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“He tried.” Angelina grinned. “Sid told him he'd feel a whole lot better if someone would just put a cork in there until you arrived.”

Dawn burst out laughing, already picturing the look on Slade's face. Leave it to Sid to turn something as natural as childbirth into a complete disaster before the baby had even arrived.

“Lord help us.” Dawn picked up her pace toward the medical wing. “Let's get in there before he comes up with any more brilliant ideas or Lana kills him and the poor baby is born fatherless.”

Rushing into the bathroom, Dawn quickly changed into the scrubs Angelina had given her. She rummaged through her purse until she found a hairband, then pulled her hair into a tight ponytail. Glancing down at her bare feet, she cursed. There was no way in hell she was delivering a baby in high heels. Unfortunately, going barefoot wasn't an option either.

Hurrying out of the bathroom, she spotted Angelina heading into the birthing room they'd set up. “Angelina, I need shoes.”

“Got you.” Angelina immediately changed direction and disappeared into Slade's office.

“Dammit, I should've been more prepared for this possibility.” Dawn shook her head, irritated with herself. She knew both women were getting close to their due dates, yet she'd gone out on a date without giving a second thought to the possibility of being called back. “What the hell was I thinking going on a date?”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Dawn's head snapped up to find Kent leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his massive chest. The cocked eyebrow and look on his face did nothing to improve her already sour mood.

“Excuse me?” She frowned, tilting her head as she waited for him to explain himself.

“Here.” Angelina hurried toward her with a pair of shoes, thankfully interrupting whatever Kent was about to say. After handing them over, she disappeared into the scrub area connected to the birthing room.

Dawn slipped the shoes on and hurried after her, but not before shooting Kent one last look over her shoulder. What in the hell had he meant by his thoughts exactly? Since when was her dating anyone any of his damn business? The man had some nerve, standing there looking all smug as if he had a say in what she did with her personal life. Well, he could take his opinion and shove it right up his⁠—

“Dammit,” she muttered, irritated that she'd allowed him to get under her skin again.

Stepping into the scrub area, Dawn began washing her hands and forearms, determined to put Kent and his smart-ass remarks out of her mind. Glancing through the window into the birthing room, she spotted Sid glaring at her with his arms stretched out as if demanding to know where in the hell she'd been. His hair was sticking up in every direction, looking as though he'd spent the last hour trying to pull it out by the roots.

Good Lord, the man was a mess.

Turning her attention to Lana, Dawn took a deep breath and pushed everything else aside. Kent, Danny, and whatever the hell was going on in her personal life could wait. Right now, she had a mother and baby depending on her.

She was no longer Dawn.

She was Dr. Holloway.

CHAPTER 14

Daniel continued to watch Jamie, who stood just inside the doorway looking a little lost. “Is she here to train?” He frowned, comparing her to some of the recruits he'd seen come through the doors. Most of them towered over her, and unlike the majority of those training to become Warriors, Jamie was human. He couldn't imagine Sid or Jax allowing their mates' younger sister to train alongside a bunch of potential Warriors who could seriously hurt her without even trying.

“I seriously doubt it.” Steve snorted, then waved her over. “Jamie.”

Jamie glanced at Daniel first, then Steve, before heading their way. Daniel watched her approach, noticing the uncertainty in her expression even though she tried to hide it. There was something else, though, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. The closer she came, the stronger the strange feeling became. It wasn't danger, at least not the kind he was used to sensing. Whatever it was, it made him pay closer attention to her.

“Long time no see,” Steve said once she reached them. “How’s college treating you?”

“I know, it’s been a long time.” Jamie smiled. “It’s going pretty good. Between homework and cheering, I barely have a life.”

“Caroline said you were going to college for…” Steve paused, trying to remember, then frowned. “Cop stuff.”

Jamie laughed, giving him a yeah-right look. “She said cop stuff?”

“Well, no.” Steve grinned with a shrug. “I can't remember what the hell she called it, but I know it had something to do with police work.”

“I'm studying psychology with a minor in criminal justice.” Jamie was still smiling. “Eventually, I'd like to specialize in forensic psychology.”

“Yeah, that's it.” Steve snapped his fingers as if he knew all along. “So, is that why you're here? You know, to train?”

“For what? Cop stuff?” Jamie snorted, then rolled her eyes. “Wouldn't that cause havoc? But no. I'm supposed to meet Caroline and the other mates in the meeting room, but this place is so huge I have absolutely no idea where I'm going.”