The Pack's Doctor by Cooper

Chapter 180

Kennedy

I wake up warm and comfortable, with Quirin’s sandalwood scent surrounding me. I feel a slight fluttering in my mind and I know that Echo is fighting to come back to me.

‘Heal yourself, Echo. I’ll be here when you get back. I love you,‘ I say in our mind. I know my wolf, she won’t stop fighting But hopefully she can hear me and knowing that I can feel her trying will help her to feel better. I can still feel the pack holding on to her, helping her to find her way back.

The next thing I feel is Quirin’s mind. I smile, loving that it’s still open to me. Right now, it’s quiet with his sleep, although, images of Slater, the pack lands, and me are flashing on repeat.

Those are the things he’s most worried about, Raif says, purring in my mind but loud enough that I can feel the vibration against my body.

‘Don’t wake Quirin, Raif. He needs his sleep,’ I scold him.

‘What I need is for my mate to be healthy. How are you feeling, Little Pup? Sorry, I’m still half asleep. How are you feeling, Little Mate?‘ he asks me in the mind link. Now that his mind is open to me, I can feel that his pet name for me is just that, a pet name. He doesn’t consider me a pup any longer. But I can also feel that he’s not going to call me that any more, especially since…

“Really?” I ask out loud.

His hand slides over my still–flat stomach. “My Little Pup’s pup,” he says, and I feel his lips that are pressed against my should spread into a smile. He kisses my shoulder. “And your stomach isn’t as flat as it used to be. Our pup is growing.”

I put my hand over his and sure enough, my stomach isn’t quite as flat.

“So, how are you feeling? Raif says he’s getting a hint of Echo returning,” he says.

“Yes, she’s fluttering around in there, trying to find her way back to me. I know she will. She’s a strong, wonderful wolf.”

“Just like her human. It still feels like you’re weak. Do you feel weak?” he asks.

a shower. I’ll have

he says, lifting his head and looking at me. “You’re MY mate. I will

what’s worrying you, Quirin. You have a lot of work to do,

you’re mine to love, mine to cherish, mine to protect, and mine to take care of. I haven’t been a great mate to you, and I’m sure I’ll screw it up again in the future, but I’m going to try to be the man you want and need me to be, Kennedy.” I turn my head to look at him. His eyes, always intense, are burning with his determination and

that I need and want you to be, Quirin. You’re you. That’s what I’ve always wanted,” I say, rolling over to face him. I put my hand on his cheek and open my

he did the last time, closing his eyes and

your love feels so good, so beautiful, so pure,” he whispers.

if we’re arguing, even

to look you over and check our pup and I have a meeting with your father this morning. Oh, and Connor

feel after

he continues to hold on to my waist, making sure I’m steady on

and helping me pull

loving the feel of his body shivering at my touch.

about you being the father of my pups over the years,” I tell him and he goes very still. “I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure what that would look like. I sort of figured that you’d treat our pups like you treat me and the rare few people in this world that you love and respect. But I wasn’t sure how you’d respond if they made you

about?” he asks softly and I can tell that

him.

harsh,” I slide my hands up and around his neck as I smile up at

pups didn’t even enter into my mind. I’ve never really liked pups, present company excluded,” he says, making me laugh. “They’re loud and defiant and distracting. But ever since Raif

“Just one?”

eyebrow at me. “How many did you want? You’re not going to be like your

if I am?” I

tell you what your father told

ninety–nine percent of the time, their ‘talks‘ end up with

which means you may be getting another brother or sister soon.”

“Seriously?”

So, how many? I need