The offer had emotion clogging my throat. I still wasn’t entirely certain about things with Kendrick, but I knew I was drawn to him, the same way I had been to Seth, even at the expense of stressing the others out.Please. I would do it myself if I could.
I’ve got you.Seth purred, rolling onto his back.You focus on healing and I’ll focus on shoving those two into a giant get-along T-shirt.
I laughed at that, instantly regretting it. This was going to be a long fucking recovery if I couldn’t speed it up. Haru stretched out in Velda’s place, inching as close as they could get without compromising the litany of tubes stuck to me.
Thank you for protecting her. Haru’s voice washed over me.I’m not glad for you to be in here, but I can be grateful she was spared by your bravery.
How is she?The connection was easier than I expected with how much skin we had in contact.
Guilt-ridden, but physically well.
Seth popped up, walking over to rub his cheek against mine.They’re both awake. I’ll go handle them. You get better.After a sandpaper lick-kiss to my nose, he turned and gave one to Haru as well.Take care of our girl.
I will.
Seth departed, leaving me with Haru and Caden.
Are you going to sleep more?Haru asked.
I probably should.
They tucked closer, hand softly cupping my face, their chest to my ear as they curled their whole body to cradle me while avoiding my injuries.
You can be a wolf again if it’s more comfortable.
I want my hands on you right now. Makes you feel more real.
I shivered, turning my face to fall asleep against them. Caden purred beneath my hand, making soft biscuits on my hip.
My physical and mental connections to the others created a strange sensation, like I was an empty bucket after my ordeal but they were refilling me one droplet at a time. I felt themslide through the core of my magic, cool water on a hot day, replenishing, refreshing.
Sleep dragged me under after every few minutes of wakefulness. It was frustrating as hell, knowing every moment I was out of commission put the nest at higher risk and I couldn’t do anything about it. Guilt grabbed me by the ankles, doing its best to hold me down.
I wouldn’t have made a different choice. I couldn’t stop myself from throwing my body between Kendrick and Yelena any more than I could turn away from the people in this nest who needed me. What would happen if we had to run? I wasn’t in any condition for that.
Each time I opened my eyes, some new combination of my lovers were tucked around me.
“Nest?” I managed to ask.
Velda woke slowly and I repeated my question. “It’s a dirt floor down there. Probably not great for your healing.”
Hot tears pricked my eyes.
“Hey, it’s okay. I’m sure we can figure out a way to make it work.”
I knew it wasn’t a better space for general healing than the clinic where I was now, but I needed the comfort of it.
Velda slid out of the bed next to me with a yawn. “Let me go chat with the doctor and see what we need to do to make that tenable.”
I pet Caden while I waited, indulging myself with his rumbling purr and a happy curl of his toes.
How do you feel?
“Alive.” I yawned again, struggling to keep my eyes open.
Sleep, Caden ordered.
I couldn’t help but obey.
