Panic clawed up his throat, desperate and wild. He tried to move, and the dark caught him again, yanking him back under.
* * *
Jesse drifted toward wakefulness, like floating up through deep, dark water.
Light brushed at him, thin and distant, but pain was an undertow, dragging him down. Not sharp, not slicing, but heavy, feeling as if it had been there always,deep in his belly.
A warmth along his side chased the pain until it became smaller, no longer all-encompassing. Warmth and something solid, grounding him.
It took him time to understand what it was. The scent came first—home, and comfort, andmine.Then the slow, steady rise and fall of breathing, of the body beside him.Matt.
Jesse tried to turn his head, to see him, but exhaustion held him too tightly. He wasn’t strong enough to move, or even to stay here in this moment. As he slipped back down, he felt Matt move even closer, pressing against him. Like he knew. Like he was keeping Jesse anchored so that, even though he was falling back into the darkness, he’d find his way home.
* * *
When he opened his eyes again, the living room was awash in soft evening light. A heavy shape sprawled nearby, a big dark wolf whose breathing was harsh but steady. Karl. A smaller wolf curled against him—Jason.
And Matt, always Matt, so close Jesse could feel the warmth of him sinking into his bones.
Jesse turned his head, shocked by how weak he was. Like overcooked noodles, with no strength in him. When he met Matt’s eyes, he couldn’t look away. Sleep was again pulling at him, but he needed just one more minute of this, of him.
Matt’s muzzle brushed his. A sigh escaped Jesse as he let go, letting himself sink into safety, into warmth. Into Matt.
This time as he slept, Matt seemed to come with him, following him into his dreams.
MATT
Matt paused in the doorway, one paw raised as he observed the scene in the living room. Jesse now looked as if he were merely sleeping, rather than how those first few hours had been, when each shallow, unsteady breath had been a gift.
Matt had forced himself away from Jesse’s side briefly once he knew Jesse was safe. Leaving Jesse had felt like leaving part of his heart behind, but he’d needed to be sure the rest of his pack were steady on their feet.
Karl was regarding Matt from half-open eyes, Dave lying close beside him. Pack members had been taking turns lying next to Karl, letting him know he was home, safe and surrounded by his pack as he slept. They’d have done the same for Jesse, too, Matt knew, but he’d only surrendered his place by Jesse’s side long enough to check in with Bryce. And to eat.
“Because you may not have noticed, Matt, but you were torn to hell, too. If you want to be there for Jesse, you first need to make sure you’rethere.”
Sometimes, Matt forgot just what a mother hen Bryce could be. That first morning, before Jesse had so much as stirred beside him, Bryce had crouched down, his gaze deadly serious as he looked between Matt and Karl.
“Don left more painkillers for you both, Jesse too when he wakes, but he wanted me to tell you—noshifting for at least another twenty-four hours. You need to heal more first.”
Matt didn’t muchwantto shift right now—he didn’t have the spare energy and everything hurt—but he wasn’t going to let anyone tell him how to run his pack. He had to ensure everyone was safe.
“Christian’s patrolling, and there’s no sign of anyone out there,” Bryce continued, as if he’d read Matt’s thoughts. “Neither Jason nor Dave were hurt too badly, but I’ve removed them from the rota for the rest of the day. As for Tristan… ” He paused, and Matt could see in his face concern for Tristan, for the mark that night had left on him. “He’s okay,” he said finally. And Matt knew Bryce would make sure of it.
Across the room, Karl’s gaze found his, seeking his alpha’s judgment. Matt gave him a little nod. No shifting for Karl, not yet. He still didn’t know how bad Karl’s injuries were, but he trusted Don’s call.
And if keeping Karl safe meant not shifting himself, well, maybe he’d do that.
* * *
Some hours later, Matt awoke again to find Bryce standing in the doorway, a familiar glint in his eyes that usually meant trouble. Matt eyed him suspiciously.
“I sent Dave shopping,” Bryce declared, then with a flourish, gestured behind him.
Tristan edged into the room, his arms around a huge pile of something Matt couldn’t identify.
“Dog beds,” Bryce announced proudly.
Karl snarled.
