Page 14 of Briggs
“Of course.”
“Going for a run with him is a good thing. But from past experiences, mates running together tends to speed up the first heat timeline. If you two spend a good deal of time together in your shifted forms, even if Todd is on suppressors, he will most likely go into heat within a week’s time.”
My mouth dropped open for a moment. “Thank you. I’ll swing by the clinic and ask to reschedule. Perhaps he and I could simply grab supper and talk for a bit this evening instead. I don’t want to rush him at all, but I also know my wolf wouldn’t have agood time if our mate was in heat and we weren’t there to help him.”
“I don’t recommend it,” Wallace chimed in. “From past experiences, my tiger has been willing to do anything to help Edison during that time. I know basically every other alpha has stated the same. I myself was too weak to go through a fertile period with Edison, but my tiger did it. When that time comes, that will be the singular thing your wolf will be focused on.”
I nodded. “Understood. Thank you, again. I know I keep saying that.” I took a deep breath. “I didn’t see any of this as happening to me. At least not now. I’m not upset about it, and I know I’ll cherish any and everything that Todd is willing to offer. I also know things will go slow. At least, they should.”
“Sometimes, life doesn’t allow for slow,” Alistair said. “The situations are a bit different, but even if the two of you don’t shift together, you have still met him. He’s going to go into heat within a couple of weeks at most. Be sure the two of you have a discussion about that and what is expected of it before that happens.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I will.” I took a step toward the door. “I’ll also take you up on that offer, Master Edison, and get you a list in a bit. I have to go see what all I have and don’t have at my place.”
Master Edison chuckled. “Delivery will be at your door shortly after I see the list. Go, read up on your mate’s situation and approach things with that information.”
I nodded. I left the office thankful, yet worried. I knew I could be patient. That wasn’t the issue. But already, my heart ached for Todd. He’d been so young. He still was. I checked out with Slater on my way out the door. Next stop was home. There was no way I was going to stop by the clinic carrying a folder with Todd’s mission in it. I still had a few hours before I said I’d meet him, so I had time to drop it at home before swinging back by the clinicto ask for a rain check regarding the run. We had plenty of time to go for runs together. Hopefully, he would understand.
Chapter 6
Todd
Iwasn’t going to make it through the day. My mate was seriously the most gorgeous and consumed my thoughts. I was definitely experiencing a first teenage crush, and I guessed that was all right since he was my mate.
But I’d already been struggling enough with trying to figure out the computer here. I was doing better, but now my mind was focused only on Briggs. Talking to Dr. Swift was sounding better and better, so I picked up the phone to call his office.
“Dr. Bennett’s office. This is Henry speaking.” I smiled at Henry’s greeting. He was such a wonderful person, and I enjoyed chatting with him while I was waiting for Dr. Swift or when we were finished with my appointment.
“Hi, Henry. It’s Todd. I need an appointment.”
Immediately, Henry’s voice changed to one of concern. “Hey, Todd. Is everything all right? You sound stressed.”
“I met my mate and…it’s a lot. I need to talk to someone. I don’t care which doctor it is. Can one of them see me today?” It was going to be a slow day here at the clinic, and Dr. King had already said I could take the day off. Personally, I was sure he got more accomplished when he didn’t have to continually help me do my job.
“Todd? Are you there?”
“Sorry, Henry. Yeah, I’m here. I was…my mind was wandering.”
“It does tend to do that when you meet your mate. I had said that Dr. Braun could get you in at two. Dr. Swift has the day off. He’s spending it with his mate. Their firstborn came for a quick visit. Otherwise, Dr. Brauer has an opening at four.”
I glanced at the clock. I could make two. “Yeah, I’ll take it. The one with Dr. Braun. I’ll leave now so I can get there.”
“There’s no rush,” Henry said. “Garin doesn’t have another appointment until four. There is plenty of time.”
“Thank you, Henry. I appreciate you squeezing me in.” I took a deep breath.
“Breathe, Todd. It’ll all be fine. Just take your time and come on down.”
I nodded, then remembered Henry couldn’t see me. “Yeah, I’ll take my time. I need to let Dr. King know I’m going out for an appointment.”
“Good. And, Todd?”
“Hmm?”
“Congratulations. We’ll see you soon.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks, Henry. I’ll be down in just a bit.” I hung up the phone and did as he’d said. I took several deep breaths and let them out slowly. After a couple of minutes of sitting quietly, taking deep breaths and letting them out slowly, I felt calmer than I had since Briggs had walked into the break room.
I double-checked the schedule, found it still empty, and got up to search for Dr. King. He wasn’t difficult to find. He was in his office, bent over what was most likely patient notes.
