Chapter Twelve
Isaac
“Thanks, Jamie.” I held my phone between my ear and shoulder as I quickly made some heat-soothing tea for Thomas. “Just let Jason know Thomas will be back on shift in a few days, and if you can drop off a few ready to eat meals, I’d appreciate it.”
“No problem.” Jamie must have already been in his car because I heard traffic in the background. “I’m heading over there to pick up my check. For some reason, the direct deposit didn’t go through this month. I’ll let the station know. I think one of the floaters should be able to fill in with no issues. And your mate helped Charlie and me when we were having our own mated heat, so we owe him the favor of paying that back. Luckily the local market started selling prepackaged meals and I can pick you up a few of those for now and drop you off some homemade ones tomorrow. I’ve got your back, man.”
“You two are the best.” I stirred some honey into the tea and made sure the sweetness level was satisfactory. “I better get back to my mate. Just text me when you are outside and I’ll buzz you in. You can leave the packages in the hallway, and I’ll grab them when I’m able to.”
“Sounds good.”
I disconnected the call and put down a bowl of wet food for Spice. The cat circled my legs and then settled in front of the dish. I learned that she couldn’t touch it until I left the room. Goddess forbid anyone witnessed her eating the food we provided.
Shaking my head, I left the kitchen and took a tray of tea and snacks back into Thomas’s bedroom. “Babe, I brought you some ginger, red-raspberry leaf, and lemon balm tea. My sisterswears that it should help relieve some of the more troublesome symptoms caused by your heat. I also made a couple finger sandwiches with the ham and Swiss I found in your fridge. We need to make sure you stay hydrated and fed.”
“Thanks, honey.” Thomas sat up in bed and let me put the tray next to him so that it would be between us, once I sat down. “I’m feeling okay right now, but the next build up will probably be coming again soon. Did you call in to work for me?”
“I gave Jamie a call and he said he will let Jason know that you need the next few days off. He’s also gonna drop off a few things for us so that we don’t need to worry about cooking while you’re going through your heat.” I brushed a piece of hair off his forehead and leaned in to kiss the spot.
“Oh goddess, that’s a little embarrassing.”
“Don’t be. He said you helped them out when Charlie had his mated heat and they’re just returning the favor.” I took one of the triangles I had cut up and offered to feed it to my mate. “Here, take a bite.”
Thomas took a big bite and chewed. I took a bit of my own, because I also needed to make sure to keep up my energy right now.
“I just hate relying on people,” Thomas mumbled, a blush forming on his cheeks.
“It’s a natural part of being a shifter. There is no reason to feel bad for relying on friends and family sometimes. We are all a pack of sorts. Here for each other.” I fed him another piece and held the teacup for him to take a sip.
“You know I can feed myself, right?” Thomas tried to take the mug away from me, but I shook my head.
“I know. But I want to do this for my mate.” I held the drink up to his lips. “Please let me do this. My bear wants to feed you. He especially insisted I put honey into the tea for sweetness.”
Once we got a few more bites down, I noticed Thomas’s scent getting even stronger than before. Without a word, I took the rest of the food from him and went in for a kiss. He met my energy enthusiastically, pushing my shoulders back onto the bed and straddling my hips.
I think I’m going to love mated life.
Chapter Thirteen
Thomas
“How’s mated life?” Trevor sat down at the table next to me and gestured toward my shirt collar which was letting my mating mark show. “I know I’m about a month late in asking but I was on vacation.”
“Things are good. We have a great relationship and agree on how we see our future. He’s officially moved into my apartment, and the last few weeks have been amazing. You should try it one day.” I chuckled as I refilled my coffee mug, thinking about Trevor finding his own mate one day. It wasn’t that it was a funny thought. Trevor would honestly be a great mate. It was that he never had time to go out and find a mate because he was too busy caring for others. Hopefully one day, he would find his own happiness. “How was your trip to Wales? Was your family out there happy to meet you finally?”
“Yeah, man, they didn’t want me to come back.” Trevor shook his head and laughed. “If they had their way, I would be working at their company and probably mated to one of their friends’ sons.”
“Were you even a little bit tempted to?” I raised a brow, teasing him.
“Honestly?” Trevor surprised me by nodding. “Yeah. I was. I don’t know how to explain it. But it felt more like home than anything out here ever has.”
“Not that I’m not happy to have you here, but I have to ask.” I shifted in my seat to look at him directly. “What made you come back, then?”
“I couldn’t leave you guys. I made promises and have responsibilities here.” Trevor shrugged and sipped his brew. “Icouldn’t forget everything you all have done for me and desert you all.”
“Trevor.” I placed my mug down on the table. “You don’t owe us. We have been here for you because you are part of our crew, our little firehouse family. We would do anything for you as you would for us.”
“I know, but—”
