Page 82 of Ascendant Moon
All the awful memories of that event returned with a vengeance, and Lincoln responded with a mournful howl.
Donna needed to ask an additional question, but she preferred to wait until they were alone.
“I’m so sorry, Lincoln. I don’t want to hurt you, but I need some information to make sure you and the pup are healthy. Let me get the rest of your coat rinsed off.”
She finished quickly, allowed him to shake out some of the water, and then asked permission to pick him up. He was relocated to a grooming table nearby, where Donna dried him off with a fluffy towel and brushed out his coat from nose to tail. Once that was done, she inspected his paws, eyes, teeth, and ears.
“Can you lie down for me, belly up?”
Lincoln did so, and Donna palpated his mildly swollen tummy and checked his nipples before allowing him to sit up.
“Everything checks out, though I have two minor concerns. Your leg muscles are a bit atrophied and you’re a little underweight. Daily runs and more frequent meals should easily take care of that, and I’ll talk to our kitchen staff about your calorie intake. Your pup seems to be on target, and your abdomen will really begin to swell soon. By November, you may need to start taking it easier, but shifters are tough, and you’ll be just fine.”
Evan and the others seemed pleased by the good report, and Donna turned to them with a request.
“If you would return to the waiting area, I’d like a private moment with my patient.”
Donna left the door open but lowered her voice as she asked Lincoln some difficult questions.
“Lincoln, is this your first pregnancy?”
He nodded.
“Did someone force it on you?”
Another nod.
“Do you want to keep this pup?”
He growled at her, clearly affronted.
“It’s your choice, of course, but some Omegas in your place prefer to let others raise the pup instead. Either way, you have a home and a supportive pack at Gladstone. As for meals, I’m going to ask Evan to keep you away from the packhouse until you adjust to things around here. Our people will be eager to meet you, but it can be overwhelming for newcomers. Now, I want to see you every two weeks for regular checkups, and if you have any concerns don’t hesitate to pay me a visit.”
As the group left the infirmary, Evan’s phone beeped with an incoming text from the front gate.
>Melva Winchell and friend are on their way in.
Evan opened the mind-link, asking Ben to come and bring the other kids with him. As they waited, Evan gave Lincoln the good news.
“Melva is here.”
Lincoln yipped and danced, listening for the sound of a car. He’d been missing her and worried about her progress, but assumed she would be arriving on paws, not wheels. She’d tell him all about it, and in great detail no doubt, but he didn’t mind one bit as long as she was safe.
An unfamiliar vehicle entered the parking lot, kicking up puffs of dust, and driven by someone Lincoln didn’t recognize. When the doors opened, Melva made a beeline for him, tears running down her cheeks.
“Lincoln! Oh, how I’ve missed you!”
She hugged him and he licked her face, tail wagging to beat the band. At length, she stood up to introduce her traveling companion.
“Lincoln, this is my friend, Ginny. I couldn’t make it all the way here, so I detoured to Newald and asked her to drive me here. Oh, the stories I have to tell you! Now, who are all these nice people?”
Ben did the customary introductions.
“Welcome to Gladstone, ladies. I’m Alpha Blair, and this is my mate, Evan, our children, and my brother, Jonah. As you can imagine, we have some questions about what’s happened and how you ended up here. We’d love for you to join us for supper later, and I’ll have someone prepare a room for your stay.”
Lincoln plastered himself to Melva’s side as the whole group went inside for what was sure to be an interesting, and troubling, discussion.
Chapter 42
