Fated Healing [Kindred of Arcadia 5] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) (11 page)

“Also roasted peanuts, the candied apples, the hot-beef sundae, the chocolate-covered bacon, and the

fried green tomatoes,” David said. Everyone stared at them, waiting for them to continue.

“Oh, that’s it,” Daniel clarified.

“God, that’s enough.” Rebecca looked green.

“With you, Sebastian, and Kate pregnant, he’s been getting cravings.” David shrugged.

“Thank you, you can go now.” Rebecca turned back to the group when they left.

“It was like he was at Field Day with all the food he tried,” she admitted. Liam shook his head.

“Sebastian didn’t eat any of that stuff. His stomach is really delicate right now.” His face grew pained.

Kent grabbed his mate’s hand and held on tight.

“Felix has the theory that this virus was engineered. He may be right.” Claybourne went on to explain

Felix’s reasoning.

“Well if it was meant to cripple this town, it’s doing a horrible job,” Baptista said. Everyone turned to

the large vampire, who quickly started to backpedal.

“What I meant to say is that if it was designed to take out Arkadia, then how come none of the leaders

are infected? You all are still able to meet and lead,” he said and pointed to everyone around the table.

“Unless they wanted to torture us, since our mates are infected,” Liam whispered.

“I feel like we’re missing something obvious,” Rebecca stomped her foot.

“Not to add to the list of shit going wrong, but we’re nearly out of supplies. In fact, the only reason

we’ve made it this long is my mate’s tendency to overplan,” Felix said grimly.

“We have a ton of supplies right outside the perimeter. My grandfather and council support team have

been camping just outside of town, they just can’t get to us,” Liam said, sounding frustrated.

“You didn’t read the Arkadian Gazette, did you?” Rebecca eyed her friend.

“Becca, I can’t see how that has anything to do with this,” Liam countered.

She looked around and got blank expressions.

“In volume one, issue one of the town’s newsletter, I wrote a safety reminder about hyenas and our

Hyena Watch,” she said. She still got blank expressions.

“In the warning I said to be careful, because although the hyenas would slam against the perimeter, their

bullets could come through with no problems,” she said, staring at them expectantly.

“Oh, come on!” she exclaimed, throwing her hands up. The lightbulb went off for Felix.

“The perimeter is only keeping animate objects in or out. If the council team got a long pole, they could

try pushing supplies through,” Felix said. Rebecca beamed at him.

“How did we get along without you?” Liam asked. Rebecca sniffed.

“I wonder on some days.” She stuck her tongue out at them.

The sound of running feet had them all tensing and turning to the door. The door flew open and Rian

burst through.

“Aleks, it’s your ma.” Those were the only words he managed to get out before Aleks, followed by his

brothers, ran for the gym, the room’s occupants quickly following them.

Chapter 7

Felix ran with Claybourne to help with Ma. The woman’s breathing had slowed and her fever had

spiked.

“Connor, run get some ice packs. We have some prepared in the cooler!” Felix yelled.

Connor and Benedict returned with handfuls of ice packs. Claybourne immediately began packing them

at her groin and under her arms. The group worked in tandem, replacing ice packs as they melted and

wiping her down. Finally, about an hour later her fever lowered. Claybourne shooed the boys away. Felix

helped his mate strip the town matriarch and dress her in dry clothing, having already changed the bedding.

Exhausted, Claybourne pushed aside the privacy screen so that the Arkadions could be near their ma.

Felix walked the soiled bedding and clothes over to where a vampire waited next to a large wheeled cart.

“Kurt, isn’t it?” Felix asked. The large man nodded.

“My prince has asked that I help with keeping the laundry done up. I’m not that good dealing with

people.” The man looked embarrassed. Felix dropped the bedding and clothes in the bin.

“Not everyone is, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. You couldn’t get me to do this laundry for love nor

money. So I thank you from the bottom of my dainty heart,” Felix cajoled, getting a smile from the shy

vampire.

