Page 58 of Briggs
I shook my head. “I don’t know, my friend. I’ve been mostly out. My team is here though, and I guess I’ve not really picked up on who is and isn’t in-house at the moment.”
Slater nodded. “Well, congratulations. Where did you meet your mate?”
I chuckled. “Here. Well, at the omega clinic. I scented him when I was walking by,” I told him. “I’ll have to fill you in when I have more time. I really need to get. My brother-in-law is probably wondering where I am, and we need to get the nursery finished before Todd gets off of work.”
“Todd?” Slater’s eyes became impossibly big. “The cute little cheetah shifter?”
I growled and narrowed my eyes. It caught Rainier’s attention as he was walking by. When he raised an eyebrow, I shook my head. Rainier continued on, and I looked back at Slater, who was holding his hands out in front of him. “Nope. I’m not after your mate. I was just making an observation and a poorly voiced one.” I narrowed my eyes. My wolf was just below the surface, and Slater’s own wolf realized it. “He’s cute. You’re lucky. That’s all.”
“Is there an issue?” Rainier asked. I’d been so focused on Slater that I didn’t realize the warlock had doubled back.
“No,” I said. I looked at Slater and nodded. “He made a comment about Todd, and my wolf is just being on edge about our new mate. I apologize.”
“We’re good,” Slater said. He looked to his left, and I realized we’d drawn a bit of a crowd. “Can I get a five-minute break?” Slater asked.
“Sure. I was just about to come ask if you wanted to take your lunch,” Reinhold asked. “I’m not doing anything at the moment, and I volunteered to cover your lunch.”
I sighed. I’d messed up a bit, and it was honestly the first time I’d ever been this way about Todd.
“You sure you’re all right?” Rainier asked. I nodded, and after Ranier returned the motion, he walked away. I decided that maybe Reinhold would be able to answer a few questions. He had children.
He was staring off in the direction that Slater had gone, but when he turned my way, he smirked. “What did he say to set you off?”
“How did you know?”
“Because Slater has upset more than a few people lately. Usually asking questions about mates.”
I nodded. “He didn’t ask anything, but he did comment that Todd was cute.”
Reinhold chuckled. “Toddiscute. But so are all of the other mates. Chase is gorgeous and is the only one for me. But you cannot deny that the others are attractive. It’s just how things are.” Reinhold sighed. “Don’t take it too personally.”
“I don’t know what came over me. I’ve never acted that way about my mate before.”
“Give it time. The two of you haven’t been mated long. I’m sure that Todd has experienced some of the same feelings. I know Chase has, and I certainly growled at others in the beginning of my mating.” Reinhold shrugged. “It’s part of it, I think.”
“Thanks, Rein. I appreciate it.” I sighed again. “I need to get. John is probably waiting for me. We’re supposed to do the nursery as a surprise for Todd. He’s had his heart set on this one theme, but he fought tears when he saw the cost of the stuff to make it happen.” I shrugged. “I ordered everything and had it delivered to Raiden’s. It’s ready, and with the girls being due in a few weeks, it’s past time to get everything set up.”
Reinhold chuckled. “That it is. Have fun. And remember, if you need help with anything, the mountain is full of warlocks, fae, and hellhounds that have magical powers.” Reinhold frowned. “Well, normally hellhounds. They’ll be back soon, from what I’ve heard.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said before I waved and got myself out the door. I couldn’t help but glance toward the omega clinic when I left the building. Todd was so close, but he was busy, and I had a lot to do if I was going to be able to surprise him.
I hurried to the house and immediately heard music coming from upstairs. I smiled. I was happy John had adjusted to living with us so easily. After the first week, he seemed to become more comfortable, and he became more of what you would expectfrom a teenager. He liked to sleep late, he played video games, and he spent time with his friends. He was respectful though, and he was quick to help his brother around the house. That was something that was important to me. John didn’t add to the workload of the house. He helped without being asked, which we both greatly appreciated.
When I stepped into the doorway, I found John bopping his head to the music as he placed cute pictures and stuffed animals on the shelves that we’d gotten for the walls.
“Sorry I’m late,” I called out. John turned and smiled at me.
“I’ve only been at it maybe five minutes. I was talking to Liam. Would it be all right if I spend the night at their house tomorrow? Laurent and Harmonie are cool with it. They were going to get a bunch of pizzas and snacks.”
I smiled. “I have no issues with it. You should clear it with Todd first though, but I don’t see it as being a problem.”
John’s smile widened. “Thanks.”
I continued to smile as I walked into the nursery to help. I didn’t mind John having friends. Liam was seventeen while John was only fourteen, and Liam would be going off to college next year. There were more kids John’s age down in Honey Creek and Timber Valley, but the logistics of getting him there in the evenings often were tricky.
“Oh, hey,” I said, getting his attention as he added a set of toy blocks to the shelf. “Isn’t the den doing something for Halloween tonight?”
John’s smile fell a little. “Yeah, I guess. I wasn’t really invited though.”
