Page 21 of Amaris Rejected (Stone Mountain Shifters #2)

Devon-Present Day

Being a creature of habit, my usual routine is to arrive at the office early each morning. Today is no different, as I have plenty of work to catch up on. It's been a week since my family joined me. We've spent a lot of time together getting to know one another, but Amaris still won’t let me get close enough to try for another kiss.

Also, Jeni is still hanging around and tends to show up at the worst times. As soon as she appears, Amaris becomes unreasonable and leaves, taking Zoe with her. I’m at a loss as to how to fix this.

Jeni is my lifelong childhood friend. Yes, there was a tiny indiscretion three years ago, but that ended before it even began. Jeni will always be my friend and, therefore, a part of my life. She says all she wants is to be friends with Amaris, but Amaris won't even consider it.

My door to my office opens, and I quickly gather my papers together for privacy. Why don’t people knock?

Jeni sticks her head around the door. "Ah! I thought you'd be here since you like to start work early." She croons. "I brought your favorite tea. It's actually a new blend, but I hope you'll like it." She sets a cup in front of me. "Honey and cream, just like you like." She hums.

"Oh, thanks." I grin at her, taking a drink. "Mmmm, I do like this. What’s different?"

"Just a few herbs, some extra mint and a dash of cinnamon."

"Yeah, I can taste the cinnamon." I take another deep drink. "What are you humming?" I ask.

"Just a cute little ditty about tea." She giggles.

"Sing it," I prod.

? ” Just think how it would be, oh, so sweet, ” ??

? “A spell, then a drink and love’s complete , ??

? “Sip the tea, it’s magic, you see, ” ??

? “A pinch of love, and a new family, ” ? ?

? “A dash of binding with every pour, ” ??

? “Drink up and you’re mine forevermore. ” ??

"Just a silly song running around in my head today. Go ahead and finish off the tea while it's still hot, and I'll take the dishes back to the kitchen," she encourages.

Okaaay, that’s weird as heck, I think to myself. But the tea really is a good blend, and in no time, I’ve drained the mug. "Thanks. That hit the spot. But I'll walk the cup down to the kitchen myself. It’s time to meet Amaris for breakfast."

As I walk into the kitchen, I see Amaris and Zoe already sitting at the table with food. Trish, the nanny, and my mother are with them. I fill a plate and slide in beside Amaris. "Hey Beautiful. How are you and my princess today?" I press a kiss to her temple. She doesn't push me away but simply gives me the side-eye. Over the past couple of days, we haven't had the chance to talk alone, but we’re bonding over Zoe. Turning to my pup, I lean over and pepper her face with kisses. She giggles.

"What are your plans for today?" I ask Amaris.

"Well, as I mentioned earlier, I'd like to volunteer at the clinic today. I gave you and Dr. Gibson copies of all my certifications and licenses when we met yesterday." She says, breezily. "So, I’m covering for him today while he takes the day off with his mate."

"Yeah, Dr. Gibson hasn't had a day off since we lost our other healer months ago. I’m glad you’re able to give him the time to recharge.” I turn to address my mother. “I guess you and Trish have the kiddo today?"

She nods. "Yes. We are going to have lots of fun!" She claps her hands and speaks to Zoe in a melodic sing-song voice. "Aren't we, GiGi's baby girl?"

Zoe claps her hands as well, giggling as she mimics her GiGi.

"You both understand that she’s not to have contact with anyone outside you two?" Amaris warns Mom and Trish. They both nod vigorously. "Especially not this she-wolf, Jeni! I don't want her anywhere around Zoe, understand?"

"Yes, Amaris," Mom agrees. "We won't let Jeni near her."

"Good," she states. "Zoe, baby, Mama’s going to work in the clinic for a while. You be good for GiGi and Trish, okay?"

"Yes, Mama." Zoe chirps. "Wuv you." While Zoe isn’t as familiar with Devon’s mom yet, she knows Trish from back home, and we both trust her, so she’s not timid.

"Love you, baby." She then leaves to work in the clinic, located in the sublevel of the pack house. While our tour was interrupted that first day, and I didn’t get to show it to Amaris then, we met with Dr. Gibson yesterday and gave her the full walkthrough.

As I begin eating, a sudden wave of dizziness hits me, and I start to sweat. My stomach roils with nausea. I barely make it to the trash can before throwing up the tea and the little breakfast I managed to eat before getting sick. Wiping my mouth, I apologize to everyone. "Geez, guys, I'm sorry, I couldn't make it any farther." Black spots cloud my vision, and I feel myself falling backward, not even noticing when I hit the floor.

