Fated Healing [Kindred of Arcadia 5] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) by Alanea Alder

crying subsided,
    knocked on the door, and announced that it was him. When the door opened he held his arms open and
    Rebecca launched herself at him.
    “Aleks must hate me,” Rebecca cried. Felix looked down at her, confused.
    “Why would he hate you?” he asked gently.
    “I haven’t been able to find the source. We’re going to lose Ma.” She buried her face in his chest. He
    sighed and wrapped his arms around her.
    “That man loves you, honey. Trust me. I would have strangled your crazy ass a long time ago.” Felix
    tickled her side. She looked up at him and wiped her eyes.
    “You’re probably right. He didn’t even roar when I explained about the bomb I made when I was
    twelve. Then again, he does have a lot on his mind right now.” Rebecca sniffed loudly, rubbing her nose.
    “That man is a damn saint,” Felix said to the ceiling. Rebecca poked him in the stomach.
    “Ow! Come on, Pint-Size, let’s head back. We have new supplies now, thanks to your common sense.
    Things are looking up.” Felix steered her to the door. Rebecca snuggled up under his arm as they walked
    back to the school. When they reached the gym, Rebecca stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.
    “Thank you,” she whispered and walked over to where Aleks sat with his ma.
    Felix watched as she put her own pain aside, heading to her mate. At her approach Aleks turned in his
    chair and buried his face in her chest. Felix and Rebecca’s eyes met and she nodded. Felix understood.
    Mates came first, even before your own suffering.
    The day transitioned into evening and it was almost too peaceful. Everyone barely spoke, afraid to
    break the silence. It was like the eerie, surreal calm before the storm. Felix wanted to scream and yell for
    people not to give up. It seemed like everyone had just accepted that their loved ones would die. Without a
    cure, they would.
    A few hours after midnight on the fifth day, Ma, Kate, and Damian slipped into comas. Felix couldn’t
    help but think of what Baptista had said about the leaders being able to lead. He was wrong. If these men
    lost their mates, there would be no leadership needed because there would be no Arkadia.
    He felt hot tears of frustration run down his face. He had only been in Arkadia for a short time, but he
    had come to love it here. It was the first place where he felt like he had a real home, and not just because he
    met Claybourne. He had come to care about the people in the pride and in town. He couldn’t just stand by
    and do nothing while this special town was destroyed from the inside out.
    “The antiviral is slowing the progress. I’ve been on conference calls with a board of assembled doctors
    explaining the symptoms. We’re not as alone as we think we are.” Claybourne came up behind Felix and
    held his mate.
    “How can you bear it? You’ve been here so much longer.” Felix wiped his eyes.
    “You’re right. I delivered nearly all of the children lying in these cots. I’ve attended mating parties,
    birthday parties, and school plays. I bear it because they need me. Because if I can’t bear it, and collapse,
    they really don’t stand a chance,” Claybourne admitted.
    “Have I told you lately how amazing you are?” Felix asked.
    “No, not today,” Claybourne whispered.
    “You are, you are the most amazing man I have ever met,” Felix said. Claybourne squeezed him then
    stepped away.
    “It’s time for my morning rounds,” he said.
    “You need to take a real break. Get some sleep,” Felix protested. Claybourne shook his head.
    “Soon. I will soon,” he promised. Felix snorted. He didn’t believe him for a minute.
    “I’ll grab you some breakfast,” he offered. Claybourne grinned.
    “And coffee,” he requested.
    “And your sludge coffee,” Felix said. He walked through to the cafeteria, which was mostly empty.
    Connor had chosen to stay near his family, so for kitchen duty he simply put out boxes of cereal, milk, and
    fruit. The coffee pots on the