“NICU?” Jason asked.
“The neonatal intensive care unit. It’s for babies who are born prematurely and need extra special care. Some of the babies born there are only 24-weeks gestational age and half a kilogram.”
Some of the guys looked confused. “Babies are usually born at 37 weeks and are 3-5kg,” I told them. “They need doctors, nurses, and pharmacists who are specially trained and qualified to care for them. There is not a lot of data on how their bodies will react to treatment, so it can be very nerve wracking to dose antibiotics and other meds to try and get their bodies functioning correctly.”
“Why don’t their bodies function correctly?” Jason asked curiously.
“Babies that young aren’t just smaller than normal; their bodies haven’t developed so they don’t have fully functional or developed organs. Sometimes they need surgeries to create a functional GI tract or to correct things that didn’t develop correctly because they came out of the womb too early.”
James looked surprised. “I didn’t realize what you did at the hospital was important,” he told me. “I thought pharmacists just put pills in a bottle.”
I rolled my eyes, but I wasn’t offended. That’s what most people thought; James was just more blunt than most.
Jason looked mollified now, and I sighed with relief. It was becoming more and more clear that he had some issues with abandonment. I wanted to help him through that, not make it worse. It made me feel even closer to the twins, knowing that they also did not have a normal childhood. I was feeling hopeful that the three of us would be able to work through some of our issues together. They were already helping me, so I wanted to return the favor.
I was more than ready to change the topic of conversation now. “So, how’s the pot roast?”
Most of the guys mumbled, “Good”, or something to that effect, and we all went back to eating.
I went deep into thought. Obviously, my assumption that wolves would not go on my military base was completely incorrect. Cody had gotten on quite easily to track me down. Maybe I could stay in the pharmacy while I was there?
You had to have badge access to get into the pharmacy, and admittance was tightly controlled. I sighed. As long as no one waylaid me on my way in from the parking garage and I didn’t go into any public areas, I should be safe. I pushed those thoughts away for now. I had plenty of time to worry about all that before I had to go back to work.
The guys looked like they were finishing up, so I went back into the kitchen to retrieve the still-warm brownies. I had developed an amazing recipe over the last few years. My brownies were fudgy and thick, not like the cake-like brownies that were out of the box.
Every time I brought them to work, my co-workers went insane over them. I was hoping these guys would like the brownies just as much. I liked the idea of being able to do something for them since they had already done so much for me.
The guys did enjoy the brownies. I know that feeding them was something small, but it made me feel better inside to know that I could give them a tiny bit of happiness.
After dessert, James and Austin excused themselves to work. I don’t think those two took any time off at all. Caleb asked me if he could take the rest of the brownies up with him, which set off a playful fight with the twins. They eventually gave up the brownies when I assured them I was perfectly capable of making more at a later time.
The twins stayed and helped me to clean up. I claimed the little bit of what remained of the pot roast for the puppies and cut it up into tiny bite-sized pieces for them. I was exhausted and ready for sleep. The twins were disappointed when I told them I was taking the pups out for a potty break and then up to bed, but I promised them that we could have another movie night tomorrow.
Exhausted, I was finally able to drag myself up the stairs and to my room. I took a quick shower and collapsed on my bed, snuggling up to the puppies. They settled right down with a couple of wide yawns that matched my own.
Even though my body was exhausted, my mind was still working overtime. I knew the twins wanted me here. I also knew James did NOT want me here. Where did the rest of the guys fall on that spectrum? Would I be overstaying my welcome by hanging out here too often? James had made it clear that the house was for full time, high-ranking members of the pack, and I was not one of them. I didn’t really have anything to offer the pack at all.
I was worried about the rest of the pack viewing me as a useless female who was just taking advantage of the pack and living here for free. From looking at this house, there is no way I could afford to pay anything meaningful towards whatever the mortgage was costing Austin. I doubted I could even afford to keep up with the grocery bill here; I had some pretty hefty student loans I was still paying off every month.
I chewed on my lip. I doubt that occasionally cooking some of the guys dinner would really justify my presence here. How would I explain to the twins I was leaving, though? I would genuinely miss them. Now that I had become accustomed to having them around all the time, their absence left me feeling empty.
I thought about going back home, to my old life. I had not realized just how lonely and sad it had been. Tears filled my eyes as I realized how much more empty it would be now that I no longer had Evelyn. My only friend was Kelsey, and yes, I was aware she was not that great of a friend. But who am I to judge? I’m pretty weird, so I doubt I was that great of a friend to have either.
I thought about Cody, my gentle giant; about Austin, the charismatic leader who wanted to change the world; about Caleb, the brilliant but sweet techie. And James; the more I got to know James, the more I realized there was more to him that appeared on the surface. He acted like an asshole, but deep down I think there was a good guy. He acted annoyed with the twins most of the time, but when he thought no one else was looking, I saw glimpses of affection. He acted like he hated me most of the time, but he had been gentle with me at one point tonight when he forgot he was supposed to be acting like the tough guy.