I wake up in the clinic with Amaris hovering over me, holding a penlight. "There he is. Come back to us, Devon."

"What's going on?" I raise my hand to shield my eyes from the blinding light.

"I was told you vomited and passed out just after I left. What have you eaten and drunk this morning?" she asks, probing.

"I had just started on the bacon and eggs Karen prepared when the nausea hit me."

"Anything else?" She presses on my stomach, and I flinch. "Anything new you might not have had before? I need to consider allergens."

I shake my head. "Wait! Jeni brought me a cup of tea this morning." Amaris stiffens. "It's not anything nefarious, just a new blend."

Amaris huffs. “I'm going to draw some blood and need a urine sample from you."

"No, it's okay," I protested, trying to sit up, but flop back down weakly. "Something probably just didn't agree with me."

"Okay, listen, Devon. I don't want to be here at your pack right now at all! But I agreed to come here so you could get to know your daughter. I'm not sure what's going on between you and Jeni, and I honestly don’t care. However, I have been warned by the goddess about her. So, for the safety of my daughter, I will be thorough.” She jabs her finger in my chest, and I drop back down on the table. "So, if it has something to do with Jeni, I will be overly alert."

I open my mouth to argue, but Amaris quickly cuts me off.

“If you are about to issue another gag order with your Alpha power, I’m out of here,” she snarls. “Got it?”

"Got it." I acquiesce. Within minutes, she has her blood sample and is shoving a urine cup in my hand. I mutely obey, barely making it to the bathroom before I start staggering. Afterward, I meet Amaris outside the door, and she then helps me back to the bed.

"It should only take me a couple of hours to analyze these, and I'll let you know the results. Speak to no one about this, not even your parents."

I nod.

"Are you okay?" she asks.

"I'm just sweaty and weak, but I should be fine. I'll be in my office."

“I think you need to lie here on the bed so I can observe you while I run these tests,” she insists. “You’re not well.”

I’m so weak, I just agree and lie back.

"Add another enforcer to Zoe," she instructs. "Have them make sure she’s okay and tell everyone involved, including your mother and Trish, that Zoe isn’t to eat anything they don’t prepare themselves using fresh ingredients. And no drinks except sealed bottled water."

"Will do." I close my eyes and begin to mind-link my wolves.

"If you feel worse, page me," she orders, placing a call button in my hand.

"Okay."

"And Devon, it's not that I don't trust you, but I’d like to speak with Rue." Amaris says.

I nod. Rue had gotten unusually quiet with all the excitement this morning.“ Rue. Are you going to miss the chance to talk to Amaris?” I search around my consciousness and find him lying in a back corner.“ Rue? Are you okay?”

He lifts his head weakly.“ Something's wrong,” he whispers before his head thuds back down onto the floor.

In a panic, I jerk upright, exclaiming frantically, "He’s weak and says something’s wrong."

"I’ve been optimistic and overly cautious, hoping it just a harmless 24-hour bug. However, I’m inclined to think you and Rue have been poisoned. The clinic needs to be emptied of all employees while I work on this for the next 2-3 hours. If a patient comes in, I'll see them," she advises. "Meanwhile, get me another elite enforcer for guard duty."

"All clinic employees are ordered to leave for the rest of the day," I bark out, my voice echoing down the halls. Lying back, I take a breath.

"Yes, Alpha," they respond, quickly grabbing their belongings and heading out.

Sheila, a nurse, stops at my door. "Are you okay, Alpha? Why are we not seeing any more patients today?"

"Don't worry about what's wrong. Just do as instructed," I order. "If we have any patients, they’ll be seen."

Sheila nods and leaves the clinic, running as though her hair is on fire.

Sheila

I leave the clinic quickly, searching for Jeni. When I find her in the kitchen, I pull her outside where no one can overhear.

"I don't know what’s going on, but Alpha came to the clinic sick and needing treatment. Amaris insisted he submit to blood work and urinalysis."

"No! No, no, no, no! You have to stop this. She can't find the wolfsbane I added to his tea!" Jeni hisses.

"I can't stop anyone. They made everyone leave the clinic, and they called for more guards," she states. "The only ones allowed in are patients."

"I guess I'll have to take care of it myself."