Pretty much everything after shifting and running away from the Omega Destiny International office was a blur. I vaguely remembered a searing pain as I was running. A sudden, overwhelming need to pee. Then being cold and scared, but not much else until I woke up in a fucking kennel.
Seriously.
A metal fucking cage.
I was still woozy but wasn’t sure why. I started to thrash around, trying to struggle to my feet, but sharp teeth bit down on my shoulder and nudged me back to the floor. That was when I realized I was still in animal form.
I snarled and struggled to face the threat behind me, only to be immediately overcome with comforting Alpha pheromones that eased my anxiety and soothed my fears.
If Kade was there, I was safe.
Protected.
You had the baby, a mental voice that was both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time murmured in my mind.But you can’t shift yet. You need to stay calm, Jem.
I did? Well, that would explain that horrific tearing pain while I was running. And if Kade was with me, everything must be okay, right?
Except, as I tried to sniff around the small enclosure, I couldn’t find anything except the scents of my Alpha and my own body. I felt a wave of panic roll through me. Had I really lost the baby after doing so much to try and protect it? Even as the thought hit, my heart sank. The missed meals, the inadequate shelter, the lack of medical care. By trying to keep my sisters from taking my baby, I hadn’t really done anything to protect it. That was just what I’d told myself to justify my selfish behavior.
Hey, Kade was back in my mind, his voice more forceful.Quit that. Everything is going to be fine. She’s small, but the doctor thinks she’ll be fine. She is in the incubator over across the room. You can see her as soon as the drugs wear off so you can shift.
She?I tried to send back, not sure if it worked until I felt the warm body behind me chuckle.
Yep. We have a daughter, baby.Kade sounded amused.And she’s beautiful. You did damned good, Jem.
I wasn’t sure if it was the drugs Kade had mentioned, the effort of having given birth, or a combination of all of the stress of the day, but a wave of exhaustion washed over me, making my head droop.
Go to sleep, baby, Kade’s voice was tender.I’m here. You’re both safe.
The next time I woke, my head was much clearer. I was human again, and instead of the cage from earlier, I was tucked into a soft, comfortable bed. I was dressed in a set of the soft, fleecy pajamas Kade had bought me and there were warm socks on my feet.
Even though I was alone in the bed, my Alpha’s scent was all around me, thick and satisfied, assuring me on a deeply spiritual level that I was safe and all was well.
I yawned and stretched, blinking my eyes open.
“Hey, baby,” Kade’s voice was soft, nearly a whisper. “How are you feeling?”
I turned my head and saw his big body filling a small rocking chair. He was wearing only a pair of faded jeans, his bare feet crossed at the ankles and a tiny blanket-wrapped bundle cuddled to his furry chest, an empty bottle in one hand.
“Okay, I think,” I sighed, my eyes roving over him hungrily. “Can I..?”
“Of course,” Kade said, rising to walk over to the bed. “The doctor said we have to wait until tomorrow if you want to breastfeed,” he said hesitantly, gently holding the bundle to my chest while I situated my arms around the dozing baby. “So, I gave her a bottle while you were sleeping.” My Alpha looked a little anxious as he met my eyes. “I hope you don’t mind.”
My heart lurched. Did I mind that he’d let me rest and taken care of my daughter as if she really was his own? No, I really, really didn’t mind at all.
“Of course, I don’t mind,” I said with a smile before looking down at the sweet little face that was all I could see in the bundle of blankets. “That was very thoughtful, Kade.”
My Alpha relaxed a little, but he still seemed tenser than usual. I scooted over on the bed, leaning against the headboard. “Do you want to join us?”
Kade’s face split into a wide grin. “I would like that. A lot.” He eased onto the bed, careful not to jostle me as he settled with his back next to me against the headboard, his broad shoulder touching mine. “Thank you, Jem.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “What on earth are you thankingmefor?” I asked, throwing him a sideways glance. “You’ve literally been the hero through the past weeks. You saved us both and now you’re thanking me?”
Kade just shrugged, his shoulder brushing mine. “She’s beautiful,” he murmured, changing the subject. “Have you thought about names?”
I sighed. “Not really,” I admitted. “I mean, I know I should have..” I trailed off when Kade shushed me.
“Stop beating yourself up,” he ordered gently. “There’s plenty of time. I was just curious.” He winked at me. “I mean, I’m probably just going to call her beautiful, anyway.” He snickered. “Maybe Belle, so it’s not as embarrassing when she’s a teenager.”
