25. A Tiny Boost

A Tiny Boost

Larken

" D akota, could you make me an appointment to speak to Alpha Blake please?" I didn't have long before my shift, but I had to do this right at that very moment, or I'd chicken out.

"Sure thing, Lark—"

"I can see you now, if it won't take long," Blake said, interrupting his assistant. He was just inside the doorway of his office, clearly looking in need of a break.

"It's alright. You're busy. I can come back."

"Come with me to the kitchen to get coffee for everyone. You can ask whatever it is on the way."

"Okay."

Alpha Blake took the coffee orders like he was the assistant and not Dakota. The way everyone acted like this was normal, told me it was something he did on a regular basis. It was hard to think Blake was only nearly twenty four. Our birthdays were a couple of weeks apart.

My thirtieth had been a simple celebration by human standards. Just a home-cooked meal with my mate, then games and drinks with all our friends at the mansion.

Neither of us were materialistic people, though Dalton liked clothes, but Dalton did surprise me with a couple of manga figures I thought were really cool, and a framed photo of us in bed together. It had been the best birthday I could remember, made all the sweeter knowing he wanted to stay with me no matter what happened with this next heat.

Which is why I wanted to do what I could to make sure we got that miracle baby. The one he never thought we'd have.

"Dalton's heat is coming up," Alpha Blake remarked. "I heard from the testing center you have terminated the contract."

"Not terminated it. Dalton tore it up. We don't need it anymore." I could hear the pride and love in those simple words.

"Because he loves you?"

"Yes, and I love him."

"I never doubted you did. When I was told about you two entering an agreement, I was worried. Dalton's crush on Axel—"

"Everyone knew, didn't they?" I couldn't keep the laughter from my voice.

"Except maybe Axel, unless he knew it deep down." Blake's expression told me he didn't believe that. "Either way, I'm glad both my brother and Dalton have found the people they are supposed to be with." We entered the kitchen and he gave the coffee orders.

"Have some pastries. You barely ate lunch!" Winter chided. The man was never far from the kitchen, even though he had plenty of help now that more elves lived here, and with the new pack joined to ours.

"Fine." Winter patted Blake on the shoulder and went to get whatever he thought he could make our Alpha eat.

"Are you worried about Dalton's heat?" Blake asked, getting back to the conversation.

"Yes and no. I'm worried about the effects of a failed heat. His mental state was better than I thought it would be after his first one, but I think this one will really affect him if he doesn't fall pregnant."

Blake thought for a moment. "You know your mate best. What do you suggest?"

This was it. Make or break. Only the Alpha could give permission for this.

"I'd like to use a fertility boosting potion, with Dalton's consent of course. "

"Of course." Blake fell silent. "I'm going to have to get some other opinions on this. I don't know enough about the situation to decide either way." He fished his cell out of his pocket and made a call.

The phone rang and rang. "Aldrin," came the alpha healer's voice. "Sorry, I was with a patient, Alpha."

"I thought James kept your phone on him," Blake was smiling affectionately. These were his grandparents thanks to his mating with Kade.

"He's making me leave it places now we have a trainee healer."

"How's Grady coming along?"

"He's not as powerful as Hiroshi. No one is really, but he's strong considering this is all new to him. You didn't call to speak about that did you? James made me write a report."

"No, I've got Larken here. He's asked to use a fertility booster on Dalton, with his mate's permission of course, for the upcoming heat. They've only got a few days to go. What d'you think about it?"

Aldrin was quiet for a moment. Then there was the sound of footsteps. "He isn't technically my patient because they were under the testing. I'll confer with ívarr and get back to you within the next hour."

They said their goodbyes and Blake pocketed his phone. "Can you wait that long? "

"My shift starts soon, but if you want to text me, that's fine." I saw Winter return with the drinks in a holder and a basket. "Let me help."

We had barely gotten back to the office when Blake's phone rang again. He glanced at the screen before answering and putting it on speaker.

"Hey, Teagan, how are you?"

"I'm fine, thank you, Alpha. I'm with ívarr and Aldrin. Since I was the one who oversaw the testing for Larken and Dalton, ívarr wanted my opinion," she explained.

"Makes sense. What do you think about the fertility booster? I think it would be helpful for Dalton's mental state even if it should fail to give the results they want."

I was glad to be on the same page as my Alpha. Having him onside for this meant it was more likely to happen.

All I wanted was Dalton to be happy. If this got him closer to his dream, then I would do it. No question. Selfishly, there was a part of me who wanted this, too. A baby made out of love for my mate.

"We all agree."

The air whooshed from my lungs. I feared they wouldn't see the merit in it .

"ívarr discussed Dalton's ability with him and Dalton expressed some concern about his ability to conceive," Teagan continued.

