Epilogue
Mac was almost finished entering the information on the chart for the last pup when the clinic door opened. Looking up and seeing Tristan, he said, “Just give me a minute…I’m almost finished.”
“No problem,” Tristan murmured, looking around the clinic, impressed with the changes that had been made in just one day.
“Is there something I can help you with, Alpha?” Ollie asked as he closed and locked the drug cabinet.
“Just checking on the pups,” Tristan said.
Handing the completed chart to Ollie, Mac said, “Perfect timing. All three pups will be fine, and their fevers should be gone in a day or two.”
“What was the matter with them?” asked Tristan.
“The cubs are severely malnourished, which makes it easy for human diseases to infect them. In this case, it was a respiratory problem, so I gave them a shot of long-lasting antibiotics that should handle it. However, during my examination, I discovered that none of them had received any of their wolf vaccinations.”
Raising an eyebrow, Tristan asked, “Wolf vaccinations? I don’t understand. I thought shifters were immune from all diseases.”
“They are mostly, but our wolves are susceptible to the same diseases that wolves in the wild are, and that’s why pups need vaccinations to prevent their wolves from getting sick.”
“Okay, did you vaccinate them also?” asked Tristan.
“No, because I couldn’t find any in the supplies Slate provided,” Mac said. “He probably assumed the pups got their shots because they usually receive them within their first year. I placed an order with Slate, and he assured me they’d arrive here tomorrow. However…”
“I’m beginning to dread your ‘however’s’,” mumbled Tristan, frowning.
Chuckling, Mac continued, “This one isn’t so bad…Ollie searched all the file cabinets, but hasn’t found health records for anyone…pups or adults. Do you know if they’re located somewhere else?”
Shaking his head slowly, Tristan said, “I haven’t found them, nor has Heath. I can ask Reeve if he has them.”
“Please…in the meantime, we’ll do a file for each pup as I see them.
Ollie’s made a sign-up sheet for the parents.
I want the youngest pups first, followed by each age group in ascending order,” Mac said, handing the clipboard to Tristan.
“Also, I hope you don’t mind, but I asked Slate to include therapeutic milk drinks that will help any pups who are malnourished.
It provides essential calories, vitamins, and minerals to help the pups’ bodies recover faster. ”
Glancing down at the sign-up sheet, Tristan noticed it only pertained to the families who had pups. “I’ll have Heath get right on this,” he said. “Can you also do one for the adults? According to my grandparents, they haven’t seen a doctor in a long time.”
“Absolutely,” Mac said. “We’ll start with the older members first. I don’t expect to find anything, but it certainly won’t hurt to make sure. And it’ll allow me to create a complete health record for every member of your pack in case you can’t find them.”
“That sounds great,” Tristan said. “Having a healthy pack is one of my priorities.”
“Luckily, wolf shifters are hardy folk,” Mac said, smiling.
“Thank gods for that since Josiah was too busy lining his own pockets to give a damn about his pack,” Tristan growled angrily.
“You aren’t responsible for his actions,” Mac said, softly.
“And he isn’t worth your anger,” Ollie added.
Sighing, Tristan said, “I know…it just pisses me off. He was their Alpha…the person who was supposed to care for and protect them.”
“And now they have you—an Alpha they can be proud of,” Ollie said, smiling. “So you should stop blaming yourself for his actions.”
“My mate’s right,” Mac said. “My mother always said there wasn’t any reason to cry over spilled milk. What happened in the past is the past. Concentrate on the future and both you and your pack will prosper and be happier.”
Chuckling, Tristan said, “That’s what my mate says.”
“Wise man,” Mac replied.
“That he is,” Tristan said, as he headed towards the clinic’s door. Pausing for a moment before leaving he turned back and said, “By the way, congratulations on your mating.”
“Thanks,” Mac replied. Then, after exchanging a quick look with Ollie, he asked Tristan, “Do you mind if we keep our rooms the way they are until we leave?”
Shrugging, Tristan said, “I don’t see a problem with that. According to Jackson, Remy can restore them at any time.” Then, glancing at the clipboard in his hand, he added, “Once this is complete, Heath will leave it on your desk. Have fun tonight.”
Ollie waited until Tristan had left before grabbing his mate’s hand and pushing him into a chair. Then straddling Mac’s lap, he leaned forward until their foreheads touched before murmuring, “You were right…this was a good day.”
“Hey,” Mac said softly, “it’s not over yet.
“Mmm…I wish we could do this forever.”
“Do what?” asked Mac, unsure about what his mate meant.
“Run a clinic…like we did today. I didn’t realize how much I’d like it,” Ollie said.
“I always thought I’d prefer being sent to different packs, which is why I joined Frontline Doctors, but I really enjoyed myself today.
I felt as if I belonged here, which is something I never felt with Frontline Doctors.
There, I always knew it was temporary. And yes, I know it’s the same here but… ”
“It doesn’t have to be,” Mac said. “I’m sure Tristan would be happy for us to put down roots here…or maybe if Norm takes over the Ghost Bear pack, we could join up with him.”
Ollie’s eyes lit up at that thought. “You wouldn’t mind being a doctor to a bear pack?”
Leaning forward, Mac brushed his lips along Ollie’s before whispering, “I wouldn’t care where we were as long as you are happy.”
“I love you…so much,” Ollie murmured. “Thank you.”
“Ditto, carissimo.”
~/~/~/~/~
Mason waited until Ian had left the examination room before he slowly got off the bed and walked over to where his clothes were.
This was the last place he wanted to be, but after the severe pain in his chest nearly caused him to collapse, Hunter gave him no choice and insisted Ian check him over.
Of course, it didn’t help that Jackson sided with his brother.
That’s how he ended up spending most of the day in the Blackwood Pack hospital while Ian poked and prodded him until he was ready to scream.
Stepping into his pants, he pulled them up before slipping his feet into his shoes.
Sitting down on the chair, Mason rested his forearms on his thighs and hung his head as exhaustion washed over him.
It was another sign something wasn’t right, but hell if he knew what it was.
Sighing heavily, Mason buttoned his shirt, then rose and tucked it into his jeans before zipping them up.
And just that little exertion had Mason dropping onto the chair with a thud.
Leaning head back against the wall, Mason closed his eyes, wishing he was back in his office at work where he could forget everything else except his job.
Opening the door to his mate’s office, Colton entered, pausing for a moment before claiming a chair next to Ian, who was deep in thought. He waited a moment, but when his mate said nothing, Colton asked, “What’s wrong? Did you find out what’s causing Mase’s pain?”
Nodding slowly, Ian picked up the test results on his desk and handed them to his mate. “See for yourself,” he murmured.
Worried by Ian’s behavior, Colton slowly read through the pages, becoming more confused with each one. When he finished, he slowly set them down and looked at Ian for a moment before saying, “I don’t understand…his test results are perfect…or am I’m missing something?”
Glancing up at Colton, Ian said, “No, you aren’t missing anything. Mason is perfectly healthy.”
“Then what’s causing the pain?”
“I don’t know,” Ian said, frowning. “But whatever it is, it’s causing his pain to get worse, and if that continues…”
Ian didn’t have to finish his sentence for Colton to know how it ended.