Sitting down beside his mate, Brian murmured, “That’s okay. It’s what’s most important right now.” Putting his arm over Reif’s shoulders, Brian tugged him close to him. “Take yer time, mate. What was done to ye was really bad and there’s nae way ye can get over it in a day. But no matter how long it takes, I will be here for ye.”
“Thanks,” Reif whispered, leaning against Nessie.
~/~/~/~/~
Reif finally discovered why Zane’s gift would help them when he answered a knock on the door that night. There, standing on the porch, was Dr. Luna, Oracle, and an older gentleman that was introduced to him as her husband, Maximus. “Nice to meet you,” Reif said, as the three walked into the house, heading for the living room. Justas he was about to shut the door, Kieran strode up the front steps and into the house, halting in front of him.
“Are you ready?” he asked, excitement radiating from him.
“Ready for what?” asked Reif, now totally confused.
“Duh, to celebrate your mating with Brian,” Kieran replied. “C’mon, everyone’s waiting outside.”
“We can’t go anywhere,” Reif protested.
“Of course you can. Oracle, Maximus, and Dr. Luna are here to babysit the eggs. Make sure you guys bring your phones because I know you’re nervous about leaving them but don’t be, because, after all, how often does a doctor babysit, right? Maybe you should change into something sexy for your mate. Brian, where are you?” called Kieran, walking farther into the house. “Oh, there you are. C’mon, both of you, upstairs now and change into something to show off all the muscles you have. Everyone at The Meat Locker will be so jealous seeing two, very hot, silver foxes, thinking there’s fresh meat on the market but won’t they be surprised to learn the opposite. C’mon, Chop! Chop!”
~/~/~/~/~
Turning over, Reif groaned at the pounding in his head, a reminder of too many shots of tequila he consumed as toast after toast was made in his and Nessie’s honor throughout the evening. Add the loud music, fending off Nessie’s admirers while they were dancing, and a constant hard-on caused by his mate’s roaming hand, and it made for a night he wasn’t too eager to repeat. Opening one eye, Reif saw Nessie smiling at him. “How the fuck can you be so cheerful this morning?” he groaned.
“Awww, is my auld mate sore?”
“Sore? Fuck no! Pain? Absolutely! Everything hurts.”
“Well, the guid thing is the Shaman has nothin’ planned for us today; everyone’s packin’. They leave tomorrow morning,” Nessie said.
“Thank the fucking gods. I don’t think I can take many more days like yesterday.”
“Dinna worry,” Brian said, “ye have all day to rest up for tonight.”
“Tonight? No way. A day isn’t enough time for me to recover. I think I need at least a year and that may be pushing it,” Reif groaned, turning over to face his gorgeous sea serpent. “Honestly, Nessie, I can’t do a repeat of last night.”
“Ay, that’s guid because the Shaman has something else in mind.”
“No drinking or dancing? That would work. What are we doing this evening?”
“Everyone’s comin’ here for dinner. The Shaman’s havin’ it catered by my guid friend, Morgan,” said Brian. “I’m eager for ye to meet him.”
“Me, too,” Reif mumbled. Then, yawning, closed his eyes before asking, “Did you check on the eggs?”
“Ay, everything’s guid,” replied Brian, snuggling against his mate. “Very, very, guid.”
~/~/~/~/~
Logan stood at the steps leading up to the plane’s cabin, taking one more look around, knowing he was going to miss Scotland even though he was eager to get home to see his brothers. Last night’s dinner was the perfect way to end their stay—by sharing a meal with family and friends. The evening was filled with stories and laughter,making it hard to bring it to an end, but they all had to be up early in the morning. After singing Auld Lang Syne and having a last look at the eggs, good-byes were said, with promises to return.
“Macushla,” Kieran murmured, trying to get his mate’s attention.
“Yeah, babe?”
“I’m going to miss it, too, but the best thing about leaving is knowing we are going to be back to do the sea dragons’ nursery,” Kieran said, smiling.
“And don’t forget the stuff we’re designing for the Scottish Wolves,” Logan said, just as Groose approached with Queenie’s covered cage, gingerly holding it out to him at arm’s length.
“Oh yes, the wolves, too. I have so many ideas,” Kieran said, climbing the plane’s steps. “C’mon,macushla, let’s go home. Our work is finished here…for now.”
~/~/~/~/~
