Alpha Unit One, New York

by Chris T. Kat

  Cheeky little bugger.

  Laughing, I padded over to Nate. Jake stood beside him, his gaze flickering about. Annie sat off to the side, keeping everyone else in her view. Jake’s voice held a strong sense of urgency when he said to Nate, “We’ve got to find him. Quick.”

  “What do you think I’m doing? He must be scared out of his wits!” Nate replied.

  “Well, given that your dad has no option but to kick him off the team if he finds out who he is and that he’s using drugs regularly, he’s got every reason to be scared,” Jake snarled back. Suddenly his forehead creased into a frown. “Wait… Connor…. He was puking all over the place as well, and he…. Shit!”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Nate said. “But either you help me find Sasha or you get out of my way.”

  Jake exchanged a long look with Annie, and I was glad that Sam was out of earshot. Bad enough Jake had connected the dots, but Sam had enough on his plate as it was. Annie regarded me with a solemn look when Jake squatted down in front of me. “Connor’s another baby shifter, right? And you already know that, don’t you?”

  I put on my best innocent expression, which really wasn’t all that difficult in cub form. Jake leveled a finger at me, but he also tried unsuccessfully to hide a smile. “That’s not working on me.”

  I meowed and slashed my tail through the air. Like hell it’s not working!

  Jake choked on a laugh and Annie chuffed, irritating Nate. Oh right, Nate. I was going to help him find the meerkat. Er, Sasha.

  Climbing on a pile of small stones, I pawed away the top and found myself face-to-face with the littlest meerkat I’d ever seen. Talking telepathically would come in handy right now, but the connection still only worked with Sam.

  Sasha tried to burrow deeper underneath some rubble, but I meowed loud enough for Nate to catch on. He flashed me a tired smile. Pain lines were edged deeply into his face, and the bandage on his arm was completely drenched in blood. I flinched at the smell.

  “Sasha, come here,” Nate cajoled. “I swear I won’t tell anyone, but we’ve got to hide you quickly. There’ll be more shifters on the scene soon. I’ve got no idea whether they can track you in that form. Come on, squirt, we’ll figure things out later.”

  Sasha squealed, but at least he came closer, slowly. Nate’s expression softened as he held out his uninjured hand. “I’m sure Alpha Unit One will keep your secret.”

  He gave me, Annie, and Jake a long, quelling look. I meowed in the affirmative, and Jake said, “Sure. Annie and I didn’t see a thing.”

  Sasha hastened out of his hiding hole onto Nate’s hand. He looked so small there, with his twitching body and the nervous energy that radiated off him. Nate hauled himself to his feet before he slipped Sasha into one of his outer pants pockets.

  Hmm, would I fit into one of Sam’s cargo pockets as well? Too bad I couldn’t try it out right away.

  My attention was pulled back to the entrance, where they’d finally managed to make the hole large enough and stable enough. Henderson Senior walked through it and right up to Nate. Even though Nate was much taller than his father, he all but fell into his arms, shouting in pain when his injured arm came in contact with his father’s body.

  Henderson Senior guided Nate out of the building toward another doctor. Medics carried Julie out on a stretcher, with a limping Roland trailing behind. Jake and Annie followed, after another team of medics carried Harlan, strapped down securely, out of the building as well. The third team of medics lifted Ash, who was closely shadowed by Laura. Sam ambled over to me, and I yawned.

  I’m hungry. And tired, I said, sounding incredible pathetic.

  My poor baby. Want me to carry you?

  Carry me? Yes, that sounded great but… No, I don’t want you to carry me!

  No? Sam echoed. Why not?

  I don’t want you to grab my neck and carry me.

  I’d never do that. Sam pushed his nose against me, trying for innocence.

  Yes, you would. Can I sit on your back? Please?

  Ugh. I’m not sure that’s a good idea. It might undermine my manhood. Even as he said it, he lowered himself to the ground so I could climb up. When I was seated securely on his plushy mane, he heaved himself up again. Feel good there?

  Yep, very. Is your manhood eroding yet?

  Sam laughed, which came out like a roar. All gazes were trained on us. I’ve got to do something about that cheekiness of yours.

