Chapter Fifty-One
Corey
Later that night Corey and her accidental pack were once again gathered around her dining room table. Italian takeout this time; they really should cook more. She and Baze had decided to wait until after dinner to tell everyone what they had learned during their talk with Professor Plimpton. Dominic got up and started to put away leftovers, and Riley went to the freezer to grab her dessert. She really was a lucky mom-to-be. She had the best fiancé and mate a woman could ask for. He was always cleaning up and taking care of her. And then there was Riley. He was the most amazing kid with such a kind heart. The other men at the table were all pretty great too. Linc made her laugh, Baze kept her honest and grounded, and Keller had become one of her best friends.
She was snapped out of her warm fuzzy thoughts when Baze cleared his throat. “So. Corey and I talked to the anthropology professor today. We told him about Riley’s connection to the baby. He actually had some answers for us.”
The plate Dom had been rinsing fell to the sink with a loud clank. “You took my pregnant mate to meet with Professor Plimpton, to ask questions regarding my daughter without me?”
“Uh, yeah, sorry, man. I didn’t actually think you would mind all that much.” Baze looked over at Corey who was smiling, clearly enjoying seeing Baze fumble for the right words for once.
“Well, I do mind. Next time you and Corey decide to take a field trip, at least let me know. Everyone always leaves me out of the damn loop.” He left the dishes in the sink and joined his people at the table.
“Hey, this is all on Baze, he basically dragged me there against my will.” Corey looked over at Riley and smiled warmly; she knew he was probably nervous about what they were going to say. “Riley, you and the baby do in fact have a special connection. A bond. Plimpton said that this type of thing used to be a lot more common, when shifters spent their lives living in packs.” She trailed off, unsure of what to say next. Luckily Baze picked up her slack.
“The baby is special, so to speak, and the ‘universe’ intends for you to protect her. Apparently, every so often a female is born that will have small pieces of the shifter DNA. There is no way of knowing exactly how she’ll be different from an average human female, only that she will be.”
Dom looked over at Corey, searching her face. “Will she shift?”
Corey shook her head. “No. She won’t shift. Professor Plimpton assured us that wouldn’t be the case. He said it could be something as small as a special talent or it could be something as big as her purpose in this world. People used to believe that it was willed by the universe. And because she is special, she will need special protection.” Corey placed her hand on Riley’s arm. “And that’s where you come in, kiddo. You are her cosmic soul mate, which means you will be her brother, her best friend, her bodyguard. You and this little girl will be connected for life.”
Riley nodded his head. “So that’s why I don’t like people touching your stomach and why I can feel her presence, and why I knew she was a girl?”
“Right. You and she are linked, and you have been from the moment she came into existence.” Baze looked around the table. “Plimpton said that there is no rhyme or reason as to why this baby girl. He did mention that it was more common when shifters lived in packs, and he said that whether we meant to or not, we have formed a pack. The six of us, working together, running together.”
Keller spoke up. “We are a pack. We’re a family. I love you guys, and I don’t know what I’d do without you. I feel like the four of us were close before, but having Corey here, and now the baby and Riley…? It makes it feel more…I don’t know, just more.”
Linc nodded in agreement. “I feel the same way. I know I joke around a lot, but you all mean the world to me. Even you, Riley.”
“Thanks, Coach, that was heartfelt.” Riley grinned sarcastically.
“You know what I mean, man. You are one of my ballplayers, but ever since Corey showed up, you’ve become more than that. You’re one of us.”
Baze sat back in his chair, arms behind his head. “That’s true. It wasn’t until Corey came to town that I started thinking of Riley as more of a brother than as a ballplayer. Maybe the universe really does have the bigger picture all figured out.”
Linc chuckled. “It was destined that Dom find his forever. And it was destined that she be such a pain in the ass that it takes five shifters working around the clock to keep her out of trouble.”
“Thank you, Linc. Your way with words and your sweet sentiments astound me.” Corey yawned and stretched.
“Are you getting tired, baby?” Dom reached over and pulled her into his lap.
Corey laid her head on Dom’s shoulder, “I am getting sleepy. I swear this little girl drains all my energy.” She yawned again. “Okay, I’m done. I’m going to bed.” She kissed Dom’s cheek sweetly before she stood. “Don’t forget we have our first doctor’s appointment tomorrow. We have to leave campus at nine o’clock sharp.”
Dom smiled up at her. “I won’t forget. Promise.”
Corey turned to Riley. “Meet us at the athletic building, kiddo, we’ll write you an excuse for missing class.”
Riley looked surprised. “What? I get to go to the doctor with you guys?”
Dom looked over at Corey and winked. They had talked about letting him go to the appointment even before they understood his connection to their daughter. It had just seemed right, like without him something would be missing. “Of course you do. You’re her big brother.”
“Wow, thank you guys for letting me be part of that.”