Where Wild Things Roam

Discovered

Dr. Myers    

Turning my attention the Alpha’s direction, my mouth curls automatically into a polite smile and I seek the face of his mate. I not prepared at all for what I see and gasp, leaning forward when I meet her eyes.

She has long dark hair with platinum blond streaks at the temples, all pulled back and twisted into a thick, complex braid that hangs down from her shoulder nearly to her slender waist. Her lovely oval face is a perfect example of feminine beauty and set with wide, golden-greenish eyes framed with thick dark lashes above a slightly upturned nose and a luscious mouth of full flushed lips.

“Goddess bless. You’re fae.”

My entire purpose for being here completely forgotten, I ease around the bed to get a better look at her. While most texts describe her kind as diminutive in stature, this woman, though fine-boned and delicate as a bird, still stands as tall as the alpha’s shoulder, with generous breasts and hips despite her otherwise willowy build. Half-fae, half-human then, but hers is definitely a strong bloodline. The strongest I’ve ever seen, even from pictures.

There’s something preternatural inherent in her presence, and though I know she must be possessed of some type of magic, she stares at me wide-eyed and timid, retreating just slightly behind the alpha as I draw nearer. Reluctantly, she comes around when he draws her before him.

The alpha’s huge hands on her hips and his broad chest behind her give new perspective to her sylphide figure and for a moment longer, I can only stare.

“Dr. Myers.” There’s an edge and a slight warning in the tone.

Startled from my fascination, I look up at the alpha to find him watching me carefully. “Apologies, Alpha. I didn’t mean to be rude.” I extend my hand to her. “Luna, it’s my privilege to be among the first to meet you. I’m Dr. Myers. I apologize to you as well. To find that you’re fae—well, it’s like finding a unicorn.”

Shaking my hand, she replies with a clear British accent in a soft lilting voice enjoyable to hear. “It’s alright, Dr. Myers. I’m getting used to the … attention still. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well. Perhaps once triumvir Ivan is feeling better and your schedule permits, we can sit down together and talk about unicorns.”

I can’t help but laugh. She’s charming and clever, gently redirecting my attention elsewhere to ease her discomfort. “I’d like that. Very much.”

Turning, I get to work. “Triumvir, what have you done to yourself now?” Tucking my fingers around his wrist, I take his pulse as he explains.

Lifting his shirt, he exposes a new puffy-pink scar. “I took a vamp arrow under the ribs three days ago, doc.”

I stare at the wound. While weres heal much quicker than humans, to find such a wound closed already is atypical, even for them. “This.” I point at the scar. “Looks much older than three days.”

“It is actually only three.” The Luna steps up beside me. “I removed the arrow. And healed the wound. But you should know, the arrow was target specific in its design. Silver-tipped with a yew shaft and enchanted explicitly for a were. I believe I’ve pulled off the enchantment—I can’t feel it any longer at least—and burned off the poison from his system, but that it still pains him is of concern.”

“You’re a healer.”

“Mostly. My last medical training was during the second world war and I’m afraid I’m not well-versed at all in werewolf anatomy and medicine.”

A loud snort erupts from the triumvir seated near the door. “I know for a fact, Ian made certain she’s had plenty of were anatomy.” He rises, heading for the door with the border collie under his arm, while beside me, the Luna gives a scandalized gasp.

“Hold it right there, Triumvir!” I snap with a glare and he freezes mid-stride. “I was serious when I said I’d sedate you.”

Looking over my shoulder, I can see the alpha, trying to maintain a straight face, but still feeling smug for the acknowledgement of his s****l prowess. “And if it suits our Luna, I’ll be happy to dose you too.”

“Sorry, Dr. Myers.” The alpha’s eyes flick from me to his mate’s fetchingly flushed countenance and hold for a second swollen with tenderness and primal attraction. “Sorry, baby,” he says softly, his voice low. He faces his triumvir. “Jack.”

“Darby, I apologize for my bit of humor at your expense. You must know how happy we all are that Ian’s found you and that the two of you are enjoying yourselves working on making alpha babies together. I’m going outside now, before I get myself in bigger trouble.” He hefts the border collie under his arm slightly. “Don’t worry. I have my babysitter.”

“Triumvir, I’ll need to run some tests and I’d like an MRI of that injury—.”