  Be my guest, I replied, eliciting a snort from Sam.

  I yawned and stretched out on my belly, trusting Sam not to accidentally drop me.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Sam

  NICKY SLEPT on my back the whole ride to the hospital. He and I, plus Annie and Jake, drove together in a provided van, most likely headed toward a lot of prodding and blood drawing. I heaved a sigh at the idea.

  Annie opened her eyes to slits from her obviously comfortable position over Jake’s legs. Jake sifted through Annie’s fur, but he seemed miles away. Annie lifted her head and swiped her tongue over Jake’s face, startling him. A moment later, he smiled and hugged his mate fiercely.

  “Annie says she still can’t shift back,” Jake said. “How about you?”

  I shook my head, careful not to dislodge Nicky. He gave a tiny whimper before he grew quiet again.

  “But you will be able to shift back, right? Annie says it only takes time and not to worry, but….” Jake swallowed, his gaze darting from his mate to me.

  Annie rose up and butted her head against Jake’s, eliciting an, “Ow! Okay, okay. I just wish it would go faster.”

  We lapsed back into a strained silence. I concentrated on Nicky’s even breathing and heartbeat, relaxing slightly. He’d definitely proven himself, and I’d do everything in my power to keep him as an active member of the team. I might still find it hard to fight against my overprotectiveness, but with time that should lessen. At least I could hope, right?

  When the van stopped, I yawned and slowly rose to my paws, taking great care to distribute my weight evenly so as to not wake Nicky. We’d parked next to a ramp, which was a good thing. Of course it would be no problem for me to jump out of the van, but not with Nicky sleeping on my back.

  Several armed guards lined the ramp. Jake scowled at the sight of them. “What do they think we’ll do?”

  Annie butted her head into his belly, and he stumbled over his feet, yelping. “Stop that, you bloody annoying woman.”

  Some of the guards clutched their guns more tightly at Jake’s exclamation, while a few who already knew us better unsuccessfully tried to hide their smiles. Annie wound around Jake’s legs, almost tripping him several times. Jake stopped midwalk, throwing his hands up in the air. “Fine! I’ll stop worrying, and I’ll believe whatever you say. Are you done yet?”

  For the rest of the walk into the building, Annie kept pace next to Jake, who lightly touched his fingertips against her head the whole time.

  Once inside a large examination room, a couple of doctors and nurses came in, carrying syringes and other medical stuff on trays. Jake started whining as soon as the doctors approached him with the syringe. “I’m human. Why the hell do you need to draw my blood?”

  I tuned out the conversation after Annie draped herself all over Jake, effectively immobilizing him. The guy had an almost unnatural fear of needles.

  Suddenly someone plucked Nicky from my back to put him on an exam table. Nicky’s eyes flew open, and he let out a high-pitched shriek. Common sense fled me at that point. I roared and leaped toward my mate. The nurse who’d picked up Nicky stumbled backward, gasping.

  I heard the distinct snick of safeties being released.

  Saaam! What’s going on?

  I put my forepaws on the exam table, and Nicky immediately padded toward me, rubbing his little face against mine. I licked him, calming down when his scent exploded on my tongue. So maybe that’s why I had the urge to lick him so often, to get a taste of him.

  A
n exasperated voice from the doorway, one that belonged to our superintendent, floated through the room. “I told you they’re freshly mated, and you all know how protective mates are, especially when their mate’s a baby shifter. Couldn’t you’ve waited to pick up the cub until he was awake?”

  Burlows strode into the room, his long legs eating up the distance. The nurse who had been trembling only seconds earlier now put on a façade full of false bravado. “Time might be of the essence.”

  Burlows assessed the brunette with a raised eyebrow. “Bullshit. Get out. And you”—he gestured to one of the nurses assisting a doctor prodding a placid Annie—“get another nurse in here. One that actually knows what she’s doing.”

  After a quick nod from the doctor, the nurse did as she was asked. The brunette nurse threw a murderous glare at Burlows but quickly retreated toward the door when a low growl built in my throat.

  Sam?

  It’s fine, Nicky. Just some drawing of blood, checking up on us, that kind of stuff.

