Page 40 of Matched By the Dragon

“The door. Slipped in while they were getting your guy into the wheelchair,” he said and held out a honey cake wrapped in plastic from the vending machine. “If you’re not going to sleep, you need more calories.”

“Thanks,” I said, opening it up. “I’m not trying to make your job harder than it is. I just can’t sleep here.”

“That’s okay. Clyde’s awake and if the scans are good, he’ll get someone to get you guys a lift home. Someone more bright-eyed and bushytailed than himself.”

“Poor Clyde.”

“Ah, he loves it. He needs the frantic pace of the ER sometimes,” Ollie shrugged. “Eat your cake. Do you want some milk to go with it? We have those little chocolate milk cartons in the nurses’ station.”

“That sounds good.”

Ollie came back a few minutes later. He made small talk while I ate and waited for the raccoons to bring Durin back. I wanted my bed with my mate and babies in it. I wanted to sleep for a week.

“Clyde’ll be here in a few minutes,” Durin said, startling me from my micro nap.

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

“They said they had to wait on him to read the results,” Durin said, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I should ask you that. You look dead in the chair, mate.”

“I’ve had longer nights when these two were younger,” I shrugged. “They’ll be one next month. Did you know that?”

“I did,” he nodded. “We’ll throw them whatever sort of birthday party you want.”

“No trampolines,” I said.

Durin chuckled and nodded. He opened his mouth to say something else, but Clyde walked in. He smelled tired, but was smiling.

“If your human skull had damage, it’s gone now. Fully repaired,” Clyde said.

“Can I get this lot home?” Durin asked.

“Absolutely,” Clyde nodded. “Raziel is coming to pick you up. I called for Star, but Raziel answered.”

“Raziel is okay around the kids,” I nodded.

“Well, he’ll be here soon,” Clyde smiled. “Now, when you all get home, I want you both to get as much rest as you can manage over the next few days. I’ll be by soon to do another ultrasound, Brad. I know you just had one, but stress can change things. If you need help or someone to look after the cubs while you two rest, please ask someone. I know you’re feeling particularly territorial in this part of your pregnancy and I understand why but let someone help you if you need it.”

“I got them,” Raziel said, walking into the room. “I have nothing but time.”

Raziel smelled sad and sort of annoyed. I wondered if our needing a ride home had ruined his night. I knew that he knew who his true-mate was and that he wouldn’t go after him for personal reasons, but still he could’ve had plans.

“You alright?” Durin asked Raziel.

“Yeah. I got some sleep,” he nodded. “I’m okay.”

Chapter 14

Durin

The Hemlock Wolf Pack, Star’s Territory

The cubs slept through being transferred into the Hemlock van and put into their little car seats. Brad sat in the back with them and dozed off as soon as Raziel pulled out of the hospital’s parking lot. I watched him out of the corner of my eye for a long moment from the passenger seat. It was tempting to just doze off and leave him to his thoughts. Though, he smelled like he had a rough day. He smelled almost like someone had broken his heart.

“Wanna talk about it?” I asked him, looking out of the window as the dark city rolled by.

“Are you going to be a shithead if I’m vague?” Raziel asked.

“Nope. This is about you. You smell like someone chewed on your heart and put it back in upside down,” I said.