I sigh, and I see the same understanding settle on Viper’s tense shoulders.
Knox isn’t exaggerating. He’s telling the complete truth.
Hecan’t.
And instead of smothering it and denying his weakness, he’s asking for help. He’s showing us where his weak spot is and trusting that we won’t use it to hurt him.
The Pack bond quivers. Strengthening. Cracks healing over. This is progress. This is the hard work it takes to become a true Pack.
I inhale and snap into action, certain of what needs to happen.
This is what I’m for. This is what I do. I protect the people I love, even when the threat is coming from inside them.
I protect my Pack from themselves.
I step forward and lower my voice. “Hey there, baby girl,” I say softly, sliding my arm over Halley’s shoulders and gently pulling her into my arms. “Let’s get you somewhere soft and safe, okay?”
She fights against me, desperate to get back to Knox.
“No, no, no! Knox, please. I can make it better. Let me make it better,” she sobs, reaching for him and scrambling.
Her purr kicks up another notch as her inner Omega screams at her to soothe her Alpha.
“Halley…” He sounds pained, but doesn’t reach to take her back.
“Why don’t you want me?” she cries, thrashing harder.
My heart breaks for her just like it breaks for him.
I clutch her closer, restraining her clawing hands.
Instead of answering, Knox takes a stumbling step back, scrubbing a hand through his hair, eyes wild.
“Shh, shh, baby girl.” I hold her close and rock her gently until she softens into the affection.
Her purr is still loud and searching. Reaching for him with pleading determination.
Even in her softest, most primal state, our girl is a fighter.
I tuck her closer to my chest, her head underneath my chin.
Her purr sends vibrations trembling through my arms, and an all encompassing relief slides through me. It’s potent and dragsme under a blanket of comfort. It strikes me that even with Halley purring, a biological tool built specifically to suppress his anxieties, Knox still couldn’t turn off his inner turmoil.
‘Take care of her,’he says through our bond. He casts one last, longing look at Halley, then turns and marches swiftly, like if he doesn’t leave now, his emotions will split him open.
Blaze is staring at the doorway Knox walked through. This time, his eyes are clear and focused. He digs his nails into the skin over his heart, pressing his palm hard like he’s trying to feel something deeper.
‘I felt that,’his voice echoes through the link.
And it’shim.Not the spiteful creature that has been inhabiting our brother for months. This is the real Blaze. He’s present and aware, riding the same emotional current the rest of us were pulled into. Did he feel how our Pack bond shivered and healed? Has it brought him back to us?
Viper releases a shuddering breath.'I'm going after him,'he projects to us, then turns and lumbers after our Prime.
He knows how deep that cut went. Knox shouldn’t be alone right now.
I want to go too, but the small figure in my arms shifts closer, rubbing her face into my shirt with a low, needy sound. Her scent spikes again, warm and clinging, full of instinct and trust.
That decides it. Viper will have to be enough for Knox, because right now, another member of our Pack needs me.
