Alpha's Rescue (Shifter Ops 5)

“Hello.” My brother steps in, ducking his head for the low ceiling. “I see the patient is feeling better.”

“Hi.” Lana gives a little wave.

Suddenly I find myself between her and my brother.

Behind me, Lana gasps. “Holy wow, Teddy. You move so fast.”

Matthias’s brows knit together.

I did it again. I’m losing it in front of a human. What is happening?

“Teddy?” my brother says. He steps to move past me and an unbidden growl lodges in my throat.

Mine. My bear says. Mate.

Shit.

Lana

Teddy is in some sort of staring match with the tall man who just walked in. The newcomer is clean-shaven, in slacks and a button down, carrying a big black leather bag. He looks like a missionary coming door-to-door.

“Teddy?” Something is off with me. I don’t like doctors, plus I feel skittish after the little bear-in-the kitchen incident, and I want my Viking close. I hold out a hand for him, and he comes over, folding himself onto the couch next to me.

“It’s okay,” he says. “Lana, this is the doctor.”

The tall man blinks at me owlishly through his round glasses. “Lana? I’m Matthias,” he says in a deep voice. “I examined you earlier.”

“Thanks,” I whisper. My head throbs sharply. I press closer to Teddy.

The doctor follows my every movement. “You feeling okay?”

“Her head hurts,” Teddy rumbles. He eases me into his lap. “It’s okay, babygirl.”

I love that he calls me babygirl. It makes me feel as warm and gooey as a fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie.

“I’m okay.” I curl into Teddy’s warmth and give Matthias a brave smile. “I’m just not the biggest fan of doctors.”

“Understandable.” Matthias sets down his bag on the pine coffee table. “I’m not big fan of going to the doctor myself.”

“Matthias is my brother,” Teddy murmurs into my ear.

“Oh.” I look from Teddy’s tanned face to Matthias, who is a few shades darker than I am.

“We’re adopted,” Matthias says.

“Oh yes. Six of you, right?”

Teddy shrugs. “Seven or eight.”

“Seven or eight?” I crane my neck to gaze into his grey eyes. “You’re not sure?”

“There’s so many of us, I lose track. The triplets are identical. That makes it harder.”

I gape at him.

“I’m joking, Lana.”

“Right,” I mumble. I squint up at Matthias in supplication and catch him chasing a smile from his lips.

“Teddy, it’s not nice to joke with someone who has a head injury,” he chastises.

“Yeah, Teddy.” I squirm in Teddy’s lap, trying to get comfortable. He clamps his arms around me, his big biceps bracing me. I poke one to check its firmness. Just as I thought–his muscles are rigid without him needing to flex.

When I glance up, both Teddy and the doctor are staring at me.

“Just testing something,” I say. “Um, carry on.”

“I just want to check your head.” Matthias sits on the coffee table in front of me. “Nothing too invasive, I assure you. While you were unconscious yesterday, I cleaned your cut and checked your pupils. I’d like to examine your head for bruising. If all’s well, it will be painless.”

“Okay.” I hold still.

Matthias feels over my head, questioning me when I wince. He shines a light into my eyes and pronounces my pupils fine. “No signs of internal bleeding. And your head cut is healing up.”

“That’s good.” I’m squirming again. It’s like there’s a big log in his pants and… Oh. I stop grinding on his dick. Teddy leans back and takes me with him, cradling me in the curve of one burly arm.

“I think you will make a full recovery. With rest,” Matthias says. “No excessive movement today, and no strenuous activity for a while. ”

“So no hiking?” I ask to be cheeky.

“Not today.”

Crap. I should figure stuff out. My cell is broken, and I should get it fixed and touch base with my staff, but all I want to do is snuggle against Teddy. There is something so comforting about the idea of staying and resting. Like now that Matthias gave me the excuse, I’m happy to run with it.

“Is there any place I can spend the night?”

“Here,” Teddy rumbles so loudly, I jolt. “You’re staying here.”

“Can you stay a few days?” Matthias asks.

“I guess so.” I took a week off work. Not that I intended to actually stay off email for a week, but maybe it’ll be good for me. I can think up more ideas for the limited edition “Bad Bear” pajamas and sleepwear. What’s the point of being the CEO if my team can’t run things in my absence?

“Then it’s settled. You’ll stay here.” Teddy squeezes my knee.

Matthias turns his back on us to pack up his doctor’s bag, but his cheek is curved like he’s quietly laughing at us.

“Thanks for the check up, Doc.” I crane my neck to Teddy. “Must be nice, having a medical professional in the family.”

Teddy grunts. “Comes in handy when my brothers need a bone set after a fight.”