Chapter 27

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Runa

We only got a few weeks alone before I was called to the Blackridge crew. I knew why. I’d honestly not expected them to ask for my help when the time came. Not with how distant they’d become after the dragon attack. But when both Rhea and Liv went into labor together, the dragon came for me, begging for my help. As it was my mission as a healer, I couldn’t ignore the call.

Nathan, however, wasn’t ready.

“Why can’t they just call a doctor?” he demanded, growling as I moved around my home, getting the supplies I needed. I’d shared my knowledge with Martha and Laurie and thanks to them, I had potions stockpiled for when I needed them. They had gone back home a few days ago to attend to family matters. The fates were being funny sending them away when I could have used their help. Instead, I would face these births alone, with limited access to my magic and an unstable shifter at my back.

“I didn’t ask,” I replied blandly. He’d been making progress with stabilizing himself. He no longer jumped with every rustle of the trees and could be redirected when he was overwhelmed by sending him to the water to reconnect with his animal. But we hadn’t yet broached the idea of meeting with the shifters nearby. He was content to have it be just us, and rushing him into meeting the crews was too much for him to handle. If I had any other option, I would have taken it. I didn't want to hinder his healing to help others. But I couldn’t let them suffer because he was paranoid either.

“Runa–”

“You have two options. You can wait here and go visit the water spirit, or you can keep your skin and join me. But I guarantee if you lose control around this group, they will put you down without hesitation. This is not a group to be trifled with. I won’t have you come along if I can’t trust you to behave.”

That didn’t help with the paranoia, but he needed to hear it. The Blackridge crew was ruthless when it came to protecting their own. If Nathan didn’t act right, they’d hurt him.

He growled, frustrated, and ran his fingers roughly through his hair. It was getting too long, he complained about it sometimes, but he wasn’t stable enough to let anyone near him with a pair of scissors. I’d need to figure out how to do it myself eventually.

With my bag packed, I spun on my heel, eyeing him. “What will it be? Stay or go?”

He shot me a dirty look. “You know I can’t let you go alone.”

“Would you rather I ask Aiden to keep you here?” I challenged.

He bared his teeth, but it was a halfhearted warning. He’d never hurt me. He thought I was his mate.

With a heavy sigh, I put my hand on his cheek, leveling him with a look. “I have to be there. Too many shifters die in childbirth because they’re forced to do it alone. They can’t go to hospitals without the secret getting out. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I made them go through it alone just because you weren’t ready to come out of hiding.”

He gripped my wrist, leaning into my palm. “What about your magic? You’re not strong enough–”

I shook my head to cut him off. “I don’t need to use much. The potions will help with the pain. I’m just there as a guide. Think of me like a midwife. Babies have been born alone for centuries. I’m there to help. I’ll only use my magic if things become dangerous. And I’ll have the spirits to help me if I need to.”

I felt a muscle twitch in his jaw, he didn’t love the plan, but I’d done my best in the past few weeks to remain open and honest with him. It helped him heal. He knew I wasn’t lying to placate him. I never wasted my time doing things like that.

After a long moment of silence, he relented. “You’re sure?”

“Yes. I can handle this. And they need my help. If you think you can behave, you can come with. The crew will be distracted. You can watch the territory until I’m through.”

His protectiveness was usually a good distraction for him. If I could put him to the task of protecting my back, he settled a lot easier.

His jaw tightened and he nodded once to acknowledge me, taking the bag off my shoulder and carrying it for me instead. I allowed it because I couldn’t waste more time arguing with him.

Andrew was waiting for us in front of the compound, a car idling nearby. I made a face and he huffed out a laugh, shaking his head. “It was the only way I could get him to go ahead and not rush you. I promised him the engine would be running and we’d leave right away. Are you ready?”

Drawing in a deep breath, I nodded once. “Let’s go.”

