“That would be lovely,” Elen said softly. “And after I get Harte settled, who should I see concerning my assignments?”
“Your assignments?” Jackson asked, his forehead furrowed.
“Yes…my contributions to the pack,” Elen replied. “I can cook, clean…well just about anything. And Harte is good with all types of repairs…once he’s healthy again.”
Dumbfounded, it took Jackson a moment to find his voice. “Hmm…that won’t be…”
“I’ll do their work,” Smokey said, interrupting, his eyes locked on Jackson’s, daring him to object.
“I appreciate the offer, Elen,” Jackson said, smiling. “But as my guests, there aren’t any assignments except to relax and take care of Harte.”
“Are you sure?” Elen asked, doubtfully.
“Yup…now, ready to see your suite?” asked Jackson.
“Most definitely,” Elen nodded. “It’s been a very tiring day.”
~/~/~/~/~
Mac hid his shock at how distressed Theo looked as Steel escorted him into the examining room. The difference between ten minutes ago and now was alarming. Helping him up on the exam table, Mac took his vitals, relieved to find they were normal, leading him to conclude whatever happened during that time period wasn’t physical. Nevertheless, he insisted on admitting Theo. After his patient was settled in one of the hospital rooms, he headed out to the hall where Steel and Norm were waiting for him.
“Is Theo okay? Can I see him now?” Norm asked anxiously.
Mac glanced at Steel who gave a discrete nod, said, “He’s fine, Norm, and is eager to see you.”
“The cub?”
“Fine also,” Mac replied. “Go on…he needs you.” Waiting until Norm had disappeared into the hospital room, he turned to Steel. “What the hell happened?”
“Well, there’s no way of sugar coating this…Theo found his mate.”
Mac stared at Steel for a moment, then blinked…and blinked again, sure he was being pranked. Theo had a mate and, according to Ian, Norm was proof of it; the pregnancy could never have happened without him. And since Ghost bears didn’t mate in threes, Steel had to be joking which pissed him off. He snorted in disgust at Steel’s attempt to gaslight him when he should have, instead, been concerned about Theo’s well-being. “That’s not funny…and while I appreciate humor as much as anyone else, this is neither the time nor place for it. Ten minutes ago, my patient was happy, and now he is withdrawn and refuses to speak to me.”
“I’m not joking,” Steel said. “Apparently Glenn’s friend, Smokey, who just arrived, is his mate.”
“Holy fuck…does Norm know?” asked Mac.
“No…and Theo doesn’t want him to…he made Jackson promise.”
“Norm has a right to know.”
Shrugging, Steel said, “I agree, but then it’s not up to either of us. This is Theo’s life and he gets to decide…and right now, he’s told Jackson he doesn’t want to see Smokey so I doubt he plans to tell Norm anytime soon.”
“This isn’t good…” Mac muttered.
“I know…but I think Norm will…”
Waving his hand, Mac said, “No, you don’t understand. I’ve been reading up on Ghost Bears. Theo’s pregnancy is a high risk one because of his age. Most Ghost bears don’t mate till they’ve reached full adulthood.”
“He’s over eighteen.”
“Yes, I know, and in most of the paranormal world Theo would be considered an adult but that doesn’t apply to everyone…or to be more specific, Ghost Bear shifters. They don’t reach maturity until they’re twenty-five.”
“Why?”
“I’m not certain…and I really need to talk to Ian to be positive…but from what I read, it has to do with their rarity. With so few, it appears nature has decided it’s the best way to ensure their survival. It’s only when they reach twenty-five, that a Ghost Bear shifter’s metabolism is able to handle the stress of a multiple cub pregnancy.”
“What if Theo is carrying only one cub?”
