I went immediately to the bed and took Alice’s cold hand. I found an unburned part of her palm and rubbed it with the side of my thumb.
“The burns are better, but she’s not what I’d call out of the woods,” Malcolm said from my right. He sounded miserable. “I have to give her heart a break. Can you do anything for her? Got any special…alpha magic?”
“I do.” I headed to the hall closet. “I can’t heal her, but I can provide body heat and comfort.”
When I returned with several blankets and quilts, Malcolm was humming quietly next to the bed. I recognized the song as one by Olivia Newton-John. Alice had told me she loved old music. She didn’t strike me as the type to like soft rock from the seventies, but maybe he was trying to comfort her.
One by one I added the covers to the bed, tucking them around Alice’s slim form, and then untied my boots and toed them off.
Out of habit, I started to unbuckle my belt and pull my shirt and undershirt off over my head, then paused. The desire for skin contact was strong and instinctive among shifters, especially when someone was injured or hurting emotionally. But it wasn’t necessary for me to undress to warm and soothe Alice, and most importantly she might not appreciate openingher eyes to find me in bed with her in my boxers. Privileges I’d had in her bed last night didn’t transfer to this bed today.
My wolf growled in displeasure, but I left my clothing on and slid under the covers next to Alice. The bed shook as she trembled.
Very slowly, I turned Alice to her side, curled up behind her, and drew her gently against my chest. She let out a breathy whimper, then went quiet except for raspy breathing.
This was a nightmare version of how we’d lain together in the hours after dawn. Her vanilla-sunshine scent was still there, but far stronger were the odors of magic, pain, fear, and burned flesh.
I closed my eyes, inhaled, and exhaled slowly. In my arms, she shivered and moaned.
My wolf curled up, his eyes glowing.Comfort and warmth, he said.
Thanks to my physiology as an alpha, my body knew what to do to help an injured or weakened member of my pack. Alice wasn’t part of my pack, but my body produced calming pheromones whenever I was near someone in distress. I also drew gently on our pack bonds to let their comfort and strength wash through me and into Alice.
Just as I started to settle in, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I growled and fished it out.
Ron Dormer: Got signatures from Hines and scheduled the project. Everything ok?
I’d forgotten about Gerald Hines. At the moment, I cared far less about that job than Alice’s condition, but I was glad Ron had been able to step in and finalize everything.
Me: Thanks for taking over. Pack emergency. I won’t be coming back this afternoon. Can you cover for me in the meetings?
Ron: Of course. Will you need tomorrow off?
I looked at Alice. Her shivering had eased a little, but her heart raced and she was still in shock. All my instincts told me she needed me, whether she would admit it or not.
Me: I probably will take tomorrow off. I’ll let you know for sure later tonight.
Ron: I’ll hold down the fort. Take care of your people.
I put the phone on the bed behind me, drew the covers up to Alice’s chin, and settled in with her in my arms, careful not to rub against her skin or hurt her. Again, I drew gently on my pack’s bonds and let the warmth and strength of our pack wrap around Alice like a blanket.
She let out a wispy sigh and moved to press her back closer to my chest. She’d done so instinctively, not consciously, but my wolf was pleased. He put his head on his paws and let his eyes go half-lidded.
“I see your magic blending in her aura,” Malcolm said quietly. “That’s you comforting her?”
“Yes,” I murmured.
“Thank you for helping her. Helpingus.” He sighed. “Sorry for calling you numbnuts.”
“Apology accepted.” I found an unburned part of her hand and stroked it lightly with my thumb in a quiet, even rhythm I hoped would soothe her. “Thank you for keeping her alive until I could get here.”
“You just met her last night, you said?” His voice didn’t sound suspicious anymore, but he was wary.
“Yes,” I said. “Before I left her house, I asked to see her again. She said she’d think about it and saved my number.”
“Hmm.” His chilly presence moved away from the bed toward the burned circle. “Do you think she planned to call, if it hadn’t been for this?”
“I’m not sure,” I admitted, still stroking her hand. “Probably not.”
