“There’s no need to be scared,” Cass says, quieter this time. “Beck is our beta. He’s the gentlest person in this house. On earth, probably.”
But his words don’t make me feel much better.
“Please,” he says with a small bow of his head, the hand on his thigh squeezing harder. “Get Beck for me.”
My knees wobble as I nod, and I have to steady myselfbefore I turn toward the door. Every step feels stiff and deliberate, like I’m bracing for something to explode behind me.
My hands won’t stop shaking by the time I reach the door.
I turn the knob slowly.
It cracks open, and four pairs of eyes instantly snap to me.
Warren, Gray, Beck, and even the doctor.
They’re all standing against the wall like they’re frozen in place, wide-eyed and tense.
My attention catches on Warren and Gray immediately. Two healthy alphas. Too close. Watching me too carefully. My hackles rise, instinct warning me not to linger.
“Um.” My throat tightens. “Cass wants to see Beck,” I say, my voice quieter than I mean it to be.
Beck jolts like I shocked him. His shoulders jerk, eyes widening even more, and then he’s moving before anyone else can react.
“Of course,” he blurts, already stepping forward. He rushes past me, nearly tripping over his own feet as he slips into the bedroom like he’s afraid Cass might change his mind if he takes too long.
The second Beck is inside, I push the door shut behind him, blocking out the two large alphas still waiting in the hallway. Then I press my back to the hard wood, heart racing, breath shallow.
The bedroom is smaller. Contained. It feels safer for some reason.
My nerves ease a bit when I glance back toward the bed. Cass’s arms are open, and Beck steps right into them. With a low grunt, Cass pulls the beta in closer, making Beck’s feet lift slightly off thefloor.
I watch, frozen, as Cass’s big hands move over Beck’s back in a slow, soothing sweep, one of them sliding up to tangle into the hair at the nape of his neck. He pulls back just enough to press a soft kiss to Beck’s nose.
“I’m sorry,” Cass says softly. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”
Beck shakes his head as he rests his fingertips on the edge of Cass’s jaw. “It’s okay,” he whispers. “You’re sick. I know that.”
Cass lets out a slow breath, like he’s thankful the beta isn’t upset. “I actually feel better,” he says. “My knee’s still a mess, but I can think. I haven’t been able to do that in days.”
Beck smiles sweetly, tension easing out of him. “That’s good.” He nuzzles Cass’s bearded face. “Really good.”
I stay where I am, hands tucked behind me.
Honestly, I’m not sure what to do with myself. It feels like I’m watching something private. For a second, I wonder if I should have stayed in the hallway after all.
Cass cups Beck’s face. “Can you get Tansy some breakfast?”
The beta looks surprised for a second, then he eagerly nods. “Of course.” His voice is bright, like nothing would make him happier. “I’ll make everyone breakfast. Do you think you could eat?”
Cass opens his mouth to answer, but my stomach chooses that exact moment to betray me with a low, unmistakable growl.
Heat creeps up my neck as I press my lips together, suddenly aware of how hollow I feel. I can’t remember the last time I ate. Yesterday? The day before?
The chaos over the last few days has blurred everything together.
Beck turns to look at me, then he smiles. He looks…normal. Harmless, even. He’s about my height, maybe a little shorter, with narrow shoulders and a thin frame that doesn’t read threatening in the slightest.
I could take him if I had to.
