Page 42 of Briggs
I nodded. “How can I help him?” I asked. I loved my mate so much. I had tried to tell him multiple times, but he’d been so emotional lately that I was afraid I’d upset him because he didn’t feel the same for me yet. “I’ll do anything to help him heal.”
“It just takes time. Show him understanding, patience, love, acceptance. And we’re going to have to get him in to see Dr. Swift weekly again. I’ll see if I can get Pierce to come up here since Todd is so stressed. He’s worried about his siblings not living with him, about little Maggie still being missing.” Dr. King shook his head. “I’m not sure if there is an update on her, but I do know that more children were located in the area.”
That was news to me. But I was still on leave, and we had been doing our best trying to figure out each other. “I won’t say anything to Todd. He has enough stress, and although it’s sad and tragic, I don’t think he needs to know anything about Maggie unless it’s something that gives closure. Either she’s found or it’s confirmed she’s no longer with us.” I didn’t want that. I truly didn’t. She had been a baby, a newborn, when she went missing. There was no reason for her to be harmed, and I hoped that she somehow found her life in the hands of someone who would have mercy on a helpless, innocent child.
Dr. King nodded. “I’d like to have Pierce come and have a session with Todd. I’m concerned for him, as the stress he’s obviously experiencing is not good for him or the babies.”
“I can agree with that. I’m open for whenever. I just want my mate to feel a bit of peace and not stress so much about everything.”
“We’ll work on that.” Dr. King stood up. “I’m leaving some of the other tea with you. It’s in the blue tin, and the other tea is in a gray tin. The blue one will make him sleepy. It has a bit of extrarelaxant in it that will help calm his anxiety that he’s obviously experiencing.”
“Will that harm him or the babies?”
“No. Pierce will be in contact today because I’ll make sure of it. If he can’t make it up, I know Garin can. Todd has a fondness for him, and they seemed to have connected on some level.”
“Thank you.” I stood, and after glancing at Todd, I started to follow Dr. King. “Can you maybe label the tea for me? At least the normal one? I’m going to try to remember, but I really don’t want to mix it up and give him the wrong one.”
“Consider it done,” Dr. King said. “Tell your mate you love him. I’m sure it will help calm at least a bit of his fears. He’s worried that his mate wouldn’t be able to love him after everything he’s been forced to do.”
“I…”
“It’s written on your face when you look at him or even talk about him. I’ve seen more alphas in love with their mates than I can count. I understand that it can sometimes be scary saying those words first, but trust that the fates knew what they were doing when they paired the two of you. I’m no expert, but for some reason, Todd needed to meet you now. That much I know. Why? I’m not sure yet, but hopefully that becomes clear sooner rather than later.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I know Todd is terrified about losing his job, and although he doesn’t have to work, I won’t stop him if he decides to go back to work.”
“Todd’s job will be there as long as he wants it.”
“Thank you,” I said.
Dr. King nodded to me, and then he was gone. I was left with my mate sleeping and the realization that there was so much more going on with him than I imagined. I was upset that he felt he had to block certain things from me, but I knew thatonce he woke and we could talk about things, he would hopefully understand that no matter what, I wasn’t going anywhere.
I didn’t know how long Todd would sleep, but I figured it would be well through when we were supposed to have dinner with Alpha Babak and Alpha Dane. I winced as I pulled out my phone and typed out a message of apology.
Me: I do apologize for such short notice, Alpha Dane. Todd isn’t feeling well and Dr. King just left. Todd is sleeping thanks to the tea, and most likely will be for some time. I know it is incredibly rude to cancel without notice, but could we possibly reschedule our dinner for another day?
I copied and pasted the same message, with a few changes to Alpha Babak as well.
Me: I do apologize for such short notice, Alpha Babak. Todd hasn’t been feeling well and Dr. King just left after a house call. Todd is sleeping thanks to the special tea, and most likely will be for some time. I know it is incredibly rude to cancel without notice, but could we possibly reschedule our dinner for another day? I know he would love to see John and Tracy, as would I, but Todd simply isn’t up for it just yet.
My phone vibrated with Alpha Dane’s response before I could finish altering the message to Alpha Babak.
Alpha Dane: Absolutely. Do you or Todd need anything? Victoria and I will gladly bring meals if needed. Bath things for Todd to use to relax? Personally I know nothing about those, but Victoria does. I could ask her to put together a care basket.
Alpha Babak’s reply came in as I was reading Alpha Dane’s. If I hadn’t worked for the council as long as I had, I would probably be a bit nervous with all of the created ones messaging me as if it were an everyday thing.
Me: Thank you for the offer, Alpha. It isn’t necessary though. Todd has some extra stress, and it seems as if it simply overflowed. He’s sleeping now and we’ll alter his treatment plan with Dr. King and Dr. Swift. I appreciate your concern, understanding, and offer.
Alpha Babak: Do not fret. Mina will bring leftovers tomorrow so you can enjoy the delicious foods. She also wishes to say that if Todd needs anything at all, do not hesitate to reach out. We will be in touch. Do not worry about the children. They will understand that their brother isn’t feeling well.
I didn’t know what to say to all of that other than thank you, so that was what I did.
Me: Thank you, Alpha Babak. We very much wish to join you and Alpha Mate Mina. Just as soon as Todd is feeling better, I will reach out to reschedule with you. Thank you for all of your care and concern for my mate. I appreciate it.
I ran my hand down my face and took a deep breath. This was not how I had envisioned my mating going. Would I change it? No. Todd was who he was because of the circumstances of his life. I was sure he would have been just as adorable, and I would have fallen in love with him even if he’d never been trafficked, but knowing what he’d gone through had made me admire him more than I could say. I knew alphas that wouldn’t have survived what my mate had been through. Yes, Todd still had some things he was working on, but I was beginning to think that some of his issues were due to unrealistic expectations he had of himself. He was putting too much pressure on himself, and his timeline was too constrained.
I glanced back toward the bed where Todd was and wondered if I should sit with him or go find something to eat. I had mentioned pizza or Chinese, and I would never leave while he was sleeping to go fetch it, but we didn’t have a delivery service here on the mountain. But perhaps I could get a little bit of magical help with that later when Todd was awake if he wasn’t up for going out.
I was truly at a loss as to what to do, so I went into what would be our nursery with new information that Dr. King had disclosed to me. We would need two of everything because we were having twins. That was…a lot to take in. We weren’t the first and certainly wouldn’t be the last couple to have twins. But were we ready for two babies? Was anyone ever ready for twins?Well, except Benjamin. He had been an absolute pro at babies when their twins were born and handled it like it was nothing.
