Chapter 2
Rowan
The North Oak Horde lands were impressive.
Even in the dark, I could make out several large, cabin-style buildings that dotted the landscape.
Only, they were far grander than the usual log cabins you would expect to see in the deep countryside.
Several smaller buildings surrounded a courtyard, with a large main house sitting to the north.
Behind the buildings, dense forest stretched out at every angle.
Quite the spot to hide away from prying eyes.
We had driven down small woodland roads for a good forty minutes until the trees finally gave way to this place. It was confined and well-hidden from the world.
“There are twelve bedrooms in the main building, which also houses the bar, guest space, horde meeting rooms, and more. You’ll be staying with me in my room—is that okay?”
I nodded. The thought of staying anywhere else hadn’t crossed my mind. “Of course, but first, I need to shower.”
“First, you need to eat. Follow me.” He grabbed my bags from the back of the SUV and gestured for me to follow him.
“It’s nearly one in the morning, I can wait for breakfast,” I countered as we walked through the halls lined with dark oak panels and plush green carpet, until we reached a grand kitchen that would make most people salivate.
The farmhouse-style space was spacious, with several ranges and three double-door fridges.
A small woman was standing over one of the stoves, stirring something. Turning to greet me, she scowled as soon as what I had said registered. “You will not be waiting for breakfast! Sit. I’ve got some chicken soup and fresh bread here.”
She started plating the food while Griffin dragged me over to the long wooden table that could easily seat twenty. As much as sleep was calling me, the woman’s tone left no room for disagreement.
“I… Ahh… Thank you?” I stumbled over my words.
The woman, a brunette with streaks of gray running through the long strands, smiled warmly. She wore a pair of faded jeans and a large T-shirt, covered by an apron.
“No guest of mine is going to bed hungry,” she declared, placing the bowl of soup in front of me before serving bread to accompany it. “Griff told me you’ve been driving for four days straight. You look dead on your feet, dear!”
I picked up the spoon to dig in. The soup was perfect. Just the right ratio of vegetables to meat and a fresh, crispy roll to accompany it. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a good home-cooked meal. Too many gas-station hot dogs had left me with a serious lack of nutrition—and flavor.
“I’m Ma, so don’t go asking for my name. Everyone around here just calls me Ma. I’m Alpha Orsen’s mother.”
“She rules the roost and makes it her mission to feed everyone who enters the den.” Griffin chuckled, throwing an arm around me.
“That, I do,” she replied proudly. “I’m annoyed my brute of a son isn’t here to welcome his guest, and one who’s traveled days to help a sick member of his horde, no less!”
She carried on grumbling to herself while moving some pots around. “Do you want anything to eat, Griff? Oh, who am I kidding? You boys always want to eat!”
She didn’t even let him answer before she started dishing up a bowl.
With a bowl of soup and a piece of bread in hand, she passed them to Griffin before sitting opposite us, giving me that warm smile again.
I had met folks like her before, mama dragons who thrived on caring for their horde.
And in all my travels, I’d learned just how right Griff was.
They ruled, indeed, as important and maybe even more so than any Alpha.
“How was the journey, my dear?”
I swallowed another bite, offering my own polite grin. “Not too bad. I slept a few hours here and there in my car. It’ll be nice to rest in a bed tonight, though.”
“I can imagine. You’re with Griff for now, is that okay? I wish we had other rooms ready at the moment. Someone”—she glared at Griffin—“gave me next to no warning you were coming, and we’ve been renovating! The room next to his will be ready in a day or two, though.”
I waved off her concern. “Oh, that’s completely fine. I’ve shared a tent with this one more times than I can count.” I laughed, nodding at Griffin.
“When you worked together? Griff hasn’t really explained how he knows you, other than you met while he was exploring.”
“We were both traveling at the same time. I was staying at one of the hordes in the south, learning what I could from their healer, when he came through town.”
Ma cocked her head to the side. “And how did you learn about shifters? Do you have some in your family? It’s so rare for a human to know of our existence.”
“Sheer curiosity and force of will.” I laughed, avoiding the real answer.
I didn’t have the time or energy to go into my messy life story.
“I obtained my nursing qualification, and because I already knew about dragons, I decided to branch out. Trained with some of the best healers across the country, learning a lot of the science behind shifter-specific care.”
“Rowan, here, is the reason I came back after the Eastern Green Lands territory dispute,” Griffin declared, smirking at me with pride. “She trained with Kiki from the Southern Dust Lands Horde.”
Ma turned to me, eyes wide and full of wonder. “That was you? We’ve all seen those scars!” She shook her head, marvel painted on her face. “Oh, you are a blessing, my dear! I’m so happy you’re here. If that blowhard Jenkins gives you any issues, let me know, and I’ll set him straight.”
“Jenkins, is he the current horde healer?” I raised my brows, looking between the two of them.
I had worked with group healers before, but they had always welcomed my input. The idea that this one wouldn’t be accommodating sounded exhausting and frustrating.
Griffin snorted. “If you can call him that. He’s a dinosaur. And his methods of healing aren’t exactly up to date. I’m guessing you’ll have a few folks vying for your opinion while you’re here.”
