“I must get back, Cassie. But I’m not leaving without you. If you won’t come home for me, then do it for our cub. Let our clan doctor look you over to make sure everything is normal and on schedule.”
That made a lot of sense. There went her argument over not going back with him. Her doctor wouldn’t know a thing about birthing a baby bear. “All right. I will go with you. But just to see the doctor.”
A wide smile brightened Talen’s face. “You got it, my love.”
TWENTY-SIX
“You’ve made a wise decision, Cassie.” Gerri was pleased Cassie was leaving with Talen, even if it was only for a couple days. “I’ll be here when you return.” Cassie hugged her friend tightly and took Talen’s hand.
Moments later, Cassie was on her knees, throwing up her lunch on a foreign planet. Talen held her hair to the side and rubbed her back. “I’m sorry you don’t travel well through the portal, love. I’ve heard it takes time for humans to acclimate.”
Cassie had only strength to nod and remain on all fours, wobbly at that. Talen carefully lifted her into his arms. “Let me take you home. There you can rest and the clan healer will come.”
She was fine with that. As long as a bed and pillow were under her, she didn’t care. Maybe soup would be a better choice for lunch. She should ask Talen what he smelled in the hot dogs so she’ll never eat another one again.
Talen approached a cabin blended in with the trees. If she hadn’t been looking for it, she might have missed it. The front looked like a charming, romantic get-a-way type of place. It seemed a little small, but it was only Talen living there, right?
He carried her over the threshold and into a quaint sitting room with rustic lodge-like furniture. The side tables appeared handcrafted with exquisite details of bears in different scenes.
They passed through another framed opening into a nice-sized kitchen with a granite-like center island. She could cook anything in here. Food sounded good at that point. But so did sleep. Talen shouldered open a door and stepped into a dark room.
Instantly her senses where filled with him. It smelled so wonderful. A heat warmed her core like the night she and Talen had been together at Alyx’s castle and back at Tally’s old apartment. Would they again? She wanted that so much.
Sure, she could deny it, but he had really dug himself into her mind, body, and soul. Even if she weren’t pregnant, she could admit to herself now that she’d never gone a day without thinking about him and wondering what could have been.
“Here you go, love.” He laid her on a soft bed, took off her boots, and pulled the plush flannel comforter to her neck. This was heaven. Talen kissed her on the forehead. “Rest, my mate. I will be at the clan headquarters for a while. If you feel the need to get out, follow the trail on the side of the house. It will lead you to me.”
Cassie rolled onto her side and inhaled his sweet scent from the pillow and was asleep before she released the breath.
Talen opened the door of his office to angry shouts. Dylan stood toe-to-toe with the father of one of the boys who attacked him and Dylan a few days ago. “Rydorn! I’m here now. State your business.” Talen gave a nod to Dylan and he left the room.
The father shrank under the gaze of their leader. At least his son didn’t cower. And what was the man afraid of? Talen had never raised a hand or his voice at any of his people. That wasn’t the way of the clan.
“Rydorn, what’s the problem? We have already discussed your son’s death. I’m very sorry for the incident, but the vids clearly show the attack.”
Rage lit the man’s eyes, his bear peeking out momentarily. “I want someone to pay for the wrong done to my child.”
“Fine. Then you tell me who is going to pay for the wrong done to me by your son and his friends? Not only the building’s, but there’s also my personal wounds serious enough to require a healing sleep.”
The man’s face paled. “I did not know you required the healing sleep. Regardless, someone is responsible for my child’s murder.”
Talen didn’t understand what this man wanted. “Who is tasked with the duty of raising children in our clan, Rydorn? Is it not the parents? What do you want me to do?”
“He was so young.” Tears reddened the father’s eyes. “His death should not have happened.”
“If you want someone to blame, then find Paxten.” Talen didn’t have time for more bullshit from his brother.
“I will.” The man spun around and stomped out the door. Talen plopped into his chair and rubbed his hands over his face. He was so tired of this. The only thing he wanted was to snuggle under the covers with his mate and practice making another cub. He was half hard in a second. Dylan knocked and popped his head in.