8. Blake

Chapter 8

Blake

While I made breakfast, I thought about how I would tell Riley about my bear. I’d never had to explain shifters to a human before. They either knew what I was or they didn’t. No discussion involved. But I didn’t want to lie or keep something so important from him. He had a right to all the information about what was happening between us.

If only finding the right words to explain animal shifters without him thinking I was delusional were as easy as breaking his heat.

I’d just put our plates of eggs and bacon on the table when Riley came into the kitchen, fresh from a shower. His scent was different without the overwhelming pheromones surrounding him but still just as inviting.

Riley walked right into my open arms, resting his head on my shoulder as he squeezed me tightly. “Thank you, Blake.”

“Of course, sweetheart.” I rubbed his back for a moment before guiding him into a chair. “Let’s get some food in you, and then we can talk.”

“Mmm, yeah. Food first.” Riley dug into the eggs, quickly finishing them and his bacon before tearing into a muffin.

I smiled as I ate my own food at a slower pace. “There’s plenty more eggs if you want.”

“No, thank you.” He reached for another muffin. “I’m already full, but I still want one more.” He grinned, with a purple crumb stuck on his lip.

I reached over and wiped it off, then sighed as my stall tactics were officially over. “Okay, so, I owe you some explanations.”

Riley sat back and took a drink of the milk I placed on the table. “Yes, please.”

I literally opened my mouth to start speaking when my house phone and my cell phone started ringing at the same time. “Fuck.”

“What’s going on? Is that some kind of emergency alert?” Riley tensed up, looking between the phone on my wall and my mobile on the charger behind me.

“Kinda. When there’s something going on at the hospital, they send a message through all our devices.” I cocked my head then pointed toward the entryway. “Can you hear my pager beeping too.”

He cocked his head and nodded. “What kind of emergency?”

I shrugged and picked up my phone to listen to the message. “I’m about to find out.”

Unfortunately, it wasn’t good news.

As soon as I disconnected the call, I looked at Riley and sighed. “There was a seventeen-car pile-up on the highway. Lots of injured have been brought in and all medical staff are being called in to help.”

“Oh my gosh.” Riley looked genuinely concerned and his scent shifted yet again. “Yes, of course. Go. Is there anything I can do?”

“No, but thank you.” I pulled him into my arms and hugged him just to memorize how he felt there. “You can hang out here and watch TV or play video games. I also have a lot of books if you are into reading.”

He nodded and bit his lip, but I could tell there was something more on his mind.

“Riley, what are you thinking?”

He sucked in a deep breath and then blew it out. “Will you pass by the shelter on your way to the hospital?”

Not even close. That would be an extra two hours out of my way. “Unfortunately, no. Do you need to get back there?”

“No, not urgently, but I’d like to pick up my car and let Lena know I’m okay. I’m sure they checked on me last night and found my car empty.”

“Fuck. You’re right. I’ll call her and let her know you came home with me.” I thought about his car. “Also, I’ll call a few friends of mine. If they have to head into the city for any shopping, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind dropping you off at your car.”

His eyes lit up in gratitude. “Thank you, alpha.”

There was so much weight in his words that my heart beat a little faster. And as much as I wanted to sit and revel in every moment with him, I needed to get to work. I dialed Lena’s number and put the phone on speaker while I quickly cleaned up the kitchen.

“I’ll take care of that, Blake.” Riley stopped me midway to the sink. “Go get ready for work.”

I kissed him and then dashed to my room with the phone in my hand just as Lena picked up.