Page 48 of Rejected Broken Mate

I looked back at Ayden. "What do you mean?"

"It's his first shift, which means he will be able to have his first run. It's a pretty important night. I'm sure Miles is nervous. Normally, the father takes them out."

I looked at Miles, suddenly understanding his look in my office. He was wondering what my plan was as well.

"Do the parents always go?"

Ayden nodded his head. "Yeah, it's safer that way. The first time you shift, they have a lot that goes on their mind, and they need someone to guide them. The mind is mysterious, and our other half…well…sometimes they don't make the smartest decisions."

I wasn't sure what that meant, but I probably never would. I wasn't a shifter, after all.

I chewed on my cheek.

"I'm not saying this to make you feel bad, Laura."

"I know that," I said, giving him a weak smile.

"I'm just warning you because his pain and fever are going to come back. It's the lull before the storm."

Ayden was right. An hour later, Michael was running a fever again. I came out of my office, and Owen spoke up. "Michael, are you okay, bud?"

I turned, finding him putting his controller down. He turned and walked towards me. I could see he was pale and starting to run a fever. "I want to go home."

I reached out, pulling him close and placing my hand on his forehead. Sure enough, he was hot.

I chewed on my lip. "Okay, let's get you home."

I grabbed my purse, and we were leaving the building. I drove home, my knuckles white on the steering wheel. I kept looking up in the rearview mirror, glancing at Michael.

Once home, he laid down on the couch in a ball. I paced, putting a wet rag over his forehead, but it did little.

"Mom, I'm hot."

"I know, sweetie," I said, running my hands over his hair.

I thought about Ayden's words. I'm sure Miles is nervous. This was just as important to him. He hadn't pushed me or demanded time with Michael. He'd been nothing but patient.

I grabbed my phone, calling him. He answered on the third ring.

"Can you come over?" I asked softly.

"I'll be there in five."

The line ended before I could say anything. I turned back to pacing. The time seemed to freeze as I listened to Michael start to cry.

I felt defeated. I couldn't help him. Nothing I was doing was making him feel better. I just patted his head, praying that Miles could.

Miles came in without knocking and spotted us quickly. He slid his shoes off and made his way towards us.

"Is he hot?"

"That's all he's ever been," I whisper, my voice cracking on the verge of tears again.

Miles reached over, squeezing my shoulder before Michael's eyes opened. But his eyes didn't look the same.

Miles pulled me back just as Michael pushed himself up, letting out a loud howl. I quickly covered my ears, feeling like the entire house was shaking.

I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling the vibration deep in my bones.

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