This was news to me. Sure, we had discussed how quickly he healed. He had demonstrated the ability. It was so quick it barely looked like he was hurt at all! He hadn't mentioned his fertility, though. Was he worried I'd reject him over it? Whatever happened, I was staying with him. All I wanted to do was give us a fighting chance.

"We believe using a potion may override his ability and allow conception. How his extra healing will affect the pregnancy is pure conjecture. We have to… what's the saying? Cross that bridge when we come to it," ívarr chimed in.

"For his mental health alone, we agree using a potion, or perhaps two potions, would be beneficial. Then there is peace of mind he has tried everything. Then we can look into closer detail what may be going on there." Aldrin added his opinion.

"Thank you all. I will check with Dalton myself before ordering the potions to be made. ívarr, would Michaella be able to make them or should we contact the coven?"

"I believe she will be willing as long as there is consent from Dalton. Please let me know if he gives his go ahead for this. "

Michaella was not only our midwife and an amazing nurse who looked after our betas during the sickness, she was also a fantastic witch and engaged to ívarr. They were expecting their first child, a miracle baby after over fifty years of infertility for the elves. Their soul-bond had made it possible.

The Alpha ended the call.

"I'll just call Dalton right now and let you get to your shift, okay?"

"Thank you, Alpha."

I watched him set up for a video call. "It's better if I can read his expression when I ask him," he said at my frown. "Stay off to the side and be quiet. I want this to be his choice without your influence."

Okay, that was fair, if not a little harsh. I would never try to sway Dalton's opinions. Blake likely knew that, but it didn't hurt to check. He was responsible for all of us, though I knew the omegas were special to him.

The call picked up. If I craned my neck, I could see Dalton's precious face, the easy smile, and those damn dimples.

"Hey Dalton."

"How can I help, Alpha?"

"There was something I wanted to run by you. It's about your heat."

Dalton immediately went on guard. His expression shuttered .

"Don't worry, it's nothing bad. I want to ask if you've considered using a fertility booster for this one? ívarr said it could override your ability."

My mate looked away for a moment, like he was considering how to say something.

"Actually, it was something I was going to ask Larken about. I know some people have used them if they've had a lot of heats, and I know I haven't had many at all, I just worry, and maybe…" My poor mate was rambling.

"So you would like to use one if you had permission?" Blake clarified.

"I would, yes."

"Thank you, Dalton. You have the best mate, one who anticipated your need. Larken came to me earlier to ask and the final roadblock was your consent."

"He did?" He sounded so astonished. I think he forgot how far I would go for him sometimes, having never had someone love him so completely before.

I shuffled closer to see just how much affection was written across his face. He was practically starry eyed. Fuck, he was cute! His smile when he saw me, dimples popping in his cheeks just made my heart melt.

Blake nudged me to speak.

"Hey, Dimples. So you're really okay I asked about it?"

"Okay? You are getting a serious reward later!" He beamed at me, those dimples deepening .

"Maybe keep it for your heat?" Blake suggested with a grin. "I'll send a message to ívarr to let him know I'm satisfied both of you are going into this with clear heads. Thanks Dalton."

"Bye," I said at the same time as my mate, earning a sweet smile. I couldn't wait until the end of my shift so I could see him. Maybe my reward wouldn't be a sexy one. I couldn't care less about that. All I wanted were his smiles. His genuine happiness.

If this worked, we would have a baby at the end of this heat. If it failed, then we would find another way. I just knew he felt like I was all in with him.

"Larken?" Blake asked.

"Yeah?"

"Before you go to work, I wanted to say thank you for looking out for your mate like that. Seeing Dalton smile in that way… he was shining! I've never seen him this happy and I know you are doing your job as his alpha to protect not only his body, but his heart. I'm sure The Luna is proud of you, too."

My throat tightened with emotion. I had to swallow back tears.

"Thank you, Alpha. I really appreciate hearing that. I had an aunt, a beta, and she would have spanked my ass if I treated my mate poorly."

Blake smiled. "Bet she would have gotten a kick out of all these betas changing designation. "

"Oh, she would have loved it! She would have loved Dalton too."

"Hard not to love him. He's like family to me. Another cousin. Speaking of cousins…"

"Shit! I better go!"

Deke grinned at me as I raced into his office to report for duty. His was at the other end of the mansion. He held up his phone.

"I was told you were on your way. Take a breath, you aren't late."

Thank fuck for that. Deke loved to make latecomers do push ups. My phone vibrated with a message.

Dimples: I hope you get this before you start. Tonight I'm making your favorite dinner! You are the best mate and I'm so thankful for you! I love you! Thank you for asking about the potion. You always know. kiss emoji, heart emoji

And that's why I did it. That feeling of pride in my chest for being the reason my mate was so elated. I never wanted to lose it or his love.