Wyvern Protection Unit - Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Heliodore stood between Zircon and Larimar. The hallway was cramped, but he supposed it would be.
After all, they stood inside the small, secret medical clinic run by the Department of Paranormal Creatures and Activity, or DPCA for short.
The harried doctor wiped his forehead with a sterile cloth before repeating a slew of clinical terms to Jasper for the third time. It was an emotionally charged situation, made worse by all the medical jargon.
Dor did not blame Jasper for his outrage. His brother was terrified for his mate and baby. That fear quickly translated to anger.
“The pregnancy has gone way past the typical nine months guideline that we use for typical humans. We’ve adjusted from what we know of Dragon Shifters, but those with human mates reported shorter gestation periods.”
“What does that mean, doc?” Jasper asked.
“Look, Shifter pregnancies are typically shorter than human pregnancies. The gestation period for viable offspring is usually six to eight months. For some reason, your wife’s pregnancy is progressing much slower.”
Jasper snarled and lunged for the man, but Conny and Larimar stepped forward, each holding him back with strong arms.
“She is healthy. I assure you⁠—”
“Fuck you and your fake assurances!” snarled the angry Wyvern.
The air around Jasper was positively pulsating with worry. Heliodore turned to the doctor.
“Look, can you tell us why this is happening?” Heliodore asked.
“We don’t know, Mr. Wessex.”
“Well, what the fuck do you know?” Jasper yelled.
“Sorry. He is anxious to ensure his mate’s health.”
“I understand,” the human doctor said, exhaling deeply. “The mother is in good health, but we can’t say for sure of the offspring. Our ultrasounds can’t penetrate the amniotic sac⁠—”
“What? I mean, please explain,” Heliodore said with a quick glance at Jasper.
His brother looked utterly defeated.
“As far as we know, you and your brothers took fifty years to hatch.”
“Are you saying my wife is going to be in pain for fifty years?” Jasper roared as the doctor attempted to explain what was happening.
This was not good. Dor’s oldest brother was worried out of his mind, and all four of them were scared for her and the baby. A Shifter who loses a mate often followed that mate to the afterlife, and quickly, too.
Heliodore was not ready to lose a brother. Not that he could blame Jasper for despairing. This was not the first time Caro had thought she was in labor.
Three times, if his math was right, and each event brought with it fear and worry. True, Braxton Hicks contractions were the human female’s way of preparing for delivery—that was what the doctors had said then.
But what Caro had been experiencing on and off for weeks now was not that. At least, he did not think it was, but Dor wasn’t a fucking doctor. Still, his sister-in-law’s cries of pain were difficult for all of them.
Her belly was hugely swollen, and the dark bags under her eyes attested to the many restless nights she’d experienced.
Dor hated she suffered so. The thought of anything happening to Carolina was far too horrifying for any of them to imagine.
For Jasper, it was inconceivable.
There was no end to the man’s anxiety. Larimar and Conny held tight as Jasper resumed his struggles to get to the doctor.
“Stop, man, it’s not going to help,” Dor whispered, placing his hand on Jasper’s chest.
“Fuck. I can’t lose her, Dor. She is everything,” he whispered, seeming to sink under Dor’s touch.
Fear snaked through to his very soul at the sight of his older brother going through so much pain. Fuck. Thank goodness Kim, Lari’s mate, was there.
She stepped up to the doctor and took the reins of the discussion. That was good. The woman had a brilliant mind and might translate whatever the fuck the frightened doctor was talking about. And yes, he knew the man was scared.
He didn’t have to be a Shifter to note his trembling hands and sickly pallor behind his thick glasses. Dor didn’t blame him. Who wouldn’t be scared with Jasper snarling at them?
Fucker was terrifying.
Things had cooled down by the time Heliodore and Zircon walked past the security guards. They stepped further into the corridor, where most of his family waited.
Because they were valued members of the Division of Paranormal Creatures and Activity, any health concerns were seen to by the government. That included this top-secret medical facility that catered to Shifters and other supernaturals.
Heliodore frowned as Zircon went straight to Jennifer. It wasn’t unusual for his youngest brother to do so. In fact, that action had nothing whatsoever to do with the current situation, it was simply what Zircon always did.
Like he was drawn to the female. Though for all intents and purposes, their very formal handler didn’t seem to give a single shit about Zircon’s obvious feelings.
That had to suck for his baby bro. Still, Dor paid very little attention to Conny and Jennifer. Something was wrong.
His skin tingled like he was standing too close to a live wire. His heart was thudding loudly in his chest and his stomach flipped over a few times.
What the hell was happening to him? Maybe he was having an anxiety attack or something. Conny and Jennifer were whispering, but he could not understand a word.
“Dude, you alright?’ Lari whispered.
Was he alright? Not very fucking likely. Dor rubbed the spot between his pecs, directly over his heart, and tried to cease his growling. The sound had started quite suddenly, and it was increasing in strength and volume.
