Chapter 4
“I’LLbe honest. This situation is unusual.”
Dr. Josh Douglas’ words haunted Connor as he sat in the examination room with Elaine and the kids. Josh was a fellow shape shifter and also a doctor on the mainland. Whenever anyone at the Ursa needed special medical attention, they called him. For the most part, shifters healed more quickly than humans and tended to evade many of the diseases that plagued their human counterparts. However, anomalies existed. Josh had studied them all. Not only did he have a thriving human practice, he was well known in the shifter community for tackling curious shifter ailments.
To know he hadn’t seen this situation before was troubling.
“You’ve never heard of children shifting?”
He listened to Andy’s heart with his stethoscope while the little guy occupied himself with a toy truck. “Not at this age. The youngest I’ve seen is eight. A case of precocious puberty. The girl’s body developed too soon, and her wolf followed.”
“What happened to her?” asked Elaine.
“She’s okay, but her parents had to isolate her for a while until she was better able to control the shift. She’s a teenager now and is well adjusted.”
“See?” said Connor. “It’s good you came back to Gemini Island. At least at the Ursa, if the kids shift unexpectedly, they’ll have lots of people looking out for them.”
Elaine nodded.
“Connor’s right.” Josh finished examining Andy and turned to Layla, looking in her ears. “You’re in the best place possible. You’re planning on staying, I hope?”
Her second nod was less definite, more a wobble of the head.
She wasn’t convinced. Connor would just have to make sure she stayed. He’d have to make sure she understood the island was the best damn place for them on earth, and he didn’t care what it took.
“Could their premature shift have hurt them?” she asked, her voice lowered.
The doctor completed his exam of Layla. “From what I can see, they don’t seem to have suffered any ill effects. Sight’s good, hearing’s good, heart’s good.” He narrowed his eyes at Layla. “But I have a serious question for Miss Layla. Do you like tickles?”
Layla tensed in anticipation, grinning and nodding.
Josh aimed a finger at her belly, pretending to tickle her as he examined her belly. He glanced over his shoulder. “She’s fine.”
Andy poked his stomach, his little face twisted in indignation. “Hey, Doc. I like tickles too.”
“You don’t say.” Josh paused, finger poised in the air, ready to attack. When he did check out Andy’s stomach, the boy collapsed on the exam table, his laughter echoing in the small room. “Okay, sport. You and your sister are good to go. If you head to reception and ask Sharon nicely, she might just give you a lollipop.”
He helped them off the table, and they raced out of the room, lured by the promise of sugar.
Josh smiled. “Elaine, your kids are healthy. I think what happened in Alaska was brought on by stress and grief. It’s not unusual for our people to react in those kinds of situations, just like humans. I would suggest you and the kids enjoy some down time at the Ursa. Relax and spend time with friends. Now that Andy and Layla are back home, I think you’ll find their urge to shift will disappear. In the meantime, I’m going to do some more research and call a few of my contacts in the shifter world to see if anyone else has seen similar cases.”
“Thanks, Josh.” She sighed in relief.
“What about you?”
“Me?”
“It’s been a long time since your last checkup. Typical of moms, you know. They make sure the kids are up to date with everything and neglect themselves.” He checked his chart, flipping through a couple of pages. “Yup. Four years since your last physical. I’d like to examine you too.”
“I can make another appointment. I don’t want to take up your time.”
“Elaine.” Josh leveled her with a look. “Get up on the table. Connor, do you mind waiting outside please?”
Outside? But he was here…with Elaine. He stood but couldn’t seem to move.
“We won’t be long,” said Josh.
“Uh, yeah, sure.” Connor remained in his place, feeling stupid.