Ripping off a bit of bread—still warm from the oven—I nodded. “I’m happy to help whoever I can while I’m here. I’ll probably stay a week or so, just to make sure Rory is on the mend. Speaking of, I should probably go see him tonight.”
I was already running through a checklist of tests and symptoms to determine what was going on. When it came to health, waiting could be disastrous.
“He’s fast asleep, and his condition hasn’t changed in a while, so get some rest first,” Ma insisted. “You won’t be any use to him if you’re dead on your feet.”
After putting my bowl down, I nodded and slowly stood. “Thank you for the food. I appreciate it. I’ve been living off gas-station stuff for way too long.”
As “delicious” as stale donuts and fountain sodas were, I was thrilled to eat something real that provided more than a quick injection of sugar and caffeine.
“It was no bother, dear. I take pride in ensuring everyone under my roof is fed and taken care of. Now, Griff, get our guest to bed,” she instructed with a wave of her hands, shooing him away from his bowl, which he’d barely had time to finish.
She hurried us out of the room, bustling around to clean the dirty dishes and tidy up the stove.
Pausing, I offered, “I can help—”
“No, no. I won’t hear any of that,” Ma said firmly, glowering at me and pointing at the door. “Go get some rest. You’re no good to us until you sleep.”
Griffin linked his arm with mine, dragging me out of the room and into the large hallway, laughing quietly as he grabbed my bags with one hand.
I could tell how common this was, Ma directing people about like the mother hen she was.
So much of that was comforting, when I didn’t have much stability in my life.
It didn’t take long to navigate to Griffin’s bedroom. It was on the second floor, and I eyed the space around me curiously.
“So, why did you decide to take a room in the den instead of getting a place of your own?” I asked.
Usually, high-ranking members of the horde were allowed their own property. It was a status symbol. The Alpha or Alphas would typically stay in the den, but those in their inner circle had their own properties in most cases, gifts from the grateful leaders.
Griffin shrugged, the corners of his lips turning down. “Eh, I like being here. It's in the center of everything. I can keep an eye on things. The Alphas are always out and about. Even when they are here, they’re never really that present, so it makes sense for me to be around.”
When we came to a stop in front of a beautiful, wood-paneled door, he opened the way to his room with a flourish.
“Welcome to my den of iniquity!” he declared with a grand wave of his hand, and I rolled my eyes at him.
Except, when I looked around, there was hardly any evidence of said “iniquity.” His bedroom was pretty basic, but Griffin had always been a no-fuss kind of guy.
The bed was covered in fleece blankets illustrated with dense woodland.
The entire room was steeped in dark greens and warm wood tones, as if the bedroom was still trying to be part of the outside woodland.
I guess that made sense, considering dragons preferred the outdoors.
“I’ll take the floor,” Griff offered, dropping my bag that he refused to let me carry onto the bed.
“Scared of a cuddle, Griff?” I laughed, making a face at him. “We’ve shared many a bedroll while working together. I think I can survive sleeping next to your stinky butt. Speaking of stinky, can I get the shower first?”
He was the one to roll his eyes this time and gestured to a door. “Sure, right through there. I have my own bathroom as an enforcer.”
“The perks just keep on coming. I’ll only be a sec,” I said as I grabbed my toiletry bag and an old T-shirt and shorts to sleep in.
Thankfully, Griff kept his shower clean, unlike some of the guys I had met on my travels.
Some shifters really did behave like animals, while others were distinctly more refined.
Griff was a ladies' man, though, and I would bet my ass that he had entertained many a doe-eyed woman in this very shower.
Still, he had never tried anything with me. We didn’t see each other that way. We’d clicked almost immediately as friends, but it was nothing more. Plain and simple. And I appreciated him for respecting that without any issue.
In the shower, I scrubbed at my skin until it was no longer sticky and sweaty; washing off all the traveling ick felt incredible after so long. Scraping my fingernails over my scalp as I washed my hair was probably one of the best feelings in the world. At least right now.
Within five minutes, I was stepping out of the shower, clean and wearing fresh clothes as I padded into the bedroom. I felt ten pounds lighter too.
Griff was already lying on one side of the bed, wearing nothing but a baggy pair of shorts, a tablet in his hands. I crawled into the opposite side, grabbing my phone from the nightstand to check for any new messages.
After a moment of us both tapping away, Griff set down the tablet and turned his face toward the ceiling, staring at it without blinking. It was enough to get me to put the phone away.
“Thank you for coming, Ro,” he grumbled with a sigh. “I’m sure the Alphas are thankful as well. They’re just… Two of them are around. Or, at least, in the state.”
“Doesn’t matter. I don’t need their appreciation. I just need to ensure Rory is better, and then I’ll be on my way. I was heading to Orleans when I got your call. So I’ll need to get back on the road again when we’re finished.”
“You chose me over swamp? Oh, Ro-Ro. I’m touched.” Griffin grinned at me, nudging me in the side with his elbow.
“Ugh. Shut up and let me sleep.” I laughed, nestling under the blankets until I was comfortable. “Lots to do in the morning, and if you stand between me and my rest, I’ll boot your ass onto the floor.”
Griff chuckled before rolling onto his side, purposefully jostling me. I shook my head, squeezing my eyes closed. For as chaotic as all this was, the days of travel were catching up to me, and I quickly drifted off to sleep.