I pull around to where the garage of the large Victorian house that Cecilia ran her Tattoo shop out of and park the bike. I’ve calmed down some on the ride over, already making plans and solving problems.

Dialing my phone, I swing off the bike, waiting for Cecilia to come outside. She was a shifter; she would have heard me pull up.

I start to pace as I wait for the phone to connect.

“Hello? Dr. Owens?” The female voice that answers sounds tired.

“Hello Andy. I called to ask for a favor.”

“Anything for you Doc. You know that.” I can hear her chuckling; she found my more formal tone endlessly amusing.

“I need you to renovate the extra room in my apartment. It is set up as an office now but honestly, I never use it. I need it redone into a bedroom. One that would be enjoyable for a shifter child.”

“Child? You been holding out on me Doc? Got something to tell?”

“I would prefer not to get into it at the moment Andy.” I run my fingers through my hair, pulling on the strands slightly. “It needs to be suitable for a child who hasn’t shifted to human yet. Think bear. I would like it to have the ability to transition as he ages. A lofted bed would be best as well. The problem is I need it done right away. Two days tops.”

“Well….” She pauses like she is thinking or being dramatic, either was possible. “We can do that for ya Doc. No problem.”

I sigh in relief. One problem down.

“Thank you, Andy. I wouldn’t trust this to anyone else.”

“Flattery will get you everything Doc. See ya bright and early!”

As I hang up, I notice Cecilia standing off a bit to the side, waiting for me to finish my call.

“Alpha.”

“Jesus fuck Jing. We’re not working, you can call me Cecilia once in a while. Your always so formal.”

“I suppose at some point Alpha. Some things you can’t help.”

She smirks at me, clearly amused and nods over to the restored motorcycle.

“She’s beautiful Jing. You’re an artist, truly.”

I hold out the keys to her. “Feel like taking her out for a test? I filled the tank on the way over.”

“Na, this beauty isn’t for me. She’s a gift for my Mate. Sampson’s gonna love her.”

I nod as she takes the keys.

“I was hoping to speak to you anyways Alpha. If you are not busy that is. I would hate to interrupt you.”

“Just finished up. You wanna go in or talk here?” Her tone and stance instantly change to match my own serious one.

“Here works. Firstly, Steffan cancelled again. I felt you should know as his Alpha. Also, I will be sending you the paperwork for a new resident tomorrow. Since I was already on my way here, I thought it would be polite to give you notice.” I run my fingers through my hair again, sighing deeply. “I also need to speak with one of the wolves that run the daycare.”

I have to hand it to her, she could hide her surprise well, barely a flash of it before she had schooled her features back to neutral.

“Alright…. I have that number inside; we can get it in a minute.” She looks me over slowly, “You look on edge Jing, wanna tell me what’s up? I know we aren’t that close, but I am your friend. We could be close if you’d let us.”

I had been ready to refuse her, tell her that it was private, and she didn’t need to worry about it but hearing her say we are friends, well I needed that. So, I decide to tell her some things, not everything.

“How much do you know about my kind Alpha?”

“Not much beyond what you have already told me.”

“Well, my kind is…. I’m not sure how to easily describe them actually. Formal, maybe, manners and duty are more than something we learn, they are part of who we are. Business, economic standing and lineage matter more than anything. Emotions are frowned upon.” I look out at the trees, “It is humorous, because shifted we can be quite playful, free spirited. My kind has had greater and greater difficulty finding Mates and producing cubs over the years, so many of us have arranged Matings at 18.”

“I’m sorry…. WHAT?” Her eyebrows hit her hairline; she didn’t school her reactions this time.

“Not full Matings Alpha, we don’t exchange bonding marks. We do respect destiny and the sanctity of our goddess given Mates but if we don’t find one at 18, we are expected to try and conceive a child with our arranged Mate. If we find our Mate after that, we are free to be with them.”

Mostly. As long as that Mating could still produce a child, but I don’t tell her that. Somethings others wouldn’t understand.

“And you all agree to this?” I can tell she is troubled by this. I don’t blame her. It is something I hope to keep Zhen from.

“It’s our duty.” I reply with a non-answer.

“So is that who you are bring over. Your…. Partner and child?”

“Yes and no Alpha. I did my duty, just as was expected of me but as soon as Adrianna conceived, she put me on a plane, letting me leave. That was 5 years ago. Today I learned that circumstances have changed, and my Father will be sending my son here in a few days.”

“5 years…. You’re only 23? And you’re a Doctor?” Not what I had expected her to focus on, she must still be processing.

“I am 25 actually. It took 2 years for her to conceive and we were lucky it was so short a time, others take even longer. But as for being a Doctor early, I went through school very quickly. I had my MD at 22, then I moved here. I find it…. Freeing here.”

Suddenly I feel two thin but extremely strong arms incircle me. After a moment I return the gesture. Even the little I have told her has helped ease the burden.

“The pack is here for anything you need. It takes a village and all that. Come one, let’s call the daycare and get a drink. If I need one after that, you sure as fuck do.”

I chuckle under my breath and follow the Alpha into the house.