Shiftless

4 - Byron

I can barely contain my glee as I stand by the door in healing ward. I know some of the other deltas are giving me the side-eye, probably trying to get me to leave but this is my noonmeal and I want to watch Kaya complete her examination.

For her credit Kaya appears not to notice me. She doesn't even notice as brushes some of her dirty blond hair behind her ear then she shyly points at some bunch of herbs just off to the side of Hyen. I was worried when Hyen said they were going to test her, I certainly haven't endeared myself to him overly much, but he made sure to tell me that there was nothing personal to it. Over the din of small children coughing and the grinding of herbs it is hard to hear what the two are discussing from my position. I itch to get closer.

A familiar scent of mint and oregano washes over me and then a wiry arm pulls me close. I grin at Talano who grins back, "Are you ill, dear Second Beta?"

At that I cough weakly into my hand, "Why yes, capable Delta, I am. I have the curious coughs. What do you suggest as a cure?"

Talano hums seriously, even using his free hand to rub his close cropped black beard, "For such a serious case I suggest turning around and working up a sweat." He knocks my side, losing that joking touch, "Instead of hovering over a potential healer candidate and causing her to mess up from the nervousness of the situation and the desire to impress her family."

I huff, rolling my eyes, "I'm right by the door. She hasn't even noticed that I'm here."

Talano raises an eyebrow, I can hear him saying we've lived the same amount of years and he isn't about to be fooled by me. After a moment to not say that he instead says, "I saw your foot twitching to take a step forward. In addition the other deltas have been mindlinking me to kick you out. Its busy enough with the usual hubbub and now we're having more as more outsiders drop in to see what will happen between Cayn and this Cynna Rella."

My smile drops and I frown, "Curses befall whoever went yapping about that to the other species."

Talano just shrugs and when I look at him his dark green eyes show no upset or haggardness I would expect of his statement, "You know us lycans. We're a chatty bunch, its just been made worse because of the uncertainty of what will happen between us and Lothum."

Still, I purse my lips as I look over the ward again. It does look a tad busier than I remember it being, "Do you want me to talk to Ersyu about changing the open policy to treat everybody, no matter the species?"

At that Talano looks aghast, "I'd rather pull out my nails. We've gotten a handle on it." A soft smile takes over his expression now, "Plus, going to the second ward allows me to see Aery more."

I grin, wiggling my eyebrows, "When do I finally get to meet this special female?"

Talano sighs, "She's still one step back, even though she comes to meet me over increasingly minor wounds." He growls a little now, I'm surprised at the unusual response from him as he continues, "It seems others have tried to intermix her and her sister before as they are identical twins."

I sneer now, "I hope her or her sister gave each of those poor excuses of blood and fluids a new hole."

Talano chuckles, a hint of amber peeking through the green. I'm a little surprised to see his wolf in agreement as he has stated the bond between them is only between the human parts but I guess after all this time even the wolves are starting to get invested now, at least Talano's is.

Talano claps my shoulder, "Oh look! Kaya is finishing up with Hyen now."

My head whips to their direction, I ignore the slight pinch in my neck from the action, and my muscles feel tight all over as I see her wringing her hands together. My thoughts are in a jumbled mess and I feel the distinct urge to go over there and be physical about whatever is happening. Which is wrong, all the wrong urges, violence will do nothing. Then, Hyen ruffles Kaya's hair.