  Nicky’s eyes grew large. Drawing blood? With needles?

  Oh dear. Another needle phobe on the team. Just my luck. It won’t take long.

  I don’t want them to stick a needle in me. Nicky sat down on the table, his ears drooping.

  There’s no getting around it, I replied, hating the dejected expression on Nicky’s face. On the other hand, I couldn’t cave every time he upped the cuteness factor. Besides, this was a decision totally out of my hands, and either he’d give his blood voluntarily or they’d force him. I bristled at that thought alone.

  But I’m hungry! And I don’t want—he broke off midrant, then glanced up at me. Uh, I’m sorry. It’s cool, I’m good. No more whining. It’s this form. It’s hard to act like an adult. Sometimes. Only sometimes. I have it under control. Really.

  He was still afraid of me finding a reason to kick him off the team, or at least not allow him on active duty. I’d really messed that up. It’s okay.

  “I think you can do your job now,” Burlows said, standing next to me.

  A new nurse entered the room with the one who’d seen to Annie, and her eyes lit up when she caught sight of Nicky. “Such a cutie!”

  Jake laughed, and the doctor tending to us snickered. “Hey, Shelly, care to give me a hand here? The little one just woke up, and I think he’s not a big fan of needles.”

  Shelly walked up to us, keeping up a steady stream of endearments. Snapping on gloves, she regarded me. “Is it okay for me to touch him?”

  I made an approving noise and clambered off the edge of the exam table. Seconds later, Nicky stood poised on the edge, peering down at me. Where are you going?

  I’m right here.

  Okay. Nicky curled up, balancing precariously, his gaze trained on me. Shelly scratched Nicky behind his ears, drawing a hiss from him. She does know that I’m not really a baby, doesn’t she?

  She probably can’t help herself.

  Hey! Nicky protested suddenly when Shelly pulled him away from the edge. Sam!

  Sighing, I hauled myself up so my forepaws were once again on the table. Yes, Nicky?

  Nicky had his claws out as he fought the hold Shelly and the doctor had on him. When Shelly grabbed him by the nape of his neck to keep him still, Nicky completely lost it. In a last attempt to ditch her, he growled and dug his teeth into her hand. Yelping, she dropped him, and he made a run for the end of the table and leaped off it. Chaos erupted in his wake.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Nicky

  MY REACTION was totally over the top. I knew that. Or some part of me knew that. Tiny, however, reacted purely on instinct. As I sailed through the air, it briefly occurred to me that I’d probably miscalculated the height of the table and my ability to land unharmed.

  Mewling, I stretched my body as long as I could, hoping to be able to land on something close-by instead of dropping to the floor. Sam’s roar vibrated through the room, and something in me shifted.

  I landed with a heavy thud, the impact pressing all the air out of my lungs.

  “Ugh, fuck!” I exclaimed as I sorted my limbs. Hang on a second—these were my human limbs! Sitting up, I grinned. “Hah! I was faster at shifting back than you, old man.”

  I slapped my hand over my mouth a fraction too late. Fuck that brain-to-mouth function. It totally eluded my control, especially after shifting.

  People in the room were laughing while Sam padded toward me, his mane swaying majestically from one side to the other. My grin vanished when the normal nausea after shifting from cub to human took over. This time, it was way stronger.

  Someone held a bowl or something underneath my chin, just when I couldn’t keep it in any longer. I heaved and felt as if I was puking my guts out. The force of my nausea caused tears to stream down my face.

  All of a sudden, strong arms encircled me from behind. I glanced up from watery eyes, smiling when Sam in his human form dropped a kiss on my head. From somewhere he produced something wet to clean me up, and I relaxed back against him.

  After a while, Sam pulled me to my feet and led me to the fucking examination table. The doctor had just finished dressing Shelly’s hand. Heat suffused my face when she glanced at me.

  “I’m so s-sorry,” I stuttered, overwhelmed with embarrassment.

  “Job hazard, I guess,” Shelly replied. “You won’t give me any trouble drawing blood now, will you?”

  I shook my head. “No, of course not. I’m really sorry about… about biting you. I just hate needles, and when I’m in cub form, I… I….”

