Chapter 25
“He looks tired. I think he’s done for now,” Jamie said. He stood with his hands on the railing of the deck, leaning in the direction of Aiden’s phoenix. The beast walked toward them, stopping mere feet from the deck. His scarlet and orange feathers seemed to glow from within. He really was magnificent. “How’re you feeling?”
“Just need a bit of time to recover,” the phoenix answered telepathically.
“What he means is that he’s exhausted,” Aiden said silently. “He needs some food and then a nap.”
Jamie tore his gaze from the beautiful creature in front of him to address the women. “That’s it for this afternoon. He needs to eat something and then hit the sack for a power nap.”
“I’ll grab his clothes from the lawn,” Leah said.
Pop!
She disappeared from where she stood on the back deck and reappeared on the lawn behind the phoenix.
“That was nice of her,” Jamie said to the others.
Pop!
She reappeared holding the clothes that Aiden had deposited on the grass prior to shifting. She handed them to Jamie.
He placed the pile down on his now empty chair. “Thank you.”
Leah blushed. “It’s just that he seems embarrassed to be undressed in front of us.” She shrugged.
“He’s not used to this, this”—Mac paused as if searching for the correct word—“this process. Shifters generally are comfortable with nudity, but we all need to remember that he’s brand new to this.”
Jamie watched as the phoenix hunkered down, his head drooping against his chest, brilliant orange eyes closing. He reached out, stretching to just touch the soft feathers on his shoulder. He caressed him in encouragement. “You did so well.”
The phoenix raised his head and blinked slowly. He then nodded once as if in thanks. The air around his body wiggled, and the creature slowly morphed back into a very naked Aiden. He staggered a bit, but then stabilized himself and slowly lowered to his knees on the grass.
Jamie ran to him, vaulting over the deck’s steps in the process. Mac followed with his clothes. Jamie bent down in front of him. He grabbed him by his upper arms and steadied him. “Are you alright?” Aiden’s eyes were unfocused, his skin gray.
Aiden nodded, but then moaned at the movement. He covered his mouth with his hand and gagged.
“It’s OK. Throw up if you need to,” Jamie said.
He groaned. “Nooo. Hate that.” He took several shallow breaths and closed his eyes, his jaw tight. After about a minute, he opened his eyes and whispered, “I’ll be OK.”
Jamie helped him pull his jeans back on and slip his sneakers back on his sockless feet. Aiden then moved to stand up, but Jamie kept ahold of him. He did loosen the white-knuckled grip he had on him when Aiden finally was able to stand.
“Take it easy,” Jamie said.
“Can I take some quick vitals?” Mac asked.
Jamie blinked. He almost had forgotten he and Aiden weren’t alone. Mac stood a little bit away from them along with Piper and Leah, as if giving the two men privacy. Aiden nodded and Jamie stepped aside but remained close enough to catch Aiden if he fell.
“He won’t fall. He already looks better. Stop worrying,” his wolf muttered silently.
Mac quickly grabbed her medical bag from its resting spot near one of the chairs and hurried back down the stairs. She measured Aiden’s pulse, his blood pressure, and listened to his heart and lungs.
Jamie tapped his foot and chewed on his lip. Why did he look so pale? What if shifting was hurting him? What was taking Mac so long?
“Calm down. He’s fine,” his wolf chided.
“You don’t know that!” he bellowed out loud. Everyone, including Aiden, turned to him, eyebrows raised.
Piper grabbed Jamie’s shoulder. “What’s going on?”
Jamie’s cheeks heated. He lowered his head. “Sorry, sorry. Just yelling at my wolf.”
“C’mere,” Aiden mumbled. He waved Jamie over as Mac packed up her bag.
Jamie rushed over and wrapped an arm around Aiden’s back, pulling him to his side. Aiden leaned into him.
“He’s fine. Heart rate and pulse are a little elevated, but nothing dangerous,” Mac said.
The tightness in his chest loosened at Mac’s words. Jamie let out a sigh of relief.
“You can’t get rid of me that easily,” Aiden murmured to him.
Jamie pulled him in closer. “There’s no way I’m letting you go. We’re in this together now,” Jamie spoke into Aiden’s mind. He saw Aiden flush at his words.
“Mate should keep his shirt off more,” his wolf interrupted Jamie’s thoughts.
“Here, let me help get your shirt on,” Jamie said. He quickly covered his mate’s naked upper body.
Mac coughed. “Well, we’ll head out now. I’ll go talk to my mate and tell him what we’re thinking about the elders in town. I’ll speak to Iris and Deacon after that.”
“If Jasper’s not with Heath already, I’ll find him and explain to him as well,” Piper said.
“I’ll speak with Finn and then find May and Beau,” Leah said.
“Why don’t you call us when Aiden’s ready for another flight. We’ll see if some of the boys can join us. That’s if it’s OK with you?” she asked Aiden.
He huffed a weak laugh. “It’s fine. I think my beast actually likes having an audience.”
Before he realized what he was doing Jamie kissed Aiden’s cheek. “He should have an audience. He’s brilliant. Seeing him fly is like watching something out of a fairy tale. It’s a privilege to see.”
Aiden lowered his head so he could tuck it under Jamie’s neck. “Stop it,” he teased. “he doesn’t need a bigger ego.”
Jamie led Aiden along into the house with the three other Guardians following behind them.
“We’ll see ourselves out. Go feed him,” Leah yelled to Jamie.
Jamie and Aiden chuckled as the women left them alone. Jamie started toward the bedroom, but Aiden resisted. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t sleep. I’m not really that tired. I just need to sit down for a bit. I’m more hungry than sleepy,” Aiden said.
Jamie frowned, not really believing him. He could tell Aiden was dead on his feet. He wouldn’t push it though. “OK, then. How about you rest on the sofa, and I’ll make you something?”
Aiden bit his lower lip, then nodded. “That sounds good. Thanks.”
Jamie shuffled them over, his arm around Aiden’s shoulder and Aiden’s around his waist, to the larger couch in the living room and helped him get comfortable. “Do you need a blanket? Another pillow? Anything?”
Aiden lay back on one of the colorful decorative pillows that Tessa had displayed on her sofas, his long legs stretched out. He sighed and closed his eyes. “Nah, I’m fine. I’m just going to close my eyes for a bit.”
Jamie bit back a laugh. He’d bet anything that Aiden would be passed out cold before long. “Any food in particular?”
Aiden’s eyes remained closed. “Do you mind making some pancakes?”
“Pancakes? That’s it?”
Aiden murmured in the affirmative.
“Then pancakes it is. No problem.” He leaned down and kissed Aiden’s forehead.
He smiled to himself when he heard Aiden make a happy sound. He strode quickly to the kitchen to cook for his mate.