“Zircon, what’s going on?” Jennifer asked his brother.
“Where were you? I tried calling three times.”
“I am sorry. I have an assignment—” Jennifer replied tightly.
“You want to talk about an assignment now?” Zircon asked, eyes wide.
He looked pissed, but Dor’s focus was on the space behind Jennifer. He heard someone’s footsteps approaching just after the Owl Shifter. The scent of strawberries fresh from the vine, still warm from the sun, filled his senses.
Grrrrr.
Like a deer in headlights, Dor stood frozen. Thunder roared in his ears as a strange female walked into the corridor. His brothers stopped what they were doing, turning towards her as if she had commanded all their attention.
Heliodore could think of only two words that might fit the situation.
One was holy. The other was shit.
Holy shit.
HOLY SHIT.
HOLY. MOTHERFUCKING. SHIT.
His mouth dropped open, and it was all he could do not to drool on his shirt. The woman was beautiful. Her body was the perfect blend of curves and power. She had pink-hued eyes and hair the likes of which he had never seen.
She wore a silver catsuit with no obvious zippers or buttons. It was completely fitted to her, hugging her outstanding body in a way that made Heliodore green with envy. For a primarily yellow Wyvern, that was a big fucking no-no.
Hell, if he was jealous of her outfit, he could hardly name the emotion rolling through him as her gaze remained fixated on Zircon and Jennifer. Reining in that feeling was difficult, but he managed—barely.
Her inattention gave him the perfect opportunity to study her. She was alert. Foreign but familiar.
Her eyes studied the two like a predator before pouncing on its prey. That wasn’t good. Maybe he should say something?
For some reason he did not want to look too closely at, Dor burned with envy. He wanted to be the focus of her ruthlessly steady, unwavering attention.
He watched as the marvelous creature inhaled, and everything about her changed. It was like a ripple effect. Heat seemed to flow from her to everything in the room. His brothers growled, all except Jasper, but Heliodore’s snarl was louder, quieting the rest.
The female’s breathing became deeper, slower, as if she were tasting each breath of air, searching the nuances she was picking up.
His inner beast stirred. The Wyvern was greatly interested in the stranger’s actions. Her wide, pink eyes blinked in tandem with her steady inhales and exhales.
Dor watched in complete awe as her pretty pink gaze flitted over his brothers, one by one, until suddenly she stilled, zeroing in on him.
Fuck yes.
He wanted to shift into his beast, roar like a monster, and take to the skies. Instead, he held his shape, keeping his eyes steady on her stare. That was when the walls closed in on him.
Bum bum. Bum bum. BUM BUM.
“Dor? Your heartbeat sounds like a fucking drum,” Jasper said, but he paid his brother no mind.
Dor growled again, feeling drunk on her strawberry scent, the very sweetness she exuded. He’d never felt anything like this. Never saw eyes that color or hair.
He counted a thousand shades of pink from the palest petal to the deepest shock of magenta swirled in her bright, doe-shaped eyes. Contacts? Maybe. But Dor did not think so.
There was something distinctly unique, and yet increasingly familiar, about her. He was enthralled. Completely intrigued by the woman, from the tips of her hair to her bubblegum-tinted lips.
It was like an artist had created her from countless shades of pink. Blush, mauve, watermelon, magenta, strawberry, and tea rose. Each one prettier than a picture. All of them combined to make her a tempting and delicious feast for his eyes.
She was out of this world beautiful. Like nothing he could have ever imagined. He wanted to revel in her beauty. To stare at her for hours. Strip her of the tempting as sin silver suit and find out for himself what other shades of pink danced across her skin.
Sexy sweet little siren.
Yesssss, hissed his Wyvern in total agreement.
The beast inside him sniffed the air, roaring a sharp call in that metaphysical place where he dwelled. Dor felt his flames, felt the frost that came from them as if he were there too, waiting in that realm.
That was new. Odd.
“Fuck,” growled Zircon, shivering in the wake of Heliodore’s icy breath.
Shit.
He’d used his Wyvern powers to call the frost, making it frigid in the small hallway.
“Dammit, Dor, knock it off,” Jennifer muttered, shivering.
His Wyvern hated they had an audience. In fact, it pissed him off. Snapping and snarling, his beast demanded he cross the room. He wanted his human to go to the strawberry-scented beauty, take her in his arms, and conceal her from all eyes but his.
Mine, his Wyvern growled impatiently.
What? No fucking way.
He shook his head and blinked. Hard. But it did nothing to alleviate the overwhelming sensation that his beast was correct. The female was his.
He had finally found her.
His mate.
“Heliodore, will you stop growling this second!” Arthur Wessex, his father, glowered at him.
When had he arrived? Dor shook his head, forcing himself to stop staring at the stranger. What the hell was going on with him?
He turned his attention to the man who’d adopted and raised the four Wyverns as his own. Arthur Wessex looked pissed, and one thing Dor did not want to do ever, was anger the man.
