Gavric
Nope! I’m going to lead the pack. We’re gonna make sure our lil bro is safe!
Crush
You’re younger than Ottis, Gav.
Gavric
But I’m still bigger than him
Titan
Sigh
8
DOC MEETS MARCIE
Marcie staredat Doc with her huge, wide eyes.
“Hi,” Doc said, giving a small wave. His own blue eyes were crinkled. Ottis could tell he was smiling behind his scarf, but Marcie hadn’t grown up around people who hid half their faces.
She continued to watch the alpha, and eventually Doc sighed.
Ottis didn’t have the heart to say that, maybe, if Doc let her see his bare face, Marcie might be more comfortable around him. He wasn’t actually sure how Marcie would react. With how Doc was keeping his distance respectfully, it would be awful if Marcie took one look at him and started bawling.
So, change of subject.
“We’ll need baby supplies if we’re going to be out for a while,” Ottis said. “Diapers, some snacks, some toys. Maybe some baby wipes too.”
“Want to hit up a department store first? We’ll get everything Marcie needs from there, and maybe hit up the mall if you can’t find any clothes you like.”
“Yeah, that sounds good.” Ottis cheered up. “I’ll find a way to pay you back—”
Doc made a dismissive noise and waved Ottis off. “No. I’m your kidnapper. I’m providing everything you need.”
“You’re probably the best kidnapper ever,” Ottis said, secretly relieved. He had a tiny pile of savings back home, but it would all disappear quickly if he wasn’t careful.
Doc’s eyes crinkled. He ushered Ottis into the backseat of a powder blue SUV, then squeezed into the space next to Ottis. Marcie was strapped into Ottis’ chest carrier, looking around curiously.
It felt strange, sitting in this enclosed space with Doc. Feeling the warm line of Doc’s thigh against his own. Just yesterday, Ottis had been daydreaming about escaping from his pack, and today, he was as far from it as he could be.
Hijinks slid behind the wheel and drove them onto the street, humming cheerfully.
When Ottis looked down, he found Marcie watching Doc again. Then she reached out for Doc—no, for his scarf, because it was the most colorful thing in the car.
“Ah,” Doc said awkwardly.
“Marcie!” Ottis yelped, gently redirecting Marcie’s hand away from the scarf. She struggled, trying to grab the scarf again. Then she scrunched up her face when she couldn’t.
There was no polite way to tell your kidnapper that your baby wanted the one thing he used to keep his ego intact.
It must’ve shown on Ottis’ face, because Doc reached into the pocket behind the front passenger seat, pulling out two fresh medical masks. He put them on behind his scarf, then unwound the scarf and handed it to Marcie.
Marcie eagerly curled her little fingers into the scarf, giving a happy little burble and kicking her feet.
“Thanks,” Ottis said, cringing but grateful. “I didn’t know people keep masks in their cars.”