I fell asleep with thoughts of all the guys running through my head.
Chapter 19
I woke up when Jason pounced on my bed to shout, “Anna!”
I groaned but then bolted up to make sure he had not crushed the puppies. He hadn’t; they were on my opposite side and promptly climbed over me to happily greet him. He rubbed both of their heads affectionately. “Mace and I have class all day today,” he pouted. “We are going to be gone from 9-4.”
I groaned and lay back down. “What time is it?” I asked him groggily.
“About eight,” he answered brightly. “Come downstairs. Mason is making coffee.”
I groaned again. I didn’t want to get up, but now that the puppies were awake, they were going to need to go out.
I gave a huge sigh and heaved myself out of bed as Jason grinned at me. “C’mon, Anna, you got a good 9 hours of sleep last night.” I gave him a dirty look but lifted the two puppies down to the floor so they could race Jason downstairs. I threw a hoodie over my cami and sweats and took a quick bathroom break before I followed them down. Hopefully, Jason realized puppies needed to go outside when they first woke up.
I found Mason alone in the kitchen, so I guess that Jason had taken the pups outside.
“Hey, Anna,” Mason greeted me. “You just missed Austin and Cody.”
“Oh, I wanted to say hi to Cody before he left.” I frowned. Cody had been busy last night when the rest of us had dinner. I hadn’t seen him since yesterday during lunch.
“Yeah, they both told us to let you sleep. Jason ran upstairs as soon as they left, though.” I couldn’t help but laugh a little.
“Jason said you guys have class all day today?” I asked him.
“Yeah.” He frowned. “Austin and Cody are going to be out all day, and James is going to do whatever it is that he usually does all day, but Caleb is here and Trevor has a bunch of the guys patrolling the grounds.”
I poured a mug of coffee for myself and looked in the fridge for some cre
amer to make it sweet and delicious. “You think anyone else will be here for dinner tonight? Or will it be just us and Caleb?” I asked him.
He smiled. “This was supposed to be a surprise, but Cody is having a dining room table delivered here today.”
I gave him a happy smile and walked over to where we would be putting it, envisioning all of us sitting there as I sipped my coffee.
“Cody promised he would be here for dinner tonight. He was very sad that he missed the last two,” Mason teased me.
“I should probably make him some brownies,” I teased him right back.
“Just him?” Mason asked sadly.
I laughed. “If you guys are nice, he might share some.”
Jason ran back in with the puppies chasing him. They ran over to their food dishes and started licking the empty dishes aggressively. “That means they are hungry,” I informed the two guys as they laughed.
“Jace, we need to leave in, like, 15 minutes. I need you to get dressed,” Mason told him.
Jason scowled at him. “Does it really matter if we’re late? Mr. Roberts probably wouldn’t even notice.”
“If Austin asks, we would have to admit we were late,” Mason told him seriously.
Jason gave a sigh but headed back upstairs.
“Do you guys want some sandwiches to take with you, or do you usually buy lunch?” I asked Mason.
“We would love some Anna sandwiches,” he said with a huge grin. I rolled my eyes but turned back to the fridge to see what I could make for them. “You had better get ready, too, Mason.”
He laughed. “I’m packed and ready to go. I even have our breakfast protein shakes already made.” He motioned to the counter, and I was impressed.
I put their sandwiches together while Mason helped and told me about the classes they were taking. “I should start packing you guys lunch bags, like kids get in middle school,” I teased him. “I can pack you drinks, a sandwich, and some snacks to bring with you.” I nudged his shoulder with a grin.
He looked at me sadly. “We never had lunch boxes or lunches packed for us before.”
I immediately felt bad for teasing him. My uncle’s wife had never packed anything for me, but she made sure to always make her own children lunches every day and lined the lunch boxes up on the kitchen counter in the morning for them to grab on their way out to the bus.
I guess I had just assumed that the twins would have also had lunches packed for them. I probably should not have assumed, given what they had already told me about their childhood, but how could anyone not love these two guys? They were probably even more adorable as kids.
Mason looked down at the sandwiches in longing before putting a grin on his face and giving me a nudge back. It was at that moment I decided to get them both some lunch boxes. They made manly lunch bags for men to take to work with them these days; I’m sure I could find something that would work for them.
The guys ran out the door with their bags and sandwiches until I shouted at them that they forgot their protein shakes. Jason ran back out from the car and met me at the garage door to grab them from me. He gave me a peck on the cheek and a grin before running back in the car.
I sighed when I headed back into the kitchen on my own; the house was a lot emptier without them. I rinsed out my mug and put it in the dishwasher for later. The pups needed to go outside for their after-breakfast-potty-time, and then I think I was going to head back to the gym that the twins had shown me yesterday.
Chapter 20
After the gym and a hot shower, I sat back down on my bed and watched the puppies play with one of their new toys. They had a million different toys that the twins had found for them, but of course they both wanted the same one. I laughed and played with them for a little while before I decided to go find Caleb and see if he wanted a lunch break.
