Page 53 of Homecoming

“He can walk, talk, and cut into video chats. His little black curls are always bobbing around in the background. He is waiting to see his Auntie Orra again.” She smiled. “I have missed so much. They change so fast at that age.”

Ligo asked, “You are missing someone else’s child?”

“Sure. He and I have a thing going. You two are a distant second.” She smirked.

Iro nodded. “Got it. Good to know. When he alphas out, I will kick his butt.”

“You will have to get past his mother first. She’s formidable. Menace her baby boy at any age and you will be picking teeth out of the nearest volcano.”

Aeryn grinned in confirmation. “Jane’s scary.”

The nurse snorted. “Right, well, your pulse is steady. The real doctor on your case will be in to check on those wounds, and if she says okay and you adhere to a check-in schedule, this group of yours can take you home. Do you mind if I check the wounds on your thighs?”

“Everyone out and close the door, please,” Orla muttered.

They all nodded and did as she asked. The nurse was efficient, and Orla was covered with a sheet before the doctor was allowed in.

She was poked and prodded, given a hefty dose of antibiotics, and pronounced fit to stop wasting a bed. She would have to check in with the peacekeepers on Wonder for her statement, but she was no longer actively bleeding and hadn’t been dehydrated for very long. The doctor went to fill out paperwork, and the nurse wrote down the final stats for the chart.

The nurse smiled. “Take care of Iro, or his mother will come and kick your butt.”

“Noted.”

Her concerned following was let in, and they bustled around her. Iro went to get the paperwork, and the nurse was laughing. She was clutching her stuffies as they waited, and when Iro came in with the documents, Ligo lifted her and held her against him snugly. “Come on, Orla, let’s get you home.”

They left, and two cars were waiting for them. Aeryn and her males were in the first car, and Ligo and Iro came with her in the second.

The drive was short, and the launch was waiting for them. Ligo carried her again, and she was grateful. The last thing she wanted was for her thighs to rub together.

Orla thought she would be settled in a chair, but Ligo took her to a stateroom where Iro joined them, and to her embarrassment, they cuddled with her on the bed.

“What’s going on?”

Ligo chuckled. “We are transferring what strength we can to you to aid your healing. It isn’t as good as a bonded link, but it will help.”

“Oh. Well, you guys are warm, and I am sleepy.” She held onto Ligo and let her head touch his chest. “Wake me when we are home.”

Iro whispered, “We will.”

Chapter Nine

She registered the surge of the waves and the sensation of being carried. Damn, she was tired.

Iro was lying with her head across his lap. “You changed.”

He chuckled. “Your sister’s mates are well-supplied for guests.”

“Where are we now? We aren’t moving.”

“We are at Ligo’s place on the Blackridge Islands, which he has a lifetime lease on. I think we are on the fourth in the lineup.”

She reached up to touch her head. “What happened to my hair?”

“Ligo braided it to keep it from tangling. He’s good with his hands.” Iro chuckled.

“Where is Ligo?”

“Briefing his staff on the change in state and picking up your clothes at the depot.”

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