Page 49 of Lost Mate

“So let’s do something about that. Sit.”

Dylan looked at Ross who nodded, then he sat. Ross wondered if the doc knew it was Ross’s usual seat in the kitchen. Of course he did. He was a shifter. He could smell Ross’s scent on the chair. Sensible move.

The doc sat on another seat and regarded Dylan, all humor gone. “I’m going to examine your head and spine first, then ask you questions.”

Dylan looked nervous but he nodded. “Go ahead.”

As the doc laid his hands on Dylan’s shoulders, Ross became aware of the two other wolves flanking him. He turned to Joe Senior. “I’m fine. The doc is fine. You don’t have to guard me.” He watched the doc press down Dylan’s spine. See, he wasn’t ready to rip out the doc’s throat…yet.

“It gets harder the longer it goes on,” Peter said cryptically.

Ross squinted at him. “What does?”

“Other wolves touching your mate.”

“I didn’t know that.” He didn’t remember the other human mates saying this even when Cal was in hospital after they were T-boned in a car accident.

“Joe probably didn’t realize,” Peter said. “The pack was learning on the hoof.”

Ross wasn’t sure exactly what that meant, but he guessed the new pack hadn’t had time to process half the emotions that came with being mated because they were always in a crisis.

He’d expected the process to be quick but after thirty minutes of the doc feeling over Dylan, Ross was getting fidgety. He watched the doc close his eyes as he almost caressed the back of Dylan’s head. Why was he caressing him? What was wrong with an actual examination with machines?

Peter wrapped a tight hand around his bicep. “Get yourself under control. It’s the way it’s always done in a wolf pack. Pope can see all the damage done to Dylan from the time he was a pup. Every injury he’s ever experienced. You’ll get some of the answers you’ve been waiting for.”

“I’m not used to this,” Ross muttered. He hadn’t realized he’d been growling.

“Of course you’re not. Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Just do it.”

As the middle-aged guy standing next to him could turn him into a pretzel with one flick of his claw, Ross did as he was told.

“Now reach out to your mate. If Dylan allows, he’ll let you experience what he’s feeling, what the doc is doing to him.”

Ross took a deep breath and reached out to Dylan who seemed to open a door. Ross could hear a voice, and he realized the doc was murmuring something. An incantation, maybe?

“I can hear the doc,” he murmured, not wanting to disturb the process.

“He’s calling on the wolf ancestors to help him heal Dylan,” Peter said.

Ross wondered sourly why the doc couldn’t do it by himself.

“Because that’s how a wolf healer works,” the doc said. “Now stop thinking and let me work.”

Ross flushed with embarrassment, but Dylan kind of hugged him inside and he felt better. Not thinking was hard, but Ross did his best just to listen. He had to admit it was very soothing and quite emotional on a visceral level. And the harder he listened, he was sure he could hear a multitude of voices answering the doc.

“The ancestors from beyond human existence,” Peter whispered.

Swallowing hard, Ross thanked those ancestors for helping the doc. He didn’t know if they’d hear, but he felt it was the right thing to do.

The doc turned to him and sighed. “They heard.” He took his hands away which allowed Ross to breathe easier. “Your mate is lucky to be alive. Without his desire to find you, I’m not sure he’d have survived the last few days.”

Dylan turned to Ross who rushed over and wrapped him up tight. “Thank you for lighting my way.” His voice was muffled as he buried his face in the crook of Ross’s neck.

“I knew you were out there. You’re mine,” Ross said, rocking them both for comfort. “Well, doc?” Then he saw the confusion on the doc’s face. “What’s wrong?”

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