21. Rowan
Rowan
By the time I finally crawled out of bed, it was daylight outside. A small part of me felt like I was doing the walk of shame, but everyone in the den was happy I was with my Alphas, so there was nothing to be embarrassed about.
At least, that’s what I told myself.
Padding down to the kitchen, I was pleased to find it a hub of activity once again.
Ma was sitting at one of the tables with Baby Rowan in her arms. She was chatting with Allison, who was kneading bread that already smelled fantastic.
“Well, if it isn’t my beautiful namesake,” I cooed, scooping up the baby who Ma held out for me to steal a snuggle. “He’s getting so big!” I exclaimed, bouncing him playfully.
“Somehow, babies seem to grow up too fast and not fast enough.” Ma laughed.
“He’ll be running circles around us before we know it,” I agreed, rubbing my nose against his, which made the baby giggle in a way that melted my heart.
“Colin is counting down the days until he can take him fishing and exploring,” Allison said as she popped a load of bread into the oven.
“How’s Colin doing? It’s been a minute since I saw him.” I cradled Rowan against me, walking around the kitchen, soothing the baby while inching closer to Allison so he could see his mama was near.
“Good! He has been helping with the cabin renovations. He says it’s hard work, but he’s enjoying it. The next cabin he and the team are working on is going to be ours—the Alphas have been so generous.”
Ma nodded. “You guys are going to need your space, but I’ll be sad there won’t be a baby toddling around the den anymore.” She gazed pointedly at me.
“What are you looking at me for?” I laughed, shaking my head at her before smiling down at the baby in my arms again.
“How else am I going to get grandbabies without you?”
Allison and I both broke into laughter.
“I’m in no hurry there, Ma. You’ll have Celia’s baby first… Speaking of, how is she?”
Ma was thoughtful for a moment. “Good, all things considered. She’s been visiting Tanner regularly and taking him food. The baby’s doing well, but you’d know that better than I would.”
“I don’t know, actually. Celia hasn’t come in for her most recent checkup. I’ve been distracted, so I haven’t chased her. I really should. There’s just been a lot going on.”
“I’d apologize for that,” Ma replied, narrowing her eyes at me, “but I heard somewhere that I’m not supposed to be feeling guilty about it all.”
I smiled back at her, nodding once. “Whoever said that is very smart.”
Allison laughed, plopping the dough into a large bowl and covering it with a cloth to let it rise. She held out her hands for Rowan, and I reluctantly gave the baby to his mom.
“You’re the only person taking care of this horde’s health.” Allison patted me on the shoulder. “We all need to remember that better.”
“I appreciate that. But I’ll still make it a point to swing by when I have time.” I cocked my head, shrugging. “Whenever that’ll be.”
I’d intended to go straight to the clinic, but as soon as I stepped outside, all I could think about was Celia. I knew exactly where she would be, so after only a second of contemplation, I veered right.
“Are you really going where I think you’re going?” Bastian asked, falling into step behind me. I lurched, nearly falling because he’d snuck up on me out of nowhere.
“I swear, if you don’t stop appearing out of thin air, I’m going to put a bell on you!”
He smirked. “I wanted to give you space to talk with Ma and Allison without my looming over you. Never mind that, though. I asked you a question.”
I shot him a look. “Where do you think I’m going?”
Bastian pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing out loud. “Don’t play coy. You and I both know you’re going to go check on Celia, who happens to be in the cabin where we’re keeping Tanner.”
“If you knew”—I stared right back at him—“why did you bother to ask?”
“Because, sometimes, I worry that your brain cells have taken a leave of absence.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I lost most of my brain cells when I was nearly killed by dragon fire.”
Bastian glowered. “Yes, which was done by Tanner, who you’re about to go see.”
I shrugged, keeping up the pace. “Tanner was the proverbial gun. He didn’t pull the trigger. That blame falls squarely on your dear old dad.”
The wind carrying our little squabble backed down, and I watched the expression on Bastian’s face sober.
“Trust me. I haven’t forgotten. I’ve been thinking of all the ways we can kill him when the time comes.”
Bastian quickly shook off the darkness and smiled, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me close.
“That’s… sweet.” I chuckled. “Nothing says I love you like murder.”
That made Bastian laugh, and we slipped into companionable silence as we walked up to the cabin where Tanner had been relocated to after everything had happened.
The guards posted outside nodded at Bastian and me when we approached. After a quick gesture from him, we were let inside.
