Page 13 of The Dragons' Healing Mate

“I’ll talk to them.” I looked up at Grey. “And I’m sorry. You… you must’ve been really worried.”

“And pissed.” He met my eyes, completely straight-faced, but then a smirk cracked his composure. “I don’t like how easy it was for him to pull that off. It brought back a lot of memories. I’m not going to let that happen again. You may not see it, but nothing is more important to me than you. Your happiness, your health, and your well-being. You’re it for me, Rowan. I take that seriously.”

I smiled back at him, reaching across the desk for his hand. “Thank you. Really. If the circumstances had been different, if it wasn’t Colin in need of help, I’m not sure what I would have done.”

“Eh, you’d have handled it. You have a way of taking care of yourself. I’d just be happier if you didn’t need to do that ever again.”

“You and me both.” I sat back, patting the files on my desk. “I need to go through these, make sure I’m ready to open up again.”

Grey stood, probably moving to leave, but I was quick to add, “But you’re welcome to stay and… keep me company.”

A grin stretched across his face, and it occurred to me I didn’t see him do it all that often, not like this. He wasgorgeouswhen he smiled. Without a word, he pulled up the patient chair across from my desk and leaned back, pulling out his phone.

I didn’t say thank you again, because I had a feeling he already knew. So we sat there, both busying ourselves as the quiet returned, just… enjoying each other’s presence.

I’ll make it up to them. I will.

Rowan

“So, are you ready for your first day as the official healer of North Oak?” Nina asked, placing a handful of files onto the growing pile that I’d reorganized after everything that had happened with Colin.

That question felt particularly loaded, and I hummed in response. I’d been a healer for years—that wasn’t new—but I’d never stayed in a place long enough to be an “official healer.” I was emotional about it, but I couldn’t quite decipher those feelings. I was excited to get back to work because it was familiar, my purpose. Healing was who I was, and getting back into a routine sounded lovely.

Still, there were flutters in my stomach that I had to assume were tied to the fact that I was going to be responsible for an entire horde for the foreseeable future. Letting out a deep breath, I took in the sight before me. “This is going to be a lot, isn’t it?”

Nina jerked her head in confirmation, her chipper mood not faltering. “It will be, but I’ll be hereallday, and Ma is nearby. Just say the word, and she’ll help with snacks and refreshments. Plus, if anything’s too much, we can tap the Alphas up forassistance. One of the younger dragons is wandering around nearby to keep an eye on things.”

I raised my brows, heartbeat skipping. “There’s a dragon patrolling? Why?”

“Because you were kidnapped?” Griffin said in a tone that suggested I was being particularly obtuse, walking into the clinic and leveling me with a firm look.

“I don’t need a guard!” I insisted.

Griffin folded his arms. “I don’t care.” Usually, my best friend was more concerned about my opinions, but I could tell from his firm stance and no-bullshit glare that nothing was going to make him budge.

“Griff—”

“Nope. You were kidnapped from our lands. I can assure you it won’t happen again. Several others and I will be patrolling regularly.”

“Alphas’ orders.” Nina smiled and shrugged. “They’re not keen on letting someone with bad intentions into the clinic, I imagine. Can you blame them?”

“Still… I don’t like it.”

“You don’t have to,” Griffin replied. “But it’s happening. Oh, this is for you.” He handed me a brown paper bag I hadn’t noticed before.

“What’s this?” I asked, already opening the bag.

“Some of those leather-bound journals you like for making notes. I assumed, with all the new patients, you could use them.”

“Griff… Thank you.”

My best friend smiled. “Any time. Now I need to go and creep up on the dragons patrolling. I may even give them a test or two…” He grinned, nodding at Nina before leaving the room.

“He’s going to torment those poor youngsters, isn’t he?” I asked.

“Totally, but it’s for the best,” she assured me.

I shook my head. “I guess it makes sense. It’s just…”