Penny. "Penny, are you good at hiding?" She nodded. "Are you fast?" She nodded again.
Colton felt a growl crawl up the back of his throat. He turned his body so Penny was away from Aiden. "What in the hell are you thinking?" he demanded.
Aiden looked hurt for a moment before he reached out and cuffed Colton in the back of the head.
"Ow dammit!"
"Do you really think I would do anything to put her or any child in danger? You're like a brother to me Colton; I would never hurt my own niece," Aiden grumbled.
Colton was instantly contrite. "I'm sorry Aiden. My wolf is really at the surface, any perceived threat and he loses his mind."
"Apology accepted." Aiden nodded his head and turned to walk towards the group.
"Especially since I was going to ask you to be her Athair," Colton yelled to Aiden's back.
Colton had known all his life that if he had any children Aiden would be their Athair.
Aiden turned back around to face him and looked dumbstruck. Colton turned to Penny. "Penny, do you know what an Athair is?" She shook her head. "An Athair is someone very special in the life of a child. If anything were to happen to me or your mommy, Aiden would take over raising you and he would see to your protection and care." Penny's arms tightened around his neck. "Nothing is going to happen, I promise."
"Did you mean it?" Aiden asked quietly.
"Of course I did you idiot. I chose you to be my children's Athair when we were pups."
"Thank you for the honor, I will help protect her with my life," Aiden said, sounding choked up. The damn bear had always been sentimental.
"Congratulations Aiden, we know you'll be a wonderful Athair." Sascha clapped Aiden on the back.
Aiden winked at Penny and nodded at Colton before turning to face the men. "We have a new little cadet with us today. She assures me that she is great at hiding and is very fast. We'll be dividing up into units; the goal of this drill is to protect your bell tower from this stealthy assassin," Aiden said pointing to Penny. Colton was surprised to see her put on a pretty scary "game face", but he was even more surprised to see two of the warriors step back
from her. He leaned in. "Did your Uncle Radek teach you that?" he whispered. She nodded. "Not bad kiddo." She held up her mitten hand, Colton gave her a high five.
"Any unit that cannot defend their tower will have extra laps and will be put on the list as available babysitters for one afternoon." Aiden looked at his clipboard. "Trainees, your jobs will be to distract your unit, giving our angel opportunities to ring those bells. Alpha trainees, your job will be to record how many times each bell is rung. Any questions?" Aiden asked looking up.
"What will the Alpha Unit be doing?" Sascha asked pointing out the fact that they only had three bell towers, one each for Gamma, Delta and Beta. The absent two units were running patrols.
"We'll be making sure nothing happens to Penny. Let's get something straight men, I love all of you like brothers, but if anything happens to my niece I will happily turn you over to her mother, and trust me, she is not a woman to be trifled with, understood?" Aiden gave them men dark looks.
"Yes, sir!" Male voices rang out.
Aiden walked over. "Okay Penny, it's up to you now. Do you think you can take these puffed up warriors down a peg or two?" he asked.
Penny nodded and wiggled. Colton put her down and stepped back. Penny removed her coat and mittens. Like all shifter children, her temperature ran warm. They were usually bundled up if they weren't going to be moving much, but since Penny was going to be moving around a lot, her jeans and fleece shirt would do just fine.
"Go easy on us baby girl," Quinn called from the field, his tone almost teasing.
Penny turned and looked him in the eye, never changing expression. Wordlessly she reached down, picked up some mud and covered her face.
"Oh fuck!" Quinn and the rest of the men stared at her.
"What are you two idiots waiting for? Get those barrels of hay up to block the tower," Sascha barked. Suddenly the men were a lot more serious about this drill.
Colton knelt down next to Penny. "Take your time. It will be a lot more fun watching them panic if they can't see you than if you manage to ring the bell but they saw you coming." Penny nodded and spread her feet apart to stretch.
Colton stood and frowned down at his daughter. "Remind me to call Radek and ask him what he taught my daughter."
Aiden nodded. "No kidding." He turned to Penny. "Hey angel, if you manage to get all three bell towers I will buy you whatever dessert you want after dinner for a whole week."
Penny stopped stretching and held up two fingers.
Aiden laughed. "Two weeks, huh? You drive a hard bargain, but you have yourself a deal."
Colton shook his head. "I have the best kid in the history of kids, including the time we were kids."
Aiden nodded again. "Agreed. Okay men close your eyes let's give her a thirty second head start."
When Colton turned to see what Penny would do, she was already gone.
Best. Kid. Ever
*****
"Adam, Aiden's brother, runs the clinic. They're just wrapping up some much needed renovations, so you'll have to excuse the mess," Beth explained as they got out of the car.
"I've probably seen worse," Rheia assured her.
They walked through a heavy set of metal double doors and down a long hallway. From top to bottom, the entire building looked brand new. The smell of paint and cut lumber was thick in the air. Rheia walked behind Meryn and Beth, peeking into rooms. She saw box after box piled together covered in plastic. It looked as if none of the imaging machines had been unpacked yet. They turned down another hall that opened up to a large waiting room area. Beth pulled out her cell phone. After a few seconds she spoke.
"We're here. Okay, see you in a second." Beth smiled at Rheia and put the phone away.
A minute later, a tall, dark haired man emerged from behind a set of double doors at the end of the hallway. Without even asking, Rheia knew this was Adam; he looked just like his brother.
"Adam, I would like you to meet Rheia. She's only just arrived this afternoon and it looks like she'll be here for a while. She is Colton's mate and a doctor," Beth informed him.
