Moon God Mates

Chapter 21

IRIS’ POV:

I blink my eyelids, slowly adjusting to the bright light in the room. It's some kind of medical facility. The room stretches long, with three beds lining one wall, all draped in white linens. Shelves in front of the beds have an array of herbs, filling the room with a perfume store-like scent. At the far end, a desk holds various medical supplies and scattered papers. To the right of the desk, I spot Cole engaged in conversation with a tall, thin redhead. She throws her head back in laughter at something Cole says as I attempt to sit up in the bed, emitting a groan. I wonder how long I've been unconscious.

The redhead quickly rushes to my side at the sound of my groan.

"Hey there, don’t sit up too fast," she says with a sweet smile. "I’m Ellie, the pack doctor." Ellie puts a gentle hand on my arm, helping me sit up.

“You fainted, Iris. You've only been out for an hour. You didn’t hit your head, so you should be okay, but take it easy just to be safe. How do you feel?”

I can’t help but think that Ellie looks quite young to be a doctor, very young, but I know better than to question it. After all, I just found out about werewolves, so she could be one too. She is sweet, and radiates with a warmth that immediately puts me at ease.

“I feel fine, really. Thank you.”

A look of concern crosses her big brown eyes, so I reassure her again. “Ellie, I’m okay. I’m just having a stressful day.”

She seems to accept that answer as she reaches for the water bottle on the bedside table next to me, handing it to me. I drink as I look at her. Her hair is red, a bright hue that could never be natural but somehow suits her perfectly. It's styled in a short shoulder-length bob. Ellie smiles at me, revealing deep dimples on her cheeks, impeccably straight teeth, and vibrant red lips. She wears a white dress, cinched at the waist with a belt that matches the color of her hair. She is stunning, to say the least.

I set the bottle back down before looking around for my phone. “Do you happen to know where my phone is?”

“I’ll go grab it for you,” she says, hurrying out of the room, leaving me alone with Cole, who is now leaning against the desk in the corner, his gaze fixed on me.

I glance over at him, offering a small, awkward smile. Why is he looking at me like that? His expression is strange, a quirky smile on his face as he leans his head on one hand.

“So, he told you about us, huh?” Cole walks closer to the bed.

“Um, yeah, I guess so,” I pull the sheets up, covering myself a bit more, not sure if I am ready to talk about the whole shifting and werewolf thing yet.

“So, does it scare you?” His voice is low, hovering over me now. "Tell me, Iris. Are you scared of the big," he pauses dramatically, "bad," another dramatic pause, "wolf?" I jump at the sound of his overly dramatic hyena-like laugh.

“You’re an ass, you know that!?” I lean over to smack him in the arm, but he jumps back just in time, still laughing that loud, obnoxious laugh.

“I know! But you should have seen your face!” He is now pointing and laughing at me. Pointing and laughing!

Just then, I catch a whiff of the familiar woodsy smell, calming my body. I inhale deeply as Mason makes his way through the door, with Luke right behind him. Mason and I lock eyes; I smooth down my hair self-consciously, hoping I don’t look a complete mess. He flashes me a sexy smirk.

Cole leaves the room, shoving Luke’s shoulder on his way out. Luke ignores him, “You’re up? How are you feeling?” He moves past Mason and takes a seat at the edge of the bed.

I clear my throat, “I am awake. I feel fine.” Mason makes his way around the bed, and my eyes don’t leave him. He picks up the water bottle, removes the cap, and inserts a straw. He then moves the straw to my lips, which have gone dry at this moment. I lick them on reflex before taking the straw between them, never breaking eye contact with Mason. How in the hell does he make drinking water feel so freaking naughty!?

The door swings open, and I nearly choke, bringing myself back into reality. “Oh, I’m sorry to intrude, Alpha. I am just bringing Iris her phone,” Ellie comes in, handing me my phone, and I thank her.

“No worries at all. Thank you for everything, El,” Mason smiles back at Ellie as she leaves the room.

I'm sorry, does he have a cute little nickname for Little Miss Doctor? And why am I so bothered by it!?

I can feel the smug look of jealousy on my face, so I quickly look down at my phone and dial Ana’s number before Mason catches my dirty look. I need to check on James. I've been out way longer than planned.

She answers on the first ring, “Iris, I called you like five times, is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything is fine.” Everything is most certainly not fine. “I'm sorry if I worried you. Is James okay?”

“Oh, he’s cool, still taking a nap. He's not the problem. It's your mother.”

I rub my face. “Ughh, what did she do now?”

“She’s got a guy over, and they are blasting music. Not sure if you're in the mood to argue with her tonight. You know you’re both welcome to crash in my room with me. It's a little snug, but you know we can make it work.”

“Ana, you’re incredible. Honestly, I've had a hell of a day and I’m not in the mood for her. I just....” Mason grabs my phone from my ear.

"Ana? Hi, it’s Mason. Not sure if....” Mason chuckles. “Uh, yeah, that’s me. Anyway, would you be able to grab a change of clothes for James and Iris and head on over here?”

I stare at him utterly shocked. What is he doing? I look over at Luke for help, but he just shrugs his shoulders in response. Some help you are! I kick him off the edge of the bed.

Mason laughs again. What the heck is she telling him?

“Yup, that’s the place. Thanks, Ana. See you guys soon! Bye.”

Mason hangs up the phone with a triumphant smile across his beautiful face. I continue to stare at him with my mouth hanging open.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I finally speak.

“Well, obviously you don’t plan on staying home tonight. So why stay at Ana’s when you’re already here? We have so much more to talk about.” He says it like sleeping at his house is the simple solution to this problem.

“That’s not the point,” I protest, “I can’t just stay at some random house with my son! How the heck is that going to look to him?”

“We have spare rooms; you can tell him it’s a mini vacation. Kids love vacations. Besides, Ana will be staying too, and it's not some random house.” He kisses the top of my head, and I feel bad about saying this is some random house. I do feel comfortable here; it kind of feels like home. Or maybe it's him that feels like that?

“Mason, I don’t know.”

“Iris, just stay. Let me make sure you’re okay before sending you home. Is that alright?” He stares at me with the utmost concern, and I just cannot refuse him. “What about Luke? He was staying in the guest room at my house.”

“Yeah, the dog will be staying too. He doesn’t have a choice in the matter.” Mason shoots Luke a look while Luke meets his glare.

Well, a sleepover with these two. This should be fun.