“Sorry, sir,” he replied.
“Any news, Arthur?” Jennifer asked. “What is happening with Caro?”
“Carolina began feeling contractions around three this morning. We came here soon after that. They are having a difficult time explaining it all.” His father frowned, bringing Jennifer up to speed. The female stranger blinked slowly, returning her attention to his dad.
“She was in a lot of pain, Jen,” Jasper whispered, his misery evident.
Heliodore watched the others chime in, trying to keep his mind on the reason they were there. A moment later, he became acutely aware of someone standing just behind him.
It was her. As if drawn by the same magnetic force as he, the little pink-haired siren was suddenly invading his space. She inhaled deeply.
A purring sound came from her throat as she seemed to savor his scent. His cock hardened, and he couldn’t help but mirror her actions.
Sniff, sniff. Growl.
It wasn’t just his cock. His entire body grew taut under that unblinking, unrepentant stare. Fuck, that was hot.
For a moment, he forgot where they were or why. All he knew was wanting. And all he wanted was her.
“Miss? Who are you?”
Arthur Wessex’s voice interrupted Dor’s train of thought. His Wyvern hissed at the perceived threat, and he struggled to maintain control.
“Son? Calm down. I asked you a question, young lady,” Dad repeated.
But even his formidable father could not stop the excited expression on his sweet siren’s face. She paid the older man no heed at all. All her focus was on Dor.
Good.
“You smell of snowcapped mountains and the crystal clear ice waters of Drakeinan, my home plane⁠—”
“Daeja,” hissed Jennifer.
Holding on to her gold-framed glasses, the WPU handler raced across the room to where the sublimely curvy woman stood. She nudged the pretty pink siren with her elbow, and Dor’s beast hissed again.
“I told you to stand there quietly,” Jennifer whispered.
“Affirmative. You did. I am sorry, Jennifer Dyllu—I mean, Jennifer,” she told the Owl Shifter in a softly accented voice.
The female cleared her throat, a cute little purr sounding from her chest. What was she? He had to know. Overwhelmed with curiosity, he moved closer, invading her personal space.
“Jennifer, I did not meet your friend,” Dor said and nodded a greeting.
“That’s because I didn’t introduce you,” Jenn replied, pushing her glasses up her straight nose.
She was annoyed, he could tell. The Wessex boys had a knack for pissing off the female Shifter. Sometimes they even did it on purpose to get a rise out of her, but not now.
Heliodore was really only interested in one thing—finding out who the beautiful, strawberry-scented stranger was. He’d apologize for the urgent growl in his voice later.
“Who is she?” he asked.
“I am Daeja 536⁠—"
“Smith! Her name is Daeja Smith,” Jennifer said, nudging the female, Daeja, with her elbow again.
Daeja frowned. Then she growled. Wait. Maybe that was him.
Yeah, it was definitely him. Or rather, it was his Wyvern reacting to Jennifer’s little push. The beast did not care for it. Not at all.
“Yes. That’s right,” the siren told him.
The wicked glint in her eyes was intoxicating. She nodded at Jennifer, then turned her wide smile on him and the result was like a punch to his gut.
“I am Daeja Smith.”
Her accent was foreign. Was she from England? New Zealand, maybe? He could not be certain. That alone was odd, considering he had an ear for such things. Either way, he simply wanted to hear her voice again.
“I am sorry, Dor, Arthur, I know this is a family emergency, but I had to bring her,” Jennifer said.
“I see,” his father replied. “I apologize for being curt, Miss Smith, this is a difficult time. My name is Arthur Wessex. These are my sons, Jasper, Larimar, Zircon, and Heliodore.”
“My apologies for interrupting you at the time. Thank you for your hospitality,” Daeja said, and for some reason her respectful words filled Dor with gratitude and pride.
“Well, since you are here, I might as well tell you. Daeja Smith is your next assignment,” Jennifer announced.
The brothers exchanged wary glances, except for Dor. He was all but vibrating out of his skin. Daeja stepped closer to him and sucked in a gulp of air, and Heliodore took the opportunity to do the same.
Holy fuck.
She smelled delicious. In all his travels, Heliodore had never scented anything like her.
Like fried chicken and waffles with hot honey drizzled all over the top. Bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches on toasted rye bread with mayo. Vine-ripened strawberries and fresh whipped cream. Thick vanilla milkshakes. Cherry pie with a homemade lattice crust. Apples with peanut butter.
Those were all his favorite foods, and somehow, she reminded him of each one. But it was more than that.
She smelled of long walks along the shore. Snowball fights in the middle of winter. Hiking trails through the woods. Skinny dipping in the lake. Moonlit flights on starry nights.
She reminded him of everything he liked or loved to do. Every. Single. Thing. All combined to make one sumptuously perfect woman.
“Whose next assignment?” Zircon asked, having joined them.
“Mine,” growled Heliodore in a tone that brooked no argument.
She was his. Period.