The Pack's Doctor

Kennedy

After Quirin left, my mother got me settled while mumbling about my mate. Then, she finally focused on me.

"How are you feeling? Anything from Echo?"

"A bit of fluttering, but not much. She's still weak and so am 1," I tell her.

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"You lost a lot of blood, so that's to be expected. Plus, I'm sure Echo is being a good momma wolf and making sure your pup stays safe and strong."

I swallow the bite of food and look at my mother. "Speaking of pups, what's this I hear about you wanting another one?"

She smiles, obviously thinking about whatever she and Dad talked about last night.

"Your father made a good point when we spoke last night. Very soon, you'll have a pup and I'm guessing Connor and Madison will as well. So, rather than having my own pup to focus on, I'll focus on yours and being the best possible grandmother ever! Can you imagine if you both have twins??" she asks excitedly.

I was on the verge of telling her that of course she'll be the best grandmother ever. She's the best mother ever, but then ....

"Did you say, twins?"

"Well, yes, sweetheart. I had two sets of twins, and you are part of one of those sets. Granted, I think maybe I produced a lot of eggs because, well, your father practically made me desperate to have his pups. But still, twins tend to be genetic and as intense as your mate is in life, I can only imagine what he's like when it's just the two of you."

I know I'm blushing profusely. "Mom..." I grumble.

"Don't 'Mom' me. I know passion when I see it. And you, my daughter, would want and expect the same passion in your mate bond that I have in mine," she says. Rather than answer her, I shove some more food in my mouth.

"He is excited about being a father," I say when I swallow my food.

"From what your father tells me, Quinton loved Quirin. He might have been the only person who Alpha Quinton ever truly loved in this life. So, I'm not surprised that he's excited about being a father. I expect that with your guidance, he'll make a wonderful father."

"You seem very confident about Quirin."

My mother's eyes get a far away look in them. "He's had a very hard life. But unlike his father, he loves his mate with everything in him. I believe that's Harold and Henry's influence on him. He wants to be a better man for you, and I know from experience that a man who loves his mate like that, will do everything in his power to not let her down. So, yes, I'm very confident that Quirin will be the man, mate, and father that you want him to be."

"Can I tell you a secret?" I ask her conspiratorially.

"I love secrets," she says excitedly leaning forward as if someone might overhear

us.

"He's so different when it's just the two of us. He can be so gentle and kind, so unlike what others see in him."

"That's love, baby girl. And like I said, that man loves you more than anything in this world."

"I really like it. I really like that I'm the only one who gets to see that side of him. It's as if that part of him is only for me."

She takes my hand, squeezing it. "It is. I get a different side of your father when it's just the two of us. You and I are not

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fighters. I could never come close to defeating your father in a sparring match, nor would I ever bother to try. But when it's just us, he will submit to me," she says, making me gasp.

She nods, smiling as her eyes go unfocused. "It's not all the time, and I don't ever push it, but he does it of his own free will. He gives himself to me completely and there is nothing more precious to me in this world than that."

It makes me wonder if Quirin would ever submit to me. I might be able to force it, but I wouldn't want to. Like my mother. I'd want my mate to submit because he loves me and wants to give himself to me. When I'm stronger, I'll have to test that

"Now..." she begins and stops, her head tilting to the side.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Your father is meeting with your pack's warriors. He's telling them about the past," she says.

"Is he okay? Do you need to go?" I ask her.

Her eyes narrow and her fingers twitch as if she's desperate to reach out and touch my father.

"No, I'll wait until he's finished. This is important, Kennedy," she says refocusing on me. "Your pack is listening to your father for the first time."

I reach out, finding Quirin's mind open to me. Through him, I see what my mother

is talking about. In our mind, Quirin pulls me into his arms, holding me while I listen in.

"Did you want to sit outside for a little while? Get some fresh air?" she asks. She's a bit distracted, just like I am, both of us focused on the conversation going on downstairs.

"Yes," I say, knowing it will be good for Echo, but it will also give me a chance to get a feel for how the pack is feeling, especially after this conversation with my father.

She moves the now-empty tray of food and then helps me to get dressed before scooping me into her arms to carry me downstairs.

"I can walk, Mom."

"I'm not facing your mate if you fall on my watch. I told him I'd look after you and I intend to."

"How long do you think it will be before we'll know if I'm having twins?" I ask her.