The moment we entered, I could tell how difficult things had been for the expectant mom. Celia looked rough. Her hair was thrown up in a messy bun, and her usually immaculate clothes were dirty. Her shoulders drooped, and she didn’t stand straight in the slightest.
“Celia.” I sighed, walking over to her as she darted up from her seat, looking at me guiltily.
“R-Rowan! What are you doing here?” Her eyes were huge, with large purple bags beneath them.
“Checking up on you. Why didn’t you come to your clinic appointment?” Worry pinched my stomach as I took in how strung-out she looked.
“I’m fine,” she tried to brush it off. “Honestly—”
“She’s not,” Tanner cut in, giving his mate a firm look. “She’s sick. She has been struggling to keep food down, but she feels like she can’t ask you for help. I’ve been begging her to talk to you for days.”
“Celia…” I padded over to her, gesturing for her to sit down at the table.
“H-how can you want to help me? After everything?” she asked, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes, looking between myself and Tanner.
“You are blameless in all this mess.” I’d assumed that was the reason, but knowing for sure hurt, chiefly because the asshole who’d started all this was still out there. “And that one over there isn’t entirely to blame, either,” I said, jerking my head in Tanner’s direction.
I felt pretty safe, considering Bastian was standing between Tanner and me. I had no doubt that he would protect me if I needed it. Though I didn’t fear Tanner, since Cyrus had orchestrated all of this via threats and coercion.
“Please, let me examine you, so we can make sure you and the baby are okay.”
After a moment, Celia sagged in the chair, nodding. “All right. Truthfully, I’m miserable. I’d try anything at this point.”
“Is it predominantly nausea?”
Celia bobbed her head again, her hand going to her stomach. “Yes. But I feel bloated and achy, too. I’ll get heartburn for no reason, and when I can finally force myself to eat, I get sick like an hour later.”
“Okay, that’s definitely not good. But fortunately, there are some simple remedies we can try to help you keep food down.
I have them in the clinic because I use them for every nauseated dragon, even kids.
A little ginger and peppermint. Maybe some watercress.
I’ll want to take a quick blood sample so I can check your nutrient levels. ”
The relief that washed over Celia was palpable, and I offered my hand, letting her squeeze it.
“Oh God, that’s… Thank you, Rowan.”
“Are you staying here?” I asked softly.
“As much as possible. I know Tanner is in trouble, but…”
“Being away from your mate while pregnant is difficult, I totally understand. However, if you’re going to be staying here, I want a much better bed brought in.” As I spoke, I turned to Bastian.
“We can do that.” He nodded, expression neutral.
“Also, this place needs cleaning. I don’t care who you get to do it, but this place needs to be spotless. It’s in no state for a pregnant woman to be living in.”
Bastian looked around the dusty building. “That’s fair. We never expected a pregnant woman to be staying here. We’ll make it better,” he assured Celia.
She lowered her head. “Thank you, Alpha Bastian.”
My hand grabbed a plastic cup from the table. It was empty, so I turned it over in my hands for a second or two.
Then, without thinking about it too hard, I tossed it straight at Tanner’s head.
“Hey!” he complained, but there was no heat in it, as the cup was flimsy and did no damage.
“Sorry, just needed to get it out, you know? Damn. That felt good.” I smirked, turning back to Celia.
“Now, either Nina or I will stop by later with some things to help reduce your nausea. I want you to rest and focus on eating. Allison has the kitchen in the den back up and running, under Ma’s watchful gaze, so I will also get someone to deliver your meals.
You need to be eating well. And we’ll work on getting that blood sample. ”
Celia looked between Tanner and me, then let out a long breath. “Whatever you say, Rowan. I trust you.”
Outside with Bastian once more, I considered the situation. It was obvious they both regretted what’d happened, and I was comfortable going so far as to say Tanner truly felt remorse. That was something I knew Cyrus didn’t feel.
So, I had an idea.
“You know, why don’t you put Tanner to work?” I asked as we walked back to the den.
“To work?”
I nodded. “You said yourself there’s so much that needs doing around the horde lands. He’s clearly not going to run. His pregnant mate is here. He could be useful. And I think it would be a good way for him to make amends. I think even he would say the same.”
“I’ll think about it,” Bastian grumbled, trying to hide the small smile that lifted the corner of his cheek.
“Thank you,” I whispered, reaching out to take his hand, “Alpha Bastian.”