Page 19 of Briggs
“Todd is special. He’s sweet and has a lot to give. He’s been here a year, and although you wouldn’t know it because he doesn’t share his feelings with anyone, he longs for a mate and children of his own. Working in the clinic with all of the pregnant omegas coming and going fuels those desires.”
“One can have desires such as those but not be ready for them, can they not?”
“Todd is ready. He wouldn’t have been paired if he wasn’t.”
I took a deep breath. “If you say so. I’ll have to trust that you know more about that than I do.”
Canyon smiled. “At least in this particular area.”
“Enjoy your time with your brother. And thanks again for the help.”
Canyon nodded to me, and then he was simply gone. Working for the council for the past couple of years, that nolonger fazed me. When they popped in directly in front of me, that still got to me at times, but not when they simply left.
I looked around my living room to see if there was anything else I needed to do to clean up. I didn’t normally leave the place a mess, and I’d been on assignment, so I’d made sure the place was extra clean so it wouldn’t be disgusting when I returned. I grabbed the folder on my way by and took it with me. I needed to give it back to Master Edison when I was finished reading, but for now, I needed to store it and get to the clinic so I could meet Todd.
I slid it into a drawer in the kitchen, then left the house. I wasn’t exactly late, but I wasn’t early either. The clinic wasn’t a far walk—in fact, I could see the back of it from my front door. How ironic was that? All this time—well, at least as long as Todd had been working at the clinic—my mate was that close.
I didn’t go to the back door this time. I went around, and when I pulled open the front door, it made a chiming sound. There was no sign of Todd though, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t here. The warlock from earlier was the one who appeared from down the hallway. Dr. King, maybe? There had been a lot happening today.
“He’s not here.”
The disappointment was immediate. I’d been excited to see my adorable mate again. “I can wait outside. He said to meet him here for the run with his brother.”
“He took the rest of the day off. He said he’d be back tomorrow, but I told him it was all right if he needed more time.”
“Thanks. I’ll just wait outside for him.”
“His house is down past the council building. That row of houses that’s down that way, do you know where I’m talking about?”
I nodded. We had all taken turns patrolling the mountain, and that row of houses had been included. “I do. It’s expanded, and there is a small neighborhood there now.”
“Yes. Todd lives there. Fourth house on the left. But he was going to an appointment with Dr. Braun.”
“That is what Canyon told me.” I glanced off to the right. “It’s been quite a day.”
“I would imagine so. I can give you Todd’s number if you’d like. That way, you can message or call him to see if he’s running behind or whatnot.”
“I’d appreciate that. Thank you.”
The warlock doctor smiled as he closed the distance between us. In his hand was a piece of paper, and on it was a number.
“Thanks again.”
“You’re welcome. And good luck.” He let out a loud sigh. “Todd is a good kid. I say kid because everyone is a kid when you’re my age.”
“Should I ask?”
“I’m just under four hundred. Not nearly as old as some in the council, but when compared to you and Todd, I’m old.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “Yes, you are. I can’t imagine the life you’ve lived.” Nor could I imagine spending so long without my mate. Luckily for me, I didn’t have to. But how was that fair? How did I, at forty-three, have a mate already while the doctor here didn’t?
The door chimed, and we both turned toward the sound. “I’m late. Did…oh. You’re already here.”
I laughed to cover up the sudden pain in my chest. “Are you upset that I’m here already?”
Todd’s eyes widened. “What? No.” He held up his hands and shook his head. “I didn’t mean to be late. I had a long appointment, and then I ran by Alpha Babak’s house to talk to my brother because he messaged me.”
“I haven’t had a chance yet to ask someone to chaperone us on our run. I know of a few that will be more than happy to help though.”