Liam came back into the gym smiling and holding a large box. Felix clapped his hands and ran over to

see what was inside.

“While you guys were taking care of Ma, I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. So I took Riley and a

bunch of wolves to the perimeter to speak to my grandfather. He was just as disgusted with himself as I was

that we didn’t think of the solution sooner. We now have a steady stream of supplies coming in, including

stronger fever reducers.” Liam handed the box to Felix. Felix took the box to the supply table, nearly

weeping for joy. They were
finally
getting the supplies they needed.

“Grandfather said that there is plenty more where that came from, and not to worry about having

enough. If you get me a list, he can try to get whatever you need.” Liam watched Felix’s excitement.

“This will help Sebastian, right?” Liam asked, sounding anxious. Felix nodded.

“I’ll get him started on the new medicine right away,” he promised. Liam looking relieved and headed

back over to his mate, sitting down next to Kent.

Claybourne nearly sagged in relief when Felix showed him the new supplies. Felix watched as

Claybourne did what he could to slow the virus. He added a second bag of fluid to everyone’s IV, and with

the new supplies coming in he was able to start everyone on a broad-spectrum antiviral medication. But

despite the new medicines, Ma was still getting worse. Pa hadn’t spoken in days. He had shifted and was

stretched out at the foot of his mate’s cot. Felix had never seen a more heartbreaking sight.

Everyone spent the entire day helping those who were sick. No one was getting better, no one was

turning the corner. Everyone was simply getting weaker. Rebecca had locked herself in the lab. Hours later

Aleks came in, looking harried. He asked for Felix to check on Rebecca. Aleks said that she refused to

come out of the lab and he was worried about her. Felix advised Aleks to check on his ma and assured him

he would take care of Rebecca. He walked to the clinic and stood outside the lab door. Seconds later he

heard frustrated shouts, the sounds of glass hitting the walls, and crying.

Felix couldn’t let the tiny human face her pain alone. He waited until the sounds of crying subsided,

knocked on the door, and announced that it was him. When the door opened he held his arms open and

Rebecca launched herself at him.

“Aleks must hate me,” Rebecca cried. Felix looked down at her, confused.

“Why would he hate you?” he asked gently.

“I haven’t been able to find the source. We’re going to lose Ma.” She buried her face in his chest. He

sighed and wrapped his arms around her.

“That man loves you, honey. Trust me. I would have strangled your crazy ass a long time ago.” Felix

tickled her side. She looked up at him and wiped her eyes.

“You’re probably right. He didn’t even roar when I explained about the bomb I made when I was

twelve. Then again, he does have a lot on his mind right now.” Rebecca sniffed loudly, rubbing her nose.

“That man is a damn saint,” Felix said to the ceiling. Rebecca poked him in the stomach.

“Ow! Come on, Pint-Size, let’s head back. We have new supplies now, thanks to your common sense.

Things are looking up.” Felix steered her to the door. Rebecca snuggled up under his arm as they walked

back to the school. When they reached the gym, Rebecca stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.

“Thank you,” she whispered and walked over to where Aleks sat with his ma.

Felix watched as she put her own pain aside, heading to her mate. At her approach Aleks turned in his

chair and buried his face in her chest. Felix and Rebecca’s eyes met and she nodded. Felix understood.

Mates came first, even before your own suffering.

The day transitioned into evening and it was almost too peaceful. Everyone barely spoke, afraid to

break the silence. It was like the eerie, surreal calm before the storm. Felix wanted to scream and yell for

people not to give up. It seemed like everyone had just accepted that their loved ones would die. Without a

cure, they would.

A few hours after midnight on the fifth day, Ma, Kate, and Damian slipped into comas. Felix couldn’t

help but think of what Baptista had said about the leaders being able to lead. He was wrong. If these men

lost their mates, there would be no leadership needed because there would be no Arkadia.