"Well, it depends on when you got pregnant, but I'd say no more than a week. We'll do an ultrasound in a couple of days to see if we can get any images of your pup or pups."

When we get downstairs, Arianna rushes over to me along with several of the omegas.

"Luna, how are you feeling?"

“I'm still weak, but feeling better. How are you, Arianna? Do I get to see your mate mark?"

She smiles and pulls her shirt aside.

"Ohhh, nice!" my mom and I say together.

"Alpha said that once you're stronger, we can talk about my responsibilities as a Beta. I hope it's okay, but since you're stil. healing, I sort of took over the kitchen duties."

"I think that's perfect. If you have any questions, let me know. I'm going to sit outside for a bit, let the fresh air and sunshine help Echo to heal," I tell them.

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I'll get you a blanket. Luna Susor says

look around, not seeing Christy. "Is Christy still in the hospital

Yes, but I plan to release her today. She's not ready to go back to work just yet, but she'll heal better here with her friends nearby my mom SZY

"LUNA" Lane exclaims rushing over. "Oh, Lana. Tim so sorry that I wasn't there to protect you and keep you safe. I understand if you don't trust me to be your guard any bogen...

Lane, what are you talking about?"

"I was sleeping when you were taken. I didn't do my job protecting you

7 didn't wake you up because you'd beem aake as many hours as I had. You needed sleep just as much as I did. Of course, I still want you as my guard. I trust you and I like working with you." I sell him.

Are you sure. Lana?"

Tm positive. I SIX

"Okay then. I'm reporting for duty. I'll take my Luma Luma Yara," he says, taking

me out of my mother's arms. "Where are we going

“Outside, but this really is embarrassing. I can walk

If Luna Yara says you get carried, Luna, you get carried" he says, walking me toward the back of the packhouse.

"Kennedy?" Mom calls from behind me.

Lane turns so I can talk to her. I join you in a bit. I'm going to wait and talk to your father?"

Okay, Mom," I say as Lane carries me out to the back patio. He looks around just as Susie comes out with a blanket.

"How about partial son Lunz Like right here," he says, finding a spot where the sun is blocked by some plants, but the sunlight still makes its way through That looks perfect." I say and be carefully sets me in the chair, then steps back to let Susie put the blanket over my lap.

"Luna, if you don't mind. I'd like to talk to you about the other guards. Alpha said he wanted a couple more so we can rotate out now that you're pregnant. I think that's a great idea since I can't be there every minute of every day."

"Who would you choose to be part of the Luna guard?" I ask him.

*Well, the shortlist would include Terrance and Leo, but if Randall and Christopher

can get their head's out of their asses about your father, I'd add them to the list too."noveldrama

"I think they're talking to him right now," I tell him.

"They are. They're a bit younger than I am, so they didn't understand everything that was happening. I mean, we've been attacked. We've had pack members die and we've killed pack members. I'm not saying I like it, but it's what happens in times of war.

"They lost loved ones. When you're young, I think you need someone to blame for that loss. What pack did you come

from?" I ask

"None of the ones around here, but I lost my father too. This wasn't the only region that had a lot of fighting. Anyway, I hope they figure it out. Some of those warriors are very strong and would make good Luna guards and protectors for

you and your pup."

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I feel him before I see him and I turn, smiling up at my mate as he strides over to

see me. He's so graceful, so sexy, even when he walks. I feel my body humming with my desire for him.

Lane, seeing my mate headed this way, nods and steps back.

"How did it go?" I ask him as he scoops me into his arms and sits, pulling me into his lap. I notice Lane raise an eyebrow before smiling and turning away.

"I think it went really well. They, like me, finally listened to what your father had to

say. He was able to clear up some lies and mistruths that they were holding on to all this time, just like I was," he says, pressing his lips to the side of my head. "My mate was right, as I'm realizing you usually are, that it starts at the top. I need to do a better job of leading this pack, of creating a family environment and tight-knit group of individuals that not only care about each other, but also listen to each other," he says.

"What?" I ask, pretending I hadn't been listening to him.

He smiles, growling softly. "Did you need for me to whisper it in your car,

Kennedy?"

My whole body shivers and I'm about to respond when howls of excitement go up

from the patrols.

Quirin is on his feet in an instance, carefully putting me back in the chair. "Stay

with her," he commands Lane.

"Quirin, what is it?" I ask him.

He turns and the sweet, sexy smile from a moment ago is now a hard, menacing

smile.

"They found Slater."

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