Fatigue was winning. Malachi swung his legs up onto the bed and eased his body back to the pillows. He would give himself a minute like this, long enough for the aches to lift a little, for his head to clear. April offered him the tumbler, and he drank deeply and allowed his eyes to close for a moment.
“Yeah, it would be great if you can finish that water before you rest,” Aaron said.
His eyes snapped open. “I don’t intend to rest.”
And if lounging here for a minute indicated otherwise, he ought to be on his feet again as soon as possible. In another long pull on the straw, he drained the tumbler and set it aside.
“Mal—”
“A wolf council is needed,” he said to his beta, though Aaron shouldn’t need to be told.
But Aaron was shaking his head. “We’ve got three wolves on patrol. Rhett told us how the rogues lured you into weapon range, so if they try that crap again, no one’s going to approach them alone. And they can’t get weapons in close to the cabins without the scent being noticed. They had one chance with that tactic, and it failed them because they didn’t count on you being seventeen percent. Now they can’t reuse it.”
“True.” There were other things to consider, to strategize…but…he was tired.
“Anyway they ran for their lives; not even Rhett can pick up a trace of them. So what do you need to tell the pack this minute? What can’t wait a few hours or even a day while you recover?”
“Further precautions. Dispersing seems risky. If the pack can stay at Rhett’s, near the safe room in case of another attack, at least for today…but if anyone needs to leave for any reason, or…”
He growled as the thought trailed away from him. His eyelids drooped. No, stay awake…but…he was tired.
Aaron shrugged. “I don’t see any reason we can’t all stick around Rhett’s for the day. Anyway, as long as you’re weakened, the pack won’t hear of you and April being left unguarded at your place.”
Malachi growled. “Ought to be able to protect my own mate.”
“You already have once, at the risk of your life. It’s only twenty-two days.”
Rhett had said something similar. So had Ezra. Another growl filled Malachi’s chest, but the sound was fainter this time. His eyes closed despite his best efforts. No, he had to get up from this bed. He had to lead a wolf council. But…
“Aaron.”
“Yeah, Mal.”
“I’m very tired.”
Eighteen
Aarontookaslowstep back from the bed. He put a shushing finger to his lips, and April nodded. Together they stood a long minute, watching as Malachi’s chest rose and fell more deeply, more slowly. His hands rested at his sides, and the fingers of the left gave a small twitch. His head had tilted back at an angle likely to strain his neck.
April whispered, “Can we move him? I don’t want him to wake up with a crick.”
“Yeah,” Aaron whispered back. “He’s really out. Finally.”
Aaron supported Malachi’s head and shoulders while April tugged pillows out from under him; then Aaron lowered him slowly until his head rested on the sole remaining pillow. He didn’t stir. April motioned to Aaron, and after a hesitation he crossed to lower the window shade, then followed her from the room. She began to shut the door, but he shook his head.
“I don’t want him to feel alone in his sleep. Of course he can smell the pack through a door, but…” He shrugged.
“Won’t we wake him up if we’re chatting? If the pups are loud?”
“It would take a scream or something. Yeah, our hearing is sharper than yours, but we’reusedto our hearing. Anyway I think all the scents of the pack… What you showed me before. I think if anything, knowing subconsciously that we’re all nearby and safe will help him sleep.”
“If that’s what you think he needs, then that’s what we’ll do for him.”
Aaron ducked his head.
April set one hand on his arm. “Aaron, look at me.”
When he did, his brown eyes were glossy.
