Finn tried his best to lighten the mood by joking with Gregor. But watching Arabella as she held and rocked their daughter as if it could be the last time she'd ever do so sat heavy in his heart. After everything his mate had been through with the fucking dragon hunters, she deserved a happy life, free of more grief.
His dragon spoke up. She is happy most of the time.
But not now. And there's not a bloody thing I can do about it.
Dr. Sid is a good doctor. She and Gregor will sort it out.
He wanted to be optimistic, but as clan leader, his brain didn't always work like that. He preferred searching for concrete evidence and solutions.
Gregor's voice garnered his attention. "If Cassidy can't find what she needs, then I'll start asking all the doctors involved in my information project."
Gregor was the only one who called Dr. Sid by her full name, Cassidy.
The doctor couple had decided that they didn't like how dragon-shifters lacked any central medical association or authority to store and share information. So in recent months, Gregor had started working to form his own, with Sid helping when possible. Finn has also given Layla permission to contribute when she could.
Finn nodded. "Aye, I know you will do everything within your power to help us, Gregor." He glanced again at Arabella in the glider chair, holding Freya close as she sang her a lullaby. "I've been putting off finding another doctor to help out Layla, but once my daughter is safe again, then I'll move it to the top of my list. That way, Lochguard can contribute more to your project and hopefully we can help other children in need. I'm sure Freya isn't the only case."
"Even from what little I've been able to accomplish, I've heard of other bairns waking up with slitted pupils. In those cases, it was a result of trauma or having one or both of their parents die. That's not the case here, but as soon as I learn anything relevant, I'll tell you straight away, Finn."
"Thanks, Gregor."
The doctor wandered to the other side of the room and pulled out his mobile phone, no doubt to get to work and give Finn and Arabella some privacy.
Glancing down at his sleeping son, Finn decided to lay him in the crib next to his still sleeping brother. Just as he was about to go to Arabella's side, Sid came back into the room. He asked, "Well?"
She shook her head. "The doctor before me did a poor job at preserving records and half of them were unreadable due to a broken water pipe a decade ago. Tristan didn't know of anything either, but says he might be able to find out."
He frowned. "How? George MacLeod disappeared without a trace years ago."
Sid shrugged. "He said he'll call me as soon as he can. For now, I'd suggest keeping Freya here in case her dragon reappears. That way, Gregor or I can observe and formulate ideas to help."
He wanted to scream that an idea wasn't good enough, but Finn restrained himself.
Arabella spoke up from the corner. "What about Holly? How is she?"
Despite everything, his mate still cared about his family. He couldn't imagine a better female to call his own.
Sid inserted her hands into the pockets of her lab coat. "She's still in labor, but nothing out of the ordinary. While it's still too early to tell definitively, the dragon's blood seems to be helping her."
Gregor looked up from his phone. "And just remember that I'm no longer your clan member to scold, aye? But I asked Tyler to call Aunt Lorna."
Arabella spoke up from the corner. "Good. She should be here." She met Finn's gaze. "Not because I don't think you're capable, because you're a brilliant clan leader. But she is family and deserves to be here with us, to celebrate Holly."
And enjoy Freya while she still can was left unsaid.
Although if Finn had anything to do with it, his daughter would live a long life, complete with a mentally stable inner dragon.
His beast spoke up. Saying it doesn't make it true.
Aye, but I've barely begun. If I have to call in every favor I have with the dragon-shifters in the UK and Ireland, I will.
Moving to Arabella's side, he stared at Freya's sleeping face. "I hate to admit you're right, but you are, Ara. Aunt Lorna keeps us all grounded."
He placed his hand on Arabella's shoulder and she covered it with her own. This latest development was a test. But he and Arabella were strong and would win this battle. Finn was sure of it.
Chapter Five
Arabella had just fin