14. Rowan
Rowan
“But the doctor gave me these medications,” the old dragon explained, a confused look on his face, his tone pained and tired.
The sweet elderly man had come to my clinic at the request of the Alphas—a very persistent request. Many of the older dragons weren’t exactly excited about the change in provider and were reluctant to see me, but the Alphas had ordered that everyone received a health check from me.
I was still reeling from what I had done the night before with Greylen. On the one hand, I had never felt so satisfied. Afterward, I’d slept like the dead, waking up more rested than I had in a long time.
Then it was back to reality. And back to work.
“I know he gave you those medications, but I want you to try something different. If it doesn’t make you feel better, then I’m happy to change it.” I did my best to keep my voice soft.
In reality, I wanted to scream and curse out Jenkins for the umpteenth time.
For some reason, so many dragons had blind trust in the so-called healer, whereas they looked at me like I was out to get them or something.
I really didn’t want to believe it was sexism, but the only other thing I could think of was that they were staunch traditionalists.
The old dragon frowned as he looked at the prescription in his hands. “And you really think this will help?”
“I do,” I replied. “But more importantly, if it doesn’t, I’ll listen to you. We’ll adjust things until we find what works for you. I don’t just want you to be comfortable. This is your life, your health, we need to find something that offers the best results possible.”
He studied me for a moment, clearly uncertain. Then, with a reluctant sigh, he folded the paper and tucked it into his pocket, eyeing me with a single jerk of his head. “Well, I suppose I can give it a try.”
Relief washed through me, backed by the overwhelming urge to track down Jenkins and kick his ass. I wasn’t usually violent, but just thinking about that idiot had me feeling downright murderous.
“That’s all I’m asking, I assure you. Give that paper to Nina, and she will get you everything you need.” I smiled, under the distinct impression he was about to see a massive improvement in his health.
He gave me another small nod before pushing to his feet. After a few more words of reassurance, he finally left the clinic, prepared to start the new medications Nina had dispensed.
“Please tell me I’ve got a break now,” I pleaded with Nina as I dropped on the desk in front of her.
“You do. I made sure to schedule you one.” I looked up as she winked at me. “I knew you wouldn’t take one without it being scheduled.”
“You are a saint. Thank you so much. I’m going for a walk because if I don’t get some fresh air soon, I’m going to lose my mind,” I said, pinching the bridge of my nose.
I could already feel a tension headache forming, and it was time for me to enjoy the quiet outdoors and a bit of fresh air.
As I walked down the familiar paths, I glanced into an outcropping of trees where several cabins stood.
Curious, I followed the path. Loud, rhythmic banging came from one of the larger buildings.
Various construction-related items littered the exterior, and there were dragons coming and going from every direction.
I was only a few feet away from the door when a half-naked and very sweaty Bastian stepped over the threshold. My mouth went dry, and I just stood there.
Apparently, all I needed was to see a shirtless, glistening dragon, and my brain short-circuited.
Given that we were fated mates, the connection between us was almost impossible to fight. Being presented with what could only be described as a juicy-looking snack was enough to have me clenching on nothing, memories of Grey’s dragon dick fresh in my mind.
We were doing our damn best to resist, though. Or at least I was… Or had been. I’d sort of had sex on Grey’s desk, hadn’t I?
Focus, Rowan. Now is not the time.
I could tell the moment Bastian noticed me because his entire body stiffened, his muscles rigid as he glowered at me. For a moment, we simply stood there, staring at each other. A train could have driven straight through the horde lands, and the two of us would still be veritable lawn ornaments.
It went on for so long that I was beginning to wonder who would break the intense eye contact first when Bastian suddenly turned on his heel and stormed into the house.
I hadn’t even finished shaking off my surprise—and the lingering warmth in my stomach—when Nix came bounding through the doorway, smiling from ear to ear.
“Rowan, what are you doing here?” he asked in his usual bright, bouncy voice, running to pull me into a sweaty hug.
“I was just taking a lunch break. What are you guys doing out here?” I asked, tilting my head toward the cabin.
A dazzling smile slowly spread across Nix’s face, his pride obvious and sort of adorable. “This cabin is your best friend’s blackmail,” he declared, winking at me.