Before I can finish, the door bursts open, the triumvir’s spitfire mate rushing to the bedside.

“Ivan, can’t you go anywhere without getting into trouble? Where have you been? Do you know how long you’ve been gone? Uh-huh, no! Do you know how worried I’ve been? You don’t call. You don’t link. Do you have any idea how much those daughters of yours are driving me crazy? What would I do if you died, huh?”

**

Darby    

Just when I thought Dr. Myers and I were relaxing into a common interest, mercifully and finally rid of Jack’s troublesome influences, the door slams open.

The woman who enters looks like her shifted form might be a Tasmanian devil—and, frankly, like it’s spilling over into her human half.

She’s quite a lovely woman, with shoulder-length, thick blonde hair in enviable big loopy curls, sky blue eyes and a liberal smattering of reddish-brown freckles across her nose and cheekbones. Though not as tall as me, she’s nearly as slight, which only serves to highlight that’s she’s very pregnant.

“Sweetie-pi—.” Ivan’s meek start is cut off abruptly.

“Ivan, can’t you go anywhere without getting into trouble? Where have you been? Do you know how long you’ve been gone? Uh-huh, no! Do you know how worried I’ve been? You don’t call. You don’t link. Do you have any idea how much those daughters of yours are driving me crazy? What would I do if you died, huh?”

First, having to leave my valley. The near brawl in the parking lot. Dave’s fawning adoration. Dr. Myer’s intense scrutiny. I just don’t think I have anything left to cope with so much energy.

Abandoning Dr. Myers, I back away from the bedside, sliding my shoulder behind Ian’s and tuck my hand into his, drawing on his calm, reliable solidity.

As she finishes berating Ivan, the Tasmanian devil woman looks up. “I heard tests and MRI. Dr. Myers, what has he done?” But before Dr. Myers can reply, her gaze shifts and her eyes land on me, wide and intense.

“Who. Are. You?”

Fuck.

I approach tentatively, Ian’s hand pressed in the small of my back reassuringly. “I’m afraid we haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Darby.”

The blonde woman still stares. It’s such a relief when her eyes flick to Ian, I nearly collapse to the floor. Her eyes are wide, and – hopeful? —as she puts her fist to her mouth. She’s trembling so hard I think there’s about equal odds she’s about to shift or to rupture with excitement.

“Is this who I think it is?” she demands of Ian in a high-pitched squeak.

“If you think she’s my mate, then yes, Kasey.”

“EEEEEEEEEEEEE! Ivan, you’re rotten! Why didn’t you tell me? I’m going to kill you!”

But as before, no one has the chance to reply when Kasey all but vaults over the bed to get to me.

“You have no idea how happy I am Ian’s finally found you! Dealing with those three and all the testosterone by myself has been misery! Absolute misery!”

Kasey links her arm with mine and, despite my resistance, starts leading me towards the door.

“We’ll be in the pack house, boys,” she calls over her shoulder, opening the door and dragging me through. “But don’t rush on our account. Dr. Myers, you keep Ivan as long as you want. And make sure you poke him. A lot.”

Before I’m taken from the room, I look over my shoulder, terrified, at Ian. I give my head a tight little shake.

Ian smiles and nods, mouthing, I’ll be right there.

Kasey    

“I seriously have never been happier in my entire life. Not when I married Ivan. Not when Tavie or Tasha were born—although I was really done with them—they were kickers. And not when I found out about this one. You said Darby, right? It’s Darby. That’s a great name. And the accent! Oh, it’s to die for! And you have those gorgeous green-gold eyes and perfect figure—seems like forever since I had one of those. No surprise about you, really. Ian’s so picky you had to be just exactly right. Am I talking to much? I feel like I’m doing all the talking. Tell me where you’re from.”

We’ve reached the hospital’s front entrance and I wave at the orderly. “’Night, Tom!”

“Goodnight, Kasey. Would you rather I call the packhouse and have a car sent?”

I wave him away. “Oh, it’s okay. It’s a short walk, and Darby is with me—.” Before I can finish my sentence, I see a black streak as a dog trots up on Darby’s other side and I catch sight of Jack in my periphery. 

“Oh, no! What are you doing here? I’m finally getting girl time. This is girl time, Jack. You’re not taking it away from me.”

