Page 14

14

Kaylee

Leaving the pack infirmary happier than I had been this morning, I approach the packhouse. Two days had passed since the wolves from Harvest Willow arrived, and today, we decided to have them undergo an examination to assess their health after living as rogues for seven years. Hannah and her team were in charge of checking each wolf, and, as the beta, I was sent to oversee the process and ensure everyone complied.

One hiccup with today’s exam was Marco barging in, demanding to be there to make sure Maya was not mistreated. Maya, being the defector leader of the Harvest Willow rogues, chose to go first with the examination to show the younger wolves that it was perfectly safe. She must have been nervous—but hid it well—because the doors to the examination room burst open, and Marco came storming in, snarling at Hannah, who was just about to stick a needle into Maya’s arm to draw some blood.

I’d needed to link Lucas, Ricky, and Eddison to come and help keep the infirmary staff safe from the worked-up Marco. They arrived within minutes, and with Maya’s help, they easily diffused the situation. Once Marco calmed down, Lucas escorted him outside and explained how the mate bond makes us feel for our other half when it signals some form of danger and discomfort while we carried on with the medical examination inside.

“You did good today, Kaylee.”

Turning to see Hannah come up beside me, I smile at my doctor while she hands me a tablet.

“All the information has been added to each wolf’s file and saved for you and Alpha Amelia to go over later,” she adds, and I’m relieved. I’m glad I reached out to Hannah yesterday when Amelia and I decided that the Harvest Willow wolves needed a medical examination after so long without a proper doctor.

“Thank you for all your help today, too, Hannah,” I thank the she-wolf, scrolling through the information on the tablet.

So far, it seems all the wolves joining the pack in a few days are healthy with minimal issues. They took great care of themselves as rogues, with only a few minor issues I have noticed, which could have been caused by a lack of pack security. Given time, all the wolves from Harvest Willow will grow stronger and healthier.

“In three days’ time, we’ll need to repeat this process when more wolves come to join Ivory Fangs,” I tell Hannah. She groans at my warning but accepts it nonetheless, asking me for an approximate number so she can prepare the necessary resources.

After instructing a nurse to prepare for the hopefully last batch of rogues we’ll be expecting, Hannah comes to my side. I can feel her gaze while I continue going through the results of the exams and wonder what else she has to say.

“How are you feeling, by the way?” she asks, her question causing me to look up from the tablet in surprise. I see the concern in Hannah’s eyes, and I sigh. She’s my doctor—there’s nothing I should be afraid to tell her.

“Overwhelmed,” I admit, giving her a small smile. “I haven’t shifted since I found out I’m with pup and could use a good run.”

“But you’re worried Lucas will become overprotective if you do that?” Hannah guesses before I can state the issue.

“He won’t even let me work out like I usually do. I have to sneak one in when I’m at home.” I groan in frustration, and Hannah chuckles.

“It seems the two of you are truly mending the mate bond. Do you want me to link him and explain that until you’re four months along, you can shift and run in wolf form and that, as long as you’re careful, you can work out in the training room but not spar with others?” she asks, her eyes full of amusement.

“Would you? I could really use a good run,” I say appreciatively, handing her back the tablet and feeling hopeful for a good workout.

“Yeah. I do it all the time when males become overprotective of their pregnant mates,” she answers.

Her eyes glaze over as she proceeds to link Lucas. I watch patiently as her facial expression goes from a smile to a frown to a smile once more before her gaze refocuses on me.

“He was concerned but agreed that he can’t stop you from working out or running in wolf form if I’m the one saying it’s good for your health,” Hannah states with a chuckle. I pull the she-wolf into a hug.

“Thank you so much!” I finally managed to say as we pulled away, Hannah laughing at my reaction.

“It’s nothing. As your doctor, your mental, emotional, and physical health are my responsibility. Now, I have work to finish, and you do too.”

With that, Hannah walks inside the pack hospital, leaving me smiling from ear to ear as I head towards the packhouse. I do have some work I need to finish—our Council Representative will be arriving in five days—but after that’s done, I plan to go for a run.

[I don’t like your doctor.] Lucas’ grumblings float through our link, and I chuckle.

[Well, I do. I’m dying to go for a good run,] I retort, not allowing my mate’s mood to sour mine.

[I’m just worried that you’ll get hurt while pregnant. I don’t know what I’d do if that happened,] he argues. I roll my eyes at this, taking a deep breath of the fresh air as I trek to the packhouse.

[Lucas, I know my packlands. I won’t get hurt while on packlands,] I retort, getting a growl of frustration as a response. I growl back, not liking his attitude at all, and this seems to quiet Lucas considerably. Silence follows our growls, and I soon reach the packhouse, thinking Lucas has shut the link.

[Two hours,] he states firmly. [I finish my patrol in two hours, and then we can go for a run together. I won’t stop you from shifting, but I’ll be damned if I let my pregnant mate go off alone without protecting her.]

Pausing, I feel the bond hum with his concern and decide this is a compromise I can agree to.

[Deal. I have work I need to finish to prepare for our Council Representative’s arrival, so two hours works perfectly for me,] I answer, my voice full of warmth.

[Okay. I’ll pick you up from the packhouse when I’m done. Make sure you eat lunch today.]

I want to argue with him about his possessiveness, but Lucas shuts the link down before I can say anything further. Letting out an annoyed growl, I head inside the packhouse and stop at the kitchen for something to snack on before going upstairs to my office.