“Are you okay?” Lucas asked.
“Sort of. I’m just…” I laughed weakly. “In a lot of pain.”
“Hang on.” Lucas got up and hurried out the door. A moment later he was back with an encouraging smile and sat down next to me. Before I could ask what he had done, Nolan appeared in the doorway.
“Good to see you awake, Kessel,” he said. “You gave us all a bit of a scare.”
“Thanks for patching me up, Doc,” I said. “You saved my life.”
He shook his head. “Thank you for taking care of the threat to my true mate.”
“Just doing my job. Congratulations, by the way.”
“To you as well.” Nolan walked over to my bed and I noticed some kind of machine rigged up next to me. A moment later he handed me a little button on a wire. “So,” he said with a chuckle. “I've actually got you hooked up to the epidural that I used for Adam.
“An epidural...” I echoed.
“Not ideal,” he said. “But it's strong enough to keep you from being in too much pain until sunset. And after you shift, you should be close to feeling like your old self again by sunrise. Get a lot of rest today. I don't want you to fall asleep and shift back tonight.”
“I can do that,” I said.
“The medicine is on a timed release, which I'm afraid I can't adjust from here. But whenever that button in your hand turns green, you start to feel like you're in pain, give it a little click and you'll get another dose.”
It was green, so I didn't hesitate to press it. A sensation like cold water splashed down the back of my neck. And I reached up a hand reflexively to touch it, expecting to find something there. But I only succeeded in sending a stab of shooting pain up my arm. I winced and lowered it again.
“Feels weird, doesn't it?” Adam said, joining us in the room.
“Very. Good to see you, Adam. Congratulations.”
“You too.”
“How's Teddy?” I asked.
“Doing great,” said Nolan. “A human baby would probably still be a little iffy, but his shifter baby is strong and healthy. He'll be staying with the Silvanus family for now.” Nolan chuckled. “Verona is overjoyed to have yet another baby in the house. So, I imagine she'll insist he stay there so that she can help him with the baby for the foreseeable future. He's in good hands.”
After a few pokes and prods, Nolan and Adam left. Not long after that, Lucas fetched our son for a feeding. I didn’t think I could possibly be happier, until the door opened and a pair of familiar dark eyes and mop of black hair appeared.
“Who-“ Lucas began, sitting up protectively.
“Nitesh!” I cried.
“Dad!” He rushed across the room and hugged me. “I came as soon as I heard. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, I’ll be fine. You didn’t need to come back early.”
“Of course I did. I’ll just spend my last couple of months in the lighthouse.” He caught sight of Lucas and Stryker and broke into a grin. “You must be Lucas.”
“Yes. I’ve heard all about you. It’s great to finally meet you.”
We were both surprised when Nitesh rounded the bed to hug him. “It’s wonderful to meet you.” He beamed a smile at his new little brother. “And you.”
And then I found myself cuddled in my true mate’s arms, while Nitesh lovingly cradled Stryker.
So, I took on a bear and won, hmm?
I closed my eyes and rested my head against Lucas. Perfect.
