Chapter Twelve
Isaac
“Thanks, Jamie.” I held my phone between my ear and shoulder as I quickly made some heat-soothing tea for Thomas. “Just let Jason know Thomas will be back on shift in a few days, and if you can drop off a few ready to eat meals, I’d appreciate it.”
“No problem.” Jamie must have already been in his car because I heard traffic in the background.
“I’m heading over there to pick up my check.
For some reason, the direct deposit didn’t go through this month.
I’ll let the station know. I think one of the floaters should be able to fill in with no issues.
And your mate helped Charlie and me when we were having our own mated heat, so we owe him the favor of paying that back.
Luckily the local market started selling prepackaged meals and I can pick you up a few of those for now and drop you off some homemade ones tomorrow. I’ve got your back, man.”
“You two are the best.” I stirred some honey into the tea and made sure the sweetness level was satisfactory. “I better get back to my mate. Just text me when you are outside and I’ll buzz you in. You can leave the packages in the hallway, and I’ll grab them when I’m able to.”
“Sounds good.”
I disconnected the call and put down a bowl of wet food for Spice. The cat circled my legs and then settled in front of the dish. I learned that she couldn’t touch it until I left the room. Goddess forbid anyone witnessed her eating the food we provided.
Shaking my head, I left the kitchen and took a tray of tea and snacks back into Thomas’s bedroom.
“Babe, I brought you some ginger, red-raspberry leaf, and lemon balm tea. My sister swears that it should help relieve some of the more troublesome symptoms caused by your heat. I also made a couple finger sandwiches with the ham and Swiss I found in your fridge. We need to make sure you stay hydrated and fed.”
“Thanks, honey.” Thomas sat up in bed and let me put the tray next to him so that it would be between us, once I sat down. “I’m feeling okay right now, but the next build up will probably be coming again soon. Did you call in to work for me?”
“I gave Jamie a call and he said he will let Jason know that you need the next few days off. He’s also gonna drop off a few things for us so that we don’t need to worry about cooking while you’re going through your heat.” I brushed a piece of hair off his forehead and leaned in to kiss the spot.
“Oh goddess, that’s a little embarrassing.”
“Don’t be. He said you helped them out when Charlie had his mated heat and they’re just returning the favor.” I took one of the triangles I had cut up and offered to feed it to my mate. “Here, take a bite.”
Thomas took a big bite and chewed. I took a bit of my own, because I also needed to make sure to keep up my energy right now.
“I just hate relying on people,” Thomas mumbled, a blush forming on his cheeks.
“It’s a natural part of being a shifter. There is no reason to feel bad for relying on friends and family sometimes. We are all a pack of sorts. Here for each other.” I fed him another piece and held the teacup for him to take a sip.
“You know I can feed myself, right?” Thomas tried to take the mug away from me, but I shook my head.
“I know. But I want to do this for my mate.” I held the drink up to his lips. “Please let me do this. My bear wants to feed you. He especially insisted I put honey into the tea for sweetness.”
Once we got a few more bites down, I noticed Thomas’s scent getting even stronger than before. Without a word, I took the rest of the food from him and went in for a kiss. He met my energy enthusiastically, pushing my shoulders back onto the bed and straddling my hips.
I think I’m going to love mated life.