Jack raises a hand in a stop gesture. “Kasey—you’re pregnant. You and Darby are alone, walking, after dark. You’re getting an escort and we’re not going to fight about it. You know your beef’s with Ian anyway. If you want to girl talk, I’ll lag behind ten feet.”

I arch a brow. “Fine.” Turning to Darby, I tug her through the automatic double doors and the night air hits us. “It’s a little brisk. I hope you don’t mind—I’m hot all the time when I’m pregnant—but it’s a short walk.”

“You’re going to love the pack house. Ian’s grandfather built it, but his mom and dad completely renovated and I love what they did. It’s really nice modern contemporary— I love the minimalist stuff and the clean lines. Of course, if you wanted to renovate, I’m sure Ian would do it. He’s always been sweet, but it’s clear already he’d give you anything. Ivan and I share the same part of the house as Ian, so we’re right across the hall from each other—eeeeeeeeeeee! Oh, thanks, Jack.”

As we reach the gate to the pack house, Jack jogs ahead and opens the security gate for Darby and me. I lead her down the long drive towards the house, but realize she’s watching the tall, wrought-iron gate close automatically behind us a little apprehensively, her arms wrapped around her in a hug against the cold.

“Oh, don’t worry at all. The gate just makes Jack feel better. A town as small as this, with the kind of population it has—I mean weres, of course—it’s not like someone can get in here unnoticed or anything. Oh! Are you hungry? Or thirsty? Hang on—.”

I link Townsend and have him break out bubbly so we can celebrate, but since I know it’ll hack off Ian if I spoil his surprise, I don’t tell him why. As I come back to Darby, I see the dog streak into the landscaping off to the side and a moment later, cross ahead of us, chasing a rabbit.

“Is that your dog? It must be. I’d forgotten how fun having one can be. I grew up with them, of course—I was human when Ivan found me—but we’ve never had one here before. Here we are! Welcome home, Darby!”

Jack jogs ahead again, taking the four steps up to the pack house’s wide covered front porch in two bounds, then opens the door for us. We stop in the entry, and Darby’s dog sits at her heel obediently.

“This way is the kitchen and dining area,” I gesture off to my left, “and behind you is the family room. Are you okay? You’re looking uncomfortable. Have I said something to upset you? Of course I have. I’m sorry. I never mean to upset people. Oh, thank goodness! Townsend! Would you like some champagne? Townsend, this is Darby.”

“It’s lovely to meet you, Townsend.” Darby politely declines the champagne, and looks around, distracted and uneasy, one hand pressed flat over her collarbones and the other stroking the dog’s chin.

“Would you rather have sparkling juice?” I offer, realizing belatedly perhaps she doesn’t drink alcohol, and extending her my glass. “I can’t have alcohol right now either, so you can take mine. I’m sure Townsend will bring us another. Would you like to sit down?”

Darby glances at the glass I extend to her, shaking her head in a tight, little no. She seems even more nervous when I suggest sitting down.

“Oh! We should go shopping! Not tonight, of course. But tomorrow. I love shopping, especially around here, and I know all the best little boutiques on Main and in the nearby communities. I’m sure you’ll need new things. I didn’t see you’d brought any luggage—not that it will matter tonight,” I chuckle. “I’m know Ian will make certain there’s nothing you want for. Oh! Speak of the devil.”

“Ladies. Townsend.” Ian’s face is beaming as he walks in the door. He swipes two glasses of champagne off the handled tray Townsend is holding and extends one to Darby. “Townsend, you’re sworn to silence, but grab yourself a glass and raise it with me to my beautiful mate.”

Darby flinches back when Ian offers her the champagne and his brow clouds over, seeing her distress.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” He tucks the untouched glasses on Townsend’s tray, nodding his thanks, then reaches for her.

Pressed against his chest, she seems to relax some, finally whispering, “I’m a bit overwhelmed.”

“Sure. Let’s go to our room. Townsend, would you send in some fresh fruit, please, and if there is any, some fruit juice or nectar?” Ian tucks Darby under his arm, leading her with him towards the long, center hallway and his room, the dog following. “Kasey, Jack, thanks for looking after her. Have a good night.”

“’Night, Ian. Night, Darby.” Jack waves and swipes a glass off Townsend’s tray, draining it completely before taking another.

“Goodnight, you two. And Darby, you just let me know when you want to go shopping. I’m ready anytime.”

**