Page 24 of The Dragons' Healing Mate

That warmed me more than I wanted to admit, so of course, I tried to deflect. “You don’t know that many humans.”

Giving up any hope of multitasking while I was on the phone, I sat down and leaned against the headboard, content to talk this out.

“Oh, and I was kidnapped for a second, but it’s fine.”

“Rowan!” Luca practically screamed into the phone, and I heard shuffling in the background. “Way to bury the lede! Do you need me to come get you? Fucking hell, kidnapped? I swear, if those Alphas just let you get stolen, I’ll?—”

I sat up, holding out my hands to soothe Luca, even though he was miles away. “Whoa, whoa. No need to sound the alarm. I’m fine. It was a misunderstanding, for real this time. There was a dragon and his mate. They were desperate. She’d been in labor fordays. I was the only healer around who could help.”

“Rowan,” Luca breathed. “That’s… Okay, I can understand why he needed you, but hell, you can see how that’s not acceptable, right? He could haveaskedyou for help, asked the Alphas.”

“They’re rogues, Luca. He was terrified,” I countered, even if I was understanding more and more how serious the situation had been. On the positive side, it was resolved now.

“Oh hell. But you’re okay? It’s taken care of?” Luca couldn’t hide the worry, and I was grateful he was so concerned for me.

“Yes.” I nodded to myself, tucking my legs under my chin. “It’s all good. They’ve actually been welcomed into the horde. I mean, I think there’s some work to do there, but I’m okay. I’m home and safe.”

“That’s better than nothing. Are you sure you don’t want me to come get you? It’s no trouble. You know my grandmother would be ecstatic if you came back.”

Orla was a sweet older woman who suffered from arthritis. I had helped her last time I was at Clover Valley, and ever since then she had doted on me.

“No, I-I want to stay. There are so many people here who need my help. And”—I sucked in a breath, letting it out slowly—“I’m kind of happy here. I love healing, and the Alphas, well, they’re growing on me.”

I wasn’t about to detail my sexcapades to Luca. We were close but notthatclose.

“All right, I respect your decision, but I’m always here if you need a quick out—or anything else, for that matter.”

“I know, and I appreciate it more than I can say.” I looked around my room at all the stuff that still needed to be put away. “But, hey, I need to finish cleaning up. I just wanted to check in so you didn’t worry.”

Luca laughed, and I could imagine him putting his hand on the back of his head like he did. “Keep checking in, Ro. Go do your thing, but if anything gets funky?—”

“I’ll call you. Promise.” I grinned to myself, poised on the edge of the bed.

“Good. I expect nothing less. And I know you’ll serve the horde so damn well, Ro. They are very lucky to have you. Don’t forget it.”

“Thank you, Luca. We’ll chat soon, okay?”

“Sounds good, Ro.”

We both hung up, and I set my phone on the nightstand to charge. It was good to talk to him, and I found myself smiling a little easier as I snagged that blanket again and put it in the stack to stuff into the bottom drawer of my dresser.

“Who was that?” Nina asked, standing in my doorway.

“Oh, hi. Alpha Luca,” I replied, “I was just checking in with him.”

She shook her head. “You really are friends with everyone, aren’t you?”

I smiled, picking up a T-shirt and throwing it at her. “Everyone lovesa healer. Now, what areyoudoing here?”

Nina giggled, throwing the shirt back on the bed. “Ma wanted me to let you know it was time for dinner. She worries about you, you know?”

I rolled my eyes. “Ma worries about everyone, and she’s still trying to feed me like I’m a dragon. I’m going toburstone of these days, I swear.”

While I loved the dining hall and ate there occasionally, I had taken to eating in the kitchen, where there were fewerpeople, more often than not. In the hall, I knew someone would approach me about my work, asking questions or needing help.

“It’s from a place of love. Come on, you can fold laundry later.” I sighed as she looped her arm through mine, pulling me along.

Nina, knowing my preferred location, walked with me to the kitchen, where Ma was sitting at one of the tables, making notes on a pad of paper.