Adam's face broke out in a smile. "Welcome! I could really use your help here at the clinic. Between an unexpected baby boom and feral attacks, we don't have the personnel to deal with everything."
Rheia smiled up at him. "I'm actually relieved. I didn't think a paranormal city would even have doctors, considering how quickly you heal."
Adam's eyebrows shot up "You have experience treating paranormals?" he asked eagerly.
She nodded. "As a child I helped my mother to treat the squad of paranormals that lived in our town. After becoming a doctor I continued to treat them."
"I must have done something right; the Gods are smiling down on me. First, my wonderful sister Meryn tricks the council members into renovating and upgrading the clinic, and now Fate herself has sent me a doctor with experience in treating paranormals. I may actually get a few hours sleep this week after all."
"When would you need me?" she asked.
"Would starting tomorrow be too soon?" he asked hopefully.
"That shouldn't be a problem; I'll have to make sure someone can watch my daughter."
Adam blinked. "You have a daughter?"
"Yes, will that be a problem?" she asked frowning. He didn't seem like he was a man to judge.
Adam shook his head smiling wide. "No, not at all. That means Colton is a father. I can't wait to congratulate him."
"We're still figuring things out, but he seems like he'll make a good father," she admitted.
"Anyone who can grow up around Aiden and keep his sense of humor can't be all bad," Adam teased.
Meryn turned to Adam. "Speaking of your brother, where on his body would be a safe place to stab him with a fork? Where it would be painful, but wouldn't take long to heal?"
Adam brought his hand up to his chin and tapped his finger on his lips as he thought about his answer. "Why don't you tell me, Adair and Ben what he's done and we'll take care of it, after all, that's what brothers are for," he offered.
Rheia had to admit, he handled Meryn fairly well. It was highly unlikely that his brothers would stab Aiden.
"He forgot to tell me about the two hundred plus warriors living out amongst humans in an inactive status," Meryn said sourly.
Adam stared at Meryn in disbelief. He blinked and then shook his head. "Outer thigh."
So much for brotherly love.
"Okay enough about my baby brother, I'd rather talk about my baby niece or nephew. Let's head to my office, it'll be more comfortable."
Adam led the way to a small office painted in a butter cream color. Rheia and Beth sat down on the office sofa while Ryuu stood outside the door. Meryn took the chair in front of Adam's desk.
He pulled out a folder and began reading the contents. Rheia knew from experience the news would not be good. Doctors always knew the contents of those folders cover to cover, before the patient even stepped into the room. He was pretending to look over the contents of the folder to gather his thoughts.
"Am I allowed to speak freely in front of everyone in this room?" he asked.
Meryn frowned and nodded.
"Okay then, to be honest Meryn, your test results worry me. The anemia hasn't gotten any better and if you didn't have Ryuu tending to you, I would seriously doubt you were taking your vitamins." He closed the folder and put it on his desk.
"But I've cut back on my coffee!" Meryn twisted her hands anxiously.
Rheia noticed Beth was on the verge of standing to go to her friend when the door opened. Ryuu walked in and placed a comforting hand on Meryn's back.
"What more can we do?" he asked Adam. Rheia noticed he didn't even try to hide that fact that he had been eavesdropping.
Adam took out a pad and began writing. "I'm recommending iron supplements to take in addition to the pre-natal vitamins I prescribed during your last visit. As I told you, human and shifters can have babies, but it may be a rough pregnancy. No caffeine, in any form and a
diet with lean meats and lots of dark green leafy vegetables should help. No more long nights with no sleep. You have to start thinking of your baby, Meryn." His voice was gentle, but firm.
"I'll do whatever it takes. I'm going to be a good mom," Meryn said, her voice trembling.
Beth shot off of the couch and wrapped a supportive arm around Meryn's shoulders. "Of course you are. Whatever you need, we'll get it."
Ryuu was already on his phone. The way his finger moved rapidly over its surface, Rheia was willing to bet he had already ordered the iron supplements and was planning new menus.
Adam stood and walked around his desk to kneel down in front of Meryn. "I won't let anything happen to my niece or nephew."
"It's a girl. I keep telling Aiden we're having Meryn 2.0," Meryn said smiling.
Adam's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. "Then I will help Meryn 2.0 into this world, because she has a lot of people already waiting to meet her." Adam stood. "Okay, I'll put you down for more blood work in about three weeks and then you can come back in for your three month check up." He walked back around to his chair and sat down.
Rheia frowned. "Aren't you going to do a pelvic exam?" Four sets of eyes turned to her.
Adam turned red. "Normally yes, but given the circumstances..."
Rheia stood, exasperated. "Men! Meryn, would you feel comfortable if I did it?"
Meryn nodded rapidly. Adam sat back in his chair, relief pouring from him. "Thank you, Gods!"
Rheia turned to him. "Do you have a room we could use? It shouldn't take too long."
Adam practically leapt from his chair. "I'll show you."
"Ryuu and I will wait here," Beth said.
"Be right back." Meryn waved.
Rheia and Meryn followed behind Adam. He opened a door to one of the smaller room and stood to one side. "Everything you need should be in here. I'll go wait with Beth and Ryuu." He shut the door and they heard him practically race away.
Meryn turned to her. "I'm so glad you're here."
Laughing Rheia pointed to the paper-covered table. "Have you ever had a pelvic exam before?" She opened the first cabinet and was pleasantly surprised to find the examination gowns.