Rowan - One Year Later
Ayear of peace.
I could scarcely believe it.
For one long, blissfully glorious year, we had been at peace.
North Oak was growing by the day, and we’d had several babies born in the last few months alone.
It was such a change from the dour reality that had been imposed on the people here by that quack Jenkins.
Not a moment went by that I wasn’t a little tickled that he’d been killed by his own incompetence
It really made me believe in karma.
Sitting in my clinic, which was quiet between patients, I smiled to myself. I picked up the phone and dialed a familiar contact, who I’d been meaning to reach out to.
“Well, aren’t I blessed? A call from the healing Alpha of North Oak?” Griffin gasped dramatically on the other end, and I chuckled, thrilled to hear his voice.
“Hey, you,” I greeted warmly. “How’s things going up there?”
Griffin had been helping run what used to be Birch Creek for a while now. Best of all, he’d taken to it like a duck to water, and I was genuinely thrilled for him. The opportunity had allowed his Alpha skills to shine, and the dragons there were in the best, most capable hands with him at the helm.
“It’s… going.” He chuckled. I could picture him shrugging with that nonchalant tone. “Actually, the guides you’ve been making have been fucking amazing.”
The guides.
What had been intended as a pet project had morphed into a large-scale operation that was benefiting several hordes now.
Once everything had calmed down, my clan and I started truly looking at how we could help our newly increased horde population.
I had trained Nina, who quickly became an excellent healer.
With her at the clinic, my workload had decreased significantly, and I was able to take a step back, which allowed me to enjoy my time instead of being constantly worked to the bone.
It’d been particularly appreciated by the guys, who ate up every chance they could to shower me with attention when they weren’t working themselves.
We regularly got requests from neighboring hordes for medical help.
We went whenever we could, but that wasn’t as often as they needed, of course.
It dawned on me around the fourth or fifth trip to a horde several hours away that a lot of the assistance they needed was pretty basic—at least, for me.
Which was how I came about compiling the guides. Originally, I’d planned to simply put together some pamphlets, with basic healing information for dragons, and distribute them to the hordes who needed something they could turn to and learn from whenever something came up.
Somehow, in time, that had warped into me writing several books on healing and getting copies printed and distributed to every horde we came into contact with.
It wasn’t complex stuff, just the best poultices to stave off infections or ways to reduce pain and such, but I’d heard how much they’d helped quite a few times.
It was small, but had a massive impact. I was on my fourth book now, researching carefully. Everything I’d put on those pages had to be just right, so I triple-checked my methods with other healers—and Kiki’s notes.
The compendium of works was being used to train more healers, creating people who were essential to the health and wellness of a horde. I was proud, and it meant a lot to know the work was keeping other hordes from being subjected to the mistreatment Jenkins had inflicted on North Oak.
“I’m glad to hear it.” I smiled, my mind traveling to a distant memory. “Do you remember that dingy place we stayed at in Washington?”
A snort echoed through the phone. “Sometimes I wish I could forget. Those beds were some of the most uncomfortable pieces of trash I have ever experienced—in my entire life. Why are you thinking about that dump?”
I smiled to myself. “I don’t know. I guess… it’s hitting me just how far we’ve come.”
Griffin snorted again, and I could just imagine how he was rolling his eyes at me. “We were two broken idiots fumbling their way through life. I’m amazed how well it worked out. Though we did cut it close there a few times.”
“Did I ever thank you for calling me to come help Rory?” I asked, my eyes stinging slightly as my chest squeezed.
“You know what, you didn’t!” The two of us laughed, and I smiled as a tear finally escaped. “I’ll take all the praise and credit now, please.”
I thoroughly inflated Griffin’s ego, and after a moment, he mentioned. “Oh, and I still plan to swing by in March. You ready for me?”
My heart leaped into my throat for a minute. “Well, that’s actually why I called. I wanted to tell you something. You’ll be visiting in about six months, so that’ll line up with when your godchild is born.”
The line was silent, and I checked the phone to see if the call had dropped.
“Y-You’re…pregnant!? Rowan!” A beaming smile slowly spread across my face at Griffin’s excited voice. “Oh my God! Your guys must be freaking the hell out.”
“I haven’t told them yet. I’m doing it tonight,” I admitted, my heart all fluttery in my chest.
“Lord, when they find out! Ooh! They’re going to wrap you in bubble wrap like some precious antique.”
Chuckling, I leaned back in my chair, looking at my patient notes. “I’ve got too much work to do
“Good luck with that! With how those lugheads are, you’re going to need it!”
“Griffin! Ugh, you’re probably right. It’s a good thing I have Nina. And we may be bringing on a few part-time healers, too.”
We were both quiet for a moment. I gazed down happily, knowing that so much was still going to change. I’d been through hell and back since I’d arrived at North Oak, and now a little person was going to arrive. I felt prepared… and totally not at all.
“We really landed on our feet, didn’t we?” I asked softly, feeling emotional.
“Yeah, we really did.” Griffin sounded happy, content with how things had worked out. I was glad I could help him get there, as he’d helped me.
“You’re a damn good friend, Griff. I can’t wait to see you in a few months.”
“I can’t wait to see how big you get. I’ve seen your mates. You’re probably carrying a linebacker in there.”
We both chuckled. After a moment, I knew it was time to go. This was just what I needed to feel ready to talk to my clanmates.
“I’ll talk to you soon, yeah?”
“You better,” Griffin insisted. “I want all the details on baby names, the shower, everything.”
We were a pair, laughing it up, and I agreed wholeheartedly. “Bye, Griff.”
“Bye, Rowan. And congrats.”
After hanging up the phone, I smiled to myself for a moment before closing my laptop and pushing my chair back.
Work would still be there tomorrow.
For now, I wanted to be with my mates. I had something to tell them, and I wasn’t waiting until tonight.