We need her.My lion was the one who even said it this time, so I was hopeful he really understood.
Ellie reluctantly accepted it but also gave me an impressed look like she hadn’t realized I was allowing things for Aurora’s sake like my care. “I would like to be included as a doctor on your assessments if it’s not too awkward given our dynamic.”
I swallowed a huff, but Aurora cleared her throat, waiting until I nodded.
“I hope you excuse yourself when he discusses certain post-mating items he should with his doctors and the magics,” she told Ellie firmly.
It was amusing when Ellie flushed and immediately nodded. It was clear that no matter what had happened, Ellie still saw Aurora in a mother role and cared for her that way.
Hopefully, one day they could mend that relationship. Or thrive in a new form of one.
Yeah, actually, I liked that idea better.
Everything went really well until Aurora was off to the side speaking to someone from the hospital. I snarled and practically barreled someone over to launch myself in front of her.
“He’s not being jealous,” the doctor said even as he backed away and dipped his head to me. “I sensed your worry and—”
“I’m not worried,” Aurora argued.
The doctor let out a slow breath and held her gaze. “You were. No matter how small, that’s what we scent. A lion scents minor changes in emotions that well. It’s clear Creed hasn’t been able to, and some of the issues you’re facing are his lion is suddenly scenting, seeing, and experiencing life at ten times the level he was. Can you imagine how overwhelming that is for him?”
“No, but even as I lion, I doubt you can either,” she accepted after a moment. “And he realized something important when we arrived.” She turned to me. “You weren’t being jealous?” She gave me a soft smile when I shook my head. “You don’t know this doctor?”
People froze when the lion shook his head.
She simply looked back at the doctor. “And now you see the issue. Clearly, you’ve spoken with Creed the man, but the barrier between him and his lion was affected. That is what Creed realized.”
“Damnit. We should have guessed this,” Monroe grumbled. “But I’m not a shifter, so no matter how much I work with them, it’s a concept I cannot fully grasp just as you said.”
I shifted back even if people didn’t want that yet. I stayed kneeling before Aurora and touched her skirt. “I swear I wasn’t being a jealous ass. I felt your agitation spike, and I—my lion didn’t know him when this is already too much of a circus. I swear it. I think I get it better more that—”
“He doesn’t understand, and right now everything is so different that it’sallpotential threats to him,” Ellie muttered.
“Please avert your eyes from my naked mate,” Aurora said with a cold tone.
“Right, sorry, doctor,” Ellie mumbled, sounding like a kid in trouble instead of one of the most powerful women in the world.
And I simply purred which amused Aurora. “Even I have limits.” She kissed my hair. “I’m glad we’ve worked out what’s been going on and now hopefully how to fix the situation better.”
Because we needed to. That much was clear in her tone.
“I don’t normally do this, but my mate is a vampire,” the doctor said quietly as he moved in closer. “I will ask if she’ll talk to you. I’m sure she will, but—interspecies mating can be difficult enough without the issues you’re facing.”
“I would like that, thank you,” Aurora accepted. “If you have any non-medical advice for my mate on what helps, he will listen.”
I wasn’t the only one who gave her an impressed look. But yes, I agreed as well.
It was exhausting to shift back to my lion and they had me do it a few more times, but… Everyone was impressed. Just that I could and my strength was growing so fast. I was a powerful Alpha lion and everyone had a lot to say about that.
And my lion and I simply huffed. Yeah, yeah, but people wanted Alphas to lead and I had no interest in that.
When I was about to drop and they wanted more from me, I sensed something I shouldn’t have. I gave Ha-joon a look and then held up my phone before quickly texting him and Ellie. She asked for a few minutes to set things up but would have two powerful warlocks on her payroll to cloak and tail me for what was needed.
And to get it all caught on film because unfortunately everyone dirty wasn’t stupid and many knew how to avoid cameras.
“I need to handle something real quick,” I told Aurora with a kiss to her cheek once I was mostly dressed. “Please,please, stay with your security glued to you.”
She searched my eyes for too long. “You can’t tell me what’s going on, can you?”