He felt hot tears of frustration run down his face. He had only been in Arkadia for a short time, but he

had come to love it here. It was the first place where he felt like he had a real home, and not just because he

met Claybourne. He had come to care about the people in the pride and in town. He couldn’t just stand by

and do nothing while this special town was destroyed from the inside out.

“The antiviral is slowing the progress. I’ve been on conference calls with a board of assembled doctors

explaining the symptoms. We’re not as alone as we think we are.” Claybourne came up behind Felix and

held his mate.

“How can you bear it? You’ve been here so much longer.” Felix wiped his eyes.

“You’re right. I delivered nearly all of the children lying in these cots. I’ve attended mating parties,

birthday parties, and school plays. I bear it because they need me. Because if I can’t bear it, and collapse,

they really don’t stand a chance,” Claybourne admitted.

“Have I told you lately how amazing you are?” Felix asked.

“No, not today,” Claybourne whispered.

“You are, you are the most amazing man I have ever met,” Felix said. Claybourne squeezed him then

stepped away.

“It’s time for my morning rounds,” he said.

“You need to take a real break. Get some sleep,” Felix protested. Claybourne shook his head.

“Soon. I will soon,” he promised. Felix snorted. He didn’t believe him for a minute.

“I’ll grab you some breakfast,” he offered. Claybourne grinned.

“And coffee,” he requested.

“And your sludge coffee,” Felix said. He walked through to the cafeteria, which was mostly empty.

Connor had chosen to stay near his family, so for kitchen duty he simply put out boxes of cereal, milk, and

fruit. The coffee pots on the folding table by the door had seen too much use and were being run

constantly.

“The Lucky Charms are stale, yet they strangely taste okay,” Rebecca said, looking up from her

breakfast.

“I wonder how hard it is to cook.” Felix eyed the kitchen. His man deserved a hot meal.

“If they have to evacuate everyone because of smoke from your cooking attempts, Claybourne will skin

you alive, mate or no mate,” Rebecca said. Felix sighed.

“You’re right. Let’s see. Healthy and boring, or sugar overload? Hmmm I think I’ll go with sugar

overload. He needs the extra energy.” Felix poured two bowls of Lucky Charms.

“He’ll hate…” Rebecca started and a funny look crossed her face. She dropped her spoon and grabbed

her midsection. When she looked up she had a look of stark terror on her face.

“Felix. My baby! Something is wrong with my baby!” she said before curling in on herself. Felix

dropped both bowls and ran over to her.

“Breathe, honey. It will be okay,” Felix said, easily lifting her. He jogged through the hallways, hitting

the gym door at a run. He leaned back and kicked it open, sending the thing flying into the wall.

Felix watched as Claybourne’s head came around and saw who he was carrying. Dropping his clipboard

he ran over.

“No! Becca, baby, no! Why, Doc? Why is she sick? She’s not a shifter!” Aleks, who had already been

halfway across the gym, heading for the door, grabbed Claybourne by the upper arms and was shaking the

man.

Felix gently eased Rebecca on the cot. He looked up.

“Liam, Benedict, grab him!” he yelled.

Liam and Benedict pried Aleks’s hands off Claybourne, allowing his mate to turn to Rebecca. In the

background they could hear Aleks roar and thrash. Liam and Benedict tried their best to subdue Aleks. Pa

jumped off Ma’s bed, stood on his hind legs, and roared. Immediately Aleks froze and dropped to his

knees. The large older bear padded over to his son. Aleks grabbed Rebecca’s hand and lay his head next to

hers.

“Aleks is being loud again, isn’t he?” Rebecca asked weakly, then gasped as another wave of pain hit

her.

“Is it contractions?” Felix asked. He attached blood pressure cuffs, heart rate monitors, and fetal

monitors to Rebecca.

“I don’t think so. The baby is in distress.” Claybourne wheeled an ultrasound machine around and lifted

Rebecca’s shirt before smearing her belly with the clear gel. Expertly he traced the wand over her stomach.

Felix watched in fascination as the little life force appeared.