Chapter Nine

Travis

It turned out that Sheldon’s super hearing really was a superpower. He paced the clinic’s waiting room filled with armchairs as we waited for a nurse or someone to come out and tell us how the c-section went.

“Is your head about to explode?” I asked.

“Hospitals are noisy with a cause,” Sheldon said, not missing a step. “How’s your head?”

“Spinning,” I admitted.

“Emergencies do that to some people,” Sheldon paused his pacing to look at me. “You okay?”

“Dara’s a good doctor. Came with strong recommendation from the Moonscale hospitals,” I said.

“And?” he asked, tilting his head and waiting for me to continue.

“Life is so breakable,” I shrugged.

“That’s not the sort of statement most people shrug off,” Sheldon said and plopped down in the chair next to me. “I know we just met, but there seems to be something under that statement.”

“Plenty,” I nodded. “Nothing that I’m willing to discuss here.”

“Life is fragile, but resilient too,” he said. “Who died recently?”

“No one,” I answered too quick for him.

“Yet?” he added.

“Maybe,” I nodded.

“Ah, that makes sense. Death makes idiots out of us all,” Sheldon nodded. “That one in there, Cardian, not Dakota, lost his mind when his chosen mate died. Went on full blown lockdown. Would’ve starved if not for the rest of us trying to keep him alive.”

“The baby might’ve died if we didn’t end up at Cardian’s house,” I huffed out a breath.

“Might’ve,” Sheldon nodded. “Dara probably would’ve heard the distress when he came to check on them or Dakota might’ve felt something. I’m not a superhero. I just have annoying ears. I’m glad you’re here, though. I’m sorry about your friend or whoever.”

“Someone we all know. Well, my family knows,” I shrugged again.

“Does your family know?” he asked me.

“No and the person doesn’t want them to. That’s not my choice,” I said.

“Fair,” Sheldon laced his fingers through mine. “I won’t say anything.”

“It’s strange as fuck to be talking about this while Dara’s cutting a baby out of Dakota, isn’t it?”

“Nope,” Sheldon shook his head. “Emergencies bring up stuff too. Though, I think the emergency is over now that he’s in the OR. Any second now---”

Sheldon’s words were cut off by the wail of a baby and my heart missed a couple beats. It was hard to imagine the annoying wolf who followed Blithe and Scott around being a dad but here we were all grown up and babies coming out of the woodwork.

Scott burst through the clinic door, looking as tired as ever, and startling the lady typing on the computer behind the reception desk.

“It’s alright,” I stood up.

“Is he?” Scott asked. “I mean, is Dakota okay?”

“I’m okay! A little outside myself! I think Dara gave me stuff that was too good! My wolf is out cold!” Dakota called from deeper inside the clinic.

“Don’t yell,” Cardian’s cheerful voice cut through the place as Scott pushed the door open to go further inside.

“Are you two coming or not?” Scott asked. “Come on! This is your nephew too!”

“I’m not sure Dara wants everyone in the---” I started, but Sheldon took my hand and pulled me down the hall.

Thankfully, Scott knew better than to charge into an OR. Our fathers would’ve skinned him alive for charging into a sterile environment and endangering his friend’s life. We stood outside the door. Scott’s hands trembled until I squeezed his shoulder. I wasn’t the best eldest brother anyone could ask for but smelling him so on edge put my wolf on edge.

“He’s okay,” I whispered to him. “You heard him yelling in there. He’s okay.”

“I know. I just—” he bit his lip. “I think it all hit me at once. This could’ve been---”

“Don’t say it,” Sheldon teased, “because it’s not. Seriously, it’s not. People have c-sections every day. People can need them for all sorts of reasons. He and the baby had a good doctor and a clean hospital.”

“And good drugs,” I added.

“Stop!” Scott laughed and playfully punched my arm.

“I will not.”

“You better. I’ll make a video of you.”

“Go ahead. I think you should vlog,” I laughed.

“You think everyone should vlog.”

“Then we’ll never forget each other,” I shrugged.

“You need a therapist,” Scott said.

I didn’t get a chance to answer him because Cardian brought the baby wrapped in a green blanket to the door.

“They’ll move Dakota to one of the inpatient rooms soon. The baby’s fine. Almost seven pounds. Set of lungs to rival Salta’s,” Cardian beamed at his son.

Scott held his breath for a second before letting out a sob. I moved to hug him, but Cardian pulled him in before I got the chance.

“He’s okay. He’s loopy, but okay. The baby’s okay too. Come on. Come on back. You can talk to him while they get the room ready,” Cardian said, pushing open the door with his heel.

“Do you need us to get anything ready at the house aor to get you anything?” Sheldon asked and I kicked myself for not thinking of it.

“I think we’re good, Sheddy,” Cardian said, still beaming and leaned over to kiss his brother on the cheek.

“We’ll make sure a path is clear through the house and wash up the dishes, okay?”

“Thanks. It’s been one helluva night,” Cardian laughed and looked at me. “Stay out of Terrick’s way until I get to talk to him, okay? He’s not a bad guy. He’s just protective.”

“I’ll keep them from fighting,” Sheldon said before I could say anything.

Our pack always said no one could get a word in edgewise if talking to me and Trista at the same time. I was starting to understand how they felt.