  If I said I couldn’t control my impulse, that meant I’d be unfit for the job, but how else was I supposed to explain it? I was horribly aware of Superintendent Burlows standing close to us, scrutinizing me. Although Sam was my team leader and my mate, Burlows could still put his foot down and kick me off the team. Honestly, that was the most likely outcome, and that thought alone had my stomach in knots.

  “I’m not one to hold a grudge, so don’t worry,” Shelly said. She prepared a syringe and rolled up my shirtsleeve. “I remember thirty years ago most shifters couldn’t shift with their clothes on. Or they could shift with them on, but when they shifted back the clothes had vanished. You should’ve seen the reactions of mated pairs when a nurse tried to touch their naked mate. I’ve got more scratches and bite wounds from those encounters than I care to admit.”

  “Oh God, don’t remind me,” the doctor said, grinning.

  I glanced at his name tag, which identified him as A. Peters. Wait, the nurse’s tag said S. Peters. I exclaimed, “You’re married!”

  “Yes, that we are.” Shelly smiled at me again. The prick of the needle barely fazed me, but I still let out a sigh of relief when she was done.

  After that, they drew blood from Sam, and then they followed up with thorough physical examinations. After over an hour of being prodded and turned this way and that, I stood, completely fed up. “I’m done here. I’m hungry, and I want to go home. And I want to know how Julie and Roland are doing and what’s going on with Connor and Jesse!”

  “Anything else?” Superintendent Burlows asked, reminding me he was still there.

  Sam clicked his fingers and beckoned me over to him. What did he think I was, a dog? I crossed my arms above my naked chest, then realized I still had stickers glued to it. I ripped them off, cursing when my skin burned. I threw them blindly on the floor, realizing I was making a spectacle of myself and unable to control myself.

  Sam enveloped me from behind, pinning my arms to the side as I panted. “Nicky, come here.”

  I shivered when his naked chest touched my bare back. Closing my eyes, I allowed him to turn me around. I wound my arms around his neck, clinging to him, not sure what was going on. “We have to stay overnight, Nicky. They need to make sure there are no aftereffects of the XP-27.”

  “I want to go home.” I almost howled in frustration.

  Sam’s hug increased in intensity, until it became hard to breathe. But there was also so mu
ch warmth and compassion flowing into me that my muscles relaxed of their own accord.

  Burlows came to stand next to us. “We’ll get you settled in a private room and have food brought up. As for Roland and Julie, Roland is fine. His healing abilities took care of most of the wound. The doctors cleaned him up and placed him on bed rest for the next twenty-four hours. Julie just came out of surgery. They fixed her leg, but she’ll have a long road to recovery ahead of her.”

  Tension seeped from me, and I rested my head more comfortably on Sam’s shoulder. Another bout of warmth blossomed inside me, causing me to clutch Sam tighter. Why couldn’t I crawl into him?

  I glanced up at him with a sigh. He smiled at me, his hazel eyes crinkling at the corners as if he knew what I’d just thought. I’m sure we can share a hospital bed and cuddle. How does that sound?

  Like the best thing ever! My mood lightened considerably.

  A moment later my good mood took a nose dive when Burlows said, “Connor and Jesse are fine too. They’ll stay under observation because of the very short coma Jesse was in. Also, because Connor was using a drug designed to suppress his shifter side.”

  Sam stiffened in my embrace. “He’s a shifter as well? Why did he hide that fact?”

  “Want to make an educated guess?” Burlows asked.

  Sam frowned; then an epiphany seemed to hit him. “No. He’s not a baby shifter as well, is he?”

  “Got it right on the first try,” Burlows said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. “Isn’t it interesting how your mate doesn’t seem to be surprised by this turn of events?”

  Oh, fuck me sideways.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Sam

  “NICKY?” I asked, keeping my voice as even as possible when all I wanted to do was to yell.

  Nicky seemed to shrink in on himself, not an easy feat since I was still holding him tightly to my body. Anxiety mingled with shame crept up within me. For a moment I was surprised, then realized that Nicky’s emotions were flowing freely into me.