After work, she drank the potion and laid down.The miracle medicine knocked her out for about twelve hours.Her dreams were of Tavish.Of them running together in the forest, only they were in Scotland, not America.Pups ran along with them.Their children.The loves of their lives.It was a future she wanted.No more hesitation.No more denying the truth.The High Luna truly worked in mysterious ways.
The next morning, she blinked her eyes open and the first thing she saw was Tavish hovering over her with a worried look in his eyes.She smiled as she stretched.
“Good morning,” she murmured.
“I wasn’t able to wake you,” he said.“I thought I was going to have to call for help.”
“Oh, sorry, I should’ve told you I take medicine once a month that knocks me out for a while.”
He frowned.“Medicine for what?”
She sighed.“Let me go pee and I’ll meet you in the living room.”
Tavish laid a hand on her shoulder.“Are you sick?”
“Not like you think.”She gestured toward the door.“Go on.I’ll be out in a few minutes.”
He was reluctant to move, staring at her intently.Whatever he saw on her face, he gave a nod of acknowledgment and left the bedroom.Rising, Mairi headed into her en-suite bathroom and used the facility.Washing up, she grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt to change into and be comfortable on the first day of her period.
Tavish waited at the small kitchen table, with his hands cradling a mug of coffee.The scent made her mouth water and she headed to the coffeepot and poured her own cup.After adding cream and sugar, she sat down across from him, blew away the steam, and took a cautious sip of brew.
“I suffer from this condition called polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS,” she explained.“Heavy periods.Pelvic pain.Back pain because it’s all swollen inside and puts pressure on everything, including my spine.Many times, I’d pop more ibuprofen than I should’ve, and curl in a ball trying to find a way to escape my misery.”
She took another sip.Tavish remained silent, staring intently at her.His stoic face was impossible to read.
“When I came here, I went to Savannah, and she made me this potion to help, and it’s a miracle.I’m able to function and work without the debilitating pain.Unfortunately, the side effect is I sleep for about twelve hours straight.Tomorrow I’ll have another dose, followed by a last one two days after that.So, I’m sorry if I scared you.”
“It’s been like this your whole life?”
“Well, I was twelve when I got my first period, and things were fine until I got my wolf.”
“Your wolf caused this?”
“Indirectly.For most women, this disease happens gradually year after year, but for me, it was almost instantaneous.The wolf accelerated it.”
She waited for him to sift through what she said, and saw a lightbulb moment.
“Reproduction.”
Mairi nodded.“Not impossible, but conception can be difficult.”
“We haven’t used condoms.”
“Well, I’m not pregnant,” she said, with a sad smile.
He took hold of her hand.“Do you want to be pregnant?Do you want to have pups with me?”
It was pretty much a no-brainer for her, but was he ready for her answer?She took a deep, steadying breath.Here went nothing.
“I’ve wanted your pups since the moment I fell in love with you,” she admitted in a soft voice.
He blinked and for a moment was still, which made her heart race in fear.Was he about to laugh at her?Scoff?Reject her?If he did that, she didn’t know what she’d do.Melt into a puddle of sorrow and just stay there.Or maybe shift into her wolf and live out the rest of her life running through the forests of Colorado.
“I was a selfish asshole,” he declared.“An idiotic, selfish asshole.I’m sorry I said those awful words without getting to know you.I have no excuse nor do I expect forgiveness without having to grovel for it.”
She grinned.“It’s all right now.No need for groveling.”
Not heeding her words, he fell to his knees in front of her and cupped her face.“My vow to you is that I will become a better man.A man who listens.Who takes advice.Who’ll talk things over with you when we argue or when I need an opinion.A man who’ll treasure you always.I’m falling in love with you as well, Mairi, and this isnotshifter hormones talking here.These past couple of weeks have been a revelation.”
