Chapter Eighteen

Holden

"Well, thank you for all your help, and for saving my mate." I held out my hand to Chelone, hoping it was the appropriate gesture for the situation. Nelson had taught me more about hugs, handshakes, high fives, and fist bumps, but I didn't meet many outer-worlders to practice the various greetings with.

When he took my hand in response, with a firm but not too tight grip, I knew I'd chosen correctly.

"Glad I could help. This was definitely an experience I doubt anyone else in my program, or even my school, has ever gotten."

I chuckled, sure he was correct unless other worlds like mine existed somewhere. "Well, I know we all appreciate all you have taught us, and especially Rauh, if problems arise in the future."

Chelone shrugged. "I'm not a medical doctor, or even a veterinarian. But I do really enjoy working with reptiles, so that helped."

More than he would ever understand. "And, hey, you got to meet shifters."

"And a wizard." Ahmed appeared beside me, making both Chelone and I jump.

Chelone furrowed his brows. "Hey, I've seen you before."

The wizard grinned. "Yes, I thought you might be useful in our world someday, and I was right." He handed the hepatology student a card. "And if you decide you'd like to return someday, just use this."

Chelone tucked the card in his pocket, underneath his odd pants. "Well, I've enjoyed not having to worry about all the bugs, but I don't think I will return anytime soon. I have a lot going on in my world right now. But one never knows what the future holds."

"That's right." Ahmed winked at me before turning his attention to the student. "You'd better put all your gear back on. I'm returning you to the spot you left from."

"But..." Chelone wrinkled his face in confusion as he pulled his arm straps up over his shoulders. "Hasn't a whole day passed since I left? I should be at home today. It's my day off."

Ahmed rested a hand on the young man's shoulder and guided him closer to the meadow. "Time here passes differently than in the outer-world. It will be like no time has passed at all for you. And you might not even remember your time here."

That was the last I heard from them before they both disappeared into the air. Hoping no other outer-worlders arrived until Chauncey replaced me on shift, I rushed back to my hut.

Walter met me at the door, his finger to his lips before glancing behind him to the sleeping area inside. "Nelson dozed off not that long ago. He's so excited to have laid eggs, but the whole ordeal has exhausted him so much."

I stepped inside to find my mate curled around the nest he'd made from blankets, three blueish-white shiny eggs inside. "I bet he was worried about sleeping without me here."

Walter nodded. "You make him feel safe, which is a good thing, but he's also fiercely protective of those little ones already. I'm so happy for the both of you."

I smiled, my heart so warm with pride. If Nelson had never laid eggs, I still would have been happy to spend the rest of my life with him, but he seemed to want them more than anything. I was happy he had been able to lay them, even though he did require help in the beginning.

Walter rubbed my back. "Now that you're here, I'm going to return home to ensure my little ones haven't tied Oscar to a tree."

I chuckled, though hoped he only joked. "Thank you for staying with him."

"It's my pleasure." Walter reached for the door. "I appreciate all the help Nelson has given me since he arrived. And I enjoy having other outer-worlders to talk to." He waved before heading out.

I closed the door behind him then made by way over to my mate. Carefully, I crawled onto the bed, taking the spot on the other side of the clutch. I brushed the sweaty strands of hair from Nelson's forehead before leaning forward to kiss him there.

Without opening his eyes, he smiled. "Hi."

"Hi, my love. Rest now. I'm here."

His smile widened for a moment before he relaxed into the pod and snored softly.

It was hard to believe we would soon be parents, chasing after little ones like the other mated couples. But for that time period, our only responsibility was to care for the tiny eggs between us.