Caleb opened the door with a grin this time when I knocked. “Hey, Caleb!” I greeted him. The puppies jumped up and down to get his attention until he crouched down to give them some affection. He looked up at me with a smile. “What have you been up to today?”
“Nothing much,” I told him. “I was just checking on you to see if I could interest you in some lunch?” Caleb grinned enthusiastically. “Absolutely!”
I laughed and led the way downstairs. “What are you in the mood for?” I asked him.
“Oh no, Anna,” he told me with a sweet smile. “You have already made me food multiple times, now it’s my turn to return the favor.”
I was surprised but sat at the kitchen counter when he asked me to do so and watched him with curiosity. “Is there anything you won’t eat?” he asked me as he gazed into the fridge.
“Mushrooms and Brussels sprouts,” I told him very seriously.
“Mushrooms, huh?” he asked teasingly.
“What are you thinking of making?” I asked. The suspense was killing me.
“Someone’s impatient.” He smirked. “How do you feel about soup and grilled cheese?”
“I love it!” I told him with a huge smile.
He turned to me seriously. “I do have to warn you that the only soup I know how to make comes out of a can.”
I giggled. “Totally fine with me.”
“I love your laugh,” he told me.
I blushed, embarrassed. I didn’t know how to respond, so I changed the subject. “So how does one become a tech expert for a pack of wolves?” I asked.
“Why, do you have your eye on my job?” he teased me.
“No way!” I laughed.
He told me about his past as he cooked on the stove with dramatic flourishes and kept me laughing.
He had grown up in a pack that did not buy in too much to modern technology. Growing up, he had spent what little money he could earn on his own on tech equipment. “My pack-master thought the computer was a passing phase,” he told me with a laugh.
I grinned. I couldn’t imagine the computer or technology going out of style. So much of what we did was so dependent on technology that it was closely woven into our lives. “So, what does he think now that the world is so dependent on tech?” I asked Caleb.
“Oh, he still thinks people will one day decide they want to go back to life before cell phones.”
“I have a really difficult time imagining that.”
“Yeah, I was more than happy to get out of the pack when I joined the Air Force.”
“Weren’t you worried that you would be exposed as a wolf?” I asked him.
“Nah.” He plated both the grill cheeses and presented mine with a bow and a flourish.
“Why, thank you, sir,” I said with a giggle.
“I’ve never had a problem keeping the wolf side of myself under wraps.”
“But what about blood testing? Or deployments?” I asked as he placed a bowl of soup in front of me. I enthusiastically picked up my spoon and took a bite.
“They just type your blood. Plus, we have people to keep anyone from getting curious or asking questions like that. The council has an entire team dedicated to keeping our kind a secret. It’s not fun to stay in human form for long periods of time, but you can get through it as long as you have other outlets”
“Huh.” I thought about that. “So, did you meet Austin in the military?”
“No, I got out after my first four years and used my GI bill to go to college. When I was in my senior year here at Northern Peninsula University, Austin recruited me to the pack.”
“We must have been students there at the same time,” I told him. “I wonder if we ever crossed paths and didn’t realize it.”
“Definitely not. I would have remembered you if I had passed by you at a party or something.”
I blushed. I had not used my college years to party. I had been really focused on studying, working, and keeping my scholarships. I was a huge dork and had only been to one party in my life. It had not gone well at all, but I really did not want to ruin my good mood by thinking back to that mistake.
Caleb kept me entertai
ned with telling me stories about his awkward days in college and trying to fit in at parties. I really wished I had known him back then; my college years would have been much better than the years of isolation and loneliness I had felt as an outsider.
I finished up the last bite of my lunch as Caleb told me about a frat that had tried to hire him to hack into the university system to change their grades so they could keep their charter.
I just shook my head. “I’m glad you were smart enough to turn them down. I can see how the money would be tempting for a college student.”
He nodded. “If I had gone to college right out of high school, I might have been desperate enough to fit in that I would had done it. My years in the Air Force gave me discipline and the self-confidence to always do what’s right, regardless of peer pressure.”
I smiled. Caleb was a really awesome guy. “It seems like Austin really knows how to find good pack members. Everyone I have met so far is one of the good guys.”
Caleb agreed. “He’s pretty selective. He has gathered people from all different parts of the country and all different walks of life, but the one thing he looks for in everyone is honesty, integrity, and loyalty.”
I nodded. I could definitely see those characteristics in everyone that I had met so far. Even James, I smirked to myself.
“What’s so funny?” Caleb asked.
“I was just thinking that it must be difficult to get anyone approved by James. I can’t imagine him approving 50 different people.”
“James is definitely a hard-ass, but he trusts Austin’s judgment. If Austin approves of someone, James lets them in with a warning and a plan of supervision.”
“He hasn’t said anything to me about a plan of supervision.”
“He also hasn’t let you leave the house,” Caleb said pointedly.
I nodded. “So, what’s going to happen once I have to start living my life again?”
“Do you think you can go back to how things were before?”
Finding Somewhere to Belong Page 23
