Chapter Eleven
Ahearn
Waking up in a hospital room had been concerning. Finding Bari Herschel dozing in the chair by my bed and reeking of pregnancy hormones was even more concerning. Being informed later that he had claimed to be my husband was shocking. But being publicly dressed down by my Prince? Being called a failure as an Alpha by the leader of my species? Mortifying was the only word to describe it.
The worst part was that I left the chamber of the Elder’s Council with the uncomfortable knowledge that our Prince was correct. Regardless of the circumstances,everyOmega is owed common courtesy and respect and, on first glance, I wasn’t able to find much that was Alpha-appropriate in the way I had treated Bari. It wasn’t a proud revelation, but it was one that I could attempt to make amends for during the time that we were to be cloistered together.
And if I could help him reconcile with the Alpha that had sired his young and get him out of my care early in the process? So much the better. It was with that goal in mind that I accepted the treatment plan from the doctor that had consulted with Bari’s attorney – it seemed the wolf shifter deserved his reputation as the best Omega rights attorney in the States; if he’d left a single stone unturned in his representation of Bari, I certainly didn’t know what it could have been.
Which all led to me waiting impatiently on a park bench in the sun for him to return. A shiny old-fashioned pickup truck finally pulled up and the same Alpha that had held Bari’s hand in the hearing room carefully assisted Bari from the cab.
“We’re doing what?” Bari asked hesitantly, his voice barely cracking as he watched the red truck pull away, his brow pinched with concern.
“We’re going to take the train home,” I repeated, lifting the larger of the two bags sitting at his feet. “Let me get you settled in the car and I’ll come back for the other.”
Alarm flashed over Bari’s face and he snatched the smaller bag. “No need. I’ve got it.”
“Very well,” I agreed, holding back a small sigh. “The rental car is over here.” I rested my palm on the small of his back and couldn’t hold back a self-satisfied smile when he immediately leaned in toward me. “It’s more than a two day drive from here to the estate,” I explained. “The car would be cramped and uncomfortable. If we take the train, the trip will be stretched out by six hours, but I booked us in a private sleeping car so we will have all the creature comforts.” I shot a quick glance at Bari from the corner of my eye and was relieved that he seemed happy with that explanation. “I thought you would be more comfortable.”
“Thank you, Alpha,” Bari said softly, stopping at the car I gestured to and waiting for me to unlock the passenger door. When I opened it, he shot me another surprised look but simply murmured his thanks and settled into the soft leather seat, leaning his head back with a sigh. By the time I’d placed his bags in the trunk of the car, his eyes had closed and the tiniest of snores was puffing out through his nose, each one accompanied by a tiny wisp of smoke.
Chuckling to myself, I made the hour-long drive to the train station with only the radio for company. With Bari still dozing, I checked our baggage with the platform attendant and called to arrange for the car to be retrieved after the train had left. With nothing left to do but wait, I carefully shook Bari’s shoulder.
“Bari, we need to go inside now.”
“Hm?” His eyes blinked open slowly and a yawn split his lips, showing the very tip of his forked tongue which, oddly, made me smile.
“We need to go inside,” I repeated, offering my hand to help him stand. “I’ve already checked our baggage and, if the train is here, we should be able to board.”
Bari nodded sleepily, pushing a mass of floppy hair out of his eyes
Luckily, our cabin was ready and after slipping the car attendant a healthy tip to fold down the bed early, we were able to settle in. Bari immediately curled up on the lower bunk bed, pillowing his head on his forearm and falling back into a deep sleep.
Shaking my head, I rifled through the tiny row of cupboards under the bench seat, covering Bari with the thin blanket that I found. Then, I made myself comfortable on the bench-like sofa along the opposite wall and began to read through the detailed care schedule designed to restore Bari to health and me to the royal family’s good graces.
By the time I’d finished, the train had been racing smoothly down the track for better than an hour and, despite the schedule saying that he was due for a meal and a snuggle -whateverthatwas supposed to mean-Bari continued to sleep like the dead.
Making my way down to the food service car, I loaded a tray with a little bit of everything -what exactly does a pregnant personwant? I certainly didn’t know. Back in our private cabin, I placed the tray on the small table and again shook Bari’s shoulder.
“Bari? Wake up, your schedule says you need to eat.”
Other than a grumbling noise, I got no response so I tried again. “Bari, wake up!”
Another grumbling noise and one hand came out to try and push me away.
“That’s enough of that!” I huffed, unable to keep the irritation out of my voice. “I went to the trouble of procuring food for you and you’re going to wake up and eat!”
Based on how quickly the sleeping man suddenly jerked upright, his eyes wide and alarmed, I suspected there had been more than a touch of the Alpha control in my voice as well. Swallowing a sigh, I patted his shoulder. “I’m sorry if I startled you, but the doctor was adamant that you be kept on your schedule and it is time for you to eat.” The apology sounded weak even to me but Bari nodded and reached for the turkey sandwich.
“Thank you,” his voice was soft and hesitant as he bit into the soft bread with a pleased hum. He chewed his bite and swallowed. “This is my favorite.”
It was? I studied Bari’s face as he devoured the sandwich, contemplating the amount of time I had spent considering the options before placing the turkey and cheese on white bread on the tray. Was it possible I somehow remembered that about him? Or was it simply the luck of the draw? Long after the sandwich was gone and the wrapper placed carefully in the bin under the table, I still wasn’t sure.
