Meryn sighed. "It's just that Beth and I worry about you guys all the time. You're always outnumbered, the ferals seem to be breeding like rabbits," she turned to Beth, "no offense." Beth rolled her eyes. Meryn continued. "We've been doing everything we can think of to help you. If even half the Vanguard returned, we could easily triple our numbers. We never know which routine patrol will be the one where one of you doesn't return and it eats us up inside."

The men fell silent.

Rheia stood and stretched. "Nothing in life is guaranteed, not even tomorrow. I learned that early in life. You have to do what you can, when you can, like wellness appointments or Disney World." She smiled at Colton. "What you can't do, is live in fear. It will leech every moment of joy out of the time that you do have, and that's no life at all." She turned to Penny. "What do we do when we're afraid of something?" she asked the little girl.

Penny stuck her tongue out and blew a loud raspberry. Rheia nodded. "That's right, baby girl. You give it the ole two finger salute and you keep moving forward, because backward isn't an option."

Gavriel shook his head ruefully. "Human's lives are so short, but the wisdom you acquire stuns me at times."

Rheia looked at him. "It's because our lives are so short that we have to learn quickly." She turned to Beth. "Ready when you are, only, who'll watch Penny?"

Colton spoke up quickly. "We can watch her," he said, pointing to the men.

Rheia looked around, the men wore varying expressions, ranging from neutral to anxious. "Are you sure?"

Colton nodded. "Absolutely! We got this."

Beth and Meryn walked around the table heading towards the doorway, Ryuu following behind them.

Rheia kissed Penny on the forehead. "Same rules with Papa as when Uncle Radek and your other uncles watch you, okay?"

Penny nodded and reached into her small backpack to pull out a cell phone.

Rheia smiled. "Good girl."

"Wait, what rules?" Colton asked as she walked out of the room.

"Never mind. Have fun." She waved goodbye.

In the foyer, Beth eyed her scrubs. "Are you sure you don't want to change?"

Rheia looked Beth up and down taking in her outfit. "You're a clothes person, aren't you?"

Meryn chuckled. "You have no idea."

Rheia pointed to her scrubs and shook her head. "No thanks, I like my scrubs."

Beth shuddered.

"Ladies, your coats." Ryuu held three coats over one arm, he handed them out, one by one.

Meryn arranged her scarf and Rheia could have sworn it moved on its own. Blinking she looked again and it was still.

"Okay, let's blow this popsicle stand," Meryn said heading out the door.

Rheia followed eager to see somewhere familiar.

I can't wait to get to the clinic and normalcy.

CHAPTER FOUR

Colton bundled up Penny before they took her outside. The construction crew building the trainee's new barracks had moved the dumpsters yesterday, giving them back the grassy area they used for drills. Penny stood calmly at his side holding his hand.

"Are you sure this is a good idea? Having her outside during training?" Colton asked Aiden. The men were all staring at the little girl as if they had never seen a child before.

His friend turned to him. "Why not? She can't be inside all by herself, she could trip and fall or choke or drown in a bathtub. You heard your mate; she knows how to cut pieces off without killing us. Do you really want to risk something happening to our little angel here?"

Colton's brows furrowed. "Why would she be in the bathtub?"

Aiden rub his hands over his face. "I don't know, but I remember doing a lot of stuff when we were cubs that didn't make sense."

"Good point." Colton looked down at Penny. "No bathtubs, okay?" Penny nodded and gave a thumbs up, her tiny hand encased in a mitten. Colton's heart was a melted pile of goo in his chest. He scooped her up and kissed her cheek. "You're so damn cute!"

"Ahh, sir? What's with the kid?" Graham, the Delta Unit leader asked.

Aiden thought about it for a second then smiled. "So glad you asked." He walked over to Colton and Penny. "Penny, are you good at hiding?" She nodded. "Are you fast?" She nodded again.

Colton felt a growl crawl up the back of his throat. He turned his body so Penny was away from Aiden. "What in the hell are you thinking?" he demanded.

Aiden looked hurt for a moment before he reached out and cuffed Colton in the back of the head.

"Ow dammit!"

"Do you really think I would do anything to put her or any child in danger? You're like a brother to me Colton; I would never hurt my own niece," Aiden grumbled.

Colton was instantly contrite. "I'm sorry Aiden. My wolf is really at the surface, any perceived threat and he loses his mind."

"Apology accepted." Aiden nodded his head and turned to walk towards the group.

"Especially since I was going to ask you to be her Athair," Colton yelled to Aiden's back.

Colton had known all his life that if he had any children Aiden would be their Athair.

Aiden turned back around to face him and looked dumbstruck. Colton turned to Penny. "Penny, do you know what an Athair is?" She shook her head. "An Athair is someone very special in the life of a child. If anything were to happen to me or your mommy, Aiden would take over raising you and he would see to your protection and care." Penny's arms tightened around his neck. "Nothing is going to happen, I promise."