Abrams looks like he’s biting down on another smile. “I’d say that’s up to Kennedy. But I’d strongly recommend lots of rest, at least for now. You’ve experienced an incredibly traumatic event over the last twelve months, and before that.”
She already looks exhausted, her words dragging. “All right.”
“We’ll talk again tomorrow.” I tense as his eyes flicker to mine, and he nods slightly in the direction of the door.
I press my lips to Kennedy’s hair. “Go to Jake for a minute?”
“I’m not a parcel.” The grumpy words are so beautiful Kenny that I grin. She’s already holding out her arms, and Jake shifts, easily slipping his arms under her and lifting.
I wait until she’s settled before following Abrams out. He’s waiting in the hall on the other side of the door, and I stop. “What is it?”
“Nothing.” He sighs. “Maybe nothing. The board wants to send in their team to examine her. It’s fairly standard.”
I frown. “Maybe that one doctor. But she won’t appreciate a load of strangers poking and prodding over her.”
“No.” He glances at the closed door behind me. “I’m very glad to see her, I must say.”
I nod. Slowly. “I—,”
Abrams catches me when my legs buckle. “Easy. Nice little adrenaline crash there, Oscar.”
I’m fighting for breath. “She’s back, Doc.”
She’s really back.
He claps my shoulder. “She is. Take it easy. All of you have some healing to do here.”
I shake my head. There’s a lot we need to do, as her pack.
God, the house. It’s not even a little bit set up. Not the way I’d want her to come home. My thoughts veer from one thing to another, Abrams watching me warily. “Do I even ask what’s going on in there?”
“Probably best not,” I say honestly, looking up at him. “Thank you.”
“I’ll be on the phone if you need anything. Ease her into things gently. Contact is good. Care. All the things you know. When she’s ready, I also have an excellent therapist based out of my office. She specializes in omega trauma.”
He hesitates. “One more thing. It’s not worth distressing her this evening – but one-sided mating bonds are not a good thing, as you know.”
“I know,” I say hoarsely. “But she doesn’t need to think about that right now.”
Not when it’s Theo who’ll feel it. And I know without asking that he’ll say the same. “Let her ease into it when she’s ready.”
If she’s ever ready.
Kenny
Icouldstayhereforever.My eyes threaten to close of their own volition, but I force them to stay open. I don’t want to sleep, not yet.
Not when it feels like I just woke up.
Jake’s breathing is steady, small huffs that brush over my hair as he holds me quietly. I twist to glance up at him. “You’re quiet.”
He blows out a breath. His thumb brushes against my stomach as his eyes lower, his words quiet enough that I lean in to listen. “I’m trying to believe that you’re really here, Ken.”
I lean my cheek to his chest, breathing in the scent of clean laundry. “You and me both.”
Then I straighten again, my head banging against his chin. Jake watches as I turn, baring my teeth at him.
“—Ooh ah ill av onca ee?”