“So this is the old McCreevy cabin,” I said, understanding dawning on me. “Oh shit.”
“Yep. It needs a lot of work, so we thought we’d get started. Why don’t you come see?” He ushered me up the stairs.
The porch had recently been refinished. The freshly sanded wood was light and clean, and everything smelled faintly of wood shavings in a way that was oddly pleasant.
“This place is huge.” I took it all in, stepping up to the entryway.
The cabin was far larger than it appeared from the outside.
A wide staircase curved up to the second floor, while a spacious living area stretched out before me.
Sunlight poured in through the tall windows, illuminating the dust drifting in the air, making it look almost like glitter.
Most of the old furniture had been removed, leaving open spaces and stacks of lumber, paint cans, and tools.
Despite its worn condition, I could easily see how beautiful the cabin had once been—and how beautiful it could be again.
“Wow. I’ll admit”—I turned this way and that—“I didn’t understand why Griff was so pumped, but I get it now.”
Fresh drywall formed sections of the walls, and the scent of sawdust and paint lingered in every room. The steady sounds of hammers, sanding, and voices echoed through the large space, making it feel strangely alive, even with the ongoing renovations.
“It’s one of the biggest cabins we have,” Nix explained as he led me toward the back. “It used to house one of the enforcer’s family. They had loads of kids, so they needed the space. Over time, it became pretty run-down. We’re replacing a bunch of the walls in the rear rooms now.”
I nodded along, fascinated and excited to see what the place would look like when it was finished.
“Look who I found,” Nix declared, striding into a room where another of my mates was plastering a wall, alongside my best friend.
Orsen’s face shifted from concentration to pleasure the moment he saw me. “Always nice to have a visitor. I’m surprised you could pry yourself away from the clinic.”
“Nina insisted I needed a break.” I shrugged because I knew she was right.
“She’s a smart girl, that one.” Orsen turned down the corners of his lips, wiping the sweat from his brow on the back of his arm. “We really should give her a raise.”
“Am I paying her a wage? I hadn’t actually thought about that,” I admitted, suddenly panicked.
“The horde is paying her a wage for assisting you,” Nix explained as he wrapped an arm around me from behind and pressed a light kiss to the top of my head.
“Oh, good.” I relaxed, letting out a breath. “I was about to feel incredibly guilty.”
Orsen laughed and set down his plastering tool.
“Trust me, Nina would make sure someone paid her. She’s far too good to work for free,” Griffin added, chuckling with Orsen.
“That is both reassuring and slightly terrifying.” I shook myself as I thought of Nina. We were getting so close. In truth, I sort of looked up to her because of how calm and good she was. She was quite the figure.
“You’re learning,” Nix said, amusement evident in his voice.
“I see they’re putting you to work.” I directed my words at Griffin in a clear change of subject.
“You know what they say, if you want a job done right…”
“We can leave you to it if you want,” Orsen shot back, smirking at Griff with a cocked brow.
Griff shook his head. “Remember that beatdown you gave me? Oof, my shoulder after all that… I just don’t know.” He exaggerated the ache, really playing it up as he leaned against an unpainted wall.
Orsen groaned, rolling his eyes. “That fucking fight is going to haunt me for the rest of my life.”
Behind me, with an arm still around me, Nix laughed. “Nah, just the next decade or so.”
“Oh, that’s all?” He shook his head, grabbed a towel from the side, and wiped off his hands. “Goody.”
“Well, I need to head back to the clinic.”
“Fine,” Nix huffed, kissing the top of my head. “You still smell like Grey,” he whispered, placing a kiss under my ear that made me shiver.
Fuck.
I had been in such a rush to get to the clinic that morning that I hadn’t showered, simply throwing my hair into a ponytail and putting on the first items of clothing my hands touched.
“None of that!” I slipped out of Nix’s arms, swatting his hands away. No doubt my face was bright red. “You boys have fun.”
Orsen narrowed his eyes at me, but I just stuck my tongue out at him before walking out of the massive project and back toward my clinic. A healer’s work was never done around here, after all. And I was certain my little lunch break had already run over.