If I had told Nathan how I truly felt about going, he would’ve pushed harder to make me stay. I wasn’t ready to face the crew either. I had always kept myself at a distance, but the way they looked at me ever since the attack on Aiden’s property hurt to face. I worked my whole life to be a healer, only to be feared like some kind of monster for doing what was necessary to save Andrew’s life. I fought the urge to fidget as I stared through the window. Nathan sat up front, his eyes locked on the surroundings so he could better protect me, leaving me alone in the back with my thoughts. If Martha and Laurie had been here, would they even have called?

The ride was quiet the entire way, aside from a low growl coming from Nathan. He didn’t radiate dominance, though. He was fighting to keep himself under control for me. More proof that he was on the right path to heal. Mental scars took far longer to heal than physical ones.

The communal area of Blackridge Haven was busy with both their crew and the members of Aiden’s compound standing around to offer support to the couples giving birth. The tension in Nathan’s shoulders dialed up as he took in the massive group. I leaned forward, putting my hand on his shoulder.

“Deep breaths. They aren’t here for you. They’re here because they care about the women giving birth. Remind yourself of that whenever your mind starts to question it.”

His nod was uneasy, but he took a deep breath like I requested, and when the car turned off, he didn’t immediately leap out to guard me. He did hover by my side as we approached the group, but it could have been worse.

“Where are they?” I asked Jackson. He was the alpha of the Blackridge crew and the only one who approached me without hesitation.

“In Liv’s place. We thought it’d be better to keep them together.”

I nodded, waving him off. “Thank you. I’ll take it from here.” Glancing over my shoulder at Nathan, I tipped my head toward the forest we came through. “I’ll have Andrew update you as things progress. Keep an eye on things for me.”

A flicker of unease crossed his face and he stepped closer, leaning his forehead against mine. I allowed it because it soothed his tiger, who was protesting leaving our side.

“Help him, my tiger. He needs to keep steady for me. I can’t focus on three things at once. Do your duty and protect the crew.”

A growl of agreement rumbled through him and when I stepped back, I could see the determination on his face. They both wanted to help me. I just hoped they could keep it together throughout this whole ordeal. Especially if I was forced to use my magic.

He turned on his heal and walked off, moving toward the entrance of the trailer park. Jackson shot me a confused look, a deep frown on his face.

“He’s watching your back so your crew can focus on what’s important right now. No one should approach him except for Andrew.”

“Why Andrew?” Ethan demanded. He glared suspiciously at Nathan’s back until I marched up to him and grabbed his face, forcing him to look at me.

“Because he’s broken and his tiger doesn’t like the idea of hurting humans. I can’t say the same for you. Only Andrew. If you start something with him, it’s me you’ll have to deal with. Understand?”

His eyes searched mine and he still looked suspicious, but Corey stepped in and with his mate’s support, he relented and took a step back. I didn't want him glaring daggers at Nathan, it would only set him on edge and make him less stable, so I gave Corey a dark look. He dipped his chin in acknowledgement and pulled Ethan away.

Frustration boiled under my skin, but I ignored it, spinning to head inside. I had a job to do, and I couldn’t manage it if I was distracted. I needed to focus on what was important right now.

The women were each in their own room, being watched over by their nervous mates. I banished the men to the corner to wait and checked them over. Liv was irritated by the pain, but progressing well and refused the offered potion. I set it aside for later. She was tough, but there was no need to suffer unnecessarily.

Rhea’s progress was slower, and she seemed a little out of it. I tipped my head with a frown. “How long has she looked like that?”

Link shook his head helplessly. “I don’t know. She keeps saying she’s tired. Is something wrong?”

I didn't know that yet, so I didn’t answer him. I risked a little magic, just to see how things were going. Baby was healthy, but bigger than I’d expected when I last had the opportunity to check on her. That would make this more difficult on her, but not impossible.

“Sit behind her,” I demanded. “Being close to her mate will help.”

He leapt to do as I asked, positioning himself against Rhea’s back. The little furrow between her brow smoothed out and she relaxed into him. I bit back a sigh. I’d always known about shifters being a balm to their mates while healing. I didn’t like how much it reminded me that I was mending a lot faster than expected. Martha said it was because of Nathan. I didn't want to admit she might be right.

A groan from the other room drew my focus and I sighed.

